They're definitely useful. The flip side though is that the deck as constructed is currently Standard Legal. I will need to playtest it more to see how it comes together, but with 32 of 41 under 3 I feel like the balance is good enough to make it work. But we'll see.
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I'm running 1 because it's what I have. I may add a second to my sideboard from my friend (and maybe drop Liliana for that slot, who I put in because I had her).
I'll be demoing this deck all weekend and seeing how it works, albeit short two Stromkirk Nobles. We'll see how it goes.
I like it. I'm just getting going with my own speedy black red counter deck (I hadn't thought about how good a Contagion Clasp would work in it until I saw this). But I have a few questions/suggestions: With as much mana as you have, and as little direct damage, any particular reason you're going with 'Taste of Blood' rather than 'Sorin's Thirst'? I'd also consider switching out the Neonates for Stromkirk Nobles; they're a one drop that doesn't need to run to their death against enemies. Yes, they're much more expensive, but you get the same thing, and a much more likely open look on turn 2; so on turn three, when your neonates will be entering play, you have a better shot at having a 2/2 with the same ability and without the drawback. Dragonskull Summits are also going to be helpful; given how lean your deck is (both for creatures and direct damage) throwing in four of them and removing three Mountains and two swamps, giving you a slot to add sharper teeth to the deck. You could also pull two of each, leaving your mana count in place, and drop the Traveler's Claps to make room for some more teeth in the deck (like say a couple Volt Charges, Dismembers or more vampires like say...) ...a Bloodline Keeper or two (say in those spots) is good. Since you're playing vamps, if you can keep them alive, as a 2BB drop, you can flip him for B, giving you a 5/5 that makes vamps that will still be buffed by your curses and the Rakish Heirs. Good luck and good building.