Burn Playstyle
Modern forum
Posted on Feb. 15, 2015, 8:01 p.m. by InnerFlame
I have a few questions regarding other players and their experience while playing burn. I am preparing for an upcoming tournament.
Do you find playing Monastery Swiftspear a better play on turn 1, or Goblin Guide?
Have you ever found a time where playing Eidolon of the Great Revel wasn't a good play? It's by far one of the best cards in the deck, probably only second to Lightning Bolt, but are there any instances in which you've came across that it wasn't a good play? It's only happened with my once when I had somehow made it into midgame and I was playing against a jank deck that cast a lot of big stuff....a situation I'm not expecting to get into again.
Typically when I'm playing against any control that runs blue, I wait until they have concluded their turn to burn them in hopes they tap out and can't play a counter. And so far it has worked well as I rarely ever fall to control with my burn deck these days. Unfortunately, that allows them the chance to draw another counter and not tap out for another turn while they stock pile. I'm not asking about cards here, as I have sideboard options already and am fine after game one typically; however, I want to know how you guys adjust to playing against control (blue) in game 1.
aeonstoremyliver says... #3
I personally don't use Swiftspear and opt for Grim Lavamancer in it's place. I feel that Swiftspear forces me to play instants in order to buff her, when I'd rather hold them until the OP EOT, or in reaction to something else. That being said, Goblin Guide is always the best T1 play, and Eidolon the best T2 play.
Against control, you want to bait their counterspells and removal, then hold back Skullcrack. It can be a rather grindy and difficult matchup. Shrine of Burning Rage G2 helps close out that match.
February 15, 2015 8:22 p.m.
InnerFlame says... #4
GlistenerAgent: Thanks for the advice, man. They leave me with a few more questions though, haha.
I'm assuming this is more of a board state question but....turn 2 I have a swiftspear and two one drop burn. I'm assuming if the board is clear then go swiftspear and one burn. if not, go two burns?
So you would always cast two one drop burns before the eidolon?
Oh, Eidolon of the Great Revel chews up control...especially jeskai or any other deck containing counters. No matter what, they are going to get out burn. If I have the eidolon I really don't care about their land and go ahead and cast spells as I please. Yeah, I tend to save my Skullcracks for last. To bait them I usually play a sorcery like Rift Bolt here and there and get a feel for what they have. Then I strike with the instants like Boros Charm or Lightning Bolt when they tap out or know they have nothing.
I feel like I have a good feel for the deck and metagame at this point, but since burn is so fragile I really want to make sure I'm grasping all of it.
February 15, 2015 8:22 p.m.
Coming from someone who only plays control, always hold up Skullcrack unless you're trying to lethal. Any lifegain can lock you out of the game since you may not have enough damage after that. You should also see to it that if you do cast Eidolon, try to do so safely. It really fucks over a lot of decks.
February 15, 2015 8:23 p.m.
InnerFlame says... #6
aeonstoremyliver, Shrine of Burning Rage is what I was mainly referring to when I said I don't worry too much about control after game 1. Between that card and the eidolon, it just shuts them down.
February 15, 2015 8:24 p.m.
InnerFlame says... #7
bigguy99, haha tell me about it. I use to be so skeptical of it...then I played it. Needless to say, I righted my way with the eidolon haha. I usually do hold onto my Skullcracks against any matchup.
February 15, 2015 8:26 p.m.
I personally love Taylor Swiftspear. I always play Guide first, but on t2 she often makes my Lava Spike into a Galvanic Blast with Metalcraft. I am a big fan.
February 15, 2015 9 p.m.
"Remember to use your opponent's upkeep. If you know you're going to cast X at the end of your opponent's turn, it's usually better to just cast it during their upkeep. They have one less draw step to find an answer and less information to work with in the event they already have an answer." - Patrick Sullivan
Best article I have ever read that describes how to play burn vs. control: http://www.starcitygames.com/article/27944_Burn-vs-Counters.html
February 15, 2015 9:51 p.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #10
Hmm. That sounds real smart actually. Unless, of course, you want them to tap mana, in which case I'd do it in the draw step so they can draw a counterspell for my less vital spell.
I would always cast Eidolon on turn 3 if you have two 3 for 1s. Most matchups are such that Eidolon on turn 2 will not win more games than dealing them six.
February 15, 2015 10:27 p.m.
In the case of playing during their upkeep - they have already untapped their land and therefore can play in response to your spell. This type of play just puts your opponent in a tight spot (counterspell your burn and hope that they didn't need that mana for the card they then draw or save mana and take the burn). I can see baiting as a valid strategy though, so long as the spell you bait uses their mana up and leaves room for additional burn spells to be played without contest.
GlistenerAgent says... #2
If you have both, play Goblin Guide on turn 1, because that's when you get more damage out of it than Swiftspear. Turn 2 is when you'll have one awkward land untapped when you cast the Swiftspear, and you can cast your sorcery then to pump it up.
Eidolon of the Great Revel should be your turn 2 play unless you have a slow hand (3 or more lands, burn spells that would leave your opponent at ~7+ life) or want to cast two one-drops.
If they are on Jeskai, you need to hold up Skullcrack as often as possible (unless you are casting Eidolon of the Great Revel, which is particularly good in this matchup) for their Lightning Helix. Against other control variants, they have no maindeck lifegain save potential Batterskulls, so you should be fine end-stepping all your burn as you have been doing. Esper could have weird stuff like maindeck Timely Reinforcements, so keeping your lands untapped will still be alright.
Play around Spell Snare by casting your other burn spells first to bait out Mana Leak, then casting your Boros Charm. A lot of times it comes down to your gut and experience as to what cards they may have, but think about potential counterspells and removal spells and sequence your spells appropriately.
February 15, 2015 8:09 p.m.