Best Red or Black Combat Tricks in Standard?
Standard forum
Posted on March 3, 2014, 7:18 p.m. by Bauhom
I'm looking for a good sideboard card for my Rakdos Aggro deck vs other aggro decks. Something other than removal that doesn't require two mana of the same color (just B, R, or BR). I'm thinking more of a surprise card, with bonus points if it's good against any of the top decks in the meta.
Some cards I've considered are: Crypt Incursion (instant speed lifegain--amazing if you can gain 9+ life), Dynacharge (probably not as I'm running only 20 creatures), Weapon Surge (seems like a potential blowout, but I don't know how much blocking will happening in this matchup. It could also just be played for extra damage), Titan's Strength (which I also like vs. Sylvan Caryatid decks). And then there's old favorites like Flames of the Firebrand . Any thoughts?
Why combat tricks? Combat tricks aren't super great against other aggro decks, especially post board when they are going to be bringing all their cheap removal in, that's just a good way to get blown out. Removal is way more useful against the field, a Doom Blade , Mizzium Mortars , etc can be just as good against say that mid-range deck as another aggro deck. Compare that kind of versatility to the following -
Crypt Incursion only seems useful in a racing situation, which means by default that not a lot of creatures are trading and getting into the graveyard. You're also using up a card without impacting the board, if that doesn't win you the game right then there's a good chance you'll loose the game because of that.
Dynacharge is a very good option, though it generally relies as you mentioned on going particularly board with your creatures, usually tokens. The more guys on the board the more bang for your buck.
Weapon Surge decent enough when blocking and trading is happening, but it's not great in the race since it will only impart a few extra points of damage.
Titan's Strength again decent but not much to write home about. The Scry is likely the best part since anywhere past Turn 3-4 clearing lands off the top is almost akin to draw a card for an aggro deck.
Honestly if you're looking for a combat trick that has some application in other match-up I would look at Boon of Erebos . The life loss is often less than whatever creature you just traded the card with and the regeneration is useful against a number of decks. A good versatile removal spells is still likely the best options however.
March 3, 2014 7:37 p.m.
Yeah Slycne, I'm already packing a ton of removal so I was just looking for something else for aggro mirrors. Thanks for your thoughts. I think Crypt Incursion is good if you're running a lot of removal (and I am), because then you can win the race or prevent your opponent from winning when they're sure they've got lethal. Also, it's good if they're running a lot of removal because then you can use it with either player's graveyard. Plus I like the card in SB as a possible answer to graveyard decks (hey, you never know?).
I've already got 4 Doom Blades, 4 Dreadbore, 1 Ultimate Price, 1 Magma Jet, 1 Lightning Strike, 1 Dark Betrayal, 1 Profit / Loss, and 1 Far / Away (for Away). But maybe another Mizzium Mortars or Flames of the Firebrand would be even better. Hm. Some kind of lifegain seems very powerful in an aggro mirror and I think Crypt Incursion is probably the best one that doesn't use double black (i.e. no Whip). Crypt Incursion could also have at least some utility against a hexproof deck, where targeted removal fails.
March 3, 2014 8:01 p.m.
Thanks, raithe000. Cutthroat Maneuver is a really neat idea. I already have Madcap Skills and Spiteful Returned in the MB. I'd like Dragon Mantle more if I was mono-red. It may come down to Cutthroat Maneuver vs Crypt Incursion for lifegain.
March 3, 2014 8:04 p.m.
Hm. Cutthroat also triggers Heroic on Tormented Hero . Not bad at all.
March 3, 2014 8:04 p.m.
Another thing I like about Crypt Incursion is that they can't interact with it. Cutthroat Maneuver has to be played more carefully around instant speed removal. Cutthroat has real blowout potential though.
March 3, 2014 8:09 p.m.
Then again, maybe I just need more Magma Jet . Instant speed removal + Scry 2 is so good in a mirror (or 2 damage FTW).
March 3, 2014 11:49 p.m.
Coordinated Assault is probably the best combat trick around. It's cheap at one red, it triggers heroic twice, and it is great for making trades into unfavourable blocks.
March 4, 2014 5:54 a.m.
HorridBEAST says... #10
My favorite trick is Temur Battle Rage, if you can trigger ferocious then the combination of double strike and trample is incredible. It lets you take out a chump blocker with first strike and send the regular damage to their face, protect yourself from death touch, take out something much bigger than the creature you cast it on, or surprise your opponent with potentially game ending damage
raithe000 says... #2
Madcap Skills is a cheap enchantment that makes your creature harder to block. Spiteful Returned gives you some extra damage at a decently low bestow cost, even past blockers. Dragon Mantle allows for pumping, plus it's a cantrip.
For instants, there is also Cutthroat Maneuver (life-gain messes with aggro hard), Boon of Erebos (a little risky for my taste, but potentially useful), Furious Resistance (runs into the same defense problem as Weapon Surge), Rakdos Charm (great finisher if they run a bunch of creatures).
March 3, 2014 7:28 p.m.