MTGO
PAPER
Explorer Mono Red-Aggro Guide
Quick intro
Without a doubt, Monored Anax is one of my all-time favorite decks. I've been playing with it since it was Tier 2 and now, it seems like the perfect time for it to shine again. Today, I'll be discussing this new deck list that has earned me a spot in the upcoming Magic Arena Qualifier, some card choices, and a side guide against some of the main Explorer tiers .
Updated Decklist
This is my current updated version of the deck that I used at the latest Pizza Box Open.
(6 - 1)
85% in The Pizza Box Open: Explorer @The Pizza Box [127 Players] — 06-Aug-2023
$99/35.4 Tix
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [31] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Kumano Faces Kakkazan | $0.49 | |
| 3 Kari Zev, Skyship Raider | $0.49 | |
| 4 Monastery Swiftspear | $0.69 | |
| 4 Anax, Hardened in the Forge | $0.35 | |
| 4 Bonecrusher Giant | $0.59 | |
| 2 Torbran, Thane of Red Fell | $2.29 | |
| 4 Fanatical Firebrand | $0.35 | |
| 4 Burning-Tree Emissary | $0.35 | |
| 2 Feldon, Ronom Excavator | $0.59 | |
| Artifact [4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Embercleave | $6.99 | |
| Instant [2] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Lightning Strike | $0.35 | |
| Land [23] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Den of the Bugbear | $6.49 | |
| 2 Ramunap Ruins | $0.35 | |
| 1 Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance | $6.49 | |
| 14 Mountain | $0.01 | |
| 2 Castle Embereth | $0.49 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Obliterating Bolt | $0.39 | |
| 1 Goblin Chainwhirler | $1.49 | |
| 1 Rampaging Ferocidon | $9.49 | |
| 1 Hazoret the Fervent | $1.99 | |
| 4 Rending Volley | $2.29 | |
| 1 Roiling Vortex | $2.79 | |
| 2 Nahiri's Warcrafting | $0.49 | |
| 4 Leyline of Combustion | $0.59 | |
$35.40 Tix @cardhoarder
$0.99 / Week @cardhoarder
$87.18 @tcgplayer
$110.09 @cardkingdom
Visual View
Similar Decks
Proxies
Archetype Analysis
Magic online format
Apprentice and MWS .dec
There have been a few tweaks from the last list I used in last year's Showdown, but they've really improved the deck's performance in several matches.
Key Cards in the Deck
Anax, Hardened on the Forge
The main threat of the deck. It allows for a much more aggressive angle of attack, as every trade provides you with a token, even in unfavorable trades, that allow you to steal some amount of damage. Monored is a deck that historically has always been more focused on spells than on creatures, but this build is designed to make the Demigod shine with many more creatures on the list. Before, I even used less than 4 copies, precisely because it's legendary, but the card is so important and makes the deck so much more dangerous, that even with this clause, I believe the correct move is to play with the full set.
Embercleave
Another legendary card that benefits from a creature-heavy build is Embercleave. This card is one of the most potent in the deck, and when paired with Anax, they form a deadly duo.
But Embercleave doesn't just synergize with Anax; it turns other creatures into significant threats, making combat much more favorable. Embercleave is so powerful that, just like Anax, it's essential to have four in the deck. The combination of these two cards contributes significantly to this deck's victories.
Leyline of Combustion
The latest addition to the sideboard, Leyline, is a card that aims to make the matchup against Rakdos Sacrifice not as harsh. It severely punishes cards like Mayhem Devil and Bloodtithe Harvester and often puts the opponent within reach of burns. I wouldn't advise mulliganing too aggressively for it, but it's there to help if we can get it in our opening hand. It's a poor topdeck, but I believe the benefits of being able to start with it outweigh the downside of drawing it late in the game.
Matchups & Sideboard guide
Monogreen Devotion
We use some weaker cards like Fanatical Firebrand because it's crucial to kill Llanowar Elves on turn 1. If we can slow them down when we're on the draw or on the play, we have somewhat of an advantage because our combo is very powerful against this type of deck. I even considered using Play with Fire in the Lightning Strike slots, but it hits important cards like Pia Nalaar, Bonecrusher Giant, Graveyard Trespasser, etc.
We want to curve out quickly and not give our opponent time to set up absurd turns. Anax is very good here, as well as Kumano and its effect of exiling Old-Growth Troll in the battles, but remember that the opponent might have Boseiju. Post-sideboard we increase some cards to help kill the big creatures early on and Ferocidon is really good at preventing the opponent from gaining life with the Cauldron combo and also punishing each creature that enters.
Just a note: in Magic Arena, we still don't have Roast, so we use Nahiri’s Warcrafter, but if it's a Pioneer version, we can easily switch one for the other.
Rakdos Midrange
Rakdos has a great deal of removals, and in these matchups, Anax really shines. It's all about flooding the board and letting Embercleave do the dirty work in combat. Swarming with Burning-Trees is highly effective, despite it not being the best creature, but Rakdos struggles to deal with cards that do more than a 1-for-1 trade. Sheoldred is a major issue we can't deal with in the main deck, but a few attacks with Bonecrusher and/or Anax can help to at least try and clear her from the board. Post-sideboard, the deck has even more removals and sweepers, so our plan of flooding the board isn't as appealing, but it's still the best we can do. We also have more removals for key cards like Sheoldred, and Hazoret, who is a real nightmare for Rakdos, especially coming back from a sweeper.
UR Creativity
We can't interact directly with the combo; our only option is to use removals on creature tokens, so our strategy is to eliminate as quickly as possible. Given that deck lists no longer feature Anger of the Gods, Anax has significantly improved against post-sideboard sweepers. Nothing in the sideboard directly assists us, but I believe we already have a favorable match-up in the main deck.
Against versions featuring Atraxa, Roiling Vortex and Rampaging Ferocidon can help prevent life gain, but they'll still have a 7/7 on the other side. So, our best course of action is to ignore that and focus on winning before they can execute their plan.
UW Control
The match was much better before Temporary Lockdown was introduced. With 3 and 4 mana sweepers, it becomes incredibly challenging to play around so many elements, especially when The Wandering Emperor is exiling our prime kill condition, which is Anax. Since it's tough to maneuver around everything, the best course of action is to play our threats immediately and hope for a not-so-unfavorable situation. Still, Anax is a strong counter against Supreme Verdict and if it's brought back by Torbran, it's unlikely the opponent can recover. Post-sideboard, we have a few elements that aid in our survival, but it's still tough with so many powerful sweepers. In this match, I believe Chandra would be a better choice than Hazoret, albeit not by much.
GW Angels
The matchup isn't ideal, but the deck seems to be somewhat overlooked in the meta, which is good news for our deck. It gains a ridiculous amount of life, which makes even attacks with Anax and Embercleave not very effective. However, I believe this is the best mono-red variant to use against this type of deck, the combination of removals and a heavy clock really assist in securing the win. Post-sideboard, we have even more removal options, which makes our “combo” more efficient as well.
Lotus Field
It would be a more competitive match if we had Eidolon of the Great Revel, but creatures coming in as x/3 with some aid from Kumano can help overcome an early game with Arboreal Grazer. Above all, the focus should be on exerting pressure and trying to win as swiftly as possible. Some builds no longer use Peer Into the Abyss, but strive to keep your opponent on at least 1 life total to prevent them from using it. In the sideboard, only Roiling Vortex really provides any assistance against Emergent Ultimatum. However, the opponent could potentially bring in more creatures like Elder Gargaroth and Dragonlord Dromoka, which makes cards like Rampaging Ferocidon slightly better options.
UW Spirits
Another solid match, lots of removals, heavy pressure on the clock, and Embercleave completely disrupts the battles. Shacklegeist is a card that could potentially interfere with this strategy, but against many creatures, it can't do much. Post sideboard, we have even more removals, making the match better, but certain cards like Wedding Announcement can be a bit challenging. Therefore, cards like Goblin Chainwhirler and Rampaging Ferocidon really shine.
UR Phoenix
Another good match, but Ledger Shredder and Thing in the Ice can pose significant challenges, especially the latter. If you have any opportunity to take them out, even if it means sacrificing something in combat, do it. We're not overly concerned about the rest of the deck. Our opponent needs to set up turns with Pieces, which gives us time to build up our board. Opting not to use Anger of the Gods again makes Anax much more effective. Post-sideboard, we need removal for these key creatures. Otherwise, keep the pressure on by generating many creatures. If our opponent has Saheeli and/or Young Pyromancer, we should bring in Goblin Chainwhirler as well.
Monowhite Humans
Just like other aggro decks, Humans is also a favorable matchup for us. Abundant removals, creatures that are hard to respond to, and a hefty clock make a compelling combination against this kind of deck. Post-sideboard, the same game plan applies as against Spirits, without much complexity.
Abzan Greasefang
We do have ways to respond to the combo in certain situations, but it's crucial to remember that his combo doesn't usually take us out instantly, dealing "only" 13 damage. So, the best move we can make is to build up our board and aim to win with a lethal Embercleave, especially when paired with Anax. If he taps out to play Esika’s Chariot, that's great news, since the combat phase tends to favor us. After sideboarding, we can transition to a more controlled game, with more removals. We also need Nahiri/Roast due to Sheoldred, which has been frequently included in these decks.
Final words
Even though it isn't considered a tier 1 in the current format, Mono-red Anax is a highly lethal deck, with a potent combo of Anax and Embercleave that can catch some unsuspecting players off guard.
And remember: always have faith in the Cleave!
Until next time!