MTG Standard Deck Tech: Red Deck Wins

[@umcarainteressante]

I love how you organize your cards on the table :P

[@uhmazingphil]

Sideboard suggestion: Zealous Conscripts is a 5 drop 3/3 with haste and "When Zealous Conscripts enters the battlefield, untap target permanent and gain control of it until end of turn. It gains haste until end of turn." Personally I'd run the Conscripts because it fills out another monster that can defend in mid-late game if for whatever reason you make it that far. To me running some security in sideboard can be super helpful.

[@AbsoluteMTG]

I will be doing Boros Aggro as soon as I get my Gatecrash cards in. It functions much like RDW and was taken in a very similar approach to functionality. I already have quite a few lists for GTC standard, it's just a matter of waiting till I get my cards haha.

[@AbsoluteMTG]

Rakdos Cackler counts as both Red and Black. "202.2d An object with one or more hybrid mana symbols in its mana cost is all of the colors of those mana symbols, in addition to any other colors the object might be. Most cards with hybrid mana symbols in their mana costs are printed in a two-tone frame."

[@CardDontShoot]

My friend got me into magic with RTR, Whenever we play casually it has been amazing but after I got pretty much stomped at my first constructed I realized how much money people put into this game. Not that that's wrong, the decks are incredibly powerful. Anyways, its nice to know that something that isn't 400 dollars is actually viable. Thanks for the build!

[@AbsoluteMTG]

If you get an unfavorable hand, you always have the option to mulligan. There is no downside to running Crucible as a 2-of aside from getting it in your opening hand occasionally, but again, that's occasional. Crucible was a substitute for 2 mountains and when you're at the point where you've overextended all that you can and you still have mana open, you can sink it into Crucible. I play RDW on MODO daily and have no troubles. Knowing when to mulligan is what is really key.

[@elvebrothergenju]

I'd love to see you play some of these decks. Is there a possibility that you'll ever upload some of your games possibly from your locals, scrims with friends or tournament games?

[@AbsoluteMTG]

The reason why I run them as a 4-of is because of consistency with getting it turn 1, turn 2 playing Zealot and swinging for as much as are mana permits. Stonewright lets you accelerate in the early couple of turns where most players aren't doing anything and it lets you hold off other spells you have for later turns. He essentially makes it less likely for you to overcommit with RDW.

[@AbsoluteMTG]

This deck was posted before Thundermaw Hellkite started picking up in tournament play. This was from very early in the RtR season of standard.

[@Draw1Jeff]

I've been thinking about running a blue splash in my RDW list since the izzet dual lands are so cheap. The idea is to use spectral flight to turn your creatures into baby dragons (I'll swing with my 4/4 rakdos cackler on turn 2!) Izzet charms for counter/card filter/more burn. We would also have access to izzet staticaster in the sideboard, which would be great for clearing the trash.

[@AbsoluteMTG]

He would not. When it's your main phase (either pre or post combat), you have the opportunity to cast Vexing Devil. As soon as he enters the battlefield, his ability is put onto "the stack" and is enforced to resolve. Haste only allows a creature to be declared as an attacker on the same turn it is cast, it does not supersede any creature ETB abilities.

[@AbsoluteMTG]

@SimTRtv Red Deck Wins is a deck that doesn't rely on its late game. The whole basis of the build is to win early game before anything really happens on your opponent's end. In regards to your remark about RDW being too slow for the format, RDW just won SCGO Columbus recently.

[@AbsoluteMTG]

I will be covering Esper Control but I will not be covering any Esper Token variants, at least not in the RtR season of standard.

[@AchillesofSCII]

This has the opposing deck in magical christmasland. on top of that, searing spear on a thragtusk in response to a blink isn't that bad. Did you not see the mono red GP Top 8 finish last weekend?

[@AbsoluteMTG]

Yes, I've often done it in Block Constructed as well as standard when RDW (Rakdos in the case of RtR Block) needs to take a defensive role (mainly after wining G1) with how it plays. It's really unfavorable and no one likes playing RDW variants defensively, but sometimes it's necessary in order to outplay your opponent and the station at hand.

[@mxmager92]

it is possible I suppose and if you follow the steal up with a flicker like cloudshift on the stolen creature before it returns I am fairly certain you control the creature permanently. I may be wrong and you should check the ruling on trying that but it seems like a lot of trouble.

[@AbsoluteMTG]

This deck was not intended to be a Budget Deck. While I will be doing some in the future for the budget players out, this one was just a coincidentally cheap build for competitive standard.

[@gccseagle]

No Lightning Mauler? I haven't played for very long but being able to drop him and a Cackler in and just swing in for 4 has been a huge plus for me.

[@drexterrose]

I would really love to see a budget deck of dragons.

[@AbsoluteMTG]

It'll be up tomorrow. I've had it planned for some time now.

[@Draw1Jeff]

I've noticed many versions of the deck are now running Pyreheart wolf, which acts as pseudo-evasion for as well as a recurring beater. Also Gore-House chain walker is pretty damn nice

[@martinrosschou]

What about Nivmagus Elemental? Should be fairly good in that deck too... Id also consiter adding 3 or 4 Reforge the Soul. You'r going to empty you'r hand in a 3 rounds, you want more cards to keep up the pressure.

[@AbsoluteMTG]

A lot of decks in the standard format are around that cost to make. Decks only get more expensive as you increase in size of the format; Legacy and Vintage are the most expensive formats to get into.

[@AbsoluteMTG]

In this type of a build where you are trying to race to win as quickly as possible, Bonfire ends up being bad because, at most you'll get a miracle for 2 or 3 but 90% of the time you will have it in your opening hand or draw it when it isn't needed. Versitile burn spells are much better in this case because you can rid of threats or just let loose on your opponent with them. When it comes to your opponent having tons of 1-toughness creatures, Flames of the Firebrand is better in RDW.

[@myles6235]

can you make annother, modern version of this deck with collatirrel damage as annother morbid activater aswell as the vexian

[@jcblazing06]

I love this deck so much that I am in the process of making it. It not complex as 2 or 3 color decks and its cheap to make I think only 70$ for the mainboard.

[@derekgames234]

I agree just if u do get stuck later on ur ZC and hellkite would really work well to stop the opponents blockers and let the dmg get through

[@andrewdaley4894]

I am going to make up my red deck and test it in Modern format. I do not have the cards to play cards before innistrad (so no lighting bolts or goblin guides) but I think I will drop the stonewright and add three frostburn weirds and one crypt born horror. It increases the curve a little but the weird functions similar to the stonewright... if you an attack and hurt your opponent and get a morbid brimstone volley off for 3 mana you get a 6/6+ beast! I

[@CaptainTaelos]

Depends on how you're playing. If you have quite a lot of creatures Hellrider is awesome. I run one in my Red/Black Rakdos aggro and I'm trying to get my hands on another one

[@NeuroticGamer]

Can you update this deck tech please? RDW is very viable in the current standard format due to the tempo of magic right now and i would really like to know your input on how to best run this deck atm.

[@ragingbull914]

i was wondering the same thing about shred freak but im assuming that the ahred freak can be killed easily by mana producers such as avacyn pilgrim

[@Metalicbovine]

I see a lot of the newer versions of this deck running Reckless Waif. Why? Hellion Crucible is useful later game to trade an extra useless land for another creature.

[@TheMCGamerZ]

I wouldnt use lighting bolt because its only for target player or creature with FLYING, while searing spear goes for player or creatures And also in my mono red deck, I use chundra ablaze because of her +1 effect discard a card if the card was red deal 4 damage to target creature or player, and her -7 effect cast any number of instant or sorcery cards from you graveyard without paying there mana cost.

[@monkey721345]

I'm running toil and trouble instead of anihalting fire , mainly for just burning them for the cards in their hand

[@ZuperGabo]

And btw, there are things called Thundermaw Hellkite and Zealous Conscripts for lategame.

[@ChrisBogie]

Zealous Conscripts can make for a nice late game finisher if you're unable to beat them down fast enough. What are your thoughts on ZC in the side board?

[@doomtomb3]

Hmm about Vexing Devil, in mono-red it's a win win. 4 dmg to them or they waste a removal spell. If they chump block or whatever you still take out a creature unless its got first strike.

[@ducksoup10]

Any ideas on what cards might work for a pure blue Fog Bank and illusion deck?

[@DallasLouise97]

Hellrider's effect runs even without him attacking, it doesn't say you need him attacking, but it is extra damage.

[@Dreditz1]

That's true! Haha, I didn't think of that. 4 mana on turn four to deal 9 damage is awesome!

[@Callmehkermit]

Would the number of cards in this video be the size of a normal deck ? It just seems to be way more than 60 cards.

[@AbsoluteMTG]

No because it's a 5 mana "take control" spell. We already have 4 Traitorous Blood in the side for big creatures we can't remove. 5 mana for the same thing is less effective.

[@Jenli666]

are u going to do a deck tech for junk walkers post RTR, cause u mentioned it and i've been waiting 4 it.

[@GKSRULE11]

have you thought about shred freak or mogg flunkies

[@sebastianwells3159]

I played RDW two fnm's in a row.. Came in first one week, and 2nd the next against U/W flash. It's cheap and very usable to new players. :)

[@lynmar]

yeah very real, i just completed my naya midrange this week and total value for that deck is rite around $830. went 5 rounds last nite at fnm and went 5-0 and going to a ptq this wknd with it

[@collinmccoy9650]

what happened to all the lightning bolts 1 mana for 3 damage....im never seeing that in red deck tutorial

[@fatalforty]

Would you recommend Reckoner for this deck?

[@Filip6754]

Could you do a deck technique with Deathrite Shaman control?

[@nakarasblade]

It didn't exist at the time the video was published... Gatecrash released february 2013 this video is from 2012.

[@ajajp66]

I could see maindecking it due to how creature heavy standard is. I went 4-0 last night doing just that in a GW midrange/ Jund midrange/ and Rites heavy meta. It only makes not that much sense vs. control in which case you'd just side them out games 2-3.

[@TheySaidWeSaid]

Took this setup up to my FNM and ran through everyone. Great deck. Are you going to post a new Esper Tokens soon?

[@EvanN108]

How do you feel about one-two reforge the soul? and 1-2 curse of the stalked prey?

[@ZRogg0417]

No Boros Reckoner? Or Blasphemous act? Or Bonfire? Why not?

[@Zeferet.]

may i ask, wouldnt moonveil dragon be good as the top of the curve just 1 or 2, even just as sideboard? to be able to pump ALL creatures you controll late game seems pretty usefull to me against deck which use the late game

[@gu1t4rg4m3r343]

Was Zealous Conscripts at all a consideration for the building of this deck?

[@HeAtBBx]

Yeah no prob. My deck nets to like 500 .. Of course i didnt pay that much i got lucky with boosters. but a playset of reckoners. 2 jace memory adepts, playset of snapcasters and all my shocklands alone add up to about 450

[@zsdCKanVOIJANSO]

i'm not a big fan of stoneright.. but i run 18 lands and play a little differently. If you'd like i'll link you to a decklist. This has been winning at FNM

[@ericbriggs28]

I don't understand how Stonewright works. Can someone explain?

[@S17RTMith]

I run a slightly creature heavier RDW with pyreheart wolves, I find its much more consistent especially against midrange, which is pretty much >50% of the current meta in my area.

[@evenflowcss]

I know that this was made circa RTR, but would you consider putting some Legion Loyalists in?

[@Exodusblaze]

could you do a red white heroic standard deck

[@FatalHappiness18]

i want to know your reasoning for running 4 stromkirk nobles or 4 stonewrights over running a 4th annihilating fire

[@AbsoluteMTG]

Any creature dying will cause Morbid to take over in the case of Brimstone Volley. If they have Vexing Devil deal 4 damage and force him to be sacrificed, he will in fact contribute to the Morbid of Brimstone Volley.

[@ericbriggs28]

So if I pair Stonewright with another 1/1, do I now have a single 2/2 creature with that ability? Or when you pair the cards, do I still have 2 creatures, but the other one now has that ability also? Thanks

[@finaledenbf3]

Thundeous wrath? miricale is 5 damage for 1 red. lightning bolt? lava spike?

[@Jeterfan906]

I like your Jund and Bant decks. I have most of the cards for those so it should only be $150-$250. Sure a little pricey but hey they'll both be good.

[@aronhansen]

Can you make a plainswalker deck profile ?

[@AlucardSparda]

How about building Esper Spirits or something like Esper control

[@Brongsted]

what about 4 markov blademaster in the deck the doublestrike and the +1+1 for every time she deals combat damadge

[@candlehawk]

Ajeman, can you please have a swish sound in your intro? Every time I watch one of your videos I check to see if my headset is working.

[@1122334455667700]

about the bolt, do you think that with g growth back in standard they´ll print it again on guildpact?

[@Sammysapphira]

You're playing RDW and not using many block bypass cards? What about Pyreheart Wolf and Madcap Skills? Also what about Boros Reckoner?

[@GibbyWoW]

How much mana do you think you're able to pump into creatures with Stonewright on an average turn? I've seen a few other RDW decks but they mostly run him at 1-2, maybe 3.

[@DVault]

does the cackler count as red and black or it that only the gold border cards?

[@djtimleary]

I've played it... and won plenty... but I played it without the Stonewrights... I added Pyreheart wolf instead... makes it a beast in mid range battles..

[@TanPraj]

How will you change it to standard for now? majority of the deck seems staple. Boros Reckoner and Burning Tree Emissary?

[@LinKeXX]

Why Searing Spear when you can use Lightning or Incinerate? ... But then again, I play legacy so I'm not sure which ones are legal...

[@IAmTheDoctorBR]

Can you make a dech-tech of jund dragons? (Modern)

[@subterraskuress1998]

Hi, do you think you could do an Aggro U/B Evasion deck? Because I need some help with mine. :) Thanks

[@kalelnuyda6223]

Ajeman, would annihilating fire still be good in this deck with all the new cards that came out?? should I change it in my red deck for something better or keep it in?

[@Hussalo]

Them knuckles looks kinda beat. Who did you have to defend your use of Vexing Devils against? Lol

[@318ShadowXblaze]

reckoner would be a good side deck if you wanna also side in blasphemous for field wipe plus an extra 13 damage it all depends on your style of play honestly but its the way i run it :p

[@666Kazekage666]

boros reckoner x 4, stonewrights for fire fist striker, and most likely burning tree emissary and lightning mauler

[@allskatersondeck]

I'm new to your channel and I love your content. If you haven't already of love to see green white humans, and possibly a standard blue white control deck.

[@Zeldarulah]

Also... no mainboard Thundermaw?

[@omegaxtrigun]

It's the term used to describe a mono red deck that uses low cost highly aggressive creatures and low cost, effective burn.

[@kalelnuyda6223]

what cards would you change/add now that dragons maze is out???

[@OscarBSilao]

no boros reckoner ? por que

[@drexterrose]

About how much in total would this cost to make?

[@Noisius]

about 102 dolars but i have added my own modifications

[@janderson9413]

Do you buy your cards as singles, trade, or get them from packs? Or a mixture of all three?

[@hydra66]

how would you change this post gatecrash?

[@ImEmaRose]

Help me out guys, is it posible to play an outdated standard deck like this in Modern? not competitive that is, just for fun. Thanks in advance

[@subterraskuress1998]

yes, it is.

[@natanaru]

Red tends to keep relatively similar from block to block as most of the cards are pretty uniform so you shouldn't have any issues running this , even in a tourney.

[@nX-EmraKuL]

why you don't use Lightning Bolt instead of Searing Spears?

[@bloodyvampire231]

can you make a standard deck tech for azorius u/w?

[@XDirkLanceX]

can you even use non-english cards in sanctioned tournaments?

[@acm564]

Can you do a deck tech on theros standard rdw

[@omegaxtrigun]

You'd think everyone running RDW would be using vexing devil but I don't think I've seen any in any of the 4-0 RDW decks on the mtg site.

[@brianleach6539]

Where do you get your Japanese cards?

[@brennenlesser5839]

He clearly stated being on the defending end. It does happen. Especially in the mirror & being on the draw.