Overview:

This Rakdos, the Muscle deck focuses on sacrificing creatures to generate value, disrupt opponents via library exile, and execute explosive plays through graveyard recursion and mana acceleration. Key strategies include:

• Sacrifice Synergy: Utilizes outlets like Ashnod's Altar and Phyrexian Altar to fuel Rakdos' library exile ability while generating mana/treasures
• Graveyard Loops: Underworld Breach, Persist, and Victimize enable creature recursion for repeated sacrifice triggers
• Burst Mana: Culling the Weak, Burnt Offering, and Jeska's Will enable explosive turns to deploy Rakdos early or chain spells
• Theft/Exile Wincon: Leverages Rakdos' triggered ability to play exiled cards, supported by Dauthi Voidwalker and Hoarding Broodlord for alternative exile casting

Primer:

Core Strategy: This deck aims to dominate through attrition and resource theft. The gameplan progresses through three phases:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3):

   • Ramp with Sol Ring, Springleaf Drum, and Priest of Gix
   • Establish sacrifice fodder like Impulsive Pilferer and Carrion Feeder
   • Tutor key pieces with Gamble or Diabolic Intent

2. Midgame Engine (Turns 4-6):

   • Cast Rakdos using burst mana from Culling the Weak or Burnt Offering
   • Activate sacrifice loops using Pitiless Plunderer + Phyrexian Altar for infinite colored mana
   • Generate card advantage via Braids, Arisen Nightmare and Blood Artist triggers

3. Closing Plays:

   • Infinite mana into Exsanguinate-style effects using opponents' exiled cards via Rakdos
   • Underworld Breach + Wheel of Fortune effects to recur wincons
   • Gray Merchant of Asphodel loops with reanimation spells

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands (1+ black source)
• Prioritize early ramp (Springleaf Drum, Sol Ring)
• Ensure at least 1 sacrifice outlet or fodder generator
• Reject hands lacking black mana or creature sources

Key Tips:

• Time Rakdos' indestructible activation to dodge board wipes
• Use Phyrexian Tower as both ramp and protection enabler
• Underworld Breach enables recursive Reanimate chains
• Dauthi Voidwalker can steal opponents' combo pieces

Avoid Traps:

• Don't overextend into mass exile effects
• Save burst mana for protection/recursion when needed
• Prioritize stealing opponents' answers over random exiles

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Relies on 3-card combos vulnerable to spot removal
• Limited protection for key artifacts (Phyrexian Altar, Underworld Breach)
• Graveyard hate (Rest in Peace) cripples recursion engines

Moderate:

• Slow recovery from board wipes
• Limited stack interaction beyond Deflecting Swat
• Color-intensive costs strain mana base

Minor:

• Some situational MDFC lands enter tapped
• Theft strategy depends on opponents' deck quality

Most Important Cards:

• Underworld Breach
• Phyrexian Altar
• Ashnod's Altar
• Pitiless Plunderer
• Diabolic Intent
• Jeska's Will
• Hoarding Broodlord
• Dauthi Voidwalker
• Burnt Offering
• Persist

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can generate 10+ mana by T4 with ideal draws
• Requires 3 turns to assemble most combos
• Fastest theoretical win: T5 via infinite mana + exile mill

Resilience: 5/10

• Multiple recursion options (Persist, Victimize)
• Fragile to artifact/enchantment removal
• Loses to early stax pieces like Drannith Magistrate

Consistency: 7/10

• 8 tutors (Gamble, Diabolic Intent, etc)
• Redundant sacrifice outlets
• Multiple mana acceleration lines

Interaction: 5/10

• Limited instant-speed answers
• Relies on Chaos Warp, Tibalt's Trickery
• Strong permanent removal in Deadly Rollick

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between Optimized Casual (5.0) and Focused (6.0) on the rubric. It has:

• 5.5 Strengths:

  • Multiple tutor effects
  • Fast mana potential
  • Clear infinite combos

• 6.0 Limitations:

  • Vulnerable combo pieces
  • Minimal free interaction
  • No T3 win consistency

Closest to 5.5 (High-Power Casual) but approaches 6.0 when undisrupted. Lacks the protection and speed of true cEDH decks.

Power level: 5.5 - 6.0