Post Rotation RDW: Viable?
Standard forum
Posted on July 15, 2013, 6:52 p.m. by hiddengibbons
I'm told that after a major rotation, RDW's are usually the first on the scene. Thragtusk and Rhox Faithmender , both problems for RDW are not reprinted in M14. Call me crazy, but I kind of like Volatile Rig . Thoughts?
Epochalyptik says... #3
Rotation doesn't happen until Theros. We won't know what might or might not be viable until we see Theros spoilers.
Also, moved to Standard.
July 15, 2013 7:21 p.m.
hiddengibbons says... #4
oops, sorry posting in the wrong place.
Does anyone besides me like Volatile Rig ?
July 15, 2013 7:29 p.m.
If RtR Block Constructed is any indication, then RDW will be one of the stronger decks post-rotation. As Epochalyptik said, though, it's really hard to tell until we know what's in Theros.
As far as Volatile Rig goes, for me it's a first pick in Limited. I don't think it's very viable in Constructed, however. It's reminiscent of Juggernaut , a card that has dominated certain formats at various times.
July 15, 2013 7:43 p.m.
A RDW strategy will always be viable in the first month of a new standard, especially in an FNM environment as it usually takes a month for a FNM meta to figure out what decks they want to play.
In the past it has also proven to be good to collect a ton of RDW staples while they're cheap and trade them off post rotation early, as at least one of the staples usually doubles or triples in value making it easier to get the cards you want for the deck you actually want to play.
July 15, 2013 7:45 p.m.
NobodyPicksBulbasaur says... #7
Red decks are almost always strong right after rotation (assuming the card base exists for it) because RDW is an easy archetype to build.
Other decks lose cards and have to try to re-establish themselves in the new meta, or are the "new big deck" that hasn't found its niche yet. Even more decks being played right after rotation are the gimmicky ones like Varolz, the Scar-Striped + Vexing Devil decks that ended up being pretty lackluster.
By playing the deck that is most likely to start decently strong and consistent, you're putting yourself at an early advantage over the less consistent startup decks. RDW tends to taper off as the meta evolves, though, because the more powerful decks will have been refined by then, often overpowering RDW.
July 15, 2013 8:49 p.m.
ShimmerVoid says... #8
I like Volatile Rig but not the randomness associated with its triggered ability.
July 15, 2013 8:49 p.m.
Ogre Battlemaster seems like it could shape up to take Hellrider 's place in RDW.
ZServ says... #2
RDW are always viable. We don't know what we're getting in Theros quite yet, but we're good until at least then. Young Pyromancer has potential to dominate Standard hard-friggin-core depending on what Theros brings. Turn 1? Rakdos Cackler/Legion Loyalist. Turn 2, Emissary into Pyromancer. Turn 3, start spamming burn spells. You kill their blockers with a Shock and Pillar of Flame? Cool, have 2 more dudes. Next turn, Hellrider for (potentially) 7 just off of his effect.
RDW will be fine.
July 15, 2013 7:08 p.m.