Help needed with SkredRed build
Modern forum
Posted on Feb. 21, 2020, 1:40 p.m. by firestorms90
A few years ago I read an article on Tappedout (found here) describing Skred Red in Modern, and, as a red mage at heart, I was instantly intrigued by the idea of a monored control deck. I put together a rough deck (including some proxies) and tinkered with a couple variations, but never settled on any particular build. As you may notice, I opted to try for a mix between the traditional and big example lists given in the article.
I never made it to any modern events at my LGS to test any given iteration, but got in some test games with the guys in my regular play group who were testing and tinkering with their own modern builds. As such, any adjustments I made to the deck then were in response to a very limited meta, with little clue what was going on in the greater scheme of modern. This is also why I never nailed down a solid sideboard plan.
Fast forward a few years, and due to additional responsibilities and lifestyle changes I haven't touched any of my decks at all in two years save for a handful of EDH games (most of them against inexperienced players, so a great social environment but not much challenge in gameplay). I'm itching to get a little more mental stimulation from the game I've loved for so long, and modern night at the new LGS sounds like a great way to do so. However, I'm more out of touch with the ins and outs of the modern meta now than ever, and have an out dated decklist to boot. Additionally, because it's been several years since I last tinkered with this deck, I don't really remember what I was doing with it. I've read through and done research on newer builds, including artifacts and dragons; the biggest downside to trying to adapt to one of these builds is that I don't own many of the new cards crucial to the build. My magic budget is basically nonexistent at the moment, though there's some room to make small purchases over time probably. To be honest, though, I'm content for the moment to take this list precisely as it stands and wing it. Not only would it allow me to feel out the meta, but I might be able to sneak a few wins simply BECAUSE I'm not playing the latest version. At least in my head, I can see an opponent attempting to play around a card or strategy that simply doesn't exist in my deck, and the ability to bluff opponents like that appeals to the mischievous side of me... but I digress.
What I'm looking for from you guys is a mix of things. First, I'd like your thoughts on how you think this version of Skred Red will hold up in current Modern. For example, I think I read that Boros Reckoner became too weak, but I read that several meta shifts ago and don't know if that still holds true. What cards are weak right now? What decks would cause me trouble?
Second, I'd love some advice for building a sideboard around this build as it currently stands, and strategy for using the sideboard suggestions. Since this is already built and most of my card collection is currently in storage, using this as is is the fastest way to jump into modern at the LGS. It's only $5 to enter, so I don't mind losing games as it's low cost to enter and I'd gain experience and knowledge of what the local meta looks like. I can make adjustments based on that knowledge, but for now a generic sideboard should be fine.
Finally, what would be some long-term changes I could make in order to bring this up to speed in the current modern meta? I feel as though my list suffers a little from lack of focus (am I trying to ramp to Ugin, the Spirit Dragon, or burn everything with Boros Reckoner?) As someone with a huge love for planeswalkers (not only do they appeal to the Vorthos in me, but also the Melvin; I absolutely adore the flavor of loyalty counters!), is there a better way to lean into the super friends approach I've already sort of started going into? I don't know yet how frequently I'll be able to attend modern night, but I love how the deck plays and wouldn't mind upgrading it some, especially if I already have the cards. For instance, I know newer lists include some number of Pia and Kiran Nalaar (which hadn't yet been printed when I first built Skred) for value, and I've several copies, if not a playset, sitting in my binder...
Thanks in advance for any input, criticism, advice, etc! Any and all help is appreciated!
skred
Modern
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Exiled_soul says... #3
I havent played mtg in years so my primer isnt up to date but I hope it gives you a place to start.
https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/skred-primer-in-progress/
February 24, 2020 9:25 a.m.
firestorms90 says... #4
Exiled_soul I believe I've actually read through that primer already, thank you! I certainly remember seeing a similar decklist, anyway, with the Eternal Scourges and Pia and Kiran Nalaars as the latest additions. I was hoping to fill in the gaps between then and now, though.
Oloro_Magic Thanks for your reply! This was closer to what I was aiming for. I've gotten a couple of the new cards from the list you provided, including an Astrolabe (though I misread the Chandra, Awakened Infernos in the sideboard as additional copies of Chandra, Acolyte of Flame).
How crucial are the Scrying Sheets to the deck, in your opinion? I understand their purpose in the deck, but have been kind of underwhelmed by them personally. Since they're a little pricey anyway, I currently plan on using the Valakut, the Molten Pinnacles I already own in their stead. Have you thoughts on how that would play out?
I already had a Ratchet Bomb in the box with the deck so I'll stick with that for the moment. What are the typical targets for Bomb/ Blast Zone? I don't know the sweet spot for the counters at all.
I still haven't gotten to the shop for a game, so I'm not sure what the meta is like. When I do, though, I'll definitely hit you up for sideboard advice!
March 11, 2020 6:49 p.m.
Oloro_Magic says... #5
Hey, some more copies of Chandra, Acolyte of Flame is not a bad thing, they could just be better than Koth, so that is not the end of the world.
As for Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle I'm not too interested in playing valakut unless it is winning the game at that moment. For example as we see them used in the Titan decks these days with Dryad of the Ilysian Grove and in Scapeshift decks. Scrying Sheets serves a vastly different purpose than valakut. Basically the logic behind playing sheets, besides upping your snow permanent count, is that it gives you a way to be proactive about using your mana each turn if you have nothing else to do. Sure the card might as well not exist against faster decks sometimes, but you will be glad to have it against decks that are looking to play a longer game as it provides you with a great way to generate some additional value and if nothing else is a fateseal that can be a pseudo-Mishra's Bauble. That being said, while I think that Sheets is exponentially better than valakut which seems way too slow nowadays in a deck like this, I wouldn't necessarily call Sheets a priority as you seek to update this deck. On a scale of 1-100 in terms of how crucial they are to the deck I would say they are about a 55, nice to have but not the card that is going to decide if you win the game. I can see running a couple valakut for the time being although I am not convinced a couple basics are not just better as they at least come in untapped.
As for the counters on bomb/zone, it really depends on the matchup but generally the sweet spot is 1-3. To give you an idea as regards some of the top modern decks at the time of writing:
vs. Amulet ---- 1/3
vs. UBX Shadow ---- 1/2 (depends on threats; 1 is usually good; if they have green mana they likely have Tarmogoyf)
vs. Humans ---- 2
vs. Jund ---- 2
vs. Urza ---- 1/2 (sometimes 0 but you would need a way to beat infinite life as well)
vs. Tron ---- 1 is probably best but it isn't good here regardless
vs. Dredge ---- 2/3 again though not great
vs. Crabvine ---- 1
vs. Spirits ---- 2/3
vs. Ad Nauseam ---- 0/2
vs. Storm ---- 2
vs. Mono Red Browess/Burn ---- 1/2
vs. Bant Stoneblade ---- 2/3 (rarely; also sometimes an argument for 0 to destroy the germ)
vs. Infect 1/2
vs. Heliod Company 1/2/3
Sometimes you will use the bomb to get rid of specific problem cards which you will need to identify via matchup knowledge (often stuff like sideboard hate). Otherwise try not to take the bomb too far above 3 unless you anticipate something at a higher cmc that you otherwise cannot answer; most decks in modern, even the big mana decks, tend to be pretty low in terms of their curve.
Oloro_Magic says... #2
Hey!
First off welcome back to modern, it's been a while I see and yeah... things haven't been too kind to Skred Red, first off I will say that the current lists are likely temur now, here is an example:
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/archetype/modern-temur-midrange-165516#paperTEMUR MIDRANGE
That's just to give you an idea of where snow as an archetype has gone nowadays but let's talk about classic skred red. Basically you want to get yourself 4 Arcum's Astrolabe right away, the card quite frankly is broken, it replaces itself and ups your skred snow count right away. Here is a list from MTUgin that I am a fan of:
MTUgin's Deck
Lands
2 Frostwalk Bastion
2 Scrying Sheets
18 Snow-Covered Mountain
Creatures
2 Eternal Scourge
2 Seasoned Pyromancer
1 Hazoret the Fervent
2 Stormbreath Dragon
Planeswalkers
1 Chandra, Acolyte of Flame
2 Chandra, Torch of Defiance
2 Koth of the Hammer
Spells
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Skred
3 Anger of the Gods
Artifacts
3 Relic of Progenitus
4 Arcum's Astrolabe
4 Mind Stone
1 Ratchet Bomb
Enchantments
3 Blood Moon
Sideboard
2 Goblin Rabblemaster
3 Simian Spirit Guide
2 Chandra, Awakened Inferno
2 Shattering Spree
2 Pillage
2 Pithing Needle
2 Dragon's Claw
That list can use a lot of work, for example I think Blast Zone is likely just better than the ratchet bomb, and another little Chandra could be played, but it should give you something to work from. Skred right now can be a little weird, Primeval Titan decks are very good right now meaning being the Blood Moon deck isn't a bad place to be, but you really do lack any meaningful sideboard cards. I'd probably cut the SSG's for Damping Sphere which is also good against titan and storm. If your meta turns out to be a ton of titan you should be decently positioned otherwise one of skred's biggest problems in this day and age is what is becoming the end all and be all of the modern format and that is game actions per turn. Skred has a very low count on this and thus is inherently behind decks like amulet or urza which are doing many things a turn. Now, again Blood Moon can just win games but it is a concern. The temur build solves this problem some but is a very different deck.
As for having to buy new cards, its a reality all us modern players have had to face, 2019 produced a LOT of staple cards: Wrenn and Six, Teferi, Time Raveler, Urza, Lord High Artificer, Arcum's Astrolabe, and Oko, Thief of Crowns to name a few. In a way Skred has a lot less than most decks so there is that to look forward to I guess. My advice to you though is just cast moon, you can update as you go, moon will steal you games while you do. If I were you I would prioritise the Chandra's and Seasoned Pyromancer both seem good here. Let me know what your meta looks like I'd be happy to help you out with a sideboard!
Good draws!
February 23, 2020 12:02 a.m.