So, once again, you’re looking for a fun Modern deck that won’t break the bank and isn’t Burn. Jeez, elevate the degree of difficulty, why don’t you?
So Mill wasn’t your thing? Okay, I found a spicy little number that might tickle your fancy especially if you like some random variance in your life, a crazy kooky little thing that just took a Top 4 at a big tournament recently, featuring everyone’s favorite broken statue …
Who would have thought that after the unbanning of Faithless Looting that the best home would be this thing? Certainly not I.
For those not familiar with Hollow One decks, they utilize a powerful engine, albeit an engine akin to the those old third-grade-make-a-volcano-out-of-baking-soda-and-vinegar; something’s gonna happen, and it’s gonna be big, but we’re not exactly sure what. Essentially, the goal is to play free Hollow Ones and Vengevines while churning through your deck using the random draw/discard of Burning Inquiry and Goblin Lore, objectively terrible cards that were unbelievably expensive until they were reprinted. Earlier versions of the archetype were in Rakdos colors but with new tools from Modern Horizons 3 and Aetherdrift have enabled the deck to go strictly mono-Red.
The extra early drops of Marauding Mako, Flameblade Adept, and Blazing Rootwalla (two of which can also be part of or fed to the engine) mean that as early as turn one, things can get really freaky. A turn two 5/5 Mako followed by dumping two Hollow Ones on the board is not an uncommon occurrence with this deck.
Detective’s Phoenix is an underwhelming creature on its own but being able to play it from the graveyard and give a creature flying and haste makes it the perfect home for this card. Maybe the only home, but who’s to quibble?
And that one Lightning Bolt! One! So cute, like “I have to have just one, it’s not a red deck if I don’t have at least one bolt.”
Be warned: this is not a deck for the “but I might discard my wincon!” crowd. This is not a deck for people who are afraid of randomness. This is most definitely a deck for people who like playing Orcs & Goblins in any Warhammer format.
And, given how under the radar this deck is (and relatively affordable, too boot), this might be something to bring to your next Modern tournament.
Dave Meddish has been playing Magic longer than most of you have been alive and has the cards to prove it. Among other things, he's been a computer game designer, game show winner, and has written for Star City Games and Wizards of the Coast.