Here is an update of the deck tech for Magic: the Gathering M15 Standard which I previously posted regarding the card Trading Post. My first version was mono Black-based which actually looked like a Devotion deck with artifacts. The interaction did not turn out as expected so I had to check on other options.

I then came across Adrian Sullivan’s article about the post, detailing the use of Trading Post in his Blue White Control deck. At the end of the article, he posted a list of the deck in Red and Black colors.

Based on his list, I came up with my version:

Red Black Trading Post by Mark Ian Alloso

Lands
2 Darksteel Citadel
10 Mountain
4 Mutavault
4 Blood Crypt
4 Temple of Malice

Creatures
4 Scuttling Doom Engine
3 Phyrexian Revoker
4 Stormbreath Dragon

Spells
3 Dreadbore
2 Hammer of Purphoros
2 Prophetic Prism
3 Mizzium Mortars
2 Haunted Plate Mail
3 Rakdos Keyrune
2 Darksteel Ingot
4 Shrapnel Blast
4 Trading Post

The color combination opens you to powerful cards mainboard with Dreadbore and Rakdos Keyrune as well as discard spells on the sideboard. Stormbreath Dragon actually reminded me of the Kuldotha Big Red in the Scars of Mirrodin Standard days. Scuttling Doom Engine is again the deck’s superstar which can turn on the post engine in the late game.

Phyrexian Revoker is the deck’s early drop that not only can deal damage but also works on stopping walker ability activations and can even name Sylvan Caryatid to prevent the opponent from ramping into his/her big spells.

The deck has ten removals in the main deck as a personal preference as I also wanted to interact with the shenanigans or stop the opponents’ aggression.

Trading Post’s life gain makes it already a good match with the burn decks but I would also add Duress post board to be safe.

The initial sideboard looks like this:

3 Anger of the Gods
2 Chandra Pyromaster
2 Doom Blade
1 Dreadbore
4 Duress
1 Erebos, God of the Dead
2 Rakdos’s Return

Again, discard spells are your best weapon for burn and control decks. We also have Rakdos’s Return for Midrange matchups. Your late-game Trading Post combo will generate an advantage once you have discarded their best card. You can then pressure early with Keyrune and Mutavault attacks while you wait for that plan.

Overall, I think this is the best version that the Trading Post strategy will fit. Do you have any other thoughts on this list?