My contention: Abrade is a type of card I will henceforth dub a Density card, and is a must consider in a modern sideboard. The short explanation for this is that it gives greater advantage while keeping the same volume (more below).
Positives in the sideboard:
-removal for 2 sets of threats
-instant speed gives solid tempo
-meets the 3 damage rule
-excellent anti-sideboard-meta
Negatives in the sideboard:
-less potent than other options
-can’t redirect to target a player for damage
The crux of my argument that Abrade should be considered in a sideboard will be to define the cardtype Density, which I will then argue Abrade is, and then argue that Density cards should be considered by definition for any sideboard.
In my view, a Density card is a card that has improved density but a consistent volume over its contemporaries. Translated into MTG, this means a card that gives more tactical advantage while retaining more material (1 card doing the work of 2 cards). This topic is particularly useful in a sideboard, as the 15 slots in the side can’t change (volume) but the assigned value and tactical achievement you earn with card choice can change (density). Thus, a card that produces more density and minimizes volume is ideal in any sideboard regardless of decktype. (note, some decktypes are more vulnerable than others to certain mechanics, which always must be considered).
Why is Abrade a Density card- simple, it either hates on creatures or hates on artifacts, both of which are things a sideboard should consider. Both creatures and artifacts see prevalent play in modern, with particular relevance for artifact sided cards, giving Abrade the ability to remove potent threats not only in the mainboard but the sideboard as well. By being a threat to 2 distinct types of mechanics, the singular card provides sideability against multiple threat types, and realistically adds a 16th spot to the sideboard without actually increasing the volume.
The rule of 3- doing 3 damage is one of the hallmarks of red removal, as 3 is the highest toughness most fast/efficient creatures have, and thus 3 damage is what most removal burn needs to murder them. Yes, there are creatures with higher toughness, but they don’t see consistent play in modern in high concentrations, and many decks function on the ability to field 2 and 3 drops that aggro their way to a win. Also of note, 3 damage is enough to snipe basically any lord that sees play, which is second only to a boardsweep against any tribal mechanic.
Tempo retention- instant speed is essential for tempo, and the R1 cost here means that basically after turn 2 this card is a threat and will retake any momentum opponent can gain in the early or middle game if properly sided in.
Anti sideboard- artifacts are a staple in most sideboards, as they have potent and lasting effects, are normally colorless so can be used across colorscheme, and can be used to specifically screw over essential mechanics a player needs. Thus, having sided artifact hate means you have a good chance of being able to hate on the hate that is aimed at you, which is always a good thing. See ya pithing needle, adios shackles, bye bye ensnaring bridge, etc.
Abrade is, however, a less potent threat than its individual component counterparts, and in some ways by quite a stretch. 2 mana that burns a creature pales to the 1 drop lightning bolt or the 2 drop boros charm in terms of options for damage relocation or direct burning power. Killing 1 artifact is far less cool than shatter spree or a generic “destroy all artifacts” card. No argument here, nor should there be.
However, as I’ve stated in my post about jund charm, I’m not advocating Abrade taking the place of its contemporaries, I’m asking that it supplement them. A deck that runs 1 shatter storm, 1 lightning bolt, and 1 Abrade has more overall reactivity than one that uses 2 shatterstorms/1bolt or 1shatterstorm/2 bolts. Specifically because Abrade functions as around 50-75% capacity of the individual cards while staying at 1 spot. So, if you side in hate against creatures, you side in the bolt and Abrade, and if you side in hate for artifacts, you side in shatterspree and Abrade. Its increased density makes it the supplement of 2 distinct strategies while buying you a whole other cardslot to direct at a different threat.
My conclusions:
1- the concept of Density cards is worth exploring, especially as a supplement to existing sideboard strategies
2- Abrade is a Density card that should be considered to supplement the creature hate/artifact hate in any sideboard that can run its color