Choice cards in modern burn
Modern forum
Posted on Jan. 31, 2015, 4:05 p.m. by Kage-no-Raito
What are people's opinion on running Vexing Devil and Browbeat in modern burn? I'm considering them due to suggestions from a friend but I'm not sure.
Vexing devil works as a 4 damage for 1 mana early game but pretty much useless late game. Browbeat would be taking the place of treasure since it got banned. Browbeat can either deal 5 or get you the 3 burns you need to win.
ThisIsBullshit says... #3
I haven't seen anybody use Browbeat yet, I'm not sure why they're use it. Vexing Devil is a sweet turn one play and if you play it late game, the worst that happens is it eats a Lightning Bolt, making it one less bolt at you.
January 31, 2015 4:17 p.m.
What's your list? Depending on how it's built, either can be useful; the spell-heavy decks would make more use of Browbeat, and the more creature-oriented style could use Vexing Devil. I think both are sorta B-list options for Burn, so if you really need to fill space they're ok.
January 31, 2015 4:18 p.m.
lemmingllama says... #5
I personally like Vexing Devil, they will want to take the damage early, making it better than Lava Spike. Late game it is a blocker or another way to try and push damage through.
Browbeat costs too much. I would rather just use more burn spells or Grim Lavamancer if I wanted a strong lategame.
January 31, 2015 4:21 p.m.
I don't know how to link properly, but this guide right here explains every reason why browbeat is a bad card.
http://magic.tcgplayer.com/db/article.asp?ID=7146
January 31, 2015 4:31 p.m.
Kage-no-Raito says... #8
My list is boros burn, It Begins With a Spark.
I honestly don't like Browbeat. Vexing Devil is what I'm considering running in my deck list. I'm currently running 4 Lightning Helix but I'm considering replacing them with the Devils or adding more black with Bump in the Night instead.
January 31, 2015 4:34 p.m.
Kage-no-Raito says... #10
Why not? Because of the choice it gives the opponent?
January 31, 2015 5:10 p.m.
Because against burn almost every deck will end up with unused creature removal that's pointless because you're playing burn. As soon as you play devil suddenly all their useless cards become useful.
January 31, 2015 5:24 p.m.
Essentially - they'll always choose creature and immediately path to exile or bolt or decay it etc. because they have literally nothing else to do with those cards. It works in rdw because if they waste removal on it then that's one less removal spell hitting your Goblin Guide. It doesn't work in burn because it always results in a low impact situation.
January 31, 2015 5:33 p.m.
I use both Vexing Devil and Browbeat in my burn deck and they actually work quite well. Burn is fast enough that it typically negates browbeats cmc. And considering you'll already be bringing down your opponents life total rather quickly, the five damage or three cards really puts your opponent in tough spot and gives you great advantage either way he chooses.
January 31, 2015 5:49 p.m.
Honestly, I don't care for either. Generally speaking, when you put the choice in your opponents' hands, they're going to pick what's best for them (or in this case, what's least bad for them). Turn 1, Vexing Devil is generally 4 damage for 
, which isn't bad, but it's almost a dead draw any later than that. I like Monastery Swiftspear and Goblin Guide as the only two 1 drop creatures because they hold their value better as the game goes on.
As for Browbeat, I won't go so far as to say it's bad, but it rarely does what you need it to. Honestly, I'd rather play Magma Jet and set up my next two draws than gamble (OK, truthfully, I'd rather splash blue and play Treasure Cruise but c'est le vie), because with the draw you'll only average +1 spell (burn generally runs 20 lands, so 1 of the three cards drawn will be land, and you "spent" 1 card to get the other two) with 3 less mana at your disposal. All this in a deck that doesn't really "care" about card advantage.
January 31, 2015 10:32 p.m.
APPLE01DOJ says... #15
How does everyone feel about Young Pyromancer in Burn?
February 1, 2015 12:34 a.m.
DeletedNow4ever says... #16
Young Pizzy has no place in burn. Neither do Browbeat or Vexing Devil. Young Pizzy is too slow in a deck that is trying to assemble a critical mass of spells to end the game. Every card in burn must do 1 of 3 things: do damage, have the abilty to win the game, or stop combo. The others give the opponent a choice, something that should always be avoided in a game of Magic.
Honestly there are just better card choices out there in red than these suggestions.
@Kage-no-Raito no Skullcrack main???
February 1, 2015 5:38 a.m.
Kage-no-Raito says... #19
@ConBurnMadMan I actually just physically replaced Lightning Helix with Skullcrack.
Unforgivn_II says... #2
Well, Vexing Devil used to be a thing, so I can see it coming back. Browbeat isn't nearly as efficient mana-wise, so I don't know if its as viable
January 31, 2015 4:12 p.m.