Overview:

This Rakdos (B/R) deck leverages Deadpool, Trading Card's unique text-swapping ability to enable a creature-copying/sacrifice strategy. The core plan revolves around generating token copies of value creatures (using effects like Twinflame, Helm of Host, and Blade of Selves), sacrificing them for incremental damage via Mirkwood Bats/Judith, the Scourge Diva, and amplifying this with finishers like Wound Reflection. While containing some combo lines (e.g., Dualcaster Mage + Heat Shimmer with Mirror Gallery), the deck operates primarily as a midrange value engine with multiple synergistic payoffs.

Primer:

Core Strategy: This deck aims to swarm the board with copied creatures using effects like Orthion, Hero of Lavabrink and The Master, Multiplied, then convert these temporary tokens into life drain via Mirkwood Bats and Vraan, Executioner Thane. Key phases:

• Setup (T1-4): Ramp with Solemn Simulacrum, establish sacrifice payoffs like Judith, and tutor key pieces with Rune-Scarred Demon.
• Value Engine (T5+): Create token copies of value creatures (Perforating Artist, Terror of Towashi) using Blade of Selves or Electroduplicate, sacrificing them to trigger life loss effects.
• Finishers: Amplify incremental damage with Wound Reflection or use infinite token combos (Dualcaster Mage + Twinflame with Mirror Gallery) for explosive wins.

Key Combos:

1. Infinite Tokens: Dualcaster Mage + Twinflame (with 5+ mana) creates exponentially growing tokens if Mirror Gallery/The Master, Multiplied prevents legend rule destruction.
2. Life Drain Loop: Terror of Towashi attacking + Helm of the Host creates recursive token copies that can reanimate creatures each combat.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands and early ramp (Solemn Simulacrum, Terramorphic Expanse).
• Prioritize having at least 1 token generator (Orthion, Heat Shimmer) and 1 payoff (Mirkwood Bats, Wound Reflection).
• Avoid slow hands without T3 play.

Weakness Mitigation:

• Use Fake Your Own Death and Zombify to recover key creatures.
• Leyline of the Void protects against graveyard hate.

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• No free countermagic to protect combos
• Relies heavily on keeping 2-3 key permanents (Mirkwood Bats, Mirror Gallery)

Moderate:

• Slow recovery from board wipes
• Limited card draw outside Stargaze

Minor:

• Vulnerable to Rest in Peace/Leyline of the Void

Most Important Cards:

• Dualcaster Mage
• Twinflame
• Rune-Scarred Demon
• Wound Reflection
• Mirror Gallery
• Mirkwood Bats
• Helm of the Host
• Blade of Selves
• Judith, the Scourge Diva
• The Master, Multiplied

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Earliest combo win T5 (requires perfect setup of Dualcaster Mage + Twinflame + Mirror Gallery)
• Typical goldfish win T7-8 through incremental drain

Resilience: 4/10

• Limited protection (only Deadly Rollick as free interaction)
• Recursion exists but slow (Zombify, Macabre Waltz)

Consistency: 5/10

• 3 tutors (Rune-Scarred Demon, Demonic Revelation, Diabolic Counsel)
• Redundant copy effects but key payoffs are singleton

Interaction: 4/10

• B-tier removal (Abrade, Tragic Slip)
• No counterspells beyond Wyll's Reversal
• Heavy reliance on creature-based answers

Rating Justification:

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

• 5.0 Traits: Moderately fast T7-8 wins, clear combat/sacrifice focus, limited interaction suite
• 5.5 Considerations: Some infinite combos and stax elements (Leyline of the Void), but requires specific board states
• Lacks the speed (T8-10 vs T7-8 benchmark) and protection of true 6.0 decks

Power level: 4.5 - 5.5