Mono-Red Burn

 

Today's deck archetype is mono-red burn (or aggro).

If you win a game of Magic by being the last person standing- by reducing each opponent's life to zero- then what better way than through spells that do direct damage? Enter red.

Burn decks are generally aggro- they focus on cheap spells that do damage fast. Here are a few examples.

1) Burn v1

This deck has some classic and staple burn cards. Shock, Lightning Strike, Skewer the Critics, and Wizard's Lightning can take out creatures or chip away at life totals. Risk Factor and Light Up the Stage grant access to more cards- a must- and Guttersnipe and Viashino Pyromancer fit in nicely.

 

4 Shock (M19) 156

22 Mountain (RIX) 195

4 Viashino Pyromancer (M19) 166

2 Lightning Strike (XLN) 149

4 Skewer the Critics (RNA) 115

2 Wizard's Lightning (DAR) 152

1 Banefire (M19) 130

3 Ghitu Lavarunner (DAR) 127

2 Risk Factor (GRN) 113

4 Fanatical Firebrand (RIX) 101

2 Lava Coil (GRN) 108

4 Light Up the Stage (RNA) 107

3 Runaway Steam-Kin (GRN) 115

2 Guttersnipe (M19) 145

1 Chandra, Fire Artisan (WAR) 119

2) Burn v2

Cavalcade of Calamity is the engine here, using an army of little guys (to include Tin Street Dodger, Torch Courier, and Gingerbrute) to do damage quickly.

4 Tin Street Dodger (RNA) 120

18 Mountain (ANA) 8

4 Torch Courier (GRN) 119

4 Fervent Champion (ELD) 124

4 Gingerbrute (ELD) 219

4 Shock (M20) 160

4 Cavalcade of Calamity (RNA) 95

4 Light Up the Stage (RNA) 107

2 Lava Coil (GRN) 108

2 Scorching Dragonfire (ELD) 139

2 Claim the Firstborn (ELD) 118

4 Skewer the Critics (RNA) 115

4 Infuriate (THB) 141

3) Burn v3

In the current standard environment, Bonecrusher Giant is a frequent feature, as is Bolt Hound, Torbran, and Blisterspit. Torbran in particular makes burn tick.

4 Fervent Champion (ELD) 124

18 Mountain (ANA) 17

4 Shock (M20) 160

4 Roiling Vortex (ZNR) 156

4 Robber of the Rich (ELD) 138

4 Scorching Dragonfire (M21) 158

4 Bolt Hound (M21) 131

4 Bonecrusher Giant (ELD) 115

4 Torbran, Thane of Red Fell (ELD) 147

2 Castle Embereth (ELD) 239

2 Claim the Firstborn (ELD) 118

3 Brash Taunter (M21) 133

3 Blisterspit Gremlin (IKO) 108

Conclusion

There are many other red cards of note in this area (some below). Burn is a straightforward but effective strategy- there's a reason you'll hear players use the expression "Red Deck Wins."