Primer: R/w/x Aggro

[Lightning_Dolt]

Big Boros
Valeriy Shunkov
Test deck for 11/3/2013
[deck]
Creatures (26)
4 Ash Zealot
4 Boros Reckoner
4 Burning-Tree Emissary
4 Fanatic of Mogis
4 Frostburn Weird
3 Stormbreath Dragon
3 Purphoros, God of the Forge

Lands (24)
11 Mountain
2 Plains
4 Sacred Foundry
4 Temple of Triumph
3 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx

Spells (10)
2 Assemble the Legion
2 Chained to the Rocks
3 Hammer of Purphoros
3 Mizzium Mortars

Sideboard(15)
2 Ratchet Bomb
2 Assemble the Legion
2 Chained to the Rocks
2 Warleader's Helix
2 Wear
1 Hammer of Purphoros
2 Chandra, Pyromaster
2 Anger of the Gods[/deck]

Seems to be the direction the deck is moving in... Not sure I want to follow. Most of the MODO lists look like this one.

There was however, this which is much more interesting to me:

kbr3 (2nd Place) Standard Premier 2013-10-26 #6162785

[deck]Lands (25)
1 Boros
Guildgate
12 Mountain
4 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
4 Sacred Foundry
4 Temple of Triumph


Creatures (28)
4 Rakdos Cackler
4 Ash Zealot
4 Burning-Tree Emissary
4 Frostburn Weird
4 Boros Reckoner
4 Fanatic of Mogis
4 Stormbreath Dragon

Spells (7)
1 Chained to the Rocks
3 Mizzium Mortars
3 Hammer of Purphoros

Sideboard (15)
3 Chained to the Rocks
3 Boros Charm
1 Chandra, Pyromaster
4 Firedrinker Satyr
2 Lightning Strike
2 Magma Jet [/deck]

I would feel most comfortable with a few tweeks:

[deck]Lands (25)
1 Boros Guildgate
12 Mountain
4 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
4 Sacred Foundry
4 Temple of Triumph


Creatures (28)
4 Firedrinker Satry
4 Rakdos Cackler
4 Ash Zealot
4 Rakdos Shred-Freak
4 Boros Reckoner
4 Fanatic of Mogis
4 Stormbreath Dragon

Spells (7)
4 Chained to the Rocks
3 Mizzium Mortars


Sideboard (15)
3 Boros Charm
2 Chandra, Pyromaster
2 Wear // Tear
1 Assemble the Legion
7 ????[/deck]

[Zooligan]

So, newbie to DtR-type question. When we're looking to optimize builds, do we look towards MODO or paper tournaments? I only play IRL, and it seems the meta can be completely different (skewed aggro online and control in paper).

[Aodh]

Optimize w.r.t. your metagame, of course. Going into an unknown, paper meta, optimize w.r.t. two-week-old MODO or the most recent SCG/PT/GP and its weakness. I.e., if midrange wins the most recent big tournament, then definitely go control, but be prepared for mirrors and hope hyper aggressive strategies get knocked off the top tables.

[Zooligan]

Allright, well, based on what I *know* I'm going to see at the end of the week (Esper siding in Fiendslayer Paladin just for me, Mono-black Devotion, MoW, Boros homebrew, U/W/R PW), and some things I predict I might likely see (Naya MR and Control, G/W Aggro, Dega MR), I've got this put together. Please let me know what you think of the SB plans and the MB/SB setup.

[deck=Zooligan's Big Boros]Creatures
4 Firedrinker Satyr
4 Rakdos Cackler
4 Ash Zealot
4 Boros Reckoner
4 Chandra's Phoenix
2 Stormbreath Dragon

Spells
4 Boros Charm
4 Magma Jet

Enchantments
2 Chained to the Rocks

Plainswalkers
2 Chandra, Pyromaster

Artifacts
1 Pyromancer's Gauntlet

Land
15 Mountain
2 Mutavault
4 Sacred Foundry
4 Temple of Triumph

Sideboard
2 Chained to the Rocks
3 Wear // Tear
2 Mizzium Mortars
2 Sunhome Guildmage
2 Peak Eruption
2 Traitorous Instinct
2 Assemble the Legion[/deck]

• beatdown vs:
  - UW Control
  OUT: 4 Boros Reckoner, 1 Pyromancer's Gauntlet
  IN: 2 Assemble the Legion, 3 Wear // Tear
  
  - Esper Control
  OUT: 4 Boros Reckoner
  IN: 2 Assemble the Legion, 2 Chained to the Rocks
  
  - Naya Midrange (on the play)
  OUT: 4 Rakdos Cackler, 4 Firedrinker Satyr, 2 Ash Zealot
  IN: 2 Chained to the Rocks, 2 Mizzium Mortars, 2 Peak Eruption, 2 Traitorous Instinct, 2 Sunhome Guildmage
  
  Naya Control
  OUT: 4 Boros Reckoner, 4 Firedrinker Satyr
  IN: 2 Chained to the Rocks, 2 Peak Eruption, 2 Traitorous Instinct, 2 Sunhome Guildmage
  
  - Dega Midrange
  OUT: 4 Firedrinker Satyr, 4 Boros Reckoner, 1 Pyromancer's Gauntlet
  IN: 2 Chained to the Rocks, 2 Peak Eruption, 3 Wear // Tear, 2 Assemble the Legion
  
  - B/R Midrange
  OUT: 4 Firedrinker Satyr, 2 Chandra, Pyromaster, 4 Ash Zealot, 1 Pyromancer's Gauntlet
  IN: 2 Chained to the Rocks, 3 Wear // Tear, 2 Peak Eruption, 2 Mizzium Mortars, 2 Traitorous Instinct
  
  - Mono-Black Devotion
  OUT: 4 Boros Reckoner, 4 Magma Jet, 1 Pyromancer's
  Gauntlet
  IN: 2 Chained to the Rocks, 3 Wear // Tear, 2 Assemble the Legion, 2 Traitorous Instinct
  
  
  
  control vs:
  - Mono-Blue Devotion
  OUT: 4 Firedrinker Satyr, 4 Rakdos Cackler
  IN: 2 Chained to the Rocks, 2 Mizzium Mortars, 2 Assemble the Legion, 2 Sunhome Guildmage
  
  - Red Aggro
  OUT: 4 Rakdos Cackler, 4 Firedrinker Satyr
  IN: 2 Chained to the Rocks, 2 Mizzium Mortars, 2 Traitorous Instinct
  
  - GW, Green Aggro
  OUT: 4 Rakdos Cackler, 4 Firedrinker Satyr
  IN: 2 Chained to the Rocks, 2 Mizzium Mortars, 2 Traitorous Instinct
  
  - GR Ramp
  OUT: 4 Rakdos Cackler, 4 Firedrinker Satyr, 2 Ash Zealot
  IN: 2 Chained to the Rocks, 2 Mizzium Mortars, 2 Peak Eruption, 2 Traitorous Instinct
  
  - Naya Midrange (on the draw)
  OUT: 4 Rakdos Cackler, 4 Firedrinker Satyr, 3 Ash Zealot
  IN: 2 Chained to the Rocks, 2 Mizzium Mortars, 2 Peak Eruption, 2 Traitorous Instinct
  
  - Mirror
  OUT: 4 Firedrinker Satyr, 4 Rakdos Cackler
  IN: 2 Mizzium Mortars, 2 Peak Eruption, 2 Sunhome Guildmage

[Lightning_Dolt]

You should not be playing Gauntlet in a list with so few burn spells. Not sure about sunhome guildmage either.

I think I'm probably going to move my boros charms to the SB and main deck chained to the rocks this week.

Also starting to wonder if it would just be better to play Walter White...

[zemanjaski]

Seven terrors? You're an aggro deck.

[Zooligan]

You should not be playing Gauntlet in a list with so few burn spells. Not sure about sunhome guildmage either.

I think I'm probably going to move my boros charms to the SB and main deck chained to the rocks this week.

Also starting to wonder if it would just be better to play Walter White...

Good point on the Gauntlet. Sunhome was for late game mana sink.

You really thinking about giving in on Big Boros?

[Lightning_Dolt]

Seven terrors? You're an aggro deck.

I consider this to be a midrange deck. I get what you're saying though, we're sacrificing reach. I'm just starting to feel that the Boros Charms are hit or miss and the Chained to the Rocks are nearly always good.

[Lightning_Dolt]

You should not be playing Gauntlet in a list with so few burn spells. Not sure about sunhome guildmage either.

I think I'm probably going to move my boros charms to the SB and main deck chained to the rocks this week.

Also starting to wonder if it would just be better to play Walter White...

Good point on the Gauntlet. Sunhome was for late game mana sink.

You really thinking about giving in on Big Boros?

I obviously like the deck. It has all the cards I want to play. However, what it comes down to is that a burn heavy lists with recursive
creatures is probably better against decks with 30 terrors.

[Lightning_Dolt]

This week, I'll be testing this:

[deck]Creatures (24)
4 Ash Zealot
4 Boros Reckoner
4 Chandra’s Phoenix
4 Firedrinker Satyr
4 Rakdos Cackler
4 Stormbreath Dragon

Planeswalkers (2)
2 Chandra, Pyromaster

Spells (9)
3 Chained to the Rocks
4 Magma Jet
2 Mizzium Mortars

Land (25)
2 Boros Guildgate
11 Mountains
4 Mutavault
4 Sacred Foundry
4 Temple of Triumph

Sideboard (15)
3 Anger of the Gods
2 Assemble the Legion
2 Boros Charm
1 Chained to the Rocks
2 Mizzium Mortars
2 Warleader’s Helix
1 Pithing Needle
2 Wear // Tear[/deck]


Vs Mono Blue Devo

-4 Firedrinker Satyr, -4 Rakdos Cackler, +3 Anger of the Gods, +2 Mizzium Mortars,+1 Chained to the Rocks, +2 Warleader’s Helix

Vs Mono Black Devo

-4 Boros Reckoner, -4 Magma Jet, +2 Assemble the Legion, +2 Mizzium Mortars, +2 Boros Charm, +2
Wear // Tear

Vs Mono Red Devo

-4 Firedrinker Satyr, -4 Rakdos Cackler, +3 Anger of the Gods, +2 Mizzium Mortars,+1 Chained to the Rocks, +2 Warleader’s Helix

Vs Esper Control

-4 Boros Reckoner, -3 Chained to the Rocks, -2 Mizzium Mortars, +2 Assemble the Legion, +2 Wear // Tear, +2 Boros Charm, +2 Warleader’s Helix, +1 Pithing Needle

Vs Collosal Gruul

-4 Firedrinker Satyr, -4 Rakdos Cackler, +3 Anger of the Gods, +1 Mizzium Mortars,+1 Chained to the Rocks, +2 Warleader’s Helix, +1 Pithing Needle

Vs Dega

-4 Boros Reckoner, -4 Magma Jet, +2 Assemble the Legion, +2 Mizzium Mortars, +2 Boros Charm, +2 Wear // Tear

I want to try Chained to the Rocksin the main, since I side it in vs everything not Esper and I side Boros Charm
out against everything non-black.

[Lightning_Dolt]

This week, I'll be testing this:

[deck]Creatures (24)
4 Ash Zealot
4 Boros Reckoner
4 Chandra’s Phoenix
4 Firedrinker Satyr
4 Rakdos Cackler
4 Stormbreath Dragon

Planeswalkers (2)
2 Chandra, Pyromaster

Spells (9)
3 Chained to the Rocks
4 Magma Jet
2 Mizzium Mortars

Land (25)
2 Boros Guildgate
11 Mountains
4 Mutavault
4 Sacred Foundry
4 Temple of Triumph

Sideboard (15)
3 Anger of the Gods
2 Assemble the Legion
2 Boros Charm
1 Chained to the Rocks
2 Mizzium Mortars
2 Warleader’s Helix
1 Pithing Needle
2 Wear // Tear[/deck]


Vs Mono Blue Devo

-4 Firedrinker Satyr, -4 Rakdos Cackler, +3 Anger of the Gods, +2 Mizzium Mortars,+1 Chained to the Rocks, +2 Warleader’s
Helix

Vs Mono Black Devo

-4 Boros Reckoner, -4 Magma Jet, +2 Assemble the Legion, +2 Mizzium Mortars, +2 Boros Charm, +2 Wear // Tear

Vs Mono Red Devo

-4 Firedrinker Satyr, -4 Rakdos Cackler, +3 Anger of the Gods, +2 Mizzium Mortars,+1 Chained to the Rocks, +2 Warleader’s Helix

Vs Esper Control

-4 Boros Reckoner, -3 Chained to the Rocks, -2 Mizzium Mortars, +2 Assemble the Legion, +2 Wear // Tear, +2 Boros Charm, +2 Warleader’s Helix, +1 Pithing Needle

Vs Collosal Gruul

-4 Firedrinker Satyr, -4 Rakdos Cackler, +3 Anger of the Gods, +1 Mizzium Mortars,+1 Chained to the Rocks, +2 Warleader’s Helix, +1 Pithing Needle

Vs Dega

-4 Boros Reckoner, -4 Magma Jet, +2 Assemble the Legion, +2 Mizzium Mortars, +2 Boros Charm, +2 Wear // Tear
n
I want to try Chained to the Rocksin the main, since I side it in vs everything not Esper and I side Boros Charmout against everything non-black.

Then again, it might be correct to just keep the boros charms in the main so you have extra reach to punish slow hands etc. Game one... thoughts redbros?

[LaZerBurn]

I love Stormbreath but if you want to play the most competitive Red build I think Walter White is currently your best option Johnny

[Lightning_Dolt]

I love Stormbreath but if you want to play the most competitive Red build I think Walter White is currently your best option Johnny

Perhaps.

[NerdBoyWonder]

I have a lot of catching up to do & testing.

[NerdBoyWonder]

[deck]Creatures (23)
4 Ash Zealot
4 Boros Reckoner
4 Chandra's Phoenix
4 Firedrinker Satyr
4 Rakdos Cackler
3 Stormbreath Dragon

Planeswalkers (2)
2 Chandra, Pyromaster

Spells (11)
4 Boros Charm
4 Magma Jet
2 Mizzium Mortars
1 Hammer of Purphoros

Lands (24)
14 Mountain
2 Mutavault
4 Sacred Foundry
4 Temple of Triumph

Sideboard (15)
1 Assemble the Legion
2 Burning Earth
4 Chained to the Rocks
3 Anger of the Gods
2 Warleader's Helix
2 Wear // Tear
1 Chandra, Pyromaster[/deck]

My intended list to test taking it to FNM next week. Modified the list I took to Gameday and won with. Wanted to try out some sideboard options like Anger of the Gods and Warleader's Helix. Also wanted to try Magma Jet mainboard to see how it stacks up.

I am tempted to steer clear of the Big Devotion Red/Boros builds that have been showing up in this thread. During my initial testing of the opening season I
felt Purphoros did too much of nothing. Again this could be because I had him in a weak shell. Either way I am also following Khaos' advice this season "Stick with what you know."

My current meta (the most notable contenders):
1 Black Devo
1 Esper Control
1 Blue Devo (aka Little Mermaid)
1 Naya Good Stuff
1 Red Something
1 Dega Midrange

Usually there are 6 to 8 of us that dominate the area with numbers being filled in from out of towners or those who do not frequent the shop as much. Get FNM numbers of 12 on average with weekend tourneys being 16 on average. My meta tends to be control and midrange heavy. Another player and I both rep aggro but I have been alone in tapping mountains since he has been a no show due to work. Will have a test report next week when Standard rolls through.

[Lightning_Dolt]

[deck]Creatures (23)
4 Ash Zealot
4 Boros Reckoner
4 Chandra's Phoenix
4 Firedrinker Satyr
4 Rakdos Cackler
3 Stormbreath Dragon

Planeswalkers (2)
2 Chandra, Pyromaster

Spells (11)
4 Boros Charm
4 Magma Jet
2 Mizzium Mortars
1 Hammer of Purphoros

Lands (24)
14 Mountain
2 Mutavault
4 Sacred Foundry
4 Temple of Triumph

Sideboard (15)
1 Assemble the Legion
2 Burning Earth
4 Chained to the Rocks
3 Anger of the Gods
2 Warleader's Helix
2 Wear // Tear
1 Chandra, Pyromaster[/deck]

My intended list to test taking it to FNM next week. Modified the list I took to Gameday and won with. Wanted to try out some sideboard options like Anger of the Gods and Warleader's Helix. Also wanted to try Magma Jet mainboard to see how it
stacks up.

I am tempted to steer clear of the Big Devotion Red/Boros builds that have been showing up in this thread. During my initial testing of the opening season I felt Purphoros did too much of nothing. Again this could be because I had him in a weak shell. Either way I am also following Khaos' advice this season "Stick with what you know."

My current meta (the most notable contenders):
1 Black Devo
1 Esper Control
1 Blue Devo (aka Little Mermaid)
1 Naya Good Stuff
1 Red Something
1 Dega Midrange

Usually there are 6 to 8 of us that dominate the area with numbers being filled in from out of towners or those who do not frequent the shop as much. Get FNM numbers of 12 on average with weekend tourneys being 16 on average. My meta tends to be control and midrange heavy. Another player and I both rep aggro but I have been alone in tapping mountains since he has been a no show due to work. Will have a test report next week when Standard rolls through.

Looks
good, although I think Hammer should be a land.

[NerdBoyWonder]

Looks good, although I think Hammer should be a land.

I just can't quit the hammer. If it does become a land it is going to be a mutavault. I would then drop a Boros Charm and make it a Dragon also. I have neither an extra Mutavault or extra Dragon. Might dip into my next paycheck to get me some extras.

[Lightning_Dolt]

Looks good, although I think Hammer should be a land.

I just can't quit the hammer. If it does become a land it is going to be a mutavault. I would then drop a Boros Charm and make it a Dragon also. I have neither an extra Mutavault or extra Dragon. Might dip into my next paycheck to get me some extras.

Hammer + Dragon = Non-bo.

[NerdBoyWonder]

Hammer + Dragon = Non-bo.

I know they do not act favorably with each other. The hammer goes against the need for lands to get the dragon to its full potential or even get him on board.

So far I have yet to run into this issue. I either get land and slam dragons or get land, no dragons, slam hammer make golems. The hammer is a one of but it does turn my slower creatures into bigger threats when I get into a top deck situation or turn land draws into threats when I should not have threats.

I do admit it is not optimum but I will say it is not bad as it would seem. Our game plan is to preferably play the dragons and the hammer does get sided out in match ups where it is not needed. My meta is shifting to more black based removal so
Stormy-D is not the be all end all so the hammer has its use.

[Audemed]

Been reading through here as I'm looking to get more varied input on my deck, but nobody other than Jedi is really going the "big red" route, it seems. I've had spectacular success with my deck recently, with a single exception (monored devotion, I think I simply don't know how to play vs it), beating everyone else I've faced, including a flawless 11-0 record vs esper.

[deck]
4 Ash Zealot
4 Boros Reckoner
4 Chandra's Phoenix
4 Stormbreath Dragon

2 Chandra, Pyromaster

3 Chained to the rocks
2 Mizzium Mortars

1 Shock
4 Lightning Strike
4 Magma Jet
3 Warleader's Helix

4 Sacred Foundry
4 Temple of Triumph
3 Boros Guildgate
3 Plains
9 Mountain
2 Mutavault

SB:

2 Assemble the Legion
2 Soul Tithe
2 Boros Charm
2 Wear // Tear
1 Hammer of Purphoros (probably dropping)
3 Anger of the gods
1 Chained to the Rocks
2 Elspeth, Sun's CHampion
[/deck]

The deck plays more like a
midrangey burn deck than any form of aggro, although I've had plenty of times where it was simply Ash, phoenix, phoenix, dragon, game, especially vs monoblack.

[magicdownunder]

How do you guys find the RDW MU? Its a slaughter right?

I faced Big Boros three times now during the DE's I won twice and lost once (the lost was really one sided-slaughter), I'm starting to believe its really in Big Boros's favor.

[NerdBoyWonder]

How do you guys find the RDW MU? Its a slaughter right?

I faced Big Boros three times now during the DE's I won twice and lost once (the lost was really one sided-slaughter), I'm starting to believe its really in Big Boros's favor.

I find it to be in our favor and post board even more so. I've faced 2 versions of RDW prior to the Frostborn Weird change. Key thing is to play control and keep them off Devo. RDW can't handle Reckoner or Stormbreath. With the new sideboard plan with anger and Helix out post board match up should be solidly in our favor.

[Lightning_Dolt]

How do you guys find the RDW MU? Its a slaughter right?

I faced Big Boros three times now during the DE's I won twice and lost once (the lost was really one sided-slaughter), I'm starting to believe its really in Big Boros's favor.

I find it to be in our favor and post board even more so. I've faced 2 versions of RDW prior to the Frostborn Weird change. Key thing is to play control and keep them off Devo. RDW can't handle Reckoner or Stormbreath. With the new sideboard plan with anger and Helix out post board match up should be solidly in our favor.[/quote:
2gb1z8j6]

I like to think that too, but I just don't seem to draw against the

I played Walter White last night and scrubbed out due to hitting every bad match up in the room. I think I'll be back on the Big Boros train for my GPT this weekend.

[Zooligan]

I actually did OK with WW last night. BUT, I tend to agree that in a less predictable meta (my first match was a loss was to Junk Auras... WTF?!?) Big Boros is the way to go, just a bit more resiliant.

So, knowing what we know from our WW experiments, what kind of list are you looking at for next week. I like the 25 land plan, but I'd really like a mana sink that's not Hammer. Sunhome Guildmage?? Might be too fragile.

Here's where i'm at right now:

[deck=Zooligan's Big Boros v0.1, Week ending 11/8 ]
Creatures (19)
4 Firedrinker Satyr
4 Rakdos Cackler
4 Ash Zealot
4 Chandra's Phoenix
3 Stormbreath Dragon

Spells (12)
4 Boros Charm
4 Lightning Strike
4 Magma Jet

Enchantments (2)
2 Chained to the Rocks

Plainswalkers (2)
2 Chandra, Pyromaster

Land (25)
14 Mountain
3 Mutavault
4 Sacred Foundry
4 Temple of Triumph

Sideboard (15)
2 Chained to the Rocks
1 Wear // Tear
2 Mizzium
Mortars
2 Skullcrack
4 Boros Reckoner
2 Fanatic of Mogis
2 Traitorous Instinct[/deck]

I suck at SB construction and plans. Tried to base this on MDU's SB strategy for his Pyro list with appropriate changes for this build. Any help?

Esper Control, U/W/x
Out: 2 Chained to the Rocks, 4 Lightning Strike
In: 2 Skullcrack, 2 Mizzium Mortars, 2 Traitorous Instinct

U/W/x
Out: 2 Chained to the Rocks
In: 2 Skullcrack

MonoBlack Devotion, B/R midrange
Out: 4 Magma Jet, 4 Firedrinker Satyr, 1 Lightning Strike
In: 2 Skullcrack, 2 Mizzium Mortars, 2 Chained to the Rocks, 2 Traitorous Instinct, 1 Wear // Tear

Non-Lifegain Aggro (Mono-Blue Devotion, Mono-Red Devotion, Boros)
Out: 4 Firedrinker Satyr, 4 Rakdos Cackler, 1 Mutavault, 1 Chandra
In: 4 Boros Reckoner, 2 Chained to the Rocks, 2 Mizzium Mortars, 2 Fanatic of Mogis

RDW (on the play)
Out: 4 Firedrinker Satyr, 4 Rakdos Cackler, 2 Boros Charm
In: 4 Boros Reckoner, 2 Chained to the Rocks, 2 Mizzium Mortars, 2 Fanatic of Mogis

nLifegain Aggro (G/R Colossus, G/W/x)
Out: 4 Firedrinker Satyr, 4 Rakdos Cackler, 2 Boros Charm, 2 Mutavault
In: 2 Boros Reckoner, 2 Chained to the Rocks, 2 Mizzium Mortars, 2 Skullcrack, 2 Fanatic of Mogis, 2 Traitorous Instinct

[amo]

Went 7-0 last night with Big Boros; This is my first report so I please bear with me!

Round 1 vs White Weenie

G1: He builds up his board with Heliod/Spear/Path, I survive a couple turns before he Brave the Elements
to victory.

G2: Sideboard in my wear/tear and chains, He see's a T1 Ediolon with 2x Ethereal Armor T2. I topdeck a wear/tear and follow it up with a Reckoner. He counters with a Fiendslayer Paladin and passes turn. I Jet my own Reckoner to kill the pally and he never recovers.

G3: Same thing as G2, I have all the answers and he gets flooded with instants/enchants.

1-0-0

Round 2 vs BUG Midrange

G1: He wins the roll (this happened all night) and plays T2 caryatid into Reaper. I get a board of zealot and phoenix followed by a jet/sphere on the reaper when he was tapped out. He follows up with a Kalonia and I am unable to topdeck chained.

G2:
Sideboard in all my mortars/chains. He never sees anything good and I run over him with zealot.

G3: Same thing as game two, I have all the answers and he never see's any big dudes.

2-0-0

Round 2 vs Esper Control

G1: I keep a hand with 3 phoenix's. He Detention spheres my first one, followed up with a verdict for my second. I drop the third and a stormbreath to finish him off.

G2: Beat him down with Saytr and Zealot, he mana floods and I Lightning Strike x2 in response to his Revelation for 8.

3-0-0

Round 4 vs Jund Midrange

G1: Long game with is trading removal spells. He gets me with a Whip/Demon.

G2: Sideboard in all my removal, He gets out 2x Reaper and Demon with Whip out. I take 10 but first strike down a Reaper. He rakdos' returns all my removal next turn. I Sac 2 mutivaults to buy time until I topdeck a dragon. Swing in with Zealot, Reckoner, Phoenix, Dragon while he's tapped out with one blocker. Can't believe I won this
one.

G3: He doesn't see much and 2x Stormbreath T5 and T6 and he scoops.

4-0-0

Round 5 vs RWB Midrange with Green Splash

G1: I have all the answers to his creatures and he doesn't draw any removal.

G2: Sideboard in Burning Earth. He gets two Rakdos Keyrunes out and doesn't take much. Close fight follows where he Rakdos' Returns a hand with chains and Dragon and he gets me with Blind Obedience and Sire of Insanity.

G3: He gets no red and I overrun him before he can build a board.

5-0-0

Round 6 vs Jund (same deck)

G1: I beat him down with Phoenix, he doesn't build up much of a board.

G2: Beat him down to 10 before he manages a demon, I answer with chanined and take the game.

6-0-0

Round 7 vs Mono Green Bloodrush

G1: He plays a T1 Gladeclover scout, I get some ash zealots and reckoners and he doesn't have a response.

G2: Chains removes his non-hexproof dudes as he tries to race me with
bloodrush. I just casually turn everything Sideways and win.

7-0-0

I end the night drawing with the WW deck from game 1 to win the promo salvage. In the end I really enjoyed this deck and it is really nicely placed in my local meta.

[Lightning_Dolt]

Went 7-0 last night with Big Boros; This is my first report so I please bear with me!

Round 1 vs White Weenie

G1: He builds up his board with Heliod/Spear/Path, I survive a couple turns before he paths to victory.

G2: Sideboard in my wear/tear and chains, He see's a T1 Ediolon with 2x Ethereal Armor T2. I topdeck a wear/tear and follow it up with a Reckoner. He counters with a Fiendslayer Paladin and passes turn. I Jet my own Reckoner to kill the pally and he never recovers.

G3: Same thing as G2, I have all the answers and he gets flooded with instants/enchants.

1-0-0

Round 2 vs BUG Midrange

G1: He wins the roll (this happened all night) and plays T2 caryatid into Reaper. I get a board of
zealot and phoenix followed by a jet/sphere on the reaper when he was tapped out. He follows up with a Kalonia and I am unable to topdeck chained.

G2: Sideboard in all my mortars/chains. He never sees anything good and I run over him with zealot.

G3: Same thing as game two, I have all the answers and he never see's any big dudes.

2-0-0

Round 2 vs Esper Control

G1: I keep a hand with 3 phoenix's. He Detention spheres my first one, followed up with a verdict for my second. I drop the third and a stormbreath to finish him off.

G2: Beat him down with Saytr and Zealot, he mana floods and I Lightning Strike x2 in response to his Revelation for 8.

3-0-0

Round 4 vs Jund Midrange

G1: Long game with is trading removal spells. He gets me with a Whip/Demon.

G2: Sideboard in all my removal, He gets out 2x Reaper and Demon with Whip out. I take 10 but first strike down a Reaper. He rakdos' returns all my removal next turn. I Sac 2
mutivaults to buy time until I topdeck a dragon. Swing in with Zealot, Reckoner, Phoenix, Dragon while he's tapped out with one blocker. Can't believe I won this one.

G3: He doesn't see much and 2x Stormbreath T5 and T6 and he scoops.

4-0-0

Round 5 vs RWB Midrange with Green Splash

G1: I have all the answers to his creatures and he doesn't draw any removal.

G2: Sideboard in Burning Earth. He gets two Rakdos Keyrunes out and doesn't take much. Close fight follows where he Rakdos' Returns a hand with chains and Dragon and he gets me with Blind Obedience and Sire of Insanity.

G3: He gets no red and I overrun him before he can build a board.

5-0-0

Round 6 vs Jund (same deck)

G1: I beat him down with Phoenix, he doesn't build up much of a board.

G2: Beat him down to 10 before he manages a demon, I answer with chanined and take the game.

6-0-0

Round 7 vs Mono Green Bloodrush

G1: He plays a T1
Gladeclover scout, I get some ash zealots and reckoners and he doesn't have a response.

G2: Chains removes his non-hexproof dudes as he tries to race me with bloodrush. I just casually turn everything Sideways and win.

7-0-0

I end the night drawing with the WW deck from game 1 to win the promo salvage. In the end I really enjoyed this deck and it is really nicely placed in my local meta.

Which list did you play?

[amo]

Which list did you play?

[deck]Creatures (24)
4 Ash Zealot
4 Boros Reckoner
4 Chandra’s Phoenix
4 Firedrinker Satyr
4 Rakdos Cackler
4 Stormbreath Dragon

Planeswalkers (2)
2 Chandra, Pyromaster

Spells (10)
2 Chained to the Rocks
4 Magma Jet
4 Lightning Strike

Land (24)
13 Mountains
3 Mutavault
4 Sacred Foundry
4 Temple of Triumph

Sideboard (15)
1 Anger of the Gods
1 Assemble the Legion
4 Boros Charm
2 Burning Earth
2 Chained to the Rocks
3 Mizzium Mortars
2 Wear // Tear[/deck]

[Zooligan]

So the Pyro guys are tossing around the idea of Pyrewild Shaman as another source of CA. Seems like it could be a later-game mana sink. I'm just not sure what I would cut for it.

[Lightning_Dolt]

So the Pyro guys are tossing around the idea of Pyrewild Shaman as another source of CA. Seems like it could be a later-game mana sink. I'm just not sure what I would cut for it.

After the results of the SCGO + GP this weekend, I think we should probably just be playing that list, even though I hate it. It seems to be our best bet.

[Zooligan]

I did ok with WW, I'm just not sold. You thinking of the Zealot version, or BTE version?

[Lightning_Dolt]

I did ok with WW, I'm just not sold. You thinking of the Zealot version, or BTE version?

Not a fan of the BTE version.

[Wipe Out]

At FNM I've had more luck with Big Boros than WW, even though I've been trying to playtest WW as much as possible. I'm really hoping Big Boros/Red will ride again. Most people have not seen PyroRed/Boros, so whenever I lose, whether it is close or not, I have to hear "oh you're not running Stormbreath?" or "why don't you have fanatic, he's good." Some of this is my piloting but people behave like WW is just another jank deck whereas if I lose a close match with Big Boros nobody bats an eye. Is everyone going to switch out from Big Red/Boros?

Also, which meta would each be more suited to? I've been running up against a lot of monoblack/black control, colossal gruul, monoblue and esper in my meta. Esper, not worried about either way but deciding which one matches better against this better might help in the short term.

[Zooligan]

If we take the Pyrewild Shaman idea into Big Boros, that gives the deck 3 CA aspects (Chandra and her bird being the others). I like having another Mutavault and another mountain over the high end of the Pyro builds, especially if we are trying to buy back Shaman on the same turn we cast it. Dragonbreath's not bad, and I think it's probably positioned well if your meta contains a lot of W/x or X/W builds.

I'm not quite done with Big Boros, but WW is appealing.

Now thinking something like:

[deck=Zooligan's Big Boros v0.2, Week ending 11/8 ]
Creatures (19)
4 Firedrinker Satyr
4 Rakdos Cackler
4 Ash Zealot
4 Chandra's Phoenix
2 Pyrewild Shaman
2 Stormbreath Dragon

Spells (12)
3 Boros Charm
4 Lightning Strike
4 Magma Jet

Enchantments (2)
2 Chained to the Rocks

Plainswalkers (2)
2 Chandra, Pyromaster

Land (25)
14 Mountain
3 Mutavault
4 Sacred Foundry
4 Temple of Triumph

Sideboard (15)
2
Chained to the Rocks
2 Mizzium Mortars
1 Wear // Tear
2 Skullcrack
4 Boros Reckoner
2 Fanatic of Mogis
2 Traitorous Instinct[/deck]

[salmonman78]

I have stuck with Big Boros from day 1 of rotation and think it's in a good spot for the moment again. I have been in the top 4 each week of FNM, took 1st once each week and with minor tweaks it has only gotten better.

I plan on taking it to the SCG here in DFW this weekend, but need an opinion for my SB. Currently it is:

1x Chained to the Rocks
2x Renounce the Guilds
2x Mizzium Mortars
2x Anger of the gods
2x Wear // Tear
2x Skullcrack
2x Glare of Heresy
2x Celestial Flare

It has worked quite well for me but the past couple weeks I haven't used Flare at all. Anytime I am tempted to put it in I don't feel comfortable since I know my opponent will have more than one critter out to attack with or block with. I know that can be worked around but since I haven't used it I rather change it to stuff I might see more use out of.

Possible replacements for them are; a 4th Chained to the Rocks, a 3rd Mizzium,
and a 2nd Pithing Needle. 2 out of those will make it but not sure exactly which two. Leaning towards the Chained and Mizzium just to have additional removal.

[Zooligan]

I have stuck with Big Boros from day 1 of rotation and think it's in a good spot for the moment again. I have been in the top 4 each week of FNM, took 1st once each week and with minor tweaks it has only gotten better.

What does your decklist look like? Any deviations from what's posted here that you are willing to share?

[Lightning_Dolt]

Also, double W is probably uncastable too often unless you're running 10+ white sources.

[salmonman78]

I have stuck with Big Boros from day 1 of rotation and think it's in a good spot for the moment again. I have been in the top 4 each week of FNM, took 1st once each week and with minor tweaks it has only gotten better.

What does your decklist look like? Any deviations from what's posted here that you are willing to share?

Sorry about that, work nights and posted that this morning before bed.

Current List:

[deck]Creatures:
4 Boros Reckoner
4 Chandra's Phoenix
4 Stormbreath Dragon
4 Ash Zealot
2 Ember Swallower

nSpells/Enchants:
2 Warleader's Helix
2 Legion's Initiative
2 Chained to the Rocks
4 Lightning Strike
2 Assemble the Legion
2 Boros Charm
1 Pithing Needle

Planeswalkers:
2 Chandra, Pyromaster
1 Elspeth, Sun's Champion

Land:
2 Boros Guildgate
10 Mountain
4 Plains
4 Sacred Foundry
4 Temple of Triumph

SB: 1 Chained to the Rocks
SB: 2 Celestial Flare
SB: 2 Wear // Tear
SB: 2 Anger of the Gods
SB: 2 Mizzium Mortars
SB: 2 Glare of Heresy
SB: 2 Renounce the Guilds
SB: 2 Skullcrack[/deck]

It has always ran pretty smoothly for me, just like I said up above wanting to shore up the SB for this weekend.

[Zooligan]

Hey, that is a mighty plump Boros you've got there

Starting at 2 on the creature curve. I guess that means you're playing a more controlly game. Not missing the Magma Jet scry to filter and sequence?

[salmonman78]

Not sure why my comment is inside the deck "box" even though it isn't inside the tags, oh well.

It meets the "big" for sure lol. But it works quite well in most matches. Only trouble matchups I have had were a GW aggro that we have played EVERY freaking week and we usually alternate weeks that either of us 2-1 the other just due to top decking. That and a American control that I slipped up against the first couple times. But I have been taking him down as well lately. Everyone at the store hates my damned dragons.

It doesn't feel controlly at all, I play my critter, remove theirs and swing. I have the tools to clear my way or to keep threatening them making them waste their turns trying to not take damage. It hits hard an fast and about 85% of the games I play I put them on the defensive rather quickly. I will say though Elspeth will get boarded out for the sake of speed if facing an aggro deck or
another Elspeth deck(since needle will name her).

I started off originally with Magma Jet as a 3 of and Strike as a 2 of and it just never satisfied me. The scry was good but when they have a 3 toughness critter on board I hate staring at only 2 damage in my hand. Good card but in my local meta it doesn't do too much, but I will say in a couple weeks I might try it out again as some of the guys are leaning towards mono again so */1-2 guys won't be too uncommon then.

Edit: Upon thinking for this weekend's open, kinda wondering if maybe swapping the 2 Helix for 2 Jet might work. Helix has been good to me but wouldn't mind a tiny bit of speed.

Oh and just to add I am finally happy to see someone else with Assemble the Legion in the main(Brad Nelson). It's always been an unexpected play on most people and it really does turn things around.

[Lightning_Dolt]

Jedi_Knight's list is similar. He starts the curve out at two as well. You two might be able to work on it together. I'm not sure which direction I'm going to head in, but I think I'll either be here or in the Walter White camp. Leaning toward this I think, because I think it's better for my meta / I enjoy it more. Deck just feels like it's missing something. I think I'd like to work on the mana curve and maybe give Nykthos another go.

Maybe end up testing something like this:


[deckCreatures (26)
4 Rakdos Cackler
4 Firedrinker Satyr
4 Ash Zealot
4 Rakdos Shred-Freak
4 Boros Reckoner
4 Fanatic of Mogis
2 Stormbreath Dragon

Lands (24)
11 Mountain
2 Plains
4 Sacred Foundry
4 Temple of Triumph
3 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx

Spells (10)
3 Chained to the Rocks
4 Lightning Strike
3 Boros Charm
[/deck]

I really like that spell load out, and this list would allow you to abuse devotion / Nykthos a
little more. I also wonder about Ember Swallower.