Modern Cantrip Burn

by martianshark on 28 March 2018

Main Deck (60 cards)

Sideboard (15 cards)

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Deck Description

This is experimental, but I have been playing a similar deck for several weeks. Manamorphose is the newest addition.

Wouldn't it be great if you could just play a deck with 18 lands and 42 Lightning Bolts? This deck tries to get as close as it can to that notion while remaining legal in Modern. The deck runs 12 cantrips, essentially meaning you're using a 48-card deck. This increases your odds of drawing the best burn spells in modern. In terms of probability, 4-ofs are now essentially 5-ofs.

How to Play

For the most part, use cantrips whenever you have them. It's often best to sacrifice Mishra's Bauble on your opponent's end step in case they use hand disruption (Thoughtseize, Inquisition). Also, be sure to empty your hand of all Baubles and Manamorphoses before playing Eidolon of Great Revel to avoid unnecessary self-damage (Manamorphose into Eidolon is likely a good move). Street Wraiths are best sided out against Burn.

Goblin Guide is your best T1 play. Best to use it early so that it gets in for as much as possible, often 4 or 6. Lava Spike and Rift Bolt are alright, but Lightning Bolt is best saved for later if possible.

It's usually best to get Eidolon out as soon as possible, as it's excellent against a wide variety of decks. It's particularly good against Storm, but it's an impressive threat to just about anyone.

By turn 3, you should be emptying your hand of your burn spells. Boros Charms and Lava Spikes can be used mindlessly, while Lightning Bolt, Lightning Helix, and Skullcrack can be saved and used more strategically.

A single copy of Deflecting Palm can instantly win you the game against Emrakul, Griselbrand, Death's Shadow, Infect, or Bogles. And it can still put you ahead against any deck that deals damage. Three more in the sideboard because of how useful it is in various matchups.

Also in the sideboard is Tempest of Light for Enchantment Lockdown, Leyline, Bogles, etc. Smash to Smithereens for anything with artifacts. Molten Rain can potentially break Tron, land-based combo decks, and be a pain to some other decks. Lightning Helix gives you an edge in mirror matchups and against other quick aggro decks. Volcanic Fallout can wipe out Goblins, Mardu Pyromancer, quick aggro decks, and infinite token combos.

Deck Tags

  • Modern
  • Burn
  • Boros
  • R/W

Deck at a Glance

Social Stats

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Mana Curve

Mana Symbol Occurrence

708384

Card Legality

  • Not Legal in Standard
  • Legal in Modern
  • Legal in Vintage
  • Legal in Legacy

Deck discussion for Modern Cantrip Burn

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