Rakdos, the Muscle
[[Rakdos, The Muscle]] is an aggressive Rakdos [[symbol:b]][[symbol:r]] deck that blends storm mechanics with creature-based strategies and explosive combos. The deck thrives in midrange metas by leveraging Rakdos’s ability to exile cards from opponents' libraries as part of its storming engine. It offers a unique playstyle for players who enjoy interacting with the board, crafting intricate combos, and navigating high-pressure game states.
Why Play Rakdos, The Muscle?
This Deck Is For You If:
You enjoy storm mechanics with a creature-centric twist.
You like navigating a midrange meta with limited stack-based interaction.
You appreciate leveraging unique, underutilized cards in cEDH.
You enjoy a fast-paced game plan with explosive combo finishes.
This Deck Is Not For You If:
You dislike commander-dependent strategies.
You are impatient and struggle with setting up protected combo turns.
You prefer decks that consistently win before turn 3.
Strengths
Resilient Combos: The deck features overlapping combos, making it harder for opponents to shut down your win lines.
Explosive Storm Turns: With Rakdos, the deck can generate massive card advantage and mana on key turns.
Strong Midrange Play: Rakdos’s ability to exile opponents’ libraries makes it a midrange powerhouse that can win from multiple angles.
Weaknesses
Commander Reliance: Rakdos is central to the deck’s strategy, making it a priority target for opponents.
Interaction-Light: The deck has limited stack-based interaction, making it vulnerable to faster combo decks.
Setup-Intensive: Requires multiple pieces on board for storm turns, which can delay its game plan.
General Strategy
Rakdos aims to win between turns 3-5. The early turns focus on ramping into Rakdos and establishing the key components for storming off. These include creatures, mana generators, and sacrifice outlets.
Once Rakdos is in play, the goal is to protect it while assembling a storm sequence. Political maneuvering and strategic interaction are crucial, as opponents will often target Rakdos to prevent its powerful engine from taking over the game.
Key Setups Before Storming
Mana Generators: Cards like [[Birgi, God of Storytelling]] or [[Prosper, Tome-Bound]] provide the necessary fuel for storm turns.
Sacrifice Outlets: Cards such as [[Ashnod's Altar]] or [[Carrion Feeder]] enable loops with Rakdos’s abilities.
Evoke Creatures: Creatures like [[Ingot Chewer]] or [[Grief]] synergize with Rakdos to generate significant value while triggering its ability.
Combos
[[Phyrexian Altar]] + [[Forsaken Miner]]
With [[Rakdos, the Showstopper]] and [[Phyrexian Altar]] in play, sacrifice [[Forsaken Miner]] to generate [[symbol:b]].
Rakdos’s ability triggers, targeting an opponent’s library and committing a crime.
Forsaken Miner’s ability triggers in the graveyard. Pay [[symbol:b]] to return it to play.
Repeat the process to exile all opponents’ libraries.
[[Dualcaster Mage]] + [[Molten Duplication]]
Requirements: at least 1 creature in play under your control, [[symbol:2]][[symbol:r]][[symbol:r]][[symbol:r]].
Cast [[Molten Duplication]] targeting a creature you control.
Hold priority and flash in [[Dualcaster Mage]], targeting [[Molten Duplication]].
Create a copy of [[Molten Duplication]] and target Dualcaster Mage.
Repeat the process for infinite Dualcaster Mage tokens with haste.
Swing for lethal or use a sacrifice outlet with Rakdos to exile opponents’ libraries.
[[Dualcaster Mage]] + [[Saw in Half]]
Requirements: at least 1 creature in play, [[symbol:3]][[symbol:b]][[symbol:r]][[symbol:r]].
Cast [[Saw in Half]] targeting a creature.
Hold priority and flash in [[Dualcaster Mage]], targeting [[Saw in Half]].
Create a copy of [[Saw In Half]] and target Dualcaster Mage.
Resolve Saw in Half to create two Dualcaster Mage tokens.
Each token’s ETB triggers, targeting [[Saw in Half]] to create more Dualcasters.
Generate infinite Dualcaster tokens for lethal swings or Rakdos-triggered exiles. Note: the tokens won’t have haste so you’ll need to execute the combo at instant speed before your turn.
[[Nim Deathmantle]] Combos
Deathmantle + Orcish Bowmasters + Ashnod's Altar:
Sacrifice [[Orcish Bowmasters]] and the Army token to [[Ashnod's Altar]].
Use the mana to pay for [[Nim Deathmantle]]’s ability, returning Bowmasters.
Repeat the process to deal infinite damage through Bowmasters' triggers.
Deathmantle + Priest of Gix + Ashnod's Altar:
Sacrifice [[Priest of Gix]] to [[Ashnod's Altar]], generating [[symbol:2]] and [[symbol:b]].
Pay for [[Nim Deathmantle]] to return Priest of Gix to the battlefield.
Net one [[symbol:b]] each loop for infinite mana or Rakdos-triggered exiles.
[[Pinnacle Monk]] + [[Saw in Half]]
Cast [[Saw in Half]] targeting [[Pinnacle Monk]], creating two Monk tokens.
Use one Monk’s ETB to return [[Saw in Half]] to your hand and another card like [[Culling the Weak]] from the graveyard.
Sacrifice a Monk token with the returned card to generate mana.
Recast [[Saw in Half]] targeting the other Monk token and repeat for infinite Rakdos triggers.
[[Hoarding Broodlord]] Lines
Cast or resolve [[Hoarding Broodlord]], tutoring for a mana ritual like [[Burnt Offering]].
Use Broodlord’s convoke ability to cast the ritual, generating more mana and Rakdos triggers.
If additional mana is available, tutor [[Saw in Half]] to double Broodlord and repeat for massive value.
Nondeterministic Loops
[[Poxwalkers]] + [[Phyrexian Altar]] or [[Ashnod's Altar]]:
Sacrifice [[Poxwalkers]] to the altar for mana, then use Rakdos to exile cards and potentially return Poxwalkers. Continue until a concrete win condition is assembled.
Mulligan Tips
When evaluating opening hands, prioritize:
Ramp: Cards that accelerate Rakdos into play, such as [[Sol Ring]] or [[Dark Ritual]].
Sacrifice Outlets: Essential for most combo lines. Look for cards like [[Ashnod's Altar]] or [[Carrion Feeder]].
Mana Generators: Cards like [[Prosper, Tome-Bound]] or [[Birgi, God of Storytelling]] set up explosive storm turns.
Conclusion
Rakdos, The Muscle, is a powerful and unique storm deck that thrives on explosive turns and intricate combos. It challenges players to pilot with precision and adaptability, rewarding them with highly satisfying wins. For players who enjoy storm mechanics and midrange strategies, Rakdos offers an exciting and competitive option in the cEDH landscape.
References:
Ruthless Storm
