freakingShane Deckspert

Cool link, Agent_Fire. Thanks for the share!

Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Agent_Fire!

I'd be interested in testing out Throne of the High City, but as for Hall of the Bandit Lord and Hanweir Battlements I think it might be overkill on the haste. Battlements is not bad, since it doesn't enter tapped, but I'm not sure it would be used enough to be relevant.

I'll see how well Throne plays out though! Thanks again, friend.

Thanks for the comment, Tuckerr!

I used to have Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle in here, actually, but I took it out because of its "enter tapped" clause. I think it's still a great card, but for a super aggressive deck I need that mana as soon as I can get it! ;)

Thanks for your suggestions, AlmightyTentacle!

You've definitely suggested a ton of cards that I either want to test out or already have, so thanks for that! :)

When it comes to card draw, I really haven't experienced many issues. You are correct that I don't have a ton, but keep in mind that I do have tutors/cheaters that essentially are card draws for the specific cards needed.

• Herald’s Horn is one that I was pretty excited for when I saw it got spoiled. It'll definitely get tested!

• Grenzo, Havoc Raiser was a card that I tested out before, but ended up passing on him. He might be worth testing out again though!

• Mikokoro, Center of the Sea will definitely need to be tested. I've honestly overlooked this one, but it can definitely be handy.

• As for Sensei's Divining Top, it unfortunately is banned in Duel Commander. Same goes for Mana Crypt and Sol Ring.

• Ancient Tomb was actually just recently unbanned in Duel, so I will definitely -1 Mountain for it.

• I would love to run Imperial Recruiter, but there is no way that I can spend that kinda money...maybe someday though!

• Gamble will need to be tested. I hated the idea that I could be forced to pitch what I tutored, but mono-red doesn't really get any better tutors, haha.

The Control & Others category are pretty much all previous inclusions or considerations. I end up not needing the redundancy with some of these cards as much as one would think because most games are won by around turn 8 at the latest.

• Chaos Warp is one that I have been on the fence about for the sole fact that it can end up hurting me more than I originally was. I run Apocalypse for a last-ditch effort of removal.

• Shattering Spree may go back in here, honestly. It doesn't damage my opponents, but it has a much higher ceiling than Smash to Smithereens.

• Quest for Pure Flame may also be re-tested.

As for your recommended cuts, I agree with some of them.

• Goblin Balloon Brigade is in here only to be a quick, turn 1 blocker in the air, so when I find something to take its place (possibly Quest for Pure Flame) I will.

• Mardu Scout is another one. I love dashing him for repeatable 2 damage with Purph, and he does synergize with Door of Destinies, but you are right about him being on the chopping board. Grenzo, Havoc Raiser may fill his gap.

• Apocalypse is actually really good. I recover exceptionally well after board wipes, and pitching my hand never really hurts me too bad. This deals with heavy enchantment based decks like Bruna, Light of Alabaster, Sigarda, Host of Herons, and Zur the Enchanter.

• As for Reverberate, I would agree most of the time, but the fact that it can turn into a Counterspell or win the game if I copy Mogg Infestation is great.

Again though, thanks so much for your comment! I will be testing out some of these and seeing what works most efficiently! :)

If you follow the cuts that I stated as well as the ones in your description, that adds up to 15 cards. You have 17 cards in the "Possible Additions" category, so you only have to worry about 2 at that point.

Three of my suggestions are lands, and three of the cards you are considering adding are lands, so easy trade in there. The rest are up to you, but Demon of Dark Schemes could be replaced with Razaketh, the Foulblooded.

Anyway, just my two cents. Let me know what you think.

Oh, and yes. I totally agree with the cuts you suggested in the description.

Cuts:

• Necrotic Ooze

You aren't running the combo, so he doesn't serve a purpose here.

• Crypt of Agadeem / Golgari Guildgate / Hissing Quagmire

Just put in Ancient Tomb for any of these. I don't think you will miss 'em.

Maybes:

• Creakwood Liege

I think CW Liege is alright, but he's more combat oriented than anything else. Even at 4 CMC I'm eh about him.

• Demon of Dark Schemes

I know you love him, so I won't even start to talk smack. Just saying there's wiggle room here if you need a slot.

• Ob Nixilis, Unshackled

Eh.

• Wood Elves

You already have Sakura-Tribe Elder, Solemn Simulacrum, and Sylvan Ranger on top of Ashnod's Altar, Deathrite Shaman, and Gray Merchant of Asphodel. You don't need that much ramp.

Other than that though, I really don't think there's much more to cut unless you want to focus your synergies more so towards certain mechanics.

I'll be honest, I think this deck is great. And really, I'd still consider it fairly budget. ~$100-150 is the cap for a budget deck in my opinion. Either way, I think this is a hilarious and powerful deck.

I don't have much to add, suggestion-wise, other than strongly recommending Illusionist's Bracers (which I know you are already considering).

Some other things you could consider, although not necessary, would be:

• For early game redundancy, or in times where Brion Stoutarm is out of reach, you could throw Fling in here. It just adds a touch of redundancy when needed, or overkill when not needed.

• If you get into situations where you have to sac multiple creatures and can only do one with Brion, you could add other sac outlets as well. Those could be Ashnod's Altar / Phyrexian Altar for additional mana or Goblin Bombardment to squeeze out a little more damage.

• Sac outlets of any kind can pair well with Cauldron of Souls and a board wipe. Give everything persist, wipe the board, sac everything in response, bring them back and sac again. That could definitely be too much of a "build around", but I think that could be hilarious and salt on the wounds for your opponents.

I also agree with much of Daedalus19876 above comment, too. I know the Scroll Tax combo isn't the cheapest, but it is basically Ancestral Recall with more upside. Without breaking the bank completely, I will leave it at this! Haha. Again, nice deck, man!

Like mentioned above, Neheb, the Eternal is a really good card, but 5CMC for a turn 6+ pay off is a little too unreliable for me. It ends up being less aggro and more midrange-y.

I think he is a solid card, but I think he is a little too much of a "build-around-me" and I don't have the room for a Neheb package. Thank you for the suggestion though, Bighimmy!