Succeeding as a Red Mage in Magic the Gathering

Friday Night Magic: Building a Competitive Mono Red Burn Deck for Standard

Mono red decks have always had to adapt to the metagame. A couple Standard seasons ago, red mages played Flames of the Blood Hand to stop the lifegain of Loxodon Hierarch. And way back in the day, I remember sideboarding four Anarchies to stop Circle of Protection: Red.

In today's Standard format, there are a lot of things that give red mages a headache -- from Primal Command and Flashfreeze to the new kid on the block, Kitchen Finks, from the newest set, Shadowmoor. However, I still think mono red burn is viable to play in your local Friday Night Magic tournament. Here are a couple reasons why.

1. Burn spells work well against Bitterblossom, which is one of the most powerful cards in Standard.

2. There are many great burn spells today that cost two or less mana. There's Rift Bolt (which basically costs one mana because of suspend), Incinerate, Shard Volley, Shock, Tarfire, and Lash Out. A red mage can deal a lot of damage even if he only has three lands in play.

3. Mono red burn can just get lucky and win. Anyone who's been burned by three Shard Volleys in a single game knows this is true.

4. Red decks got excellent additions in Shadowmoor. Shadowmoor has a 2/1 for one mana (Tattermunge Maniac), a 3/3 haste creature for three mana (Boggart Ram-Gang), and a burn spell that deals four damage for three mana (Flame Javelin).

So, what cards should a red mage play in current Standard? I'm glad you asked. Let me take you through my thought process of building a mono red burn deck from 0 to 60 cards.

Obvious Inclusions

I think the next four cards are automatic inclusions.

4 Mogg Fanatic
It costs one mana. It's a burn spell on a 1/1 body so it fits perfectly in any burn deck.

4 Keldon Marauders
Another great creature. If you're on the play and you have it in your opening hand, it usually deals five damage. If it doesn't deal combat damage to your opponent, it will still deal two damage and oftentimes trades with a creature. All this for the bargain price of two mana.

4 Rift Bolt
The best one mana burn spell in Standard.

4 Incinerate
The best two mana burn spell in Standard.

4 Flame Javelin
The best three mana burn spell in Standard.