Dreadhorde Butcher - Fits PERFECTLY into the aggressive theme here. Even without menace he is a powerhouse that needs to be deaelt with immediately. He is also a lower-costed creature that can help me get to Embercleave as soon as possible.
Hunted Nightmare - Giving my opponent a deathtouch counter has rarely come into play being that they need to double block most of the time. A 4/5 with menace for three mana is powerful.
Insolent Neonate - I wanted some one drops to try and ensure to have a creature on the board for the three first three turns of the game. This allows me to try and put my opponent on the defensive as fast as possible. Also, he can be draw if my hand becomes worthless.
Kari Zev, Skyship Raider - If I can play a one drop on turn one, to her on turn two, that is a turn three Embercleave assuming I have not missed a land drop. She also gives another body to just keep swinging in whenever possible. I am debating on putting her to three but because she's legendary it would hurt to have multiple copies in my hand.
Labyrinth Raptor - The reason for the deck. His trigger to make my opponent sacrifice PLUS a buff is a great win condition.
Murderous Rider - Staple removal in the format.
Sonorous Howlbonder - He might as well say unblockable.
Stormfirst Crusader - This deck tries to go all in so I need draw power. Yes it can hurt to allow my opponent to draw, but I'm a very fast deck so it is unlikely they'll draw into too many answers. The damage on top of it can definitely add up.
Valentin, Dean of the Vein
- Mainboard gravehate with menace and lifelink for one mana? Of course he's in here. I don't need to carry about the otherside since I don't play green.
Eliminate - I don't want to waste my attacks on planeswalkers if I don't have to. I've chosen this over Fatal Push because of that reason.
Infuriate - I want to get as much damage through as possible. A creature with Embercleave to then cast Infuriate ends games quickly.
Tentative Connection - Can take a blocker away and can give me a powerful attacker all for one mana.
Agadeem's Awakening
- My opponent uses all of their removal to stop my creatures just for them to come back.
Demonic Embrace - Can be cast from the graveyard to keep the pressure on. I've LOVED this addition.
Embercleave - What is an aggressive red deck without one of the most powerful equipment ever made?
