This is my first attempt at an Izzet deck. I've never been strong at making red or blue decks, but I just love the theme behind Izzet. The basic idea for this deck is to drag the game out, and time it just right so that way you can usually leave an opponent open for one attack that will kill them outright. Early on, drop the little creatures, and try to control the board as much as possible. Use draw spells to churn through the deck and burn the opponent in the process if you're lucky enough to have a Guttersnipe or two on the field.
Starters: Goblin Electromancer and Guttersnipe are key. Both are solid on their own and do well for this deck, but together they can win games. First, electromancer helps with my mana. it makes a good chunk of my instants and sorceries into one drops. And if they're costing less, then I can cast more. That's where Guttersnipe comes into the picture. If I'm casting burn/control spells for one, and deal a free 2 with a guttersnipe, it can be a very quick game.
Ral Zarek can be wincon if left unchecked. However, I don't rely on Ral's ultimate ability. Instead, use his +1 to play high mana cards(especially my creatures, since they aren't benefited from Goblin Electromancer's ability), and -2 to ping players, planeswalkers, and creatures when I'm in need of clearing some threats on the board.
Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius I feel is underrated as a whole. If I can get him out, it usually allows me for the win. I can use any extra mana to ping whatever, and swing with him if an opponent doesn't have anything to block him. Overall, stud of a card, and can usually get it out turn 5 if I have a Ral Zarek on the field.
Finally, Mercurial Chemister. A card that I feel nobody uses, and for pretty good reason. Other than draw for two blue, it isn't incredibly attractive, especially at 5 mana! However, I've found that this card alone has hauled me out of sticky situations almost as often as my overloaded Cyclonic Rifts. And here's why: 1) Draw two for one blue mana, solid when I need to get more options for cheap. 2) One red mana to burn a creature. In most Izzet decks, this ability doesn't work out very well because there aren't a whole lot of high mana cards. However, in this deck, I have quite a few 4-6 drops( and fuse cards count as combined CMC!) 3) In combination with Ral, Mecurial Chemister can be used twice. That's killing two creatures, or drawing four, or maybe a mixture of both, depending on the mood I'm in!
Instants and Sorceries:
I think this area is very self explanatory. Everything in here is either burn, counter, or draw. Draw what I need, burn players and creatures, and counter anything they throw at me. But, one card probably doesn't seem to fit: Blast of Genius. While it isn't a very strong card in a lot of Izzet decks, this card works wonders for me. 1) It is usually rather cheap, between electromancers and Ral. 2)Discard for Mecurial Chemister's second ability, 6 damage to a creature of my choosing. 3) Combo with Guttersnipe and drop a ton of damage on an opponent for usually cheap mana. 4) Discard my fuse cards, for their fuse cost(5 mana for when their fused). And 5)The Flavor text! If nothing else, the flavor text is awesome on Blast of Genius, and I get this maniacal grin on my face, because I just know something is awesome is usually going to happen.
Anyways, this is my Izzet deck, I'm in the process of building a sideboard and am looking for help. Whether it is in the mainboard or sideboard, I'm looking for any criticisms, complements, or suggestions anyone may have! Please let me know what you think, and anything I could do to make it better!
