Red with no Zurgo or Abbot
Standard Deck Help forum
Posted on Oct. 12, 2015, 12:28 p.m. by thewyzman
I haven't played RDW for a few blocks and it already looks different. Most red decks are running 4x Abbot of Keral Keep and 4x Zurgo Bellstriker, of which I have none. Looking at what I do have are some budget substitutes I'd love to hear thoughts on as substitutes for each:
Subterranean Scout made a quick splash when ORI first let him out, but seems to have disappeared, despite his ETB trigger.
Screamreach Brawler, same Dash cost as Zurgo, but has 1 more toughness. Likewise, Mardu Scout also has same Dash cost, but trades 1 less toughness for 1 more power.
Akroan Sergeant whose Reknown ability could make him the largest creature in the archetype, and that first strike makes him combat-ready.
Kolaghan Aspirant doesn't let 1/1 weenies take her out of the match, as she torches them before combat damage? (is this true?)
Vaultbreaker would be the most expensive creature to cast, but the loot trigger and the 4/2 body seems like a pretty fair deal.
If Abbot's ETB is really that OP, I could toss a Commune with Lava if it's so important to do that.
Side note: I don't have the fetches to run Atarka version of this deck; the most I could do is throw in some basic forests for Become Immense, but I'm not supporting that right now. I also can't find my Temur Battle Rages :(
RovkirHexus says... #3
Yes, the Kolaghan Aspirant deals the damage when blockers are declared, not when damage resolves.
October 12, 2015 1:11 p.m.
asasinater13 says... #4
I am a big fan of Mardu Scout because it's basically a lightning strike that you get to use more than once. if it connects once off of dash it's like using Lightning Strike targeting your opponent's face. So everything after that doesn't matte, you already have value off of the card.
October 12, 2015 1:29 p.m.
so what's so special about Zurgo Bellstriker? He's either a weaker Screamreach Brawler in dashed form, or an unleashed Rakdos Cackler (2/2 for R) that can block... except he's legendary, so you can only have one at a time. Unless I'm missing something, I think he's actually rather pathetic (clearly I'm not a hardcore RDW player).
October 12, 2015 1:32 p.m.
asasinater13 says... #6
for this standard, Zurgo Bellstriker is the secondary one-drop to Monastery Swiftspear. he's totally not a necessary card for the deck, but his spot will need to be filled.
October 12, 2015 1:38 p.m.
Mandalorian says... #7
Abbot gives 
card advantage late game which is something struggles with. Same with Outpost Siege.
If you want to run a RDW without them then there are still descent creatures to use.
Chandra, Fire of Kaladesh Flip
You could also go wide with tokens
+
Atarka's Command If you splash 
October 12, 2015 1:44 p.m.
I've got zerkers, swiftspears, and a heelcutter, as well as fodders, but Command is too expensive for my blood. I'm really just after viable replacements for Zurgo and Abbot.
October 12, 2015 2:04 p.m.
JakeHarlow says... #9
Goblin Glory Chaser is not bad if you hit him early. Very tough to block. Also, there's a renewable resource available in Infectious Bloodlust. Could be your replacement for Atarka's Command. It's very solid, I promise.
Don't forget Titan's Strength either.
October 12, 2015 11:57 p.m.
I like Scab-Clan Berserker although it can be a bit slow.
October 13, 2015 12:01 a.m.
Scab-Clan Berserker seems kinda weak as a mainboard item. Against a creature deck it's an unexciting 2/2 for 3. Against control it's a lightning rod for removal.
I've got 4x strengths JakeHarlow, no worries there. I've seen Goblin Glory Chaser in about 1 out of every 5 RDW decks (and at most a 1x or 2x), so I know some try it, but it's far from popular/tried. I like that I could probably find them, and Infectious Bloodlust in my LGS' penny bin, the latter I've been quite curious about since it semi-replaces itself into your hand.
October 13, 2015 12:53 a.m.
DreadnoughtMTG says... #12
Have you got a deck list put together yet?
Depending on what angle you're going to be running, Zada, Hedron Grinder can be insane. Combined with Titan's Strength and Gobo tokens he is very worthwhile. Sure Strike is a new decent pump that he can use also.
October 13, 2015 10:11 p.m.
Yes DreadnoughtMTG, I have:
Little People Big Hurt Playtest
Standard
SCORE: 1 | 11 COMMENTS | 821 VIEWS
I got a Zada or two in some packs, but my first impression was Heroic without the counters. I see it more as a gimmick or a build-around card, not a consistent one, but I'd LOVE to hear some tales of experience with it! There's no question to the limitless potential, but my concern is more on consistency. I'd definitely give it a spin with enough encouragement.
October 14, 2015 12:53 a.m.
Zada definitely looks like a goblin weenie EDH commander in its best role!
October 14, 2015 1:03 a.m.
DreadnoughtMTG says... #15
Boros is where he shines in my opinion. Paired with tokens and about the only token producer left, Monastery Mentor. Defiant Strike brings an almost unprecedented amount of card advantage in red with Zada. Titan's Strength can scry down to whatever you please often and pumps everyone 3/1 for a single .
Anyway, onto your (mostly) mono red. You need a better 3 drop. The Brawler is not going to affect the board desirably as a 3 drop and dashing is really only best against removal heavy opponents or an early poke against an undeveloped board state.
I'd say you have a few choices about how to build your deck. Goblins, Prowess, or Red good stuff. There is a bit of fusing between them that you can do but I'd pick one and hone in on it.
Hordes of Gobos with pumps and burn can do well, Subterranean Scout helps Goblin Piledriver become immense unblocked. Trumpet Blast with a horde gets difficult to deal with. You'll definitely want to add in some Hordeling Outburst for this one.
Prowess is tricky for your opponent to play around and paired with a good amount of burn really punishes early on, Swiftspear, Abbot, and Mage-Ring Bully get bigger just for smacking your opponents creatures or face with some healthy burn.
And good stuff is just that, the better cards red has to offer. You'll likely be looking at a number of the more expensive cards (Thunderbreak Regents, Chandra, etc) in order for your deck to work well with less support from other cards.
A few cards to consider that I didn't see above or on your list are Acolyte of the Inferno who threatens to take down even the mighty Siege Rhino, Call of the Full Moon helps push damage through early and fits well with a curving out strategy.
October 14, 2015 9:43 p.m.
I saw Acolyte of the Inferno, and I kinda like his Kolaghan Aspirant effect +1. Both he and Mardu Scouts are 3/1 bodies, with the former able to become 4/2... he's just a bit slow for a red blitz deck, but that block shock has me curious. I feel like dashing my Vaultbreaker would be faster and more effective? I'll have to play the deck a few times and determine if I could stand the slower pace.
I feel like he would need Subterranean Scouts to help him become reknown. I could see Sub Scouts, Acolytes, and Piledrivers in the same deck, but I feel like mine might end up going the token swarm, Zada, Immense route (especially with Bile Blight, Circle of Flame, and Drown in Sorrow out of the equation.
Back to the original point though, I just can't see the use in Zurgo. A 2/2 on T1 seems weak when you could play Mardu Scout for more power, and Screamreach Brawler is simply a better dasher.
October 15, 2015 1:15 a.m.
DreadnoughtMTG says... #17
If you're looking for dash only, those two are likely a little better.
Overall, Zurgo is a solid 1 drop threat for RDW. A bit underwhelming yes, but one of the better T1 plays. That's the point of him, a good T1 option with some mid game playability through his dash option to help close out games.
October 15, 2015 8:48 a.m.
Gorgosaurusrex says... #18
Zurgo Bellstriker is good because he can be played on turn 1. Neither Mardu Scout or Screamreach Brawler have that luxury. Aggro decks need a consistent turn 1 play to apply pressure early on.
sam31095 says... #2
The main reason abbot is so expensive is the prowess part. That's what makes rdw a think. Like Monastary Swiftspear I'm personally not a huge fan of abbot because on turn 2 you're never gonna be able to play the cards he flips. Idk though there's never one certain way to build rdw.
October 12, 2015 1:11 p.m.