Combo:
Creatures Toolbox:
A matchup full of tough decisions, and one where for once pointing burn spells at creatures can be the correct choice. Here Searing Blaze shines, but watch out for Kitchen Finks.
On the Play:
Out: 2x Rift Bolt
In: 2x Grafdigger's Cage
On the Draw:
Out: 1x Eidolon of the Great Revel, 2x Rift Bolt
In: 1x Grim Lavamancer, 2x Grafdigger's Cage
The matchup becomes far grindier on the draw, and having a recurring source of damage in Grim Lavamancer to gun down opposing creatures or deal the last few points to face.
Valakut/Scapeshift:
This game is just a race, can they stall you before you kill them, or will they combo off.
They get better after sideboarding, and you will frequently see Obstinate Baloth, so keep your Skullcracks handy.
On the Play:
Out: 3x Searing Blaze
In: 1x Grim Lavamancer, 2x Deflecting Palm
On the Draw:
Out: 3x Searing Blaze
In; 1x Grim Lavamancer, 2x Deflecting Palm
N.b: if you see lots of red boardwipes, consider bringing in Kor Firewalker
Dredge:
Not a bad matchup, but can depend on how quickly they can flood the board.
On the Play:
Out: 1x Skullcrack, 2x Lightning Helix, 2x Rift Bolt
In: 2x Deflecting Palm, 1x Relic of Progenitus, 2x Grafdigger's Cage
On the Draw:
Out: 1x Eidolon of the Great Revel, 2x Lightning Helix, 2x Rift Bolt
In: 2x Deflecting Palm, 1x Relic of Progenitus, 2x Grafdigger's Cage
Expect them to sideboard in a number of copies of Collective Brutality, and possibly also Gnaw to the Bone.
Elves:
A good matchup for Burn, where Searing Blaze truly shines. Keep key creatures off the board, but otherwise go for face with your burn spells.
On the Play:
Out: 2x Skullcrack
In: 2x Grafdigger's Cage
On the Draw:
Out: 1x Eidolon of the Great Revel, 1x Skullcrack
In: 2x Grafdigger's Cage
Post board games get better for you in general, as the only dedicated Burn hate Elves commonly runs are 1-2 copies of Spellskite and Scavenging Ooze
Ad Nauseam:
Not much to say about this matchup, hinges on how fast they can cast cast Ad Nauseam and if they play Phyrexian Unlife, as then extra damage that will need to be dealt can be problematic.
On the Play:
Out: 4x Searing Blaze
In 1x Grim Lavamancer, 3x Destructive Revelry
On the Draw:
Out: 4x Searing Blaze
In: 1x Grim Lavamancer, 3x Destructive Revelry
Expect them to board in Leyline of Sanctity, so ensure you have a hand with plenty of creatures and fetch a green source early to enable you to cast Destructive Revelry. These can also be used to target you opponents mana-rocks to force them to empty them at sub-optimal times.
*f-pre*