How to Deal with Burn?

Deck Help forum

Posted on March 2, 2014, 9:30 p.m. by Iceygod

I have recently created a sideboard for my Boros Aggro Deck. It currently has answers to most meta decks. What I'm looking for help with is the Boros burn deck. Currently, I can deal with Satyr Firedancer with Revoke Existence and Wear / Tear . However, it burns me out too quickly and removes my creates too fast. Any general advice is appreciated as well.

TL;DR-I need help with Sideboard and the burn deck has been my biggest issue.

-Bean- says... #2

Against burn, you need to stabilize quickly and employ creatures that take extra effort and resources to kill. Protection, hexproof, and bodies with more than 3 toughness are the best ways to accomplish that. In standard at the moment, damage is in the 2-4 range, topped with Warleader's Helix . Lifegain is the main way to stabilize.
Here is a list of resilient creatures, in order (in my opinion) of effectiveness.

  1. Boros Reckoner - Probably the best, a must-have in Boros. If they kill it, you can hurt them or kill their creatures. It's big enough to avoid Shock , Searing Blood and Magma Jet on top of that, it's strong against creature-based decks, too.
    2. Fiendslayer Paladin - The lifelink helps you come back from early damage and it can't be burned (but watch for Satyr Firedancer . The "pro-black" also helps you from time to time.
  2. Brimaz, King of Oreskos - Tough, and all-around strong. You're running four already, so just don't board it out.
  3. Archangel of Thune - It's above your curve, but it'll gain you life back and pump your creatures out of burn range

Other notable creatures are Ember Swallower , Hundred-Handed One and Heliod, God of the Sun . Ajani, Caller of the Pride is a good sideboard card to get out of stalemates, and the counters can put your creatures out of burn range too. Next up is my list of stabilizing cards, again in order of relevance:

  1. Fiendslayer Paladin - High on the list once again for its versatility. Lifelink, low cost. Not much to say.
  2. Warleader's Helix - It's stronger than it looks. The damage is good, sure, but the lifegain takes a few cards for the burn player to offset, which should be enough to beat them down.
  3. Archangel of Thune - I said it already. Expensive. Pays off. Run it with Fiendslayer Paladin for two triggers per combat. The other thing is that you're keeping up the pressure by boarding in creatures for the matchup. It's hard for a burn player to deal with that.
  4. Riot Control - Also strong against creature-heavy decks. Gain maybe 1-2 life, but also stop a turn of burn. Cast it while they have something on the stack.
  5. Path of Bravery - This might work too? The anthem works with the weenie strategy, and it could divert burn spells to your creatures if the opponent doesn't want you gaining life. That can really mess with their heads.
    6. Hopefully this was helpful. Enjoy your playing! Also, if you're feeling generous, check out my profile :D

March 2, 2014 11:14 p.m.

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