What is it?
Boros is a name usually used to describe any R/W aggro deck, within this Boros has many smaller archetypes that it can focus on within its colours. Because of this Boros excels at being able to change between the "Beatdown" and the "Control" deck. Outlined Here.
This is even more emphasized in many current renditions of the deck in having very aggressive maindecks, but lots of control cards in the side. This lets you play a proactive, aggressive game one, and then be able to bring in cards from the side like Ajani Vengeant to go "bigger" than other aggro decks.
Boros decks often tend towards an Aggro-Control stategy, using removal like Lightning Bolt and Path to Exile in order to make room for powerful creatures to attack. Boros tries to gain control of the ground and can make anything they can't interact with slower/less powerful though cards like Thalia, Blood moon and Aven Mindcensor.
What can it do?
Boros is a deck that will try to win as fast as possible using landfall triggers and burn, but also has the capability to switch gears into a more controlling and restrictive gameplan through cards like Ranger of Eos and Blood Moon and the plethora of removal it has access to. Boros also has strong SB'ing because of its access to W sideboard cards like Rest in Peace, Timely Reinforcments, Kataki, Wars Wage and Ethersworn Canonist.
What are its Weaknesses?
Boros suffers from a lack of card advantage. Something that, when present, helps aggressive decks greatly. Boros can feel like an aggressive deck that just isn't fast enough if your landfall based gameplan doesn't work out, but what is important to remember is that Boros is different because it has more of a control aspect than traditional aggro decks especially post-sideboard. Boros also often ends up having turn 2 and 3 plays that consist of multiple one-drops, depleting your hand and making the lack of card advantage hurt even more.
Enjoy the Primer!
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Also, your list is pretty much RDW with a white splash.
The old thread was sorta dead but I have a link to it in the Primer. The old thread was also just a Deck discussion, rather than an actually primer.
I'm working on porting over as much info from the old thread as possible. but there's a lot of stuff to sift though.
In respect to my deck, that is what Boros tends to be, a red aggro deck that uses white for more controlling options. That said though, you are right, my deck is more aggro than control right now. but it is still a work in progress (I need to work on getting another PTE among other things)
Good job! Boros is one of my favourite deck types, regardless of which tier it's currently in...
Yeah, it's definitely a fun deck I actually think Boros is pretty well positioned in the meta at the moment, they have access to all the powerful aggro from RDW and the sideboard capabilities of white just bolster that (Ethersworn Cannonist, Disenchant, etc.) Given how well the 3 colour midrange decks (Jund, Delver) are doing, I feel like Boros, being somewhat of a two colour midrange deck, should be able to preform.
The main problem I'm running into is how I'm conflicted as to how to balance out the deck and also how much MD hate I should run. Blood moon and Thalia are really powerful, but I find that sometimes I'm more angry at them then my opponent is.
I will say that I'm working at it, and suggestions are warmly welcomed
I have been playing Modern Boros for a long time and is my second favorite modern deck at the moment, but is like tier 3 right now. Too many mid-range creature decks out there. I run a really fast version w a lot of 1 drops.
Also dont forget about Hell's thunder in the creature option section.
I have been playing Modern Boros for a long time and is my second favorite modern deck at the moment, but is like tier 3 right now. Too many mid-range creature decks out there. I run a really fast version w a lot of 1 drops.
Also dont forget about Hell's thunder in the creature option section.
I beg to differ about Boros being Tier 3, I was looking at Blippy's data and Boros is out performing RDW at the moment and is actually showing itself to be more around tier 1.5-2.
Nice work on the primer, i've been playing Boros-Proc from a while now......here's the list I've been running lately (and I'm thinking of taking to chicago)
Nice work on the primer, i've been playing Boros-Proc from a while now......here's the list I've been running lately (and I'm thinking of taking to chicago)
Looks awesome dude, The one thing I would do is put in Grim Lavamancer as a 1 or 2-of, just for his ability to finish games over top of opposing creatures.
also, I'd suggest Molten rain over Melt terrain in your SB, I just don't see much of a point in paying one mana more for the ability to target Basic lands.
Looks awesome dude, The one thing I would do is put in Grim Lavamancer as a 1 or 2-of, just for his ability to finish games over top of opposing creatures.
also, I'd suggest Molten rain over Melt terrain in your SB, I just don't see much of a point in paying one mana more for the ability to target Basic lands.
Cheers
Molten Rain is prolly better and I'll be switching them out as soon as I can get to the store to buy some....I'm just not sold on Lavamancer as a MD card, to me, it's far more of a mid-late game card....early game I want to be using my mana to play dude or burn. I may test a 2/2 main deck split with Proc. or maybe a 2/3/3 split with lavamancer/ranger/proc
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Standard BEtched Champion/InfectB WSoilders/knightsW WUVenser SplicerWU RRDWR GFeed the Pack comboG WUPool of ExhaustionWU
EDH GEzuri, Elf OverrunG BGeth, GraverobberB UThada Adel, ThiefU RUrabrask, Big RedR WElesh Norn, CrusadeW WUGAngus Makenzie, Bant ControlWUG
Molten Rain is prolly better and I'll be switching them out as soon as I can get to the store to buy some....I'm just not sold on Lavamancer as a MD card, to me, it's far more of a mid-late game card....early game I want to be using my mana to play dude or burn. I may test a 2/2 main deck split with Proc. or maybe a 2/3/3 split with lavamancer/ranger/proc
Sounds good, just putting it in as a one of should work in case you need him. Seeing as you already have Ranger to tutor for him
I believe in a much faster aggro oriented approach
Seems really solid. Goblin Bushwhacker would work as a target to fetch with Ranger. With the large amount of one drops you have, an AEther Vial could work as well, especially so if you dropped the Keldon's for a Bushwhacker and a couple Vexing Devils.
A lot of the reason why I'm running Figure instead of Student is because of a lack of Students in my collection, that and the fact that he's mono white was concerning me, looking at it now though you're right. Student is more mana efficient than Figure anyways
I've been playing boros for a while in modern... Different builds: zektar all-in-landfall, rangers midrange, thalia mainboard, R(w)DW style etc. etc. Let me reflect on my experience.
Aggressive landfall builds could be explosive, but very prone to well-placed early spot removal and awkward hands. Awkward hands happened more often than not.
Rangers (or any midrange-y build) seems slow. In theory ranger should refill your hand and provide gas, but the turn you play him you essentially do nothing. Sure, next turn you smash their face... but that's no good versus tron, combo, delver... It feels like a time walk sometimes.
Thalias mainboard seemed promising, despite obvious dysynergy with the 12 instants we run. Also it seemed like the only way to fight combo game one. However, I fee like death and taxes makes better use of her than boros.
Splashing W in RDW opens helix, some nice sideboard options. So does black with bump. As of now the B splash seems preferable.
Overall I find playing boros similar to playing ... RUW delver. Ideally, they both play a tempo game. Both share the 12 instants. Both run lynx, possibly lavamancer or guide. However delver, snapcaster, and especially geist feel just far more superior to what boros has. Especially geist. Boros just lacks a comparable 3 drop. Also 2 drops seem lacking. So it looks like UW is more aggressive than RW, at least in the creature department? As current meta stands, I feel RUW and RUG delver compete for the tempo slot with boros and win. For now.
To sum up some of the problems boros is currently facing:
Lack of solid 3 drop
Lack of solid 2 drop
No good play when you hit 4 lands. Ranger is slow. Planeswalkers are slow. Only out is to sink into figurie or student.
Still very strong in:
Wide selection of solid 1 drops
Flexible sideboard options
Solid base of 12-16 removal/burn spells
I hope Gatecrash will bring much needed splashy 2 and 3 drop in RW with haste, and some evasion ;-) Mmmmm... /now dreaming/
Some notes:
- I haven't been that impressed with Goblin Guide recently. Figure of Destiny is slower, but he is also really good going long, or just a great topdeck.
- Much in the same way I am not running Goblin Guide, I am less and less impressed against Path to Exile ~ it doesnt seem good enough against enough decks. Pillar of Flame is a little ugly, but it does a lot of the same thing and it goes upstairs.
- Grim Lavamancer gives the deck more game going long and has a lot of fuel.
- Forked bolt seems really well positioned at the moment.
I don't know where I want to be with the sideboard at the moment, so I have not provided one. I will include at least another Path to Exile though, a Ranger of Eos or two (for Jund) some graveyard hate and probably some amount of lifegain. Otherwise? Anti-combo cards.
All thoughts and criticism welcome. I do worry a little that I am going to be a little short on coloured mana.
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First off pillar of flame is bad....it's a sorcery speed shock with a mostly
Irrelevant ability tacked on. Rift Bolt is much better.
Also try a split on your fetches run 2 tarns and 2 marsh flats (or 3/1 split favoring tarns)
Other than that it looks like a fine build (but I do have to say guide is amazing, not sure why your viewing him as meh)
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Standard BEtched Champion/InfectB WSoilders/knightsW WUVenser SplicerWU RRDWR GFeed the Pack comboG WUPool of ExhaustionWU
EDH GEzuri, Elf OverrunG BGeth, GraverobberB UThada Adel, ThiefU RUrabrask, Big RedR WElesh Norn, CrusadeW WUGAngus Makenzie, Bant ControlWUG
Rift Bolt is slower than Pillar and doesn't answer Kitchen Finks or Geralf's Messenger, both of which are seeing increased play. I like it more than two more paths because it doesn't have the draw back and can go upstairs.
Figure is because I don't want to be as all-in. I know GG is a great card, this is more to try something different.
Point on the mana base taken, thanks!
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Do you think magma spray not going upstairs is a problem? I went for pillar just because if I absolutely have to, it goes upstairs. I jammed sceptre for some games last night, but it seemed slow against all the turn 4 decks ~ I can definitely see it being really good in the sideboard though; great idea!
After testing, I can see -1 forked bolt, +1 path (with 1 of each in the board).
The deck felt really good; you can do 16 damage absurdly fast, so decks like UWR and Jund are at risk immediately. You can goldfish turn 3-4; so you're live game 1 against the combo decks. Your steppe lynx isn't a joke going long like it is in UWR/Zoo; you're always 1 ghost quarter/flagstones away from going off again. Figure and Lacamancer help you go long.
I'm not saying the deck is incredibly good, but it is very consistent, fairly resilient and is a turn faster than rug/uwr; which is important.
For the sideboard, I was thinking:
3 rest in peace (gy combo)
3 combust (SplinterTwin; kikki-combo)
2 smash to smithereens
1 kataki, war's wage (affinity, could be another smash)
1 linvala, keeper of the silence (SplinterTwin; kikki-combo)
1 forked bolt
1 path to exile
2 ranger of eos (jund; let's you fetch figure late)
1 sword of fire and ice (very good against control)
Might be too soft to storm combo, have not faced it yet. I cant imagine I would be worse than 45% just because you can kill them turn 3-4 anyway.
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Other than that I feel like your idea for the Path/Forked Bolt spilt is good, but just put 2 Path main imho, I was running them out of the SB too, but they are more generally useful than pretty much any other removal. Ethersworn Cannonist shuts down storm hard if you're worried about it, finally I'd prefer Shattering Spree over Smash to Smithereens it's just better imho, as usually you wont need the extra damage and are more concerned about # of artifacts removed (especially against Affinity)
The idea of Linvala is actually pretty cool too
In terms of everything in your Maindeck it looks pretty nice I'd recommend that you put Student of Warfare in place of the Figure of destiny as it's better if you do draw it earlier. For Magma Spray vs. Pillar of Flame I think Pillar is better, but that might just be me I also second Isochron Scepter, even as a one-of it's awesome.
And run GG, he is just great, he is incredibly mana efficient (usually 4-6 Damage for 1 Mana in my experience) and gives you information that has helped me win games.
Went to a local Modern tourney. beat faeries, pod, Jund and lost to a damn vampires deck. damn near every card he brought down was a threat. Nighthawk, Kalastria highborn, nocturnus, bloodline keeper.he was killing my creatures with gatekeeper, Go for the throat, dismember. am going to try and modify my sideboard for when i face him again. i dunno, maybe add 2 more Rangers, or put more grim lavamancer's in, or side some Surgical extractions. any suggestions?
this is the deck i used.
Am taking the bloodmoons out and putting them SB. refraction trap i only have one looking for more. I also wanna mess around with my mana base. i have 3 flagstones.(lookin for a fourth) and would like to add in some ghostquarters with that. any suggestions on what my mana base would look like after i add in the flagstones and Ghostquarters?
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Modern - undecided
EDH - Mirri
Mahvel: Spencer/Magz/Vergil
Other than that I feel like your idea for the Path/Forked Bolt spilt is good, but just put 2 Path main imho, I was running them out of the SB too, but they are more generally useful than pretty much any other removal. Ethersworn Cannonist shuts down storm hard if you're worried about it, finally I'd prefer Shattering Spree over Smash to Smithereens it's just better imho, as usually you wont need the extra damage and are more concerned about # of artifacts removed (especially against Affinity)
The idea of Linvala is actually pretty cool too
In terms of everything in your Maindeck it looks pretty nice I'd recommend that you put Student of Warfare in place of the Figure of destiny as it's better if you do draw it earlier. For Magma Spray vs. Pillar of Flame I think Pillar is better, but that might just be me I also second Isochron Scepter, even as a one-of it's awesome.
And run GG, he is just great, he is incredibly mana efficient (usually 4-6 Damage for 1 Mana in my experience) and gives you information that has helped me win games.
This is very helpful, thanks!
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Went to a local Modern tourney. beat faeries, pod, Jund and lost to a damn vampires deck. damn near every card he brought down was a threat. Nighthawk, Kalastria highborn, nocturnus, bloodline keeper.he was killing my creatures with gatekeeper, Go for the throat, dismember. am going to try and modify my sideboard for when i face him again. i dunno, maybe add 2 more Rangers, or put more grim lavamancer's in, or side some Surgical extractions. any suggestions?
this is the deck i used.
Am taking the bloodmoons out and putting them SB. refraction trap i only have one looking for more. I also wanna mess around with my mana base. i have 3 flagstones.(lookin for a fourth) and would like to add in some ghostquarters with that. any suggestions on what my mana base would look like after i add in the flagstones and Ghostquarters?
Nice job at the Tourney Jund can be tough, so you have my props on that win About the vampires deck I actually have no idea on how to improve your deck for that match-up, especially considering you're already running Crusaders, you have the right idea with maybe putting in another Lavamancer though, as that should help deal with threats more consistently, and at worst he draws a removal spell.
After adding Flagstones and GQ's your mana base you might want to cut down on some fetches, especially if you are running the "full" twelve. It comes down to running Flagstones+GQ is more explosive with landfallers but just running 12 fetch can be more consistent. The two don't always mix well though, keep that in mind.
As for the Blood moons, I'd say either cut the Garrison for a Plains if you want to try and keep them MD, or even out of the SB I think it would still be a good plan.
Due to the recent flooding of WW lifegain in MTGO daily events I had to stop playing death and Taxes and come back to play my old time favorite Boros Aggro; Which I think has a better match up. Im running 4 ash zealots (cutting hellspark) and they have been pretty good right now. I also cut all 4 steppe lynx, most useless creature ever, more often that not it was a 2/3 or a 0/1.
Due to the recent flooding of WW lifegain in MTGO daily events I had to stop playing death and Taxes and come back to play my old time favorite Boros Aggro; Which I think has a better match up. Im running 4 ash zealots (cutting hellspark) and they have been pretty good right now. I also cut all 4 steppe lynx, most useless creature ever, more often that not it was a 2/3 or a 0/1.
Ash Zealots work pretty well, but calling Steppe Lynx bad is blasphemy! what is your manabase like that it is only a 0/1-2/3?
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What is it?
Boros is a name usually used to describe any R/W aggro deck, within this Boros has many smaller archetypes that it can focus on within its colours. Because of this Boros excels at being able to change between the "Beatdown" and the "Control" deck. Outlined Here.
This is even more emphasized in many current renditions of the deck in having very aggressive maindecks, but lots of control cards in the side. This lets you play a proactive, aggressive game one, and then be able to bring in cards from the side like Ajani Vengeant to go "bigger" than other aggro decks.
Boros decks often tend towards an Aggro-Control stategy, using removal like Lightning Bolt and Path to Exile in order to make room for powerful creatures to attack. Boros tries to gain control of the ground and can make anything they can't interact with slower/less powerful though cards like Thalia, Blood moon and Aven Mindcensor.
Old Discussion
What can it do?
Boros is a deck that will try to win as fast as possible using landfall triggers and burn, but also has the capability to switch gears into a more controlling and restrictive gameplan through cards like Ranger of Eos and Blood Moon and the plethora of removal it has access to. Boros also has strong SB'ing because of its access to W sideboard cards like Rest in Peace, Timely Reinforcments, Kataki, Wars Wage and Ethersworn Canonist.
What are its Weaknesses?
Boros suffers from a lack of card advantage. Something that, when present, helps aggressive decks greatly. Boros can feel like an aggressive deck that just isn't fast enough if your landfall based gameplan doesn't work out, but what is important to remember is that Boros is different because it has more of a control aspect than traditional aggro decks especially post-sideboard. Boros also often ends up having turn 2 and 3 plays that consist of multiple one-drops, depleting your hand and making the lack of card advantage hurt even more.
Enjoy the Primer!
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Quick Decklists:
Landfall (Thanks Homeland Zecurity)
4 Path to Exile
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Lightning Helix
4 Zektar Shrine Expedition
3 Shard Volley
4 Steppe Lynx
4 Plated Geopede
4 Figure of Destiny
3 Grim Lavamancer
Midrange (My list, Midrange version is changing a lot right now.)
4 Steppe Lynx
4 Figure of Destiny
2 Grim Lavamancer
1 Weathered Wayfarer
1 Dragonmaster Outcast
4 Kitchen Finks
2 Mirran Cursader
3 Ranger of Eos
2 Reveillark
4 Path to Exile
4 Lightning Helix
2 Searing Blaze
Working on a rewrite, ask questions and we should have answers
The old thread was sorta dead but I have a link to it in the Primer. The old thread was also just a Deck discussion, rather than an actually primer.
I'm working on porting over as much info from the old thread as possible. but there's a lot of stuff to sift though.
In respect to my deck, that is what Boros tends to be, a red aggro deck that uses white for more controlling options. That said though, you are right, my deck is more aggro than control right now. but it is still a work in progress (I need to work on getting another PTE among other things)
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Yeah, it's definitely a fun deck I actually think Boros is pretty well positioned in the meta at the moment, they have access to all the powerful aggro from RDW and the sideboard capabilities of white just bolster that (Ethersworn Cannonist, Disenchant, etc.) Given how well the 3 colour midrange decks (Jund, Delver) are doing, I feel like Boros, being somewhat of a two colour midrange deck, should be able to preform.
The main problem I'm running into is how I'm conflicted as to how to balance out the deck and also how much MD hate I should run. Blood moon and Thalia are really powerful, but I find that sometimes I'm more angry at them then my opponent is.
I will say that I'm working at it, and suggestions are warmly welcomed
Also dont forget about Hell's thunder in the creature option section.
I beg to differ about Boros being Tier 3, I was looking at Blippy's data and Boros is out performing RDW at the moment and is actually showing itself to be more around tier 1.5-2.
Thanks for the reminder about Hells thunder btw
2 Goblin Bushwacker
4 Goblin Guide
4 Figure of Destiny
4 Steppe Lynx
4 Vexing Devil
4 Ranger of Eos
Spells (16)
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Path to Exile
4 Lightning Helix
4 Proclamation of Rebirth
2 Plains
2 Mountain
4 Sacred Foundary
4 Arid Mesa
2 Marsh Flats
2 Scalding Tarn
4 Rugged Prarie
2 Flagstones of Trokair
3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
3 Grim Lavamancer
3 Kor Firewalker
2 Relic of Progenitus
2 Smash to Smithereens
2 Melt Terrain
BEtched Champion/InfectB
WSoilders/knightsW
WUVenser SplicerWU
RRDWR
GFeed the Pack comboG
WUPool of ExhaustionWU
EDH
GEzuri, Elf OverrunG
BGeth, GraverobberB
UThada Adel, ThiefU
RUrabrask, Big RedR
WElesh Norn, CrusadeW
WUGAngus Makenzie, Bant ControlWUG
Extended
WGElvesWG
Legacy
RGoblinsR
UBGFariesUBG
UBGRaffinityUBG
Looks awesome dude, The one thing I would do is put in Grim Lavamancer as a 1 or 2-of, just for his ability to finish games over top of opposing creatures.
also, I'd suggest Molten rain over Melt terrain in your SB, I just don't see much of a point in paying one mana more for the ability to target Basic lands.
Cheers
Molten Rain is prolly better and I'll be switching them out as soon as I can get to the store to buy some....I'm just not sold on Lavamancer as a MD card, to me, it's far more of a mid-late game card....early game I want to be using my mana to play dude or burn. I may test a 2/2 main deck split with Proc. or maybe a 2/3/3 split with lavamancer/ranger/proc
BEtched Champion/InfectB
WSoilders/knightsW
WUVenser SplicerWU
RRDWR
GFeed the Pack comboG
WUPool of ExhaustionWU
EDH
GEzuri, Elf OverrunG
BGeth, GraverobberB
UThada Adel, ThiefU
RUrabrask, Big RedR
WElesh Norn, CrusadeW
WUGAngus Makenzie, Bant ControlWUG
Extended
WGElvesWG
Legacy
RGoblinsR
UBGFariesUBG
UBGRaffinityUBG
Sounds good, just putting it in as a one of should work in case you need him. Seeing as you already have Ranger to tutor for him
4 Arid Mesa
4 Marsh Flats
4 Sacred Foundry
4 Flagstones of Trokair
3 Ghost Qaurter
2 Mountain
1 Plains
4 Steppe Lynx
3 Plated Geopede
4 Goblin Guide
3 Figure of Destiny
2 Grim Lavamancer
2 Ranger of Eos
3 Keldon Marauders
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Path to Exile
3 Seering Blaze
4 Lightning Helix
2 Proclimation of Rebirth
I believe in a much faster aggro oriented approach
WURDelver
[/MANA]MANA]R[/MANA]GTron
WDeath and Taxes
WSoul Sisters
RWG Pod Combo
URSplinter Twin
URStorm
RBurn
Seems really solid. Goblin Bushwhacker would work as a target to fetch with Ranger. With the large amount of one drops you have, an AEther Vial could work as well, especially so if you dropped the Keldon's for a Bushwhacker and a couple Vexing Devils.
Thanks for the info
A lot of the reason why I'm running Figure instead of Student is because of a lack of Students in my collection, that and the fact that he's mono white was concerning me, looking at it now though you're right. Student is more mana efficient than Figure anyways
Aggressive landfall builds could be explosive, but very prone to well-placed early spot removal and awkward hands. Awkward hands happened more often than not.
Rangers (or any midrange-y build) seems slow. In theory ranger should refill your hand and provide gas, but the turn you play him you essentially do nothing. Sure, next turn you smash their face... but that's no good versus tron, combo, delver... It feels like a time walk sometimes.
Thalias mainboard seemed promising, despite obvious dysynergy with the 12 instants we run. Also it seemed like the only way to fight combo game one. However, I fee like death and taxes makes better use of her than boros.
Splashing W in RDW opens helix, some nice sideboard options. So does black with bump. As of now the B splash seems preferable.
Overall I find playing boros similar to playing ... RUW delver. Ideally, they both play a tempo game. Both share the 12 instants. Both run lynx, possibly lavamancer or guide. However delver, snapcaster, and especially geist feel just far more superior to what boros has. Especially geist. Boros just lacks a comparable 3 drop. Also 2 drops seem lacking. So it looks like UW is more aggressive than RW, at least in the creature department? As current meta stands, I feel RUW and RUG delver compete for the tempo slot with boros and win. For now.
To sum up some of the problems boros is currently facing:
I hope Gatecrash will bring much needed splashy 2 and 3 drop in RW with haste, and some evasion ;-) Mmmmm... /now dreaming/
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3 Grim Lavamancer
4 Plated Geopede
4 Steppe Lynx
4 Zektar-Shrine Expedition
2 Forked Bolt
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Lightning Helix
2 Path to Exile
2 Pillar of Flame
4 Searing Blaze
4 Flagstones of Trokair
3 Ghost Quarter
3 Mountain
1 Plains
4 Sacred Foundry
4 Scalding Tarn
Some notes:
- I haven't been that impressed with Goblin Guide recently. Figure of Destiny is slower, but he is also really good going long, or just a great topdeck.
- Much in the same way I am not running Goblin Guide, I am less and less impressed against Path to Exile ~ it doesnt seem good enough against enough decks. Pillar of Flame is a little ugly, but it does a lot of the same thing and it goes upstairs.
- Grim Lavamancer gives the deck more game going long and has a lot of fuel.
- Forked bolt seems really well positioned at the moment.
I don't know where I want to be with the sideboard at the moment, so I have not provided one. I will include at least another Path to Exile though, a Ranger of Eos or two (for Jund) some graveyard hate and probably some amount of lifegain. Otherwise? Anti-combo cards.
All thoughts and criticism welcome. I do worry a little that I am going to be a little short on coloured mana.
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Irrelevant ability tacked on. Rift Bolt is much better.
Also try a split on your fetches run 2 tarns and 2 marsh flats (or 3/1 split favoring tarns)
Other than that it looks like a fine build (but I do have to say guide is amazing, not sure why your viewing him as meh)
BEtched Champion/InfectB
WSoilders/knightsW
WUVenser SplicerWU
RRDWR
GFeed the Pack comboG
WUPool of ExhaustionWU
EDH
GEzuri, Elf OverrunG
BGeth, GraverobberB
UThada Adel, ThiefU
RUrabrask, Big RedR
WElesh Norn, CrusadeW
WUGAngus Makenzie, Bant ControlWUG
Extended
WGElvesWG
Legacy
RGoblinsR
UBGFariesUBG
UBGRaffinityUBG
Figure is because I don't want to be as all-in. I know GG is a great card, this is more to try something different.
Point on the mana base taken, thanks!
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Do you think magma spray not going upstairs is a problem? I went for pillar just because if I absolutely have to, it goes upstairs. I jammed sceptre for some games last night, but it seemed slow against all the turn 4 decks ~ I can definitely see it being really good in the sideboard though; great idea!
After testing, I can see -1 forked bolt, +1 path (with 1 of each in the board).
The deck felt really good; you can do 16 damage absurdly fast, so decks like UWR and Jund are at risk immediately. You can goldfish turn 3-4; so you're live game 1 against the combo decks. Your steppe lynx isn't a joke going long like it is in UWR/Zoo; you're always 1 ghost quarter/flagstones away from going off again. Figure and Lacamancer help you go long.
I'm not saying the deck is incredibly good, but it is very consistent, fairly resilient and is a turn faster than rug/uwr; which is important.
For the sideboard, I was thinking:
3 rest in peace (gy combo)
3 combust (SplinterTwin; kikki-combo)
2 smash to smithereens
1 kataki, war's wage (affinity, could be another smash)
1 linvala, keeper of the silence (SplinterTwin; kikki-combo)
1 forked bolt
1 path to exile
2 ranger of eos (jund; let's you fetch figure late)
1 sword of fire and ice (very good against control)
Might be too soft to storm combo, have not faced it yet. I cant imagine I would be worse than 45% just because you can kill them turn 3-4 anyway.
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Rest in Peace actually isn't as good as cards like Relic of Progenitus and Grafdiggers cage in my experienceOther than that I feel like your idea for the Path/Forked Bolt spilt is good, but just put 2 Path main imho, I was running them out of the SB too, but they are more generally useful than pretty much any other removal. Ethersworn Cannonist shuts down storm hard if you're worried about it, finally I'd prefer Shattering Spree over Smash to Smithereens it's just better imho, as usually you wont need the extra damage and are more concerned about # of artifacts removed (especially against Affinity)
The idea of Linvala is actually pretty cool too
In terms of everything in your Maindeck it looks pretty nice I'd recommend that you put Student of Warfare in place of the Figure of destiny as it's better if you do draw it earlier. For Magma Spray vs. Pillar of Flame I think Pillar is better, but that might just be me I also second Isochron Scepter, even as a one-of it's awesome.
And run GG, he is just great, he is incredibly mana efficient (usually 4-6 Damage for 1 Mana in my experience) and gives you information that has helped me win games.
EDIT: nvm the RIP comment.
this is the deck i used.
2x Mirran Crusader
4x Figure of Destiny
1x Goblin Bushwhacker
1x Grim Lavamancer
3x Plated Geopede
2x Ranger of Eos
4x Steppe Lynx
4x Goblin Guide
Enchantment
2x Blood Moon
4x Lightning Bolt
4x Lightning Helix
4x Path to Exile
Land (22)
4x Arid Mesa
4x Marsh Flats
3x Mountain
3x Plains
3x Sacred Foundry
4x Scalding Tarn
1x Boros Garrison
2x Relic of progenitus
3x Disenchant
3x Molten Rain
1x Blood moon
2x Combust
3x Volcanic fallout
1x refraction trap
Am taking the bloodmoons out and putting them SB. refraction trap i only have one looking for more. I also wanna mess around with my mana base. i have 3 flagstones.(lookin for a fourth) and would like to add in some ghostquarters with that. any suggestions on what my mana base would look like after i add in the flagstones and Ghostquarters?
EDH - Mirri
Mahvel: Spencer/Magz/Vergil
This is very helpful, thanks!
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Nice job at the Tourney Jund can be tough, so you have my props on that win About the vampires deck I actually have no idea on how to improve your deck for that match-up, especially considering you're already running Crusaders, you have the right idea with maybe putting in another Lavamancer though, as that should help deal with threats more consistently, and at worst he draws a removal spell.
After adding Flagstones and GQ's your mana base you might want to cut down on some fetches, especially if you are running the "full" twelve. It comes down to running Flagstones+GQ is more explosive with landfallers but just running 12 fetch can be more consistent. The two don't always mix well though, keep that in mind.
As for the Blood moons, I'd say either cut the Garrison for a Plains if you want to try and keep them MD, or even out of the SB I think it would still be a good plan.
Ash Zealots work pretty well, but calling Steppe Lynx bad is blasphemy! what is your manabase like that it is only a 0/1-2/3?