rock decks, that is decks that run Tarmogoyf , Liliana of the Veil , and Thoughtseize .

Meh, Bobs are not that bad. They work as a beater and help you get steam, and have been used in top-level play before. However, they are really difficult to use, and somewhat luck-based. They belong much better in Jund (Liliana+Tarmo+Bob+Lightning Bolt+other OP stuff) or Junk (Liliana+Tarmo+Bob+Spirit Token Generator of some sort+other OP stuff)

Although Bob provides fuel, he initially slows down burn and is removal fodder. He'll more than likely die before you get his advantage.

Speaking of which, why is Young Pyromancer F so expensive? Where does it see play? I bought a foil at 4$ around the release of JOU and now I'm very happy. You guys seem like the ones to ask.

The card is very powerful in Modern, Legacy and Vintage. It's played in decks that run upwards of twenty instants and sorceries, which means that you will be able to make multiple guys. It's extremely strong in a tempo shell, where every Remand or Vapor Snag or other tempo play you make also increases your clock, giving them even less time to resolve spells. Just play the card a little.

You can use Young Pyromancer in Delver decks, where you play Delver of Secrets  ^Flip (a cheap threat) and maybe a couple of Pyromacers, then use the rest of your fuel to keep your creatures/threats alive. Usually, the spells you cast also cantrip into other spells. Each little spell you cast generates a token, and it can get out of hand quickly.

I have a play set and ran him in Standard for my Boros burn that did alright at FNM. I just wondered why his foil was outrageous, since I couldn't find him in any Modern burn decklists. But I see why he could be played in UR Delver with all the cantrips (like the Jeskai Ascendancy decks, but a different win-con) or how he could be abused by tempo. Thanks for the answers GlistenerAgent and Ancient_Sentinel

It's also the fact that lots of Legacy players (where the card is the most widely played) like foils. They really like foils.

@quesobueno123 Earlier someone suggested running Scalding Tarn over Bloodstained Mire as a trick and minor advantage. I know it wouldn't be as effective as psyching them into thinking they're playing Delver, but would running Wooded Foothills be a good idea? It's not much more than Bloodstained Mire and may give you an early-game advantage.

Yeah, I know that. I figured someone somewhere was playing it, because I didn't think Pyromancer was top-notch EDH. But most tempo decks I have heard of are UB.

Nah, UR's the place to be for tempo decks. Burn spells and Electrolyze , alongside the actual Pyromancer make it the best choice.

About the deck: It's got a serious lack of Monastery Swiftspear and Shard Volley . More 3-for-1s is always better IMO, especially when you're still playing Lightning Helix .

GlistenerAgent Is Monastery Swiftspear really very good? The dream play is Goblin Guide into Eidolon of the Great Revel which means swiftspear has done two damage in the time guide has done 4 if you replace the guide with swiftspear.

@GlistenerAgent - if you have the time, please look at my somewhat-budget Boros BBQ deck. I'll be changing it to Mardu Barbeque since this deck made splashing black look flawless. I'll be swapping out the Arid Mesas (which I've never had) for the fetches that I do have. Basically I need to acquire anything that hasn't been printed since M11,

With all of the sorceries you want to play on Main Phase 1, and all of the instants you CAN play Main Phase 1, Swiftspear can dig at your opponent's life total much faster.

@quesobueno123 However, at any point you aren't casting Eidolon Monastery Swiftspear is probably better than Guide. It's worse on turn 1, but afterwards it doesn't draw them cards that get them closer to removal spells/stabilization and can consistently attack into bigger creatures that Guide cannot. Even Snapcaster Mage stops Goblin Guide , and the same can't be said for Swiftspear. Give it a try, and I'm sure you'll appreciate its power.

Sure, what do I cut?

Lightning Helix to start with. Boros Charm is strong but can easily be cut for Shard Volley if you choose to run that as well. Those are the two worst cards in the deck by a long shot.

But... but... Lightning Helix is a great card! "Two boons, your bane," should be one of its printings's flavor texts.

I mean, I respect what you're trying to do GlistenerAgent, lower the average CMC of the deck, making it more 1-drops to feed Swiftspear, but Helix can bring you back from the brink of death and turns Eidolon's effect into a boon as well; three boons in all. Boros Charm has versatility (I'd run only two, maybe put in two Shard Volley but crippling an already-dire mana base is always iffy) so I'd keep Charm.

I want to know exactly how much the burn deck cares about its life total. Lightning Helix is effectively Searing Spear that costs more, because in very few matchups can your opponent actually threaten your life total. It's not even because the curve should be lower, it's because Shard Volley is a better spell for this deck.

I personally have only played STD and draft competitively for a year so my Modern Burn is my first and only take on Modern. I just figured Helix can somewhat counter Storm's Grapeshot and is good in mirror matches. However, you can't exactly burn yourself to death and still win. Living End or Living Death or whatever-card-they-play decks might also pose a problem.

Storm isn't really a deck, and even if they Grapeshot you for ~17 as early as turn 3-4, chances are they have a way to cast another one for much more, making Helix useless.

Lightning Helix does exactly nothing against Living End . Even if they combo off early, you still are sending burn at their face and the three life is irrelevant. It's always irrelevant.

Then where does Helix see play? Why is it worth something? I'm not questioning why it isn't in burn, this is honest curiosity. I see your point and want to toss my playset that I worked hard to acquire. If you're winning with burn, Helix is pointless. If you're losing with burn, Helix won't save you. What would you replace Helix with though, besides the Shard Volley 's? I would rather Volley be a 2-of in case I direly need my lands.

Young Pyromancer ? if one cannot afford Goblin Guide ?

UWR plays Helix because it wants more removal, and the lifegain matters a little more there. Even that deck only plays 2-3 copies.

Monastery Swiftspear is gas. Play it.

I am currently running Swiftspear. I need a new burn spell if I am to cut Helix.