Competitive Rakdos (Help?)

by theking13 on 20 May 2013

Main Deck (61 cards)

Sideboard (15 cards)

Sorceries (7)

Instants (8)

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Deck Description

I made a tier 1 Gruul deck that basically only loses to Jund, and I really like how the mana base is based on all mountains, then a splash of green with tap/shock lands.

This is constructed with the same idea is mind, have it mainly be Black, with a splash of Red. So anything double red like Ash Zealot is out of the question. My aim for this deck is a turn 5 win, I can do a turn 4 with Gruul so I think its possible to do 5 with Rakdos.

Keep this in mind when suggesting cards please!

Deck at a Glance

Social Stats

2
Likes

This deck has been viewed 902 times.

Mana Curve

Mana Symbol Occurrence

0037260

Card Legality

  • Not Legal in Standard
  • Not Legal in Modern
  • Legal in Vintage
  • Legal in Legacy

Deck discussion for Competitive Rakdos (Help?)

If you are just trying to make it standard, you might want to run Vexing Devil, a one drop red 4/1 that comes in unless your opponent pays 4 life. Also, if you are looking for haste, Ash Zelot is nice first strike and haste 2/2 for 2. I would also recommend Skullcrack and Mugging, as well as Tragic Slip for some good removal and a way around any fogs your opponent might have. These are just changes that my friend has in his Rakdos deck, and he seems to do well with it. Unless you are going for more of a mid-range Rakdos, in which case, I might recommend Exava or Carnival Hellstead.

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Posted 20 May 2013 at 12:55

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I definitely should add Vexing Devil, what should I switch out for a play set?

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Posted 20 May 2013 at 17:37

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Since Vampire Nighthawk is for more of mid game as opposed to fast aggro, I would take out maybe two of them and a Rakdos for the Vexing Devils and add what you took out to the side to be subbed in in the event the first game goes a bit longer than expected. In addition, Hellrider is an OK card in terms of mid game aggro, it even works with Rakdos' ability.

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Posted 20 May 2013 at 18:06

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YES. Not only are you attempting competitive rakdos (which is my favorite guild, btw), but you are ACTUALLY RUNNING THE GUILD LEADER. THANK YOU FOR BEING AWESOME.

Now, down to business.

Rakdos is underplayed partly because the mechanic kind of sucks and they haven't given it any good aggro creatures--which is really the only way to play Rakdos. You seem to have found most of the okay ones--spike jester, cackler, nighthawk, etc. I agree with the above comment for vexing devil--worse comes to worse its a lightning bolt + 1. A good midrange creature might also be carnage gladiator--speeds up the game A LOT. I would drop the daggerdrone. Two mana for a 1/1 flyer is only really good if you draw a deviant glee, and you can probably find something cheaper that doesn't have lifelink to make it slightly faster. Tormented Soul maybe? Can drop glee on it and swing for three every turn. I also like the flailer in there. I like the fling mechanic in case they ever try to knock out a creature--just make sure you leave mana untapped for his ability later in the game :) I'm not sure how fast this deck is, but blood scrivener might be nice to keep the deck moving later on in the game.

Now, let's talk sorceries. There are only 2 Pro-Tour rakdos cards being run repetitively at Pro-Tours--Slaughter Games and Rakdos' Return. I am APALLED to see you are running neither. Rakdos' return is absolutely CRIPPLING early game. Turn 4 Rakdos' Return for 3 will easily take out their hand if they're playing aggro, and they'll have little hope of recovering (maybe if they're playing blue or uw). Not to mention--late game mana dump is a pretty good use as well. And slaughter games--OHMAHGAWD SLAUGHTER GAMES. That card is stupid ridiculously good. Tournament level - Game 2 or 3--knock out their snapcaster or their sphinx' revelation or their thragtusk or their restoration angel--the possibilities are endless. Just run them. Both of them. I think I've made my point.

Hopefully I've given you some advice to work with. Good luck!
May Rakdos smile favorably upon your deeds.

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Posted 20 May 2013 at 14:10

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Definitely see your point on Daggerdrone, only kept it for life link but that shouldn't be a problem with how fast I want this deck to be.

And thank you! Finally someone sees my point for Hellhole Flailer. Or even swing for 4 with it next turn, do the damage, and sac it for a total of 8. With ONE CARD!

For this deck style, I think I'm going to sideboard Rakdos's Return, just because while it can be good, I'd prefer a 4-5 drop to nearly end the game, not just help get there.

But +1092042 on the Slaughter Games, I always have trouble with Junk Rites and Esper decks late game with any deck, with it I can take out Supreme Verdict, Thrag, anything I see fit.

If you could help me find something to replace Vexing Devil with, I'll be very grateful! :)

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Posted 20 May 2013 at 17:52

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I am amazed at no murders or victim of night. Maybe even ultimate price. I would make a deck of creatures and kill spells. Your running Rakdos but you have nothing that can really use his ability, the maximum you can use his ability is reducing the cost of creatures by 1, which isn't really worth it. Run cards like sire of insanity to make use of Rakdos's ability.

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Posted 20 May 2013 at 15:07

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Definitely see your point, I added 4 Ultimate Prices and sided Tragic Slips.

Sire of Insanity is kind of late game, if it at least had haste I'd throw it in but its not a game changer for aggro.

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Posted 20 May 2013 at 17:55

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or maybe chaos imps or utvara hellkite for overwhelming power.

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Posted 21 May 2013 at 15:38

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I play Rakdos as well for standard, its by far my fav deck and one of my best, you seem to have some things in common with mine. i really encourage the use of 4 vexing devils like the others above me. i personally love my thunderous wrath + Reverb combo but not everyone likes it even tho its 3 mana for 10 damage if you cast it for its miricle cost. i also run a couple guidemages so if they block any of my guys and out do my creature i can just knock it down enough to kill it. i also rec a few dreadbores for the sideboard. you never know when your gonna run into plansewalker or a 7/7 outta no where. i have no use for slaughter games in mine but i cant say its a bad card to run. anyways, i also run some mid game hastys like falkenwrath aristocrats and hell riders. i like the way yours is set up, just some minor changes could make this a really good deck to run. if you want some ideas on what else to run just check out my rakdos deck. it might help, or give you more ideas. you may not agree with how my deck looks but thats how i like it and it works pretty well for me. so hopefully it all works good for you, id love to see more rakdos out there since im the only one in my area running it currently. good luck

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Posted 20 May 2013 at 18:18

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