Rakdos Recursion

Commander Deck Help forum

Posted on April 7, 2017, 12:58 a.m. by Geralf_Cecani

My Rakdos, Lord of Riots deck is having a hard time dealing with removal. The aim of the deck is to pump out lots of devotionless creatures, such as Eldrazi, as soon as I get him down; but that obviously empties my hand. Thus, when I'm board-wiped I'm screwed. What can I do to counter cards like Living Death or other Wrath effects?

DrukenReaps says... #2

hold some cards back, you dont need to play everything. play some scary non-creatures like Havoc Festival and Wound Reflection so even when all creatures get wiped you still have threats. play some sac outlets so in response to living death you sac this and that then living death brings this and that back. play your own field wipes or some solid reanimation effects or both. Null Brooch is also funny, i love when my karn deck counters stuff nobody expects it even though it has been sitting there for 5 turns but the brooch can go in more than just karn.

April 7, 2017 1:56 a.m.

DrukenReaps says... #3

sorry to double post but if you put your deck up and link it people can give a lot better advice.

April 7, 2017 1:59 a.m.

Geralf_Cecani says... #4

I can't put my deck up cos my brothers got it with him at a game

The deck consists of rakdos (obviously); 1-fifth small creatures of below 4 mana that ping an opponent (such as Goblin Fireslinger) so that i can get rakdos down turn 4; one fifth dragons, demons, eldrazi and artifact goliaths (such as Blightsteel Colossus) to play turn 5 and beyond; 2 fifths land (obviously :); and the rest is point removal (i don't use wrath effects, as the point of the deck is having a better board state than your opponents) and cards such as Rage Reflection to up the damage i can do with my creatures

I also tried to get some hand hate, such as Sire Of Insanity, going but it fell flat

April 7, 2017 3:01 a.m.

enpc says... #5

Why not increase your card advantage? Adding wheels like Reforge the Soul are an easy way to get a new hand and keep up the momentum. Cards like Phyrexian Arena are also good as they give you constant fuel.

April 7, 2017 4:30 a.m.

MagicalHacker says... #6

I'd not only add cards from MagicalHacker - List of All Recursion Cards, but also MagicalHacker - List of All Draw Cards (Burst) and MagicalHacker - List of All Draw Cards (Steady).

I wouldn't add TOO many though.

Also, what about cards that protect you from board wipes, like Mikaeus, the Unhallowed?

April 7, 2017 6:12 a.m.

Alkadron says... #7

  • Step one: Refill your hand.

Sandstone Oracle, Knollspine Dragon, Combustible Gearhulk, Harvester of Souls, and Kozilek, Butcher of Truth are pretty good at putting cards into your hand. Rune-Scarred Demon Will fetch these cards for you if you need them.Sin Prodder and Chandra, Torch of Defiance can each start riots AND give you card advantage. They're pretty outstanding.

  • Step two: Recover.

Artisan of Kozilek will recur a big dude. Sheoldred, Whispering One will recur several.

  • Step three: prevent the board wipe.

Nullstone Gargoyle and Void Winnower shut most of them down. (The Winnower even shuts down Cyc Rift.) Not all of them, but they help out a lot. I maindeck Stromgald Cabal because Wrath of God is obnoxious and terrible. He also starts riots alright if you need him to. (Sometimes, all yo uneed to do is attack.)

Also: Your opponent can't board wipe if there's not a board wipe in their hand. Sire Of Insanity and Myojin of Night's Reach will get you there.

Also also: Your opponent can't board wipe if they can't afford the board wipe. Keldon Firebombers and Myojin of Infinite Rage will get you there.

  • Step four: Ignore the board wipe.

Darksteel Colossus is huge, doesn't care about Wrath of God, and is Free if you Riot hard enough. Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre is all of that AND removal on a stick. The Myojins start out indestructible, and can stay that way if you want.

I've been Rioting for a while, and I feel your pain, my friend. Board wipes make me cry. Take a look, you might find something you like: It's Riot Time

Good luck!

April 7, 2017 3:03 p.m.

Abhinav7354 says... #8

I think running mass land removal might run to your favor because you can still cast eldrazi with rakdos's ability but ur opponents will be mana screwed.

April 8, 2017 12:57 p.m.

Alkadron says... #9

The voice of experience says: Abhinav7354 is correct!

I have, on several occasions, wiped all the lands with Myojin of Infinite Rage or Keldon Firebombers, then continued to hardcast Eldrazi titans and artifact colossus from my hand because Rioting is absurd.

April 8, 2017 7:03 p.m.

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