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Legality
| Format | Legality |
| 1v1 Commander | Legal |
| Archenemy | Legal |
| Arena | Legal |
| Block Constructed | Legal |
| Canadian Highlander | Legal |
| Casual | Legal |
| Commander / EDH | Legal |
| Commander: Rule 0 | Legal |
| Custom | Legal |
| Duel Commander | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Highlander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Historic Brawl | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Leviathan | Legal |
| Limited | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Modern Beyond Horizons | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Planar Constructed | Legal |
| Planechase | Legal |
| Quest Magic | Legal |
| Tiny Leaders | Legal |
| Vanguard | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
Kari Zev's Expertise
Sorcery
Gain control of target creature or Vehicle until end of turn. Untap it. It gains haste until end of turn.
You may cast a card with converted mana cost 2 or less from your hand without paying its mana cost.
Agatha12 on
Mono Red Rush
1 year ago
Aug 8th, Record 2-2 60% Game win rate (6-4)
Strangely enough my shop didn't have Experimental Synthesizer Before I started today I had already bought 3 Gut Shot and 1 Underworld Breach to replace my Tormenting Voice and Cathartic Reunion
2 things I've discovered this evening. My deck is SUPER good with 2 mana. Most games were either 1 turn away from me beating them. Or them just Combing me to the end of existence by turn 4 (literally in my last round). I won 3 games today with only 2 Mana.
The other thing. Dragon's Rage Channeler is good.
I seem to do OKAY with most other decks, and REALLY well with control-y types.
Also with the abundance of shock/fetch lands nowadays I basically have to do about 14-16 damage in a game. But it ain't easy with some of these decks.
Anywho.
CHANGES: Sideboard Blood Moonx2
I wanted to be that ONE special red deck that doesn't need this card. But it really does need it. There are WAY to many decks out that this shuts down (pretty much instantly) Will plan to buy more as necessary
Unfortunately, I don't have a million dollars, or I would buy more of this card.
Screw blue. Red also need a counter against black -.-
FROM MAIN BOARD
The amount of compliments I got playing this card was amazing. Pay 3 Mana to take control of a creature and then play a free card (basically with the majority of my deck being <2 mana) In the words of one of my opponents "This is the perfect cheap replacement and fits your deck SUPER well. Good thinking"
The issue is, It is WAY to situational I really wish this was an Instant. Would make this card 10x better.
SIDEBOARD CHANGES OVER MAINBOARD
Again, only found 2. Need 4 likely. If I do this, might have to rethink some other components. Maybe not.
I loved this card too. But it is way too situational. And the only real benefit is the 2 cards. and it takes 2 turns to get them.
I was extremely lucky to have someone gift me a playset of this card. I bought the dude a drink after. Was great.
Agatha12 on
Mono Red Rush
1 year ago
Update PT2
I ended up Choosing Kari Zev's Expertisex2 to replace Shrapnel Blast
Straight up won a round by stealing a red creature from someone while the 3rd chronicle of The Flame of Keld was an active, decent combo.
Sideboard coming soon.
calvo099 on Kari Zev's Expertise's second ability …
2 years ago
can i cast for example, Ire Shaman, as a 2/2 faced down creature for free with the second part of Kari Zev's Expertise ability that says: "You may cast a card with converted mana cost 2 or less from your hand without paying its mana cost." or i still have to pay 3 mana in order to do this?
TheVectornaut on
juggling the health
2 years ago
I second the idea of looking into a sacrifice-matters strategy. It's a good archetype for Rakdos that can be played on a low budget in casual settings. In my deck, Sacrifice in Flame, I make use of free sacrifice outlets like Viscera Seer or Carrion Feeder to get value out of sacrificing things, especially if those things are actually my opponent's creatures stolen via Act of Treason effects like Kari Zev's Expertise, Claim the Firstborn, or Bloody Betrayal. You can also sac for damage with Thud, Rite of Consumption, and other Flings, something that makes big cards with downside like Abyssal Persecutor, Desecration Demon, and Goldnight Castigator much better without needing a Harmless Offering or the like. As you can see, demons often take a starring role in such decks and from what you have here, it does look like you enjoy demons. The tribe isn't super well supported, but you could take a look at Raphael, Fiendish Savior or Liliana's Contract.
tylorlilley on
Parnesse Politics
2 years ago
I think Spelltwine doesn't work with your commander, because you are copying the cards and casting them instead of copying the spell. If that's right than Mizzix's Mastery and Arcane Bombardment also wouldn't work, sadly. Maybe they are good enough to keep anyway? Not sure. Cards with the Cipher mechanic are also so close to working but I don't think they do. This is actually kind of hard to brew around! Ugh, God-Eternal Kefnet wouldn't work either, ew.
Immolating Gyre and Volcanic Vision are really good boardwipes in a spells-y deck... as is Cyclonic Rift, which you definitely should still run. In fact, all the overload spells are pretty sweet here, since they only target things you don't control, so if you copy them opponent's can't even pay the 4 life to hit one of your things. Makes Vandalblast and friends possibly worth it.
Radiate is such a fun card that could do some real crazy things here! Shoutout to Radiant Performer as well.
Sublime Epiphany and Volcanic Offering Might not be good enough here.
I really like Narset's Reversal, Split Decision, and the demonstrate cards in this deck! Obviously Twinning Staff is fun here too.
It will be interesting to see if Lithoform Engine or Pyromancer's Goggles will be good enough here (I like Primal Amulet Flip). Maybe more spells that copy spells are better than these chunkier repeatable ones? Things like Galvanic Iteration or Reiterate if you like the buyback better. Or Increasing Vengeance for the beefier flashback. Hell, if its politics Bonus Round could be really fun. Chef's Kiss is a newer one that I forgot about
Maybe this is the kind of deck where Thrilling Encore shines?
Is Stunning Reversal here to try and copy and save other people with?? Seems like it may not be good enough when you have access to blue for card draw/protection anyway.
I've found the expertise cycle (Baral's Expertise, Yahenni's Expertise, maybe not Kari Zev's Expertise) to be really fun with spell copying, since they in turn let you cast more spells themselves.
I wish, as I always do, that Cloven Casting wasn't soooo bad. Or like, any of the cards with Replicate. Those would be so perfect. Maybe Shattering Spree is good enough but I think it isn't. Ugh, that makes me think about how you're definitely supposed to play storm cards in this deck. Are there any storm cards that aren't miserable? Mind's Desire maybe...
Is Charmbreaker Devils good enough?
Wild Ricochet is an oldie but maybe enough of a goodie here with the copying theme?
Harmonic Prodigy since your commander is a wizard isn't a terrible idea...
Humble Defector might be too cute.
Gotta have Rakdos Charm! Honestly there might be other charms that are worth it to like Crosis's Charm, but definitely Rakdos Charm.
Cruel Ultimatum is the ultimate chunky spell and you're even in the right colors for it!
Also Chaos Warp is still good enough as universal instant speed removal and kind of fun/politics-y as well
DrSnipy on
Cult of the Forgotten Gods
2 years ago
aplechaty, yes you can sacrifice creatures you stel with Kari Zev's Expertise or Claim the Firstborn, so its like removal
Regulus_Rising on
Come On Baby Light My Fire
2 years ago
dnthymamai Thank you for the support and feedback! I will add those suggestions to the sideboard promptly. Kari Zev's Expertise is big worth it! What a fun card!
I usually leave Staff of the Flame Magus on the side unless I'm playing multi-player and will likely need the health for those longer games, but I can see what you mean about Dragon's Claw being the better alternative for sure.
dnthymamai on
Come On Baby Light My Fire
2 years ago
Powerful deck!
I would suggest you would consider Dragon's Claw instead of Staff of the Flame Magus. It may heal you less when fighting a Green or White deck, but it will come out a turn earlier, and you have greater chances of winning a mirrormatch.
Another similar suggestion would be swapping Act of Treason with another spell (since you are in mono-red, you can do it) that does a little bit more. e.g. Harness by Force or Hijack. But the best in your case would definitely be Kari Zev's Expertise ! :-)
