Subject: A Sizzling Sligh in Standard by John Weis



	 The arrival of Onslaught also marks the return of
the star players of the Sligh: goblins. Now may be the
most opportune time to play this fun, fire-flinging
deck in Type 2 tournaments.
	While Odyssey block lacked the lovable red critters,
it made up for the absence with some decent burn
spells and the “punishers”. Flame Burst, a replica of
Kindle, and Shower of Coals, an awesome spell at
Threshold, go far to complement the 7th edition burn
spells Shock, Volcanic Hammer, and Lightning Blast. In 
addition, the red creatures Minotaur Explorer and Savage 
Firecat are creatures that bend the tempo of the game to 
your favor enough to outweigh their drawbacks. Barbarian 
Ring, “the colorless Shock”, is an excellent land that can 
eliminate pesky Mystic Crusaders and Crown of Awe-enchanted 
creatures. Browbeat is indisputably the best punisher spell, 
and is in the running for the best red uncommon ever printed. 
This wonderful sorcery can replenish the rapidly emptied hand 
a Sligh player may sometimes run into. Blazing Salvo is superb 
at picking off any small, irritating creatures. If anything 
else, the spell’s slot in the deck will be ideal for sideboar
ding when necessary.
	Now we get to the centerpiece of the Sligh deck: the
goblins. Onslaught brought several interesting
one-drops. Skirk Prospector lets you get a jump on
your opponent: you have a decent chance at dropping a
Firecat by turn three. Goblin Sledder, a carbon copy
of Tempest’s Mogg Raider, is not too shabby: if it
becomes blocked, you can sac it to an unblocked
creature and punch through for an extra point of
damage. Sometimes, one damage is all that’s needed to
put your opponent in burn range (the ability also
helps feed Threshold for your Shower of Coals). Goblin 
Taskmaster has three different purposes: it gives your 
goblins a Firebreathing ability, gets around COP: Reds 
as a Morph creature, and can be Prospector and Sledder 
fodder. Slap in some 7th edition Raging Goblins (what 
Sligh is complete without it?), and one of Magic’s strongest, 
speediest decks is at your fingertips:

Lands
18 Mountain (Ideal for a cheap casting cost deck)
Creatures
4 Skirk Prospector
4 Raging Goblin
3 Goblin Sledder
3 Goblin Taskmaster
3 Minotaur Explorer
3 Savage Firecat
Burn
4 Flame Burst
4 Shock (or Firebolt)
4 Volcanic Hammer
4 Shower of Coals
3 Blazing Salvo
3 Browbeat
Because sideboards depend heavily on the metagame in
your area, here are just a few recommendations for
what may go in your sideboard:

Earthquake (Rids the board of most Elves and Clerics
when cast for 3 damage)
Disorder (A white hoser)
Goblin Piledriver (A blue hoser)
Pillage or Shatter (For opponents with scary lands or
artifacts)
Barbarian Rings (Eludes protection from red and Circle
abilities)
Wave of Indifference (Punch through for more damage
when your opponent equals or outnumbers you in
creatures controlled)
Goblin Sharpshooter (For annoying Wellwishers, Nomads,
and Clerics)

“True strength lies in action. Let the weak react to me.”-Kamahl, pit fighter.

John Weis
Dragonman787@yahoo.com