Sideboard against Burn/RDW

Deck Help forum

Posted on Sept. 5, 2014, 8:08 a.m. by Walrusyn

Hi! I've been running a mono-blackish infect deck (with a red splash) and it has been quite funny to play (and competitive enough).

With the rise of Burn decks, I've had some unexpected difficulties and I'm trying to add 1 or 2 cards to the sideboard to help me deal with that. I win 2/3 of the games and the games I don't win I feel like I just needed a couple of more turns.

So, the cards I'm thinking of are Chalice of the Void and Dragon's Claw .

Chalice with 1 counter almost completely stops burn decks, but it also stops half of my deck. OTOH, I feel like the trade can be good. Chalice would also help against boggles.

Claw would give me lifegain every opponent's turn (except when he plays Skullcrack ) and I could also benefit from my own red spells. It would be also good against storm decks.

Whip of Erebos and Vampire Nighthawk would be other options but I think that they have more cons than pros.

This is the deck:


Rakdos Infection Playtest

Modern Walrusyn

SCORE: 88 | 7 COMMENTS | 18057 VIEWS

Any help is really appreciated :)

Thanks in advance!

Boza says... #2

First off, dragon claw is the better card of the two. not only does it give you life even when skullcrack is played (the skullcrack has to resolve and is a spell that is cast, so you can 1 life from it), it is a lot better in multiples and does not ruin your deck as well, unlike chalice. The best card is probably Leyline of Sanctity though, since burn cannot deal with it.

September 5, 2014 8:26 a.m.

Walrusyn says... #3

@Boza: thank, you're right about the life gain against Skullcrack and I'm beginning to think that Claw is the best, indeed :)

Forgot to mention Leyline of Sanctity . It would undoubtedly be the best against burn but I can't give away 4 slots of my sideboard for it. I know Leyline would also be great against other decks, but I feel that my sideboard can deal with all the most played decks in the format and against burn I feel that most of the times I just need a couple of more turns.

Thanks for your help :)

September 5, 2014 9:16 a.m.

DarkHero says... #4

September 5, 2014 10 a.m.

APPLE01DOJ says... #5

lol this deck just reassured me of what I was thinking for my deck... picked up a Dragon's Claw last FNM but think I just need 4x Leyline of Sanctity . Can't wait until Burn phases out.

September 5, 2014 11:03 a.m.

APPLE01DOJ says... #6

I've been using Spellskite vs burn too!

September 5, 2014 11:04 a.m.

GlistenerAgent says... #7

You don't need all four slots for the Leyline. You can easily play two or three, albeit with less effectiveness.

I also recommend Dragon's Claw , as it synergizes with your plan much better than Chalice.

September 5, 2014 2:53 p.m.

sideboard Leyline of Sanctity and Witchbane Orb . Spellskite makes for a great anti burn creature/defender as well.

September 6, 2014 9:59 a.m.

Walrusyn says... #9

How could I forget Spellskite ? I's great and very versatile and as I've a tiny blue splash sometimes I might just tap blue instead f paying 2 life.

Thanks to all that helped me :)

September 7, 2014 10:14 a.m.

Walrusyn says... #10

Run a couple of tests with Spellskite against burn and it's a great option, indeed :)

thank you very much.

September 8, 2014 12:54 p.m.

This discussion has been closed