The Dalai Lama once said: "There is no need to worry about a problem you can't fix, you can't fix it. There is no need to worry about a problem you can fix, you can fix it. So don't worry."
Red Control?
In this light: Red Control? Yes it can be done. Only, red's definition of control is slightly different from what the other colours think. Think, in response to words of the Dalai Lama: "If it isn't there, it's no problem", and, "If my opponent hits zero before me there's no problem." This is my deck with at its heart and soul Urabask the Hidden.
And yes: you can play Red's version of Blue control with lots of steal effects like Act of Treason in combination with Bazaar Trader, but that would be copying something Blue excels in. Also, red control is not about being lightning fast. No, I think Red control is about destruction and a solid baseline. Thus, when you 'seize the reins' you grab it all instead. One last note: I made this deck as pure red as I could, so no help from Eldrazi and such...only Urabask the Hidden.
Deck layout:
Massive creatures, quick ramp, and burn. No Planewalkers in this deck: I have no time to gather loyalty counters. Low on artifacts: I want to be able to wipe the table of artifacts if need be without destroying my board position. Heavy and quick beaters and the option to grab control of combat (and get a second attack phase)
Urabask the Hidden gives your creatures haste, and makes this deck fast and it puts pressure on your opponents, while he also ensures your opponent's creatures enter the battlefield tapped. How's that for a win-con?
Blatant Control cards:
Blood Moon: heavily disrupts your opponent's manabase (plus it remains on the table with all your burn spells)
Mass Mutiny, Insurrection: already mentioned, win con, Grab the Reins is easier to cast, but you would want to cast it using its entwine if need be making it around the same cmc
Sword of Fire and Ice: this card is so powerful, it is maddening
Purphoros, God of the Forge: Damage, powerboost and indestructibility rolled into one, for 4 mana? wow
Word of Seizing: grab a permanent, yes grab that enemy planeswalker and use its ultimate
Magmaquake: Yes it's under section 'control', it keeps your opponent's creatures and planewalkers in check
Flowstone Overseer: underestimated card. It nullifies that which is indestructible, so a must really (btw: it can also boost your own creatures).
Viashino Heretic and Hoard-Smelter Dragon: get rid of pesky artifacts and mana-artifacts
Strip Mine, Ghost Quarter, Tectonic Edge: A must, it disrupts the opponent if you use it, and it can get rid of Maze of Ith and such
Fork, Reiterate, Dualcaster Mage: copy some nice instants or sorceries
Some synergy: Balefire Dragon + Fireshrieker
gets crazy, but Malignus likes double strike too
Defense against Control:
Ironically, this deck's Achilles heal is another control deck, therefor:
Homeward Path: when you go up against another control, this will get you back your creatures
Price of Glory: oh your opponent was countering, or using some sort of instant...well, destroy a land in the process
Vandalblast and Shatterstorm: many control decks have artifacts they really need in order to control the table. Destroy them all
Keeping the Pressure on:
By hitting the table quickly with big, haste enabled, creatures and ramp
Desperate Ritual, Mana Geyser, Braid of Fire, Pyretic Ritual, Seething Song allow you to quickly cast big creatures (or to cast spells big)
Solemn Simulacrum: search a land and draw a card? Deal
Traveler's Amulet, Ruby Medallion and such: ramp, ramp but Expedition Map can also fetch Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle
Vedalken Orrery: Seems redundant, but it is not. Not only great synergy with Braid of Fire (cast spells instant speed during your upkeep), but casting creatures during your opponents turns and then have mana to spare in your own turn is priceless.
Balefire Dragon: if it connects and deals damage, it is also bound to wipe some creatures off the table
Homura, Human Ascendant: If he dies, he will still have an effect that dominates the board
Molten Primordial, Mordant Dragon: underestimated, often functions as a finisher
Warstorm Surge: Good card in this deck, both control card and can act as finisher
Finishers:
A note on the sideboard:
All are excellent cards, but slightly circumstantial. They are mostly good against particular decks, but if you play against one of those you will need (one of) these cards.
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Build as the first instalment of my mono-coloured series here are my others: Green, White, Blue, Black
