Christopher Posporelis took third place in the StarCityGames.com Standard Open in Worcester, Mass. on Sept. 29, 2013 with a "green-red monsters" deck. Posporelis was defeated in the semifinals of the tournament by the event's champion Philip Bertolli, who was playing a mono red deck. As the first major "Magic: The Gathering" event with "Theros" legal, the competition's top decks are important because they'll shape the look of the new Standard environment.
Christopher Posporelis' G/R Monsters deck list
Creatures (22)
4 Elvish Mystic
2 Ember Swallower
2 Ghor-Clan Rampager
3 Scavenging Ooze
4 Stormbreath Dragon
4 Sylvan Caryatid
3 Polukranos, World Eater
Other Spells (14)
3 Chandra, Pyromaster
4 Domri Rade
3 Lightning Strike
4 Mizzium Mortars
Lands (24)
9 Forest
7 Mountain
1 Mutavault
4 Stomping Ground
3 Temple of Abandon
Sideboard (15)
2 Mistcutter Hydra
2 Burning Earth
1 Destructive Revelry
2 Ruric Thar, the Unbowed
1 Bow of Nylea
3 Anger of the Gods
1 Fade into Antiquity
3 Peak Eruption
Elvish Mystic and Sylvan Caryatid help accelerate this Domri Rade based deck into a third turn Ember Swallower, Polukranos, World Eater, or Ghor-Clan Rampager which can also double as a pump spell for the decks many creatures. Stormbreath Dragon is yet another monstrous threat that this deck can ride to finish off an opponent in the mid to late game. Lightning Strike and Mizzium Mortars help deal with early opposition while providing munchies for Scavenging Ooze. Chandra, Pyromaster can yield card advantage or just ensure your threats break through an adversary's defenses unblocked.
The sideboard packs fantastic cards against this deck's rivals. Burning Earth can be a devastating play against three colored decks and Ruric Thar, the Unbowed can be a nightmare for an opponent who relies upon removal spells. Anger of the Gods stops a weenie rush while Peak Eruption can slow down other red decks and shine if the land you've destroyed is enchanted by Chained to the Rocks.
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