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Black/Red a viable Type 2 archetype again

The archetype of Black Red has been a fairly popular one since the release of Invasion, seeing a considerable amount of play before Fires became the most popular deck. Fortunately, this deck is picking up popularity again, although it has become more diversified with time.

There are many different possible builds for B/R that are all good in their own ways, and all of these draw from the same pool of cards. The most popular cards in recent B/R decks are as follows:

Terminate - Along with Planeshift came the most versatile and highly used direct creature removal card in the environment. Terminate is incredible, while differing from conventional methods of creature kill in that it can target black creatures and is therefore useful in the mirror match.

Seal of Fire - This cheap, versatile card isn't a staple in B/R the way that other removal cards are, but is still a viable option. For faster, mana-curve based decks, this card will work better than others.

Urza's Rage - Although it has the tendency to be overrated, Urza's Rage is a solid, viable card that works in any version of B/R. Possessing the ability to solidly kill a Chimeric Idol on command, and stopping Lin Sivvi in her tracks at instant speed, Urza's Rage is an option that every B/R player should consider.

Rhystic Lightning - Quite similar to its expensive brother, Urza's Rage, Rhystic Lightning possesses most of the same style while taking a considerably lighter chunk out of the wallet. Rhystic Lightning has a few advantages over Urza's Rage, some being its ability to kill 4 toughness creatures, but this isn't such a big deal as Two-Headed Dragon is seeing less play than before, as is Blinding Angel, the lightning's two major targets. While just barely inferior to Urza's Rage, Rhystic Lightning is considerably good, and for players who lack abundant resources, should be considered highly

Ghitu Fire - This interesting card has been gaining in popularity recently, and for good reason. Ghitu Fire is a very versatile card, possessing the ability to eliminate threats of all sizes. The great thing about Ghitu Fire is that it can snag the hard-to-kill Chimeric Idol. This card also uses Dark Ritual better than most direct damage cards, always giving purpose to Dark Rituals waiting in hand.

Hammer of Bogardan - Sadly, this card will be leaving before most people can read this, so I won't expound upon the niceties of this incredible card.

Void - This is quite a unique card, and is tough to evaluate. Plenty of decks have used this card successfully, while plenty more have opted to leave it out altogether. I guess it depends on the taste of the player, and the type of B/R he/she is playing, proving more useful in higher casting cost, more controlling versions of the deck

Addle - This card is used in a good number of decks, but, like Void, is entirely left out of others. Addle is an effective tool against fires, snagging those hard to stop Saproling Bursts, and proves invaluable against control decks, either slipping under Counterspells, or forcing counters that would be better used on actual threats.

Stupor - Stupor has seen limited play in B/R, mainly because it is better suited to a discard-heavy deck. The ability to choose individual card to be discarded proves better than quantity of cards themselves, as B/R is only really worried about certain cards in hand, like Saproling Burst.

Duress - Along with 7th comes one of the best discard cards of all time. Duress ruled back in the day of Urza's block, and is sure to rule once again. Proving a solid first turn play against virtually every deck in the environment, Duress is simply magnificent, and, in my opinion at least, should be included in every build of B/R.

Persecute - Much like Duress, Persecute saw considerable abuse back in the day, and should yet again. Unlike Duress, however, Persecute is better in heavy black/light red discard/control builds of B/R.

Ravenous Rats - Ravenous Rats hasn't seen an incredible amount of play, and that is mostly because of the relative mediocrity of the card. The rats provide an effective turn two drop, but pale in comparison to Nightscape Familiar's mana-accelerating and Blastoderm-blocking abilities.

Nightscape Familiar - Obviously a powerful card, this familiar will surely see plenty of play in the months to come. With incredible mana boosting abilities, this little guy will prove a solid addition to almost every type of B/R.

Shivan Zombie - This guy has seen limited play, and his only outstanding characteristic is his strength against rebels, although even that hasn't been enough to elevate the zombie to net deck heights.

Chimeric Idol - This little turtle is absolutely incredible, ranking up there with Blastoderm and Lin Sivvi as one of the best creatures in Type two. The recent decline in popularity of conventional U/W control, however, has lead to a subsequent decline in usage of the Idol himself. Definitely powerful, it surely depends on the player's taste as to whether or not this guy deserves a home in your card protectors.

Pyre Zombie - Usually securing two or three spots in most B/R decks, the zombie is both mana efficient and controlling, making him a solid inclusion to any version of the deck.

Thunderscape Familiar - This interesting card has caught my attention enough to merit play in my most recent build. Surely for more the controlling version of the deck, this guy's power is unquestionable, although his high casting cost to power/toughness ratio will surely turn off some players.

Blazing Specter - The new specter is definitely a powerful card, and with the recent decline in usage of Shocks/Seal of Fires/Assault/Batteries in decks like Fires and B/R, his popularity is sure to grow. Although not as fast as most other creatures in the deck, this guys potential power is devastating to the unprepared deck, and considering that he has haste, there usually won't be much time for preparation before he can at least claim one or two cards and a considerable amount of life.

Phyrexian Scuta - The big guy from Magic's recent set, Scuta's quality as a card is undisputable, although his color and other characteristics have allowed him to see very limited play in recent builds of B/R. Not denying his inherent power, I don't recommend playing the Scuta in modern B/R, although with 7th edition might come a more discard oriented version of the deck, so hold on to these guys if you have them.

Flametongue Kavu - The most popular creature from the new set, Flametongue Kavu is amazing. With the ability to destroy most creatures and swing for four for the mere cost of four mana, this guy should be included in almost every version of the deck. He is simply amazing!

Skizzik - Bumping out the Scuta in most B/R decks, Skizzik's power and speed are incredible. It is obvious that this guy deserves a spot in speed oriented version of the deck, but also deserves a second look for higher casting cost version as well. Skizzik is simply an incredible card, but I still recommend using discernment when choosing whether to include him or not.

Ancient Hydra - Often overlooked, this guys power has recently been increased due to the usage of Nightscape Familiar, which makes him incredible as a four casting cost beast. Able to chump most Fires cards and spread out the pain kamikaze style as he dies, the Hydra should definitely be considered.

Thrashing Wumpus - Seeing limited play in B/R, the Wumpus is better left for black heavy version of the deck, and usually in small numbers. Undoubtedly powerful, the only question remains is if one would rather use him over susceptible low toughness creatures like Nightscape Familiar, Flametongue Kavu, or Ancient Hydra.

Next, we'll take a look at some sideboard cards used in B/R decks.

Perish - Obviously, Perish is a solid card that deserves four slots in most sideboards of decks that have black in them.

Massacre - This card has seen a recent decline in popularity, and rightfully so, seeing as the familiar has seen a recent rise in popularity. Tsabo's Decree should suffice against rebels for most B/R decks.

Flashfires and Boil - Obviously powerful cards, in depends on the metagame that one will be expecting. Considering the recent increase in heavy-counter-rebel decks, Flashfires doesn't look as appealing as it used to, and Boil has also seen limited play. One must really consider the metagame and the weaknesses of their particular version of the deck when deciding whether or not to include these power sideboard cards.

Scorching Lava - This card is getting more popular, as the amount of Pyre Zombie and Nether Spirits running around grows larger. A sub-par direct damage card on its own, it really depends on whether or not one can expect a lot of mirror matching. Considering recent pro-tour tendencies, however, Scorching Lava is looking more and more appealing.

These are most of the cards being used in recent B/R decks, and rightfully so. There are so many black and red power cards in the environment, and the only question is how the deck will do against other popular decks. Considering the decks problems handling fires, many have opted to adhere to the saying "If you can't beat them, join them!". The recent popularity of B/R is encouraging and will surely breathe some life into the archetype. Having said all of this, here is a suggested build of Black/Red.

4 Rishadan Port

4 Sulfurous Springs
7 Swamps
9 Mountains

4 Nightscape Familiar
2 Pyre Zombie
4 Chimeric Idol
3 Flametongue Kavu
3 Skizzik
3 Blazing Specter

4 Terminate
4 Duress
3 Ghitu Fire
2 Void
4 Dark Ritual

Sideboard
2 Void
4 Perish
3 Tsabo's Decree
2 Earthquake
2 Boil
2 Flashfires

-Logan McHenry
lmnosline@mailcity.com