New B/R Vampires!

[justinhering]

Updated list...looking to playtest with people at the store over the next few weeks in preparation for the Edison PTQ.

[Creatures] 24
4 Vampire Lacerator
3 Viscera Seer
4 Bloodghast
4 Gatekeeper of Malakir
4 Kalastria Highborn
3 Vampire Hexmage
2 Hero of Oxid Ridge

[Spells] 13
4 Lightning Bolt
3 Arc Trail
4 Go for the Throat
2 Dismember

[Lands] 23
4 Blackcleave Cliffs
4 Dragonskull Summit
3 Lavaclaw Reaches
4 Marsh Flats
8 Swamp

Sideboard:
1 Tectonic Edge
3 Surgical Extraction
2 Doom Blade
2 Ratchet Bomb
4 Shatter
2 Sorin's Thirst
1 Vampire Hexmage

I think this is a solid list with a strong matchup against any other deck in standard right now. I would possibly play more Dismember if I had more copies of that card :-(

What I like...Hero of Oxid Ridge. He's a total blowout card and a little self-indulgent, but at 2 copies, I think its alright. I also like the Hexmage mainboard to deal with other aggro decks and Gideon.

I really like Sorin's Thirst in the sideboard against RDW and other aggro decks. Remove Dismember for the 2-mana removal spell.

Ratchet Bomb is a necessity now that decks are playing enchantments like the Ascensions and Tempered Steel.

Surgical Extraction could wreck Spinter Twin, Valakut and Eldrazi Green.

What's missing? Pulse Tracker is gone, in favor of the Hexmage. Shatter takes the place of Manic Vandal. Also, Demon of Death's Gate was the main weapon against ramp decks, now replaced with Surgical Extraction. In a world where Beast Within exists, the Demon loses value.

[chulak]

I've been playing a number of decks online through magic workstation and I think im gonna play Vampires also. Its probably the best placed deck in the meta right now. U/W control and U/B control are just losing, Valakut is being played around by the good players, Twin just doesnt get there for me and Caw blade isnt the deck it used to be. And i cannot be another mono red guy lol

I'll be playing whatever build you come up with justin, just cuz i know ur good with this archetype.

[justinhering]

I'm not sure how Vampires did not win against that CawBlade deck at the last SSG open. I played it 4-5 times on Tappedout.net and destroyed it every time.

I think what makes my build especially dangerous is the Hero of Oxid Ridge. He's just stupid when he sticks. I've never lost a match when he sticks on the battlefield for one turn. I play a more creature-oriented strategy than some other builds. Most have 22-24 creatures.

The removal package is really preference, but I am not as big a fan of Dismember. I mean, I like it but I don't think there is a situation where I would run 4 copies. I play black so I have access to Doom Blade and Go For The Throat. Dismember is a nice bonus...good in the mirror.

As long as aggro remains a dominant threat, 2-3 copies of Arc Trail mainboard is justified. Also, cutting Dark Tutelage does not hurt anymore. You don't need the card advantage.

Valakut can't keep up with Vampires and neither can Eldrazi. I need to test against the other aggro decks, like Hawkward and Puresteel. RDW also causes issues, but that's usually an attrition war or race to the finish. Control decks can't answer all of the removal.

Speaking of removal, keep in mind this deck plays 4 GFTT, 4 Lightning Bolt, 3 Arc Trail, 2 Dismember AND 4 Gatekeeper of Malakir. That is 17 pieces of removal mainboard. You will have some in your hand. Its how you win the tempo game.

Thanks for the props, also. Cook up this list and play it. Tell me what you think. ;D