Standard: Izzet Aggro - Deck Tech & Sideboard Guide

00Comment iconComment iconComment iconComment icon

Violent Outburst and Colorstorm Stallion are great reasons to splash a little blue in Mono Red Aggro!

Writer image

Übersetzt vonEditorial

Writer image

Überarbeitet vonJoey | Let

Artikel bearbeiten

Introduction

Many of us thought that, once Badgermole Cub and Stormchaser's Talent left, Mono Red Aggro would become the main aggressive strategy in Standard. That didn't happen: Mono Green Landfall still holds that title, while Mardu Discard has become a strong competitor. Mono Red, meanwhile, ended up leaning more towards Midrange with Smaug the Magnificent.

If you're looking for something closer to traditional Red Aggro, a version that splashes a little bit of blue for Violent Outburst and Colorstorm Stallion appears to be the most effective option, and it has popped up in a few Magic Online Challenges!

The Decklist

Loading icon

Maindeck

Loading icon

The heart of this entire strategy includes Ojer Axonil, Deepest Might and "pingers". By "pingers", we mean creatures that gradually deal damage to the opponent whenever we or they do a certain thing. With Axonil in play, one or two points of damage turn into four when you play these pingers.

Hired Claw deals one damage to the opponent when it attacks, and we can buff its power before it deals combat damage. It also interacts with Soulstone Sanctuary.

Razorkin Needlehead and Scalding Viper punish the opponent for playing the game. Needlehead deals damage whenever the opponent draws a card, while Viper does so whenever they cast a cheap spell. As a bonus, Viper can bounce a creature to clear blockers out of the way.

Hexing Squelcher makes sure your spells resolve, but its main role in the current meta is punishing spot removals with a Shock.

Loading icon

One of the last cards in this kit is Greasewrench Goblin, an extra 1-drop. Its Exhaust ability lets you discard dead cards from your hand to draw new ones.

You'll also find Colorstorm Stallion. Its second ability doesn't trigger much in this list, and it doesn't grow very much from your spells, but it is a 3/3 with Ward Magic Symbol 1 and Haste that does an excellent job on its own.

Nova Hellkite is your top-end threat. It enters play for 3 mana as a 4/4 Flying creature that answers an X/1 on the battlefield, then returns on turn 5 for another round of attacks. It is often one of the best topdecks we can have.

Loading icon

This strategy involves going wide and attacking, so you need spells that can keep up with the opponent in terms of pressure or deal those last few points of damage.

Burst Lightning and Channeled Dragonfire deal with smaller threats early on but also get more powerful in the mid-to-late game because of their other abilities. Violent Outburst is one of the best reasons to splash blue: besides doing the same as Lightning Strike, it also creates a blocker. It often deals with two problems in one turn or stops lethal damage while also dealing damage to the opponent.

Sideboard

Loading icon

This is an aggressive go-wide deck that can struggle against sweepers if you aren't fast enough, but you can't afford to keep too much mana untapped for Negate or Disdainful Stroke. Therefore, a full Spell Pierce set is your best option to deal with Control decks and/or removals early on.

Magebane Lizard also punishes Control lists, and is an effective threat against Spellementals if you play it early.

Loading icon

Sear is great against larger creatures, such as Icetill Explorer in Landfall or Moonshadow in Mardu Discard. Slagstorm, meanwhile, answers go-wide Aggro decks that are faster than you or better equipped to get in your way as you put pressure. Sometimes, casting it will slow you down, so I recommend getting as much as possible out of your creatures before playing it.

Loading icon

Soul-Guide Lantern is useful against Spellementals and Reanimator, which often pop up in ranked matches. You can play it against Excruciator, but I don't think it's that useful in that matchup.

Despite your two-color mana base, Sunspine Lynx is still a viable sideboard option against Four-Color Control. You'll be able to put enough pressure in this matchup to not care about taking the damage from its ETB ability. It's also decent against Orzhov Lifegain, as then you'll need a way to deal with their triggers.

Sideboard Guide

Mono Green Landfall

IN

Loading icon

OUT

Loading icon

Dimir Excruciator

IN

Loading icon

OUT

Loading icon

Jeskai / Four-Color Control

IN

Loading icon

OUT

Loading icon

Orzhov Lifegain

IN

Loading icon

OUT

Loading icon

Izzet Spellementals

IN

Loading icon

OUT

Loading icon

Wrapping Up

That's all for today!

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment!

Thank you for reading!