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By Dee Barizo

Red decks will always be around at Magic the Gathering tournaments. Red mana and red cards symbolize chaos and aggression and many players thrive off of aggressive, quick kill decks. The new big set, Shadowmoor, was officially released on May 2, 2008 and there are 3 red cards in I predict will see a lot of play in the popular Standard format. In my playtesting, these 3 cards have proven their worth as quality cards.

Tattermunge Maniac

Cost: R/G

Type: Creature - Goblin Warrior

Rules Text: Tattermunge Maniac attacks each turn if able.

P/T: 2/1

It’s been awhile since red players have had a two power creature for one mana. Don’t worry about the drawback. Tattermunge Maniac’s drawback is not really a drawback at all. If a red deck is not attacking with it every turn, it’s probably losing. Expect to see this card many times on turn one. Make sure you have a way to deal with it quickly or you’ll be dead soon as the red mage will send a flurry of burn spells your way.

Boggart Ram-Gang

Cost: R/G R/G R/G

Type: Creature - Goblin Warrior

Rules Text: Haste, Wither

P/T: 3/3

This card should take over the 3 drop slot in red decks from Countryside Crusher. Sure, the Crusher can get bigger and helps you get better draws, but today’s red deck wants to deal 20 damage as fast as possible. I’d rather have the haste ability to increase my chances of a turn four kill.

For example, check out this sequence that would not be possible if you played Countryside Crusher over Boggart Ram-Gang.

Turn 1: Play Tattermunge Maniac

Turn 2: Play Keldon Marauders and ping opponent. Attack for two. (Opponent is at 17 life.)

Turn 3: Play Boggart Ram-Gang. Attack for eight. (Opponent is at 9.)

Turn 4: Ping opponent. Attack for 5. Incinerate opponent. (Opponent is toast.)

And don’t count out Ram-Gang’s second ability. Wither is great addition in a world that may be filled by persist creatures like Kitchen Finks and Murderous Redcap.

Flame Javelin

Cost: 2/R 2/R 2/R

Type: Instant

Rules Text: Flame Javelin deals 4 damage to target creature or player.

This may be the most exciting red addition. Currently, in the Standard format, red does not have a three mana burn spell that deals four damage.

Flame Javelin is comparable to Char, another red card from a few sets back. However, Char had a huge drawback. It dealt damage to you, so playing multiple Chars was risky. Another card that’s similar is Flames of the Blood Hand. However, that card could not target creatures. In a world filled with cheap 3/4s (Tarmogoyf) and 4/4s (Chameleon Colossus), it’s good to know that you don’t have to spend an Incinerate and a chump blocker to kill these pesky creatures.

What’s great about these 3 cards is all them are uncommon instead of rare. This means they are affordable to the average Magic player. Yet, if you’re a red mage, you’ll want to get your hands on these cards as soon as possible to save money. I predict these three cards will go up in value soon. Some Magic the Gathering retailers are already selling them in the $1.50 - $2.50 range.

Looking for strategies and decks to help you win your next Magic The Gathering tournament? Then, check out my blog about Magic the Gathering It’s found at http://magicgameplan.com/blog

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