Red Decks after the Aurora

As Shadowmoor is going legal this May, many new decks arise, like Swans Assault and W/G Stompy, while the current standard decks are adjusting to the new set. One specific deck I would like to mention is the Mono Red Sligh or Red Deck Wins as they call it. Let us see what Shadowmoor has to offer:

Tattermunge Maniac - A 1st turn 2/1 attacker. Efficient for early damage with just a little drawback, but I don't prefer to use it on my build because of the aggro-based environment of the current metagame. It will just die to fanatic, goblin token, faerie token, and even running into Doran. Lol.




Flame Javelin - Char was a hit back in Ravnica standard even with the 2 damage drawback. This one just deals 4 damage to any target, period. A set of this is a must for burn decks.







Boggart Ram-Gang - A three CC 3/3 with haste can be a common critter but what I like about this goblin is the wither ability. Fatty creatures and even walls (specifically Wall of Roots) wouldn't even dare to stand in the way as they will be weakened like 1/1 or 2/2 after combat.





Giantbaiting - Ok, this sorcery puts a 4/4 token with haste. No big deal. How about conspiring it? Now you get two bad ass beaters to deal 8 damage to your opponent. The ideal play for this would be: turn one, suspend Greater Gargadon; turn two, play Mogg War Marshall, end of turn sac the marshall to have two goblin tokens; turn three, play Giantbaiting and conspire it using the two tokens. Your opponent takes 8 damage assuming there's no blockers and sac the giant tokens to your Gargy. After a two turns, your Gargadon will be ready enough to call it GG.

Vexing Shusher - Finally, Shadowmoor has given us the answer to permission decks in the form of this goblin shaman. It can be also a good and early beater but I prefer to use it as a sideboard for now. Well, maybe it will depend on our metagame.






Everlasting Torment - Another prayer by the red mages answered. Life gain sucks and red really hate it, especially if you are a burn type. This enchantment ends that abuse and also deals with protection and Story Circle. Its another sideboard option I guess.





Mudbrawler Cohort - I find this useful if your deck is more on creatures, specifically one mana costed critters like the maniac and fanatic, but looking at it on late game, it is less effective. Still, it depends on the build of the deck. Just my opinion guys.





Demigod of Revenge - Evasion combined with haste makes this avatar a game winner, in addition to it being not a target by today's removal. I prefer putting it on a mid-ranged control kind of deck but it can also be an option for mono red sligh.





Smash to Smithereens - I remembered Cryoclasm when I first see this card. An artifact destroyer with an addition of three damage, pretty cool huh? Now I see this as a card specially built for burn decks. Definitely a set of this on the sideboard.





So there you have it, my Shadowmoor card analysis that can be a potential addition to today's RDW. By the way, here's the list that I'm currently playtesting:

Lands
20 Mountain
2 Mutavault

Creatures
4 Mogg Fanatic
4 Keldon Marauders
4 Boggart Ram-Gang
4 Spark Elemental

Spells
4 Flame Javelin
4 Incinerate
4 Rift Bolt
4 Shard Volley
3 Sudden Shock
3 Threaten

Sideboard
4 Smash to Smithereens
4 Cryoclasm
4 Magus of the Moon
3 Sulfurous Blast

I'm still observing how the current metagame will change and maybe adjust the deck from there. Till next time peeps, and keep that fire burning.