OVERVIEW:
The goal is just to do as much damage as possible within the first few turns, knock out your opponent’s creatures, and attack for more. This deck seems to pick up the most speed around turn 3-4 with all the Minotaur lords, and can consistently win on turn 6-10 (I have playtested this, it can).
Example of T4 win:
T1: Play Swamp, play Gnarled Scarhide
T2: Play Mountain, play Bloodrage Brawler. Attack with Scarhide
T3: Play land, Play Ragemonger. Swing with other Minotaurs.
T4: Play land. Play Kragma Warcaller and Bloodrage Brawler. Swing with all for more than 20 damage!
THE CARDS:
Creatures:
Gnarled Scarhide- The only one drop minotaur in the game, and the only one drop that would really fit here. Something to think about: If you draw one of these late game, the bestow ability can be very useful. It can either buff one of your creatures OR make one of opponent’s unable to block.
Bloodrage Brawler- Value is value, and on this case, the drawbacks aren’t that bad. This card is one of two two drop minotaurs in the game (the other being Deathbellow Raider), and the obviously better one. Combine those stats with the fact that the drawback can actually help you (getting rid of unnecessary cards or triggering Neheb, the Worthy), and you get a good, solid card for this deck.
Felhide Petrifier, Rageblood Shaman, and Neheb, the Worthy- These guys are all great three drop minotaur lords. They can be game changing, and make even the weaker minotaurs like Gnarled Scarhide into big threats.
Ragemonger- This is one of the few non-land cards in this deck that is a 4-of, and with good reason. This deck is capable of several turn 4 wins, all needed him to function. Even reducing the cost on a Felhide Petrifier is good, and might also let you cast something else that you wouldn’t have been able to cast otherwise.
Kragma Warcaller- the most expensive card in this deck. However, this minotaur is well worth it’s cost. Giving everything haste, plus the game ending stat boost, justifies his spot in this deck.
Rakdos, Lord of Riots and Mogis, God of Slaughter- In this deck these guys act as honorary minotaurs. They are huge, above curve creatures that can end the game if left unchecked. Rakdos can also cover the air for the minotaurs, and pay the colorless mana that Ragemonger cannot.
Lord of Shatterskull Pass- If you end up going very late game, dump some mana into this guy and he will reward you on level 6. Even if you play him on turn three (Ragemonger) or turn four, you can pay 2 mana to get a 6/6 the next turn. Great card.
SPELLS:
Dreadbore and Terminate- Self explanatory. Some of the best removal red- black can offer.
Pyroclasm- Seems very effective in this deck. While an Anger of the Gods would kill most of your creatures (since most are 2/3s, 3/3s, or 4/3s), Pyroclasm will not, and while you may have to kill your Gnarled Scarhide, this card is worth it for all the havoc it can cause.
Tragic Slip- More removal. Simple as that.
CONCLUSION:
Credit goes out to xHerbalz, who’s Minotaur deck helped with some ideas for mine. Any suggestions are welcome, post in comments below. Also, help making a sideboard for this deck would be greatly appreciated. Hope you enjoy!
