My hell is mono-red
Commander (EDH) forum
Posted on Jan. 12, 2021, 11:34 p.m. by TheMonOmnath
Had no inspiration for the title sorry.
I need help to build a mono-red deck. Little backstory as to why I need it, my friends and I are playing a charity edh game in two weeks by zoom for a foodbank for families with low incomes due to the pandemic and the main restriction was to build a deck using colors we never used (obviously mine is mono red).
For every 1 life we take we add 10$ to the pot and I feel like I’m in the right color for doing a max of damages. That being said I’ve never built a red deck (I’ve played green for the past 10ish years).
I’m not sure if I should go artifacts, goblin tribal, dragons, Red pig-god, Burn, Group slug, pingers or land destruction.
It’s a 1v1v1v1v1 (5 players deathmatch) I’m not allowed to net deck but if you could suggest a few commanders with the pros and cons it would be great.
Thanks.
plakjekaas says... #3
I'm a fan of multiplayer burn, so here's a few suggestions: Kumano, Master Yamabushi is a great commander for that. I have this deck in paper. Play some mana doublers (Gauntlet of Power, Extraplanar Lens), some damage enhancers (Torbran, Thane of Red Fell which is also a great pick for this charity event, Gratuitous Violence, Fiery Emancipation) and go to town. Don't forget some deathtouch equipment, to be able to control the board, as well as the life totals.
Or Neheb, the Eternal is also great for burn, just do a gatherer search for "damage" "each opponent" or "each player" and play a few red X burn spells like Jaya's Immolating Inferno and watch the dollars pile up.
January 13, 2021 12:37 a.m.
Last_Laugh says... #4
Make each of your opponents pay $20 (or $80 total) for EACH of your creatures that etb. Purphoros, God of the Forge will get that charity some $$$!
January 13, 2021 2:54 a.m.
burn decks fail short in edh because 9 out of 10 times you will blow your hand out before ending the game
so if you want to actually get anywhere with a mono red edh deck, you will need to focus on and build around its weaknesses
so 1st i would suggest focusing on a commander that will assist with card vantage or at the very least load up on wheel mechanics that will let you pull 7 cards when you have 0 left in hand or do both. both would be good
2nd load up on copy spells that can target spells you don't control and redirect spells that will also target abilities. these can be used offensively or defensibly "don't be the typical Red Elemental Blast and underestimate the value of cards like Ricochet Trap which can also steal targeted draw spells or target player takes extra turn spells"
last but definitely not least id suggest to take full advantage of reds damage multipliers & anti damage prevention mechanics "ive been known to kill players with a lightning bolts using combos like Insult / Injury & Increasing Vengeance"
good luck, and i hope this helps
January 13, 2021 9:22 a.m. Edited.
p.s. one of my fav combos when im playing mono red or hell bent rakdos
Avaricious Dragon & Ghirapur Orrery
January 13, 2021 10:33 a.m.
TheMonOmnath says... #7
Ramble which general or generals would fit your first point?
January 13, 2021 10:45 a.m.
TheMonOmnath says... #8
Would Zo-Zu the Punisher land destruction with cards like Ankh of Mishra and cards like Furnace of Rath and Price of Glory be a good fit here?
January 13, 2021 11:45 a.m.
personally i like Syr Carah, the Bold but you have to tune the deck around her so that you don't wiff a win con into exile
ive also heard good things about Neheb, Dreadhorde Champion
but you don't have to restrict yourself red has plenty of good commanders like the ones mentioned earlier in this post
personally i also like Zirilan of the Claw its a bit timmy but still fun
January 13, 2021 11:53 a.m.
and yes, red stax is always an option, its easy to build a mono red deck that punishes players for every action they take
in my experience most players under estimate red stax until they realize that casting there win con would actually kill them before it hits the stack
you can also build to punish for every action you take
id suggest run a card search for mono red cards that have "each opponent" in there text for deck inspiration
January 13, 2021 12:02 p.m.
Last_Laugh says... #11
Purphoros w/ Smoke, Price of Glory, Defense Grid, Blood Moon, Ruination, Price of Progress, etc. w/ lots of token production is where it's at.
January 13, 2021 12:18 p.m.
TheMonOmnath says... #12
This is what I have so far Zo-Zu Castle, the Punisher The first thing is that I have to cut 7 cards but I still feel like something is missing. What would you guys replace and why ?
January 13, 2021 2:35 p.m.
TheMonOmnath says... #13
Mcat1999 as much as I appreciate the help you’re trying to give me I would really appreciate if you would read either the first post or the description of the deck.
It’s a mono red deck on purpose for a very specific reason and unless you have another general to propose much of your ”when a creature enters the battlefield" effect wouldn’t work with the low amount of creatures I have or can produce.
January 13, 2021 3:46 p.m.
RNR_Gaming says... #14
So, is it 10 dollars per each 1 damage or 10 dollar per damage? So, if you do 10 damage does that add 100 dollars? Cause like...Heartless Hidetsugu + Furnace of Wrath + Dictate of the Twin Gods + Fiery Emancipation and well anymore than that and someomes going to have to cough up a few grand if it's 10 dollars per damage lol.
January 13, 2021 4:26 p.m. Edited.
RNR_Gaming says... #15
Cons
You will be targeted
Pros
Fast
Loads of damage
Can be built effectively for cheap
You'll need to be mindful of your life total. Keep it uneven ;)
January 13, 2021 4:32 p.m.
It strikes me now that if someone's running life gain, they could potentially end up donating more than their starting life total's worth. Is anyone using a white/whatever deck?
January 13, 2021 8:43 p.m.
TheMonOmnath says... #18
legendofa yes anyone running life gain will end up paying more. Whe are not aware of what decks will be played. We’re making sure that all players won’t try to build against a specific type of deck.
January 13, 2021 9:13 p.m.
RNR_Gaming says... #19
I'd go with Syr Carah, the Bold then. You can do a lot of damage in small doses; for some extra spyce add in a Harmless Offering and donate someone a Platinum Angel so you can make em go into the negatives :)
January 13, 2021 9:18 p.m.
TheMonOmnath says... #20
RNR_Gaming I wish I could but earlier today I asked mu judge for the same idea and he decided that sending someone further in negative life wouldn’t count as a lost life.
I’m not sure to understand why Syr Carah, the Bold would be such a good commander.
I would understand something like Krenko, Mob Boss for spamming token for multiple effects or Purphoros, Bronze-Blooded or Ilharg, the Raze-Boar to cheat big creatures on the board but Carah seems so fragile.
January 13, 2021 10:09 p.m.
TheMonOmnath says... #21
Is there a good mono-red deck to use Stolen Strategy in ?
The art is awesome and I do love the idea of stealing my opponents stuff.
I wouldn’t mind something that could also include Mindslaver and Emrakul, the Promised End with Mages' Contest like someone pointed out to me.
January 13, 2021 10:16 p.m.
RNR_Gaming says... #22
So, Carah is more of a stormy deck. It's very tactile but you'll definitely get your pings in. Heartless would definitely expedite the wins but you probably want to maximize the instances of damage and Carah does that beautifully and would probably fly under the radar of most players. Krenko would be hated off the board way faster than carah; the ability isn't subtle - though I would definitely go with whatever your most comfortable with you know your group better than we do.
January 13, 2021 10:31 p.m.
Neheb, the Eternal or Purphoros, God of the Forge seem to be your best bet for mass damage, depending on which direction you wanna take it. Neheb for X spells like Earthquake, Purphoros for tokens. A lot of what someone said above for Gruul can be translated to monored with Purphoros. That's the route I'd personally take in this situation.
January 14, 2021 8:03 a.m.
lol, seems like you have plenty of good advise
toss another option in the mix Godo, Bandit Warlord with Helm of the Host takes 11 mana to consistent win con
there really is many ways you could go about it but only 1 of them would be good for you i would still suggest
search for mono red cards that have "each opponent" in there text for deck inspiration
legendofa says... #2
Passing thought: Torbran, Thane of Red Fell and Sulfuric Vortex combine to make "At the beginning of each player's upkeep, that player donates $40." Add in Furnace of Rath or Dictate of the Twin Gods and watch the money roll in. I would say if you want to maximize donations, group slug/burn is the way to go.
This is a good cause, and keep up the good work!
January 13, 2021 12:03 a.m.