The Rule of Redundancy
Hello there T.O. Community, welcome to my Just Another Burn Deck brew discission.
Let’s get this out of the way first, Lightning Bolt is the definitive Burn card of all time. It is the reason why 60 card decks are only allowed to have 4 copies of any card besides basic lands. Also it is not legal in the Pioneer format. There is a lot of bluster out there from players saying Burn without Bolt can’t even be called Burn. I think we can prove them wrong fairly quickly there. According to MTG.Gamepedia.com’s definition: “A Burn deck is a deck strategy that uses direct damage spells as its primary win-condition.” Although this is built to run within the legality of the Pioneer format I believe it firmly follows the Burn ethos.
In order to achieve that goal, all the fat had to be trimmed. All the creatures chosen had to help me reach that goal in THE most efficient way possible. When able to steam roll, this deck kills within 4 turns. With a resolved Eidolon of the Great Revel and a ‘draw and go’ opponent, that easily goes down to 3 turns. Even if you find yourself mana screwed and can only get 2 lands into the battlefield, a turn 5 win is possible(though experience would recommend that you play slightly more reserved should that happen).
Now let’s take a moment and dig into our Creature base:
Monastery Swiftspear Just a being of great pace setting that can instantly turn into an absolute monster if and when you need her to. Important information for those unfamiliar with her Prowess ability, it activates whenever a non-creature spell you control is cast (not when it resolves). This is not only limited to instants and sorceries it also means that artifacts, enchantments and even planeswalkers turn her up a notch.
Ghitu Lavarunner What can I say that hasn’t already been said better elsewhere. Here is a creature that can come down as a 2/2 body with haste for 1 CMC as soon as turn 2 that also happens to activate one of the most efficient spells in your deck Wizard's Lightning. It is nearly a pure Goblin Guide, arguably the best 1 drop creature in the game.
Soul-Scar Mage Here is another Prowess creature but it is not just another Swiftspear, this creature gives all your damage spells legs. Real legs. Suddenly those gods become much more removable. The ability to give negative 1/1 counters in place of damage should not be underrated. Should your opponent buff up a creature in response to a damage spell, the damage sticks around. The fact that his creature type is also a Wizard is just more icing on the cake.
Young Pyromancer This card lets you go wide in a pinch. Though often better as a midrange/late drop in most games, even in the early game, if it is not removed, this card can provide you with a lead that can become hard to overcome. An army of 1/1 elementals may not seem like the biggest threat but the increase in board presence an provide an incredible offensive and defensive advantage.
Eidolon of the Great Revel An equal opportunity dealer of burny damage. Sometimes it takes burn to create burn. A 2/2 body for 2 CMC is nothing to write home about but that wondrous enchantment style effect created by this creature can create a board state akin to paralysis for your opponent(and also for yourself should you play carelessly). The cheaper the action that your opponent has to play, the more punitive this card becomes. A card to fear and love in the mirror match. Side them out or side more in at your own risk/taste.
