Rakdos the Defiler EDH: how to build it?
Commander (EDH) forum
Posted on May 30, 2015, 5:14 p.m. by jandrobard
How would one go about building a Rakdos the Defiler deck? Are there any specific cards that need to be run? General strategies? suggestions for dealing with his drawback? I think it'd be a Voltron build with some mana rocks that focuses on giving Rakdos haste and double-strike, but how do you beat 2-5 other players with him?
Epochalyptik says... #3
That version of Rakdos is really quite difficult to build around because RB doesn't have great ways to deal with the ability. You'd have to be running a stax strategy with recursion (Crucible of Worlds especially) and maybe a Conspiracy to make the ability less troublesome for you. Sneak Attack effects also work.
Bloodghast and Skullclamp can help with draw power and the sac effect.
Usually, you see this Rakdos in Kaalia of the Vast decks, which can cheat it out without suffering from the on-attack ability.
May 30, 2015 5:27 p.m.
Do what I do: run demon tribal with rakdos the defiler as the commander. Most to all of the creatures are demons so they dodge rakdos's trigger and everyone hates you.
May 30, 2015 5:32 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #5
Mana doublers like Caged Sun are also good because they help mitigate land loss and compete with opposing ramp.
May 30, 2015 5:35 p.m.
You don't. He's honestly pretty terrible. If you really like his flavor, just use the updated version.
May 30, 2015 5:39 p.m.
Karns_Pyromancer says... #7
I feel like a Voltron build is best, however, not for him. Use Ebonblade Reaper and Master of Cruelties.
May 30, 2015 6:46 p.m.
aeonstoremyliver says... #8
Yeah, Rakdos, Lord of Riots is most definitely better and easier to build around.
klone13 says... #2
if u wanna beat multiple players then combo.
May 30, 2015 5:18 p.m.