One solution some players have been trying to deal with the current state of the Standard Metagame has been to ignore it and go for the all-in plan. After all, decks like Izzet Cauldron, which currently makes up about 27% of the format, require some preparation to start their absurd plays, and if we can use these turns to pressure the opponent, even better.
This is where Boros Burn comes in, a Red Aggro variant that forgoes permanent board power in favor of dealing damage to the opponent with spells and ETB effects, combining Slickshot Show-Off with Boros Charm for explosive turns.
The Decklist
Maindeck
Fanatical Firebrand has a much less impressive body than the other red one-drops, but being a 1/1 with Haste guarantees first-turn pressure while its ability serves two functions: enabling Plasma Bolt's Void to turn it into another three-damage spell for 
, and dealing with your opponent's troublesome X/1 creatures, like Deep-Cavern Bat.
Hired Claw is the best red one-drop in Standard today. It has the classic formula of two damage for one mana and grows by spending mana to increase its power each turn. There are situations and matches where focusing on it before playing other cards is better than blindly going for the traditional Burn line, since this will make us keep our steam for more turns.
Viashino Pyromancer deals two damage against the opponent in the ETB and is a lizard for Hired Claw. We could add Rockface Village to give it Haste, but we rely on too many noncreature spells to use it consistently.
Slickshot Show-Off remains one of the best rewards for aggressive Burn/Prowess lists in Standard. Because of its Plot ability, we can set up to play it for free, followed by other noncreature spells to remove blockers or pressure the clock. It is notoriously lethal with Boros Charm.
Screaming Nemesis is probably the best red creature in Standard right now. It has immediate impact, punishes blockers, has a decent body and cost, and its ability to block life gain can be the difference between victory and defeat against some archetypes. There are times when targeting a damage spell on it is our best option.
Burst Lightning offers the classic two-mana damage for at instant speed. Due to the speed with which we want to finish games, it's unlikely we'll reach five mana for Kicker, but it can be a way to win some longer matchups.
Plasma Bolt interacts with Fanatical Firebrand and the opponent's need to deal with our creatures to trigger Void, turning into three damage for .
Boltwave is a more effective version of Lava Spike and the only unconditional three-mana damage spell for one mana available in Standard today.
Lightning Helix follows the formula of three damage for two mana, but the life gain it offers is essential for Aggro mirrors while not losing much by using it in our list instead of a card like Lightning Strike.
Boros Charm is the broadest damage spell we have, and also works as protection against sweepers like Split Up and Day of Judgment, and the Double Strike ability can be lethal alongside Slickshot Show-Off and a second spell on the turn, offering ten damage on combat.
Our mana base is almost entirely focused on ensuring the quickest access to and 
. Since our primary focus is red mana, we prioritized Starting Town as a split with Sunbillow Verge, even though we have enough Mountains to quickly enable it.
Sideboard
Rest in Peace is the most efficient graveyard hate in the format. We can use Ghost Vacuum instead, but given the Izzet Cauldron's current position, it's preferable to have a permanent answer that locks graveyards while in play, forcing the opponent to find specific answers to it rather than just playing around.
Magebane Lizard works as an answer against Izzet Prowess, Azorius Control, and in games against other archetypes that try to cast many spells in a turn, such as Temur Floodcaller.
Sunspine Lynx punishes any archetype with a greedy mana base, such as Esper Bounce or Naya Yuna, which is currently on the decline but still occasionally appears in ranked play.
Twinmaw Stormbrood handles larger creatures like Beza, the Bounding Spring or troublesome blockers. It also has a combo with Screaming Nemesis to deal five damage to the opponent, ensuring that it never becomes a dead card in the games it enters.
Suplex exiles creatures (matters against the Enduring Curiosity cycle or Unstoppable Slasher) while also dealing with artifacts, making it an efficient removal in many games.
Fire Magic functions as a one-mana sweeper against X/1 creatures, essential especially against Dimir Midrange, but it's also a relevant side-in against Tokens and Prowess lists.
Sideboard Guide
Izzet Cauldron
IN
OUT
Dimir Midrange
IN
OUT
Izzet Prowess
IN
OUT
Exper Bounce
IN
OUT
Azorius Control
IN
OUT
Mono Red Dragons
IN
OUT
Simic Counters
IN
OUT
Conclusion
That's all for today!
If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment!
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