[Primer] Boros Burn

[Khaospawn]

Gr can just block Zealot with Caryatid. All. Day. Long.

[Khaospawn]

I see people are coming around to Mortars.

You're welcome.

[Jonnymagic]

I actually leave skull crack in. I side out magma and ashy x4 each. Reason being is that I play the dancer vs them (I can't get off em as much as I've tried), so skull crack still does more damage than magma, and will turn off the lifegain of courser. It is especially good when they have 2 out and go all in on the courser plan. For mono U purp I take out ashy x4 and magma jet x1 and bring in sparky and 2 more chained. I like shock in the matchup due to mr owl. I can't decide if blind obedience is good vs them, and I kind of feel it is?

[DXI-Edge]

Zealot is better against GR because if they're fool enough to block with a fatty you can take it with burn.

I dont know who you play against, but that stuff really only works game 1, and good players let it go through most of the time

[zemanjaski]

2 mana unblockable is good though. I like Zealot against GR. They only run 3 Caryatid, and going long, it blocks one guy, which lets, say, a Mutavault get through or whatever. I am finding that they do good work.

[Jonnymagic]

So Z what do you side out vs g/r then? If not our girl next door?

[BlakLanner]

So do while we decide our sideboards, do we have a consensus on the main deck? This is what I have so far.
[deck]
9 Mountain
4 Sacred Foundry
4 Temple of Triumph
2 Boros Guildgate
4 Mutavault

4 Ash Zealot
3 Satyr Firedancer
4 Chandra's Phoenix

3 Shock
4 Magma Jet
4 Lightning Strike
4 Skullcrack
4 Searing Blood
4 Boros Charm
3 Warleader's Helix

Sideboard
4 Chained to the Rocks
3 Spark Trooper
2 Blind Obedience
3 Viashino Firstblade
1 Satyr Firedancer
2 Mizzium Mortars
[/deck]

I hate the Shocks but we may very well need them. I also want to get at least 2 Chained in the main (removing Shock at this point). I think my side is ok, but finding room for a singleton Chandra would be nice. Any other suggestions?

[zemanjaski]

So Z what do you side out vs g/r then? If not our girl next door?

-4 Boros Charm, -4 Skullcrack
+2 Blind Obedience, +2 Chained to the Rocks, +2 Mizzium Mortars, +2 Spark Trooper

[BrainsickHater]

@BlakLanner Move a Skullcrack to the board and cut a shock to make space for two maindeck Chained to the Rocks. This should leave one slot in the board for your Chandra.

[DXI-Edge]

See you're not running Firedancer. I am, which makes Boros Charm in the matchup way too valuable to cut

[zemanjaski]

I have really gone off Firedancer. Could be a playstyle thing.

Anyway, won two more 8-man queues, 3-1 in the DE. 21QPs this week, blah blah blah.

Unstoppable.

[DXI-Edge]

Whats your new list?

[zemanjaski]

[deck=Zemanjaski's Boros Burn as at 8-March-14 5:11am]
Creatures
4 Ash Zealot
4 Chandra's Phoenix

Enchantments
2 Chained to the Rocks

Instants
4 Boros Charm
4 Lightning Strike
4 Magma Jet
4 Searing Blood
3 Shock
4 Skullcrack
4 Warleader's Helix

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

Sideboard
2 Blind Obedience
2 Chained to the Rocks
4 Firedrinker Satyr
2 Mizzium Mortars
2 Spark Trooper
3 Viashino Firstblade
[/deck]

Firstblade victims tonight: 3

[Jonnymagic]

Do you bring in viashino vs mono U? Seems like it would be good since the only thing in the deck that stops it is master.

[DXI-Edge]

I realise that there arent many Mono-Blue/Aggro decks, but do you miss Firedancer at all?

How is the GR matchup with those slots instead of Firedancer? Is Mortars better than Outrage?

[zemanjaski]

I haven't missed Firedancer since the switch, but its possible I was just playing it badly. I tried running it out early, so that I could cast spells sooner; and I tried holding it until I could cast it plus a spell in one go; but with both strategies I found it pretty meh. Your opponent has to play into it regardless, and even if your holding on to it to catch them, it is extremely slow. I just couldn't abide the inconsistency.

I have found the GR matchup to have improved somewhat since the switch, mostly because now I have cards that can catch me up if behind (Mortars and Spark Trooper), or if I am ahead, just put the nail in the coffin.

Again, could just be playstyle, I am pretty conservative and I like my cards to be consistent.

[zemanjaski]

I like Mortars more than Outrage because its two mana. Two mana. That lets me cast two spells in one turn, which is huge.

[DXI-Edge]

You dont bring in Spark Trooper vs. Mono-Black/Black-White do you?

[zemanjaski]

No, it doesn't seem good there tbh.

[zemanjaski]

I did 5-1 someone with overloaded Mortars earlier too. That leaves an impression on you.

[zemanjaski]

The horror, the horror

[DXI-Edge]

I didnt think so but I wanted to check

So you go what, something like this?

-4 Searing Blood
-3 Shock
+2 Blind Obedience
+2 Mizzium Mortars
+3 Viashino Firstblade

What decks do you bring in mortars vs?

[zenbitz]

I actually wonder if cutting Firedancer is sort of a mind fuck. People have heard of this deck now and some of them are going to respect the dancing fool (even though it's not in your deck)... so they may hold removal for it or play wrong (although GR is just going to play through).

There must be some minimum fraction of small fry aggro (MUD/WW/RB/RDW) in a meta for which it's optimal. 20%?

Lost a match last night vs dega mostly to rakdos' return for all my lethal burn (got 1 spell out in response) but also to sneaky fiendslayer who didn't show up until game 3.

[zemanjaski]

I didnt think so but I wanted to check

So you go what, something like this?

-4 Searing Blood
-3 Shock
+2 Blind Obedience
+2 Mizzium Mortars
+3 Viashino Firstblade

What decks do you bring in mortars vs?

What matchup are we talking about?

I bring in Mortars vs. Control (exchanging it for Chains, since it hits Brimaz, Archangel or Blood Baron. No one competent plays Fiendslayer because its blank in any other machup), GR, Mono U, BW (kills Blood Baron and I don't want to be bringing in extra chains) and any aggro deck (except the Burn mirror).

[zemanjaski]

This thread has 4 guests. Reveal yourselves!

[DXI-Edge]

I didnt think so but I wanted to check

So you go what, something like this?

-4 Searing Blood
-3 Shock
+2 Blind Obedience
+2 Mizzium Mortars
+3 Viashino Firstblade

What decks do you bring in mortars vs?

What matchup are we talking about?

I bring in Mortars vs. Control (exchanging it for Chains, since it hits Brimaz, Archangel or Blood Baron. No one competent plays Fiendslayer because its blank in any other machup), GR, Mono U, BW (kills Blood Baron and I don't want to be bringing in extra chains) and any aggro deck (except the Burn mirror).

That
sideboard plan is vs. Black-White

[Xanatos]

Another option is to shift the deck towards a more controlling shell. Mike Flores mentions it on a Top 8 Podcast from December (found and partially discussed here), so it's prior to Born to the Gods but it shouldn't be too hard to update.

[deck]
Creatures (8)
4 Chandra’s Phoenix
4 Stormbreath Dragon

Spells (27)
4 Warleader’s Helix
3 Chandra, Pyromaster
1 Flames of the Firebrand
1 Lightning Strike
4 Magma Jet
2 Mizzium Mortars
4 Shock
4 Skullcrack
4 Chained to the Rocks

Land (25)
9 Mountain
4 Mutavault
4 Sacred Foundry
4 Temple of Silence
4 Temple of Triumph

Sideboard (15)
4 Ratchet Bomb
4 Assemble the Legion
2 Wear // Tear
2 Anger of the Gods
1 Chandra, Pyromaster
2 Mizzium Mortars
[/deck]

Here's how Card Advantage is working out in the current meta:

Mono Blue
Devotion - Thassa, God of the Sea, Bident of Thassa, Jace, Architect of Thought, Nightveil Specter
GR Monsters - Courser of Kruphix + Domri Rade, Polukranos, World Eater, Garruk, Caller of Beasts
UW/Esper Control - [card]Sphinx's Revelation[/card], Supreme Verdict, Jace, Architect of Thought, Ephara, God of the Polis, Detention Sphere
Mono Black Devotion - Underworld Connections, Pack Rat, Nightveil Specter

All of these decks use as many
Scrylands (or more) than Boros Burn, so that's a wash, and almost all of these decks have engines that don't require investment aside from the initial cost, unlike Magma Jet or [card]Chandra's Phoenix[/card] (if we're counting virtual card advantage). This allows our opponents to get ahead on cards while still being able to attack from different angles.

This is ultimately my argument for the inclusion of Chandra, Pyromaster. Some have mentioned that Boros Burn doesn't have a very good way to protect her which doesn't particularly make sense to me. We have a slew of burn and with Satyr Firedancer, keeping the board clear shouldn't be much of a stretch. Particularly if Chandra is giving us a virtual extra draw step.

Anyways, my armchair theorizing is backed by no actual playtesting, so feel free to shred it to pieces.

[DXI-Edge]

Well considering you mention Satyr Firedancer to protect her, and you dont run her, thats one point of consideration.

The other being she is rather slow in testing, but amazing in theorycrafting

[Jonnymagic]

Dammit Z. FINE ILL CUT THE DANCERS! Lol. He's my little buddy though against Mono U. Oh well. Hopefully I draw all my searing bloods >=D.

[DXI-Edge]

Ya as an Ex-MonoBlue player, I really am hesitant to cut the firedancers...

I mean the logic is there

BUT IM SO HESITANT

[DriftingLifted]

Fine fine, I'll log in.

Running the list at FNM tonight, see how it goes. Mostly been playing on Cockatrice or testing scenarios against myself.

[DECK]
Creatures
4 Ash Zealot
4 Chandra's Phoenix

Enchantments
2 Chained to the Rocks

Instants
4 Boros Charm
4 Lightning Strike
4 Magma Jet
4 Searing Blood
4 Shock
4 Skullcrack
3 Warleader's Helix

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

Sideboard
2 Blind Obedience
2 Chained to the Rocks
3 Satyr Firedancer
3 Firedrinker Satyr
2 Spark Trooper
3 Viashino Firstblade
[/DECK]

Very similar to Zem's. I still like Firedancer for now, the meta at the store I'm going to isn't always consistent. Lots of T1-T2 decks running around, but the roster rotates often. This sideboard is less streamlined, but I think leaves
me more open options. There's still quite a bit of Mono-U, Mono-B is still king, and G/R monsters rounds it out. Control decks are U/W, haven't moved on into Esper yet so I'll hold off on the Burning Earth option. Liking 4 shocks > 4 warleader's main due to a greater abundance of targets at my store: I like it against G/R and Mono U, the only match-ups where I have profitable first turn targets, and G/R it's a cheap 2 damage when I have to remove something. After playing today I'll probably make some adjustments to cards I want to commit to as 4-ofs.

[Xanatos]

Well considering you mention Satyr Firedancer to protect her, and you dont run her, thats one point of consideration.

The other being she is rather slow in testing, but amazing in theorycrafting

The list is a bit outdated as it doesn't include any BTG cards but you're probably right in the speed she takes. Since Boros runs white, I've been considering Revoke Existence in the sideboard. Seems good all around, might even be a possible Main Deck card as it takes care of Thassa and her Bident, Detention Sphere, Erebos and his Whip, Underworld Connections, etc. etc.

[Khaospawn]

Z, I really like the changes on your current list. Your 75 is 1 card different from what I planned on playing tonight. I must be doing something right.

[Self Medicated]

Z, I really like the changes on your current list. Your 75 is 1 card different from what I planned on playing tonight. I must be doing something right.

Ditto. I arrived at the very same list last night while perusing MTGO stats and poring over Zem's articles and videos. Can't wait to try this out.

[Jonnymagic]

Just assume you're always doing it wrong.

[Self Medicated]

Just assume you're always doing it wrong.

Doing it wrong is perfectly fine when done safely.

[Jonnymagic]

Why does it have to be done safely?

[Khaospawn]

Z, I really like the changes on your current list. Your 75 is 1 card different from what I planned on playing tonight. I must be doing something right.

Ditto. I arrived at the very same list last night while perusing MTGO stats and poring over Zem's articles and videos. Can't wait to try this out.

That's awesome. I got hit with some inspiration after driving home after a jam session. I just said, &
quot;fuck it, I'm gonna play cards that I know are gonna work.

[Self Medicated]

Why does it have to be done safely?

Inside joke back from our MTGS days. Khaos gets it.

[Khaospawn]

Why does it have to be done safely?

Inside joke back from our MTGS days. Khaos gets it.

There's only one thing I like more than a well-timed dick joke and that's well-timed inside joke.