[pre-Primer] AIR / BAI

[Aodh]

All-In Red (AIR) and Boros All-In (BAI) are the deck(s) I'm looking to play at states. Finishing up this standard playing AIR, I've noticed that it's fast enough to even beat midrange decks, which feels kinda' broken. That is, midrange strategies prey on aggressive strategies by quickly outclassing their creatures and then winning the game with brute force. AIR is able to deal a lot of damage in the first 2-3 turns of the game, and then falters the opponents creatures during the subsequent turns, preventing any stem of the bleeding. For reference, I've been running RDW?'s list from MTGSally,

[deck]Creatures
4 Rakdos Cackler
4 Foundry Street Denizen
3 Legion Loyalist
4 Burning-Tree Emissary
4 Lightning Mauler
4 Firefist Striker
1 Skinbrand Goblin
3 Pyreheart Wolf
4 Hellrider

Spells
4 Krenko's Command
3 Dynacharge

Land
19 Mountain
3 Mutavault
[/deck]

As fair as AIR is
concerned, the deck stays mostly in-tact. We can swap Gore-House Chainwalker (GHC) in for Lightning Mauler, Firedrinker Satyr in for Skinbrand Goblin and Pyreheart Wolf (and his activated ability gives us more ways to utilize Burning-Tree Emissary (BTE)), Fanatic of Mogis in for Hellrider, and then we can find something to fill the last four slots. Some things that come to mind are: Ash Zealot, Chandra's Phoenix, Lightning Strike, and Hammer of Purphuros.

What really intrigues me is our access to 16 2/x 1-drops if we dip into white. An example decklist for the BAI archetype could be

[deck]Creatures
4 Rakdos Cackler
4 Firedrinker Satyr
4 Dryad Militant
4 Soldier of the Pantheon
4 Burning-Tree Emissary
4 Gore-House Chainwalker
4 Firefist Striker
4 Chandra's Phoenix

Non-creature Spells
1 Hammer of Purphuros
3 Dynacharge
3 Boros Charm

Land
4 Sacred Foundry
4 Godless Shrine
4 Temple Garden
4 Stomping Grounds
5 Mountain
[/deck]

Not sure how the maindeck should really be
focused in regards to the Chandra's Phoenixes and non-creature spells, but that seems like a reasonable place. Another approach would be 16 1-drops, those 12 2-drops plus 4 Wojek Halberdier, then 7 spells, or 16 1-drops, 12 2-drops, 11 spells. The manabase seems really greedy and painful, but it leaves us with 12 white sources and 13 red sources that can all come into play untapped, and it gives us 17 sources for BTE, 17 sources for Rakdos Cackler, and 16 sources for Dryad Militant... If anyone's interested in developing either of these archetypes, consider what I said above and leave some feedback!

[redthirst]

8 sources isn't enough to reliably get turn 1 W in that second list. Soldier is great if he already fits your deck, but it's not good enough to warrant playing another color.

Quick and dirty AIR:

[deck]Creatures: 32
4 Rakdos Cackler
4 Firedrinker Satyr
4 Foundry Street Denizen
4 Burning-Tree Emissary
4 Firefist Striker
4 Goblin Shortcutter
4 Goblin Diplomat
4 Chandra's Phoenix

Spells: 8
4 Mugging
4 Dynacharge

Lands: 20
3 Mutavault
17 Mountain
[/deck]

Diplomat is pretty funny. It forces your opponent to only be able to keep back creatures with Defender or that they played on that turn to defend, which can then easily be bypassed with Firefist/Shortcutter. It is possibly more cute than good, though.

[Aodh]

8 sources isn't enough to reliably get turn 1 W in that second list. Soldier is great if he already fits your deck, but it's not good enough to warrant playing another color.

Quick and dirty AIR:

[deck]Creatures: 32
4 Rakdos Cackler
4 Firedrinker Satyr
4 Foundry Street Denizen
4 Burning-Tree Emissary
4 Firefist Striker
4 Goblin Shortcutter
4 Goblin Diplomat
4 Chandra's Phoenix

Spells: 8
4 Mugging
4 Dynacharge

Lands: 20
3 Mutavault
17 Mountain
[/deck]

Diplomat is pretty funny. It forces your opponent to only be able to keep back creatures with Defender or that they played on that turn to defend, which can then easily be bypassed with Firefist/Shortcutter. It is possibly more cute than good, though.

As
mentioned, there are 12 T1 W sources, which is probably 1-2 less than I'd want, but still the same number that Naya Blitz ran to start up their dudes.

I do like your list, though I'd definitely have GHC in their instead of some number of the goblins, although 16 falters seems freaking awesome, lol.

[redthirst]

Well, at first I assumed that Godless was a typo before it hit me that it casts Militant, Solder, and Cackler, but even after I realized that I just glossed over it as a mana source. Basically, I went a bit retard.

So I guess the only real issue I have with it is that even though you'll be faster than other Aggro decks, in the mirror you'll still have trouble racing because you're going to be killing yourself with land drops.

[LP, of the Fires]

To be fair, soldier+all the hybrid cards gains all that life right back, especially in multiples. Props on having the hardest working manabase I've seen in a while.

[redthirst]

Soldier only gains life when an opponent casts a multicolored spell, so you can't count on getting your life back with Hybrid dudes.

[Aodh]

That's fair, and honestly the deck probably can cut Godless Shrines in favor of basic plains while remaining consistent. I feel the white has merit because it doubles our 1-drop bear count and gives us Boros Charm in the UW match-up (which will be more relevant in THS STD because of the lack of haste). Additionally, it grants us the legendary Boros dude, Warleader's Helix, and an exile effect for the god circle jerk that's likely to be had at states.

[Yarpus]

Did you tested Diplomat? He's slow as hell for my taste.
Your Turn: Diplomat
Opp Turn: Whatever
Your Turn: Tap Diplomat (He still does nothing!)
Opp Turn: His creatures are attacking you
Your Turn: Wow, I can finally benefit from Diplomat.

[F.I.A]

The Diplomat might work if you have a group of pikes ready to poke them with. Weapon Surge or Coordinated Assault, perhaps?

[redthirst]

Did you tested Diplomat? He's slow as hell for my taste.
Your Turn: Diplomat
Opp Turn: Whatever
Your Turn: Tap Diplomat (He still does nothing!)
Opp Turn: His creatures are attacking you
Your Turn: Wow, I can finally benefit from Diplomat.

Well, since you'd only use the ability if your opponent clogs up the board, I'd take that over:

Your Turn: Other Creature
Opp Turn: Whatever
Your Turn: Can't attack into superior board position
Opp Turn: Whatever
Your Turn: Can't attack into superior board position

[zemanjaski]

My current Boros deck. Super happy with it. Annihilates control.

4 Burning Tree Emissary
4 Dryad Militant
4 Firedrinker Satyr
4 Firefist Striker
4 Gore-House Chainwalker
4 Legion Loyalist
4 Rakdos Cackler

4 Boros Charm
4 Chained to the Rocks
4 Dynacharge

4 Sacred Foundry
4 Stomping Ground
4 Temple Garden
5 Mountain
3 Plains

Sideboard
4 Act of Treason
4 Boros Reckoner
2 Flames of the Firebrand
2 Legion's Initiative
2 Pacifism
1 Wear // Tear

[Yarpus]

Your Turn: Other Creature
Opp Turn: Whatever
Your Turn: Can't attack into superior board position
Opp Turn: Whatever
Your Turn: Can't attack into superior board position

I could get behind that argument.

[hamfactorial]

My current Boros deck. Super happy with it. Annihilates control.

4 Burning Tree Emissary
4 Dryad Militant
4 Firedrinker Satyr
4 Firefist Striker
4 Gore-House Chainwalker
4 Legion Loyalist
4 Rakdos Cackler

4 Boros Charm
4 Chained to the Rocks
4 Dynacharge

4 Sacred Foundry
4 Stomping Ground
4 Temple Garden
5 Mountain
3 Plains

Sideboard
4 Act of Treason
4 Boros Reckoner
2 Flames of the Firebrand
2 Legion's Initiative
2 Pacifism
1 Wear // Tear

Me gusta. I considered Pacifism in my Boros list, how has it been for you?

[Yarpus]

@redthirst
Would you run Goblin Diplomats OVER Firefist Striker in standard RDW deck?

[zemanjaski]

It's Chained to the Rocks 5-6; so fine for where I need it.

[F.I.A]

How good is Foundry Street Denizen in a non-haste oriented deck? Aside from the usual BTE chain, it is hard for me to see it being anything more than a situational 2/1. With [card]Krenko's Command[/card] rotating out as well, it just doesn't seem good enough for me.

[Platypus]

He's decent if you can get out more than one creature on a turn. So, BTE chains and/or lots (12-16) of 1-drops . So, if you go that route then he's quite ok. But as long as you just drop one creature each turn he's not worth it.

[redthirst]

@redthirst
Would you run Goblin Diplomats OVER Firefist Striker in standard RDW deck?

Oh dear God no!

[Aodh]

Took the BAI list to an unsanctioned tournament yesterday. 2-0 against Dega mid, 0-2 against Gr ramp, 2-1 against Gr ramp, and 2-0 against UW control.

[BigMana]

My current Boros deck. Super happy with it. Annihilates control.

4 Burning Tree Emissary
4 Dryad Militant
4 Firedrinker Satyr
4 Firefist Striker
4 Gore-House Chainwalker
4 Legion Loyalist
4 Rakdos Cackler

4 Boros Charm
4 Chained to the Rocks
4 Dynacharge

4 Sacred Foundry
4 Stomping Ground
4 Temple Garden
5 Mountain
3 Plains

Sideboard
4 Act of Treason
4 Boros Reckoner
2 Flames of the Firebrand
2 Legion's Initiative
2 Pacifism
1 Wear // Tear

Any changes since you posted this?

[zemanjaski]

Not yet. It's easily tier 1 in testing, but I need some more competent opponents / better decks to face. It's VERY fast, and chained to the rocks is absurd. 1 mana terminate? Sign me up!

[BigMana]

Not yet. It's easily tier 1 in testing, but I need some more competent opponents / better decks to face. It's VERY fast, and chained to the rocks is absurd. 1 mana terminate? Sign me up!

I might build this when the shop opens at midnight. I'll let you know how it goes. I might alter the sideboard though. Nice deck.

[zemanjaski]

Definitely keep Act and Initiative, the rest is flex.

[dpaine88]

That Boros deck is the tits...I might seriously run that at the Open.

Looks like its pretty good against Midrange currently as well. Seems like a lot of people are gonna be playing some form of Demon Midrange and this deck stomps on that pretty good.

[zemanjaski]

Tapping out to play 1 guy on turn 3 or 4 gets you slaughtered against this deck.

[BigMana]

Whats with the 1 w/t?

[zemanjaski]

I hear it's an enchantment block and there are some good artifacts as well.

[BigMana]

Explain some sideboarding strategies (what in/out and why)? Would love your insight before i even consider tweaking it.

[zemanjaski]

Sure.
The flex slots are the 12 spells. You want to always start by taking out the worst 4. Examples:
- UW control; chained to the to rocks is meh. They don't run creatures to late. You can probably switch two copies for 2 Iniative, which help you get through Omenspeaker and give wrath protection.
- GB midrange; they want to 1-for-1 you then resolve a huge guy. Dynacharge is at it's worst when you can't keep a board presence. I'd cut the 4 Dynacharge for 4 act of treason (great against ooze or demon).
- vs. aggro, Boros Charm is kinda bad. You might side out some number for flames and pacifism.

That's the broad idea. I don't like to rigidly stick to side boarding plans, so I'm just trying to give you the themes. I can try to answer specific questions if you have any.

[Helios]

Played several games against mono-green stompy last night. Despite their 3/3's for two, had very few issues. Pulkranos is obviously good if you don't have Chained/Striker, but elsewise it was a fine matchup. Felt at least 50/50, if not better, and I'd assume that a creature deck with more efficient creatures would be the worst matchup- thus making the deck the bee's knees against everything else.

[zemanjaski]

GW is your worst matchup, or Mono R on the play with maindeck Chandra. Everything else you shred.

[Aodh]

Z, the list I took to 3-1 finish was your rendition with 4 Chained to the Rocks -> 4 Soldier of Pantheon, 1 Dynacharge -> 1 Godless Shrine, 3 Plains -> 3 Godless Shrine. The SB was all over the place because it was a proxy tournament, but I think it was 3 BE, 3 WLH, 3 Boros Reckoner, 3 Mizzium Mortars, 3 Act of Treason. The deck shredded Dega mid and UW control. Gruul mid was tougher, but can likely fix that up.

[hamfactorial]

This is the list that most closely resembles cards that I already have (dint play a lot if standard in paper), so I'm going to take the deck or something very close to States in a few weeks.

Do you have any cards on your radar for inclusion as the meta begins to take shape? I tend to be good at finding a great card or two for a deck (Knight of Infamy), but I save a lot of time by starting from a good shell. This looks like one.

[DroppinSuga]

Ham is lazy!

[hamfactorial]

I'm a filthy netdecker. Come at me bro!

[dpaine88]

Bringing this bad bitch to FNM, let's get it!

[dpaine88]

For the sideboarding against aggro,

I def would take out the 4 Boros Charm for FLames/Pacifism, but what would you drop to fit Reckoner in ?

[hamfactorial]

You could make a good argument for dropping the Dynacharges since you're likely not going to be swinging a lot. They also sit at the 3 spot in the curve.

[zemanjaski]

Yeah, cut Charm and Dynacharge. Then it's the battle of the 2/2s.

[dpaine88]

Won FNM with this bitch last night.

Honestly, it ran pretty bad for me and still won. Probably 3-4 games where I had EIGHT LANDS out of friggen 20.... Many many many games wherre I hit 5-6. I think most of the time the deck won't top 4 lands though.

I ran into a lot of little creature decks, which are actually really good against this deck. Act of Treason topdeck on BBV saved my ass one game

I mulliganed a lot..but the deck mulligans well due to the curve. Most of the issues came with hands without a red source...pretty much anything else was keepable. With only 13 red sources, gonna be a decent amount of Mulligans.

Burning Tree into Militant/Cackler is ballin by the way =)

Dynacharge was solid but due to all the small creature decks I didn't have much opp to get good use out of it except in Finals vs Esper.

Couldnt help but laugh as I'm on the play and go Stayr-> BTE into Militant and Cackler> Ghor
Clan - GET FUCKED