This is my attempt at a B/R Midrange deck. The goal of the deck is to establish board control in the early game, through the use of removal, sweepers, and hand disruption. Once board control is establish and 4-5 mana are in play, start dropping resilient finishers. We also pair Planeswalkers to help control the board and finish out the game.
I originally attempted to make a Jund Midrange deck, however the current mana couldn't support it well. Furthermore green didn't add much, at least not that I could easily substitute in black and red to create a more streamlined deck.
I have to give credit to dropping green and going B/R Midrange to @AwokenHorror
I haven't made a sideboard yet, still tweaking the overall deck. Im thinking about dropping Glint-Sleeve Siphoner and Dreamstealer so that my sweepers don't have anything on my side to hit, essentially playing an even stricter control game in the early rounds. I feel that the deck has enough filtering/draw between Cathartic Reunion and Ob Nixilis Reignited to be able to get rid of the Siphoner. Also I know my manabase needs work. The double R for Sweltering Suns is killing me.
I haven't had time to play any games since adding Kalitas, Chandra's Defeat, and Blazing Volley, but it was already decent against Mono Red with Gifted Aetherborn, Push, and Grasp. Before Hour of Devastation was released, I played a similar deck without Kalitas and I went 4-0 at FNM (which I've never done before, so the deck must be pretty good).
My main concern now is that there are going to be much more Chandra's Defeats in general, which makes Glorybringer much more risky. I'm considering adding more Kalitas or Noxious Gearhulk to the sideboard to replace them.
I think you can take out a couple Swamps for Mountains. I've had no problem playing turn 2 Gifted Aetherborn with only 20 black sources.
I'd definitely drop Dreamstealer. It's probably too fragile with the amount of Shocks that will be around. I have similar concerns about my Ahn-Crop Crashers but at least it has haste. Ammit Eternal has been good for me so far.
I got a chance to test a little today against Zombies. Did well 2-0, no sideboard. Sweltering Suns worked like a charm and wiped his field of 3. He knocked me down to 15, but I was able to stabilize and Game 1 ended with me having Ob, Chandra, and Glorybringer on my side and he basically couldn't do anything.
I like your deck!
How has Scrapheap Scrounger worked for you? I haven't had a chance to test it yet.
I definitely need to add some Gifted Aetherborn into my deck, its such a good card and reminds me a lot of Vampire NIghthawk, which I loved!
I like Transgress the Mind because it can hit Gods, other than that Lay Bare the Heart is a good option too, maybe either in the sideboard depending on meta.
Vampire Nighthawk is the best. I tried a lot of decks with Aerial Responder but they never worked out. It's probably better positioned now.
Scrapheap Scrounger has been very good. Good mana sink. Sides out against Mono Red but is good otherwise.
I play Harsh Scrutiny in the side for the Gods. 1 mana vs 2 has made a huge difference, and on the rare occasions where it misses, you still get a scry at least.
I would definitely play Liliana, the Last Hope if you can. I just don't want to spend that much money on a card that's about to rotate and isn't good in EDH.
Round 4 (1-2) against UR Control. These were close games. Got him down to 1 life game 3. Goldnight Castigator was invaluable. In retrospect, I took out too many threats beccause I thought Gifted Aetherborn might be too slow, but I ended up with too much removal in hand. Harsh Scrutiny is very good in this matchup. Hitting Torrential Gearhulk or The Locust God is great.
Round 5 ID
Round 6 (2-0) against Mono Black Zombies. Game 1 was close but I was able to deal with the key threats and close with Glorybringer. Game 2 he got stuck on one black source, so it was an easy win.
So I definitely like the idea of The Scorpion God, it does play well as a mana sink and if you survive long enough, definitely can be a problem for Ramunap Red.
@AwokenHorror, great report thanks for that.
From my own testing,
1. I might drop Transgress the Mind to the sideboard, and possibly swap it out for Harsh Scrutiny.
2. Im currently running 26 lands, and feel like it might be a little much.
3. Looking for some type of enchantment hate for the sideboard, any suggestions?
Game 1 - B/G Zombies (2-0)
Deck took a second to get online but once I did it was game. Game two triggered Lili's ultimate and he couldn't come back.
Game 2 - Mono-B Zombies (2-0)
Game 1 had to mulligan to 5, but pulled all my removal and he couldn't keep anything on the board. Game 2 had Chandra, and 2 Glorybringer, there was no hope.
Observations about the deck
1. I dropped the land count to 25 and it seems to be much smoother. With a high end of a 5cmc, I can pretty reliably get there every game. Before I dropped to 25, I would get flooded more often than I cared for.
2. Liliana is amazing!
3. Gifted Aetherborn is great. Feels a lot like Vampire Nighthawk of old.
4. Glint-Sleeve is good, especially if you have 2 on an empty board. I feel like I'm lacking enough energy though, so I may add some Aether Hub or Harnessed Lightning to help with that.
5. Tormenting has been a little underwhelming. Most of the time I draw it, I wish it was something else.
6. Transgress is wonderful. Even if it misses, being able to see their hand and play around it, is worth every penny.
Overall I think this deck is positioned really well. It will definitely take a little more testing and playing around with, but I think the core is pretty solid.
I've been playing with 24 lands and haven't had any problems. The Canyon Sloughs are helpful against flood, but if you take them out for Aether Hubs, 24 is probably the way to go.
I've been playing with 24 lands and haven't had any problems. The Canyon Sloughs are helpful against flood, but if you take them out for Aether Hubs, 24 is probably the way to go.
Chandra is absolutely amazing. I didn't play this deck for too long, but she was my MVP card every time I played her.
She provides pseudo card advantage, that sometimes helps you to filter blank draws. She ramps, she's removal, and her ult is game over on the spot (and not even that hard to get to).
Only problem with her is that you'll most likely not be able to run Hour of Devastation. But I wonder if you'd even need to, in the current meta.
I've been playing with 24 lands and haven't had any problems. The Canyon Sloughs are helpful against flood, but if you take them out for Aether Hubs, 24 is probably the way to go.
Chandra is absolutely amazing. I didn't play this deck for too long, but she was my MVP card every time I played her.
She provides pseudo card advantage, that sometimes helps you to filter blank draws. She ramps, she's removal, and her ult is game over on the spot (and not even that hard to get to).
Only problem with her is that you'll most likely not be able to run Hour of Devastation. But I wonder if you'd even need to, in the current meta.
So iv loved Chandra! She's great, provides card advantage kind of, can fill your mana pool if your running low.
After some more testing, I'm going to try and drop the Glint-Sleeves and the Live Fast, removing any energy theme.
This has allowed me to add more removal and up the amount of Lili.
Also I'm going to try and drop the Ruins, they haven't done anything for me. Maybe depending on meta add in some Deadlands, but again at 25 lands iv never had a problem.
I saw a post from Lothamer, who had the 8th place deck, where he said he probably wouldn't pilot it going forward, I disagree. I think this deck has a lot of promise and is a blast to play.
Have you tried using Doomfall instead of Transgress? Worked really well for me.
I actually just swapped them out.
Doomfall has tested amazing! So glad I made the switch. I did move the Transgress to the sideboard just in case.
I have only played about 7 games, but in all of them went 2-0 and didn't sideboard a single card. To be honest though they were mostly janky decks, GB Zombies, Mono-black Zombies, Red Prowess, GR Ramp, UR Prowess stuff like that.
I got a bye, lost against UR(+Bolas) Control, and won against UW Monument and a random deck.
The Crooks are because my meta has a couple Gift decks. The Castigators are very good against control. Expertise for Monument and Zombies. Scrutiny works for Gods and any other problem creatures. Defeat for Ramunap Red. Never for creatures and planeswalkers I otherwise can't deal with.
How has the temur energy match been for you, played it abunch online and it's been terrible game one and getting abit better game 2/3 after board, kalitas aims up so poorly with Chandra on draw and glorybringer on play
How has the temur energy match been for you, played it abunch online and it's been terrible game one and getting abit better game 2/3 after board, kalitas aims up so poorly with Chandra on draw and glorybringer on play
In my experience, Kalitas (and also most creatures that aren't Glorybringer or Goblin DD) is pretty bad in that matchup. You'll need more Hour of Devastation and Chandra's Defeat against Temur. Doomfall is also pretty good, and your wincon should be either Chandra or Liliana.
They have a scary amount of ways to produce energy. Furthermore their removal package and threats are pretty legit. If you let them build up their energy reserve, they can make some scary big plays.
Game 2 1-2
I rolled through Game 1 pretty easy, they pretty much got screwed on their draw. Game 2 I got flooded Game 3 had to mull to 5 and then got land screwed, not drawing a second, yup second, land till turn 14.
Overall the match-up is hard, but its not impossible. You just need to be smart about your plays. My deck has enough removal that it is difficult for them to keep anything on the board.
I have Harsh Scrutiny in the side mainly for the Gods, but it has worked pretty well for me against the hydra too. I maindeck Gifted Aethrborn and Grasp of Darkness though, so I have a few options.
So let's talk sodeboarding and specific strategy again.
I got steamrolled by a Grixis Control deck. Game 1 he stopped me from dropping anything with counter spells, then managed to drop Nicol and it was game. Game 2, anything I did drop he removed and then dropped a blue gearhulk.
What are your suggestions on how to play against this deck? Sideboard options?
I originally attempted to make a Jund Midrange deck, however the current mana couldn't support it well. Furthermore green didn't add much, at least not that I could easily substitute in black and red to create a more streamlined deck.
I have to give credit to dropping green and going B/R Midrange to @AwokenHorror
Anyway here it is:
3x Dreamstealer
3x Glint-Sleeve Siphoner
4x Glorybringer
2x Goblin Dark-Dwellers
2x Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet
Planeswalkers 5
3x Chandra, Torch of Defiance
2x Ob Nixilis Reignited
2x Abrade
3x Fatal Push
3x Grasp of Darkness
Sorcery 8
2x Cathartic Reunion
3x Sweltering Suns
3x Transgress the Mind
3x Aether Hub
2x Canyon Slough
4x Foreboding Ruins
4x Smoldering Marsh
3x Mountain
9x Swamp
I haven't made a sideboard yet, still tweaking the overall deck. Im thinking about dropping Glint-Sleeve Siphoner and Dreamstealer so that my sweepers don't have anything on my side to hit, essentially playing an even stricter control game in the early rounds. I feel that the deck has enough filtering/draw between Cathartic Reunion and Ob Nixilis Reignited to be able to get rid of the Siphoner. Also I know my manabase needs work. The double R for Sweltering Suns is killing me.
Tear it apart, please!
3 Scrapheap Scrounger
4 Glint-Sleeve Siphoner
4 Gifted Aetherborn
4 Ammit Eternal
4 Ahn-Crop Crasher
2 Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet
4 Glorybringer
Spells
3 Fatal Push
3 Abrade
3 Grasp of Darkness
2 Liliana, Death's Majesty
4 Aether Hub
4 Smoldering Marsh
4 Foreboding Ruins
4 Mountain
8 Swamp
1 Fatal Push
3 Chandra's Defeat
3 Harsh Scrutiny
1 Crook of Condemnation
2 Never // Return
3 Yahenni's Expertise
2 Blazing Volley
This is what I'm planning on running on Gameday.
I haven't had time to play any games since adding Kalitas, Chandra's Defeat, and Blazing Volley, but it was already decent against Mono Red with Gifted Aetherborn, Push, and Grasp. Before Hour of Devastation was released, I played a similar deck without Kalitas and I went 4-0 at FNM (which I've never done before, so the deck must be pretty good).
My main concern now is that there are going to be much more Chandra's Defeats in general, which makes Glorybringer much more risky. I'm considering adding more Kalitas or Noxious Gearhulk to the sideboard to replace them.
I'd definitely drop Dreamstealer. It's probably too fragile with the amount of Shocks that will be around. I have similar concerns about my Ahn-Crop Crashers but at least it has haste. Ammit Eternal has been good for me so far.
Lay Bare the heart is probably better than Transgress the Mind since we don't have to worry about Aetherworks Marvel.
I like your deck!
How has Scrapheap Scrounger worked for you? I haven't had a chance to test it yet.
I definitely need to add some Gifted Aetherborn into my deck, its such a good card and reminds me a lot of Vampire NIghthawk, which I loved!
I like Transgress the Mind because it can hit Gods, other than that Lay Bare the Heart is a good option too, maybe either in the sideboard depending on meta.
How has Liliana, Death's Majesty worked for you? I haven't tested either Lily, but a lot of Midrange players seem to like Liliana, the Last Hope.
Also I tested Noxious Gearhulk, but with all the removal in the deck, there's rarely ever a creature on the other side to target.
I will definitely adjust the manabase and find way to put in Gifted, and retest.
Scrapheap Scrounger has been very good. Good mana sink. Sides out against Mono Red but is good otherwise.
I play Harsh Scrutiny in the side for the Gods. 1 mana vs 2 has made a huge difference, and on the rare occasions where it misses, you still get a scry at least.
Liliana, Death's Majesty has worked really well. Bringing back Glorybringer is a game ender.
I would definitely play Liliana, the Last Hope if you can. I just don't want to spend that much money on a card that's about to rotate and isn't good in EDH.
I think the only reason I can think of to play Noxious Gearhulk is Crested Sunmare, but I'm already running Never // Return, so that's probably enough.
C Long Live Eldrazi C
I went 3-1-1 in the swiss (last round intentional draw), won my next match, then lost in the round of 4.
Round 1 bye.
Round 2 (2-0) against RG Pummeler. I had enough removal to deal with the big threats.
Round 3 (2-0) against UW Gift. I didn't see Sunscourge Champion, so I was able to close the games out before God-Pharaoh's Gift got online.
Round 4 (1-2) against UR Control. These were close games. Got him down to 1 life game 3. Goldnight Castigator was invaluable. In retrospect, I took out too many threats beccause I thought Gifted Aetherborn might be too slow, but I ended up with too much removal in hand. Harsh Scrutiny is very good in this matchup. Hitting Torrential Gearhulk or The Locust God is great.
Round 5 ID
Round 6 (2-0) against Mono Black Zombies. Game 1 was close but I was able to deal with the key threats and close with Glorybringer. Game 2 he got stuck on one black source, so it was an easy win.
Round 7 (0-2) against UW Gift. Lost game 1 badly. Didn't draw Abrade. Game 2 I had a Crook of Condemnation online and had an Abrade for his Gift, but Sunscourge Champion extended the game long enough for him to hardcast multiple Cataclysmic Gearhulks and Angel of Invention. I'm definitely adding another Crook to my sideboard.
I think the deck is good enough for FNMs at least. I'll probably stick with it until I come up with a deck I like in Ixalan.
@AwokenHorror, great report thanks for that.
From my own testing,
1. I might drop Transgress the Mind to the sideboard, and possibly swap it out for Harsh Scrutiny.
2. Im currently running 26 lands, and feel like it might be a little much.
3. Looking for some type of enchantment hate for the sideboard, any suggestions?
Looks like a very similar list hit top 8 last weekend.
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/archetype/standard-black-red-midrange-39690#paper
So it definitely shows promise!
Anyway been doing a little testing over the past few days.
Here is my current deck list:
3x Gifted Aetherborn
3x Glint-Sleeve Siphoner
2x Goblin Dark-Dwellers
2x Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet
4x Glorybringer
Planeswalker 5
3x Chandra, Torch of Defiance
2x Liliana, the Last Hope
2x Fatal Push
3x Abrade
3x Grasp of Darkness
Sorcery 8
2x Tormenting Voice
3x Sweltering Suns
3x Transgress the Mind
4x Canyon Slough
4x Smoldering Marsh
4x Foreboding Ruins
2x Ramunap Ruins
8x Swamp
3x Mountain
I played two casual games the other night
Game 1 - B/G Zombies (2-0)
Deck took a second to get online but once I did it was game. Game two triggered Lili's ultimate and he couldn't come back.
Game 2 - Mono-B Zombies (2-0)
Game 1 had to mulligan to 5, but pulled all my removal and he couldn't keep anything on the board. Game 2 had Chandra, and 2 Glorybringer, there was no hope.
Observations about the deck
1. I dropped the land count to 25 and it seems to be much smoother. With a high end of a 5cmc, I can pretty reliably get there every game. Before I dropped to 25, I would get flooded more often than I cared for.
2. Liliana is amazing!
3. Gifted Aetherborn is great. Feels a lot like Vampire Nighthawk of old.
4. Glint-Sleeve is good, especially if you have 2 on an empty board. I feel like I'm lacking enough energy though, so I may add some Aether Hub or Harnessed Lightning to help with that.
5. Tormenting has been a little underwhelming. Most of the time I draw it, I wish it was something else.
6. Transgress is wonderful. Even if it misses, being able to see their hand and play around it, is worth every penny.
Overall I think this deck is positioned really well. It will definitely take a little more testing and playing around with, but I think the core is pretty solid.
How's Chandra, Torch of Defiance been for you? I'll need something for the 4CMC slot once Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet rotates.
Chandra is absolutely amazing. I didn't play this deck for too long, but she was my MVP card every time I played her.
She provides pseudo card advantage, that sometimes helps you to filter blank draws. She ramps, she's removal, and her ult is game over on the spot (and not even that hard to get to).
Only problem with her is that you'll most likely not be able to run Hour of Devastation. But I wonder if you'd even need to, in the current meta.
So iv loved Chandra! She's great, provides card advantage kind of, can fill your mana pool if your running low.
After some more testing, I'm going to try and drop the Glint-Sleeves and the Live Fast, removing any energy theme.
This has allowed me to add more removal and up the amount of Lili.
Also I'm going to try and drop the Ruins, they haven't done anything for me. Maybe depending on meta add in some Deadlands, but again at 25 lands iv never had a problem.
I saw a post from Lothamer, who had the 8th place deck, where he said he probably wouldn't pilot it going forward, I disagree. I think this deck has a lot of promise and is a blast to play.
I actually just swapped them out.
Doomfall has tested amazing! So glad I made the switch. I did move the Transgress to the sideboard just in case.
I have only played about 7 games, but in all of them went 2-0 and didn't sideboard a single card. To be honest though they were mostly janky decks, GB Zombies, Mono-black Zombies, Red Prowess, GR Ramp, UR Prowess stuff like that.
2 Chandra's Defeat
3 Harsh Scrutiny
2 Never // Return
3 Yahenni's Expertise
2 Crook of Condemnation
2 Goldnight Castigator
I got a bye, lost against UR(+Bolas) Control, and won against UW Monument and a random deck.
The Crooks are because my meta has a couple Gift decks. The Castigators are very good against control. Expertise for Monument and Zombies. Scrutiny works for Gods and any other problem creatures. Defeat for Ramunap Red. Never for creatures and planeswalkers I otherwise can't deal with.
In my experience, Kalitas (and also most creatures that aren't Glorybringer or Goblin DD) is pretty bad in that matchup. You'll need more Hour of Devastation and Chandra's Defeat against Temur. Doomfall is also pretty good, and your wincon should be either Chandra or Liliana.
Use Boardwipes and/or Doomfall against them.
They have a scary amount of ways to produce energy. Furthermore their removal package and threats are pretty legit. If you let them build up their energy reserve, they can make some scary big plays.
Game 1 2-0
Doomfall is great, but Grasp of Darkness and Cut // Ribbons shouldn't be overlooked either. Was able to trigger Chandra's Ultimate and win.
Game 2 1-2
I rolled through Game 1 pretty easy, they pretty much got screwed on their draw. Game 2 I got flooded Game 3 had to mull to 5 and then got land screwed, not drawing a second, yup second, land till turn 14.
Overall the match-up is hard, but its not impossible. You just need to be smart about your plays. My deck has enough removal that it is difficult for them to keep anything on the board.
A huge thanks to Argetlam and the guys at Hakai studios for this awesome banner
I got steamrolled by a Grixis Control deck. Game 1 he stopped me from dropping anything with counter spells, then managed to drop Nicol and it was game. Game 2, anything I did drop he removed and then dropped a blue gearhulk.
What are your suggestions on how to play against this deck? Sideboard options?
2 Gonti, Lord of Luxury
1 Goblin Dark-Dwellers
1 Ob Nixilis Reignited
2 Transgress the Mind
2 Lay Bare the Heart
2 Bontu's Last Reckoning
2 Never
I take out most removal (keep some number of grasp, killing thing in the ice and glorybringer after board is good), kalitas and suns
Bring in dreamstealers, the discard package, gonti, ob nix and walker removal. Use discard to force through your threats.