Overview:

This Rakdos deck leverages Magar of the Magic Strings to transform instants/sorceries in the graveyard into unblockable 3/3 creatures. When these creatures deal combat damage, they cast free copies of the original spells, enabling explosive plays. The strategy focuses on self-discard (e.g., Faithless Looting, Big Score) to fill the graveyard with high-impact spells like Peer into the Abyss or Army of the Damned, then uses evasion equipment (e.g., Whispersilk Cloak, Thieves' Tools) to ensure damage triggers. Magar is the linchpin, enabling the core reanimation-combat engine. Secondary value comes from spell-synergy payoffs like Judith, Carnage Connoisseur and Storm-Kiln Artist.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Setup (Turns 1-4): Play mana rocks (Sol Ring, Rakdos Signet), discard/draw engines (Thrill of Possibility, Azra Oddsmaker), and self-mill (Millikin). Prioritize landing Magar by turn 3-4.
2. Graveyard Loading (Turns 3-6): Discard key spells using looting effects or cast them for value (e.g., Syphon Mind). Use tutors like Unmarked Grave to place specific bombs (e.g., Peer into the Abyss) directly into the graveyard.
3. Animation & Evasion (Turns 4-7): Activate Magar to turn a graveyard spell into a face-down 3/3. Equip it with evasion tools (Prowler's Helm, Silver Shroud Costume) or use global effects (Goblin War Drums). Protect Magar with Swiftfoot Boots.
4. Win Condition Trigger (Turns 5-9): Connect combat damage with the animated creature to cast the copied spell for free. Game-ending triggers include:
   • Massive Card Draw/Value: Peer into the Abyss (draw half library, lose life), Hostile Negotiations (tutor+draw).
   • Token Overrun: Army of the Damned (13 Zombies), Wake the Dragon (flying menace Dragon).
   • Direct Damage/Disruption: Ensnared by the Mara (opponent loss or steal), Blasphemous Act (board wipe).

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (including color fixing), Magar, and at least one: discard outlet (e.g., Faithless Looting), ramp artifact, or evasion equipment.
• Prioritize hands with early graveyard loading (e.g., Millikin + Thrill of Possibility).
• Avoid hands lacking red/black sources or with only high-CMC spells.

Key Tips:

• Evasion is Critical: Equip animated creatures immediately. Rogue's Passage and Access Tunnel provide land-based unblockability.
• Protect Magar: Boots/Cloak grant hexproof/shroud. Recursion via Chainer, Nightmare Adept helps if removed.
• Sequence Discards: Pitch high-impact spells (e.g., Peer) before low-value instants/sorceries. Judith, Carnage Connoisseur amplifies spell casts with tokens or deathtouch.
• Leverage Treasures: Storm-Kiln Artist and Unexpected Windfall fuel multiple Magar activations or big spells.
• Combo Potential: Caldera Pyremaw + free spell triggers can burn opponents rapidly.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard Hate: Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void exiles the deck's win conditions and fuel, crippling the strategy.
• Commander Reliance: Removing Magar repeatedly (3+ times) stalls the game plan, as recasting becomes prohibitively expensive.
• Board Wipes: Exiles animated spells permanently due to Magar's replacement effect, losing both creature and spell.

Moderate

• Evasion Disruption: Artifact destruction (e.g., Vandalblast) removes key equipment, making 3/3s easy to block.
• Stack Interaction: Counterspells targeting Magar's ability or free-cast triggers negate the core payoff.
• Hand Disruption: Forced discards (e.g., Thoughtseize) can remove critical setup pieces before they hit the graveyard.

Minor

• Slow Start: Clunky hands with tap lands or no early plays delay Magar deployment.
• Life Loss: Paying life for cards (e.g., Sulfurous Springs, Peer into the Abyss) risks aggro pressure.

Most Important Cards:

• Magar of the Magic Strings (Core enabler: animates spells)
• Unmarked Grave (Tutors win conditions directly to graveyard)
• Whispersilk Cloak (Key evasion: unblockable + shroud)
• Peer into the Abyss (Primary win condition: massive draw/life loss)
• Judith, Carnage Connoisseur (Amplifies spell casts with tokens/deathtouch)
• Storm-Kiln Artist (Mana generation for multiple activations)
• Chainer, Nightmare Adept (Recursion for Magar/combo pieces, grants haste)
• Army of the Damned (Secondary win condition: token swarm)
• Thieves' Tools (Evasion for low-power creatures)
• Faithless Looting (Efficient graveyard loading)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Can threaten wins via Peer/Army triggers or combat damage around turns 8-10, but setup requires multiple steps and combat damage reliance slows the clock.

Resilience: 4/10

• Some protection (hexproof equipment) and recursion (Chainer), but heavily vulnerable to graveyard/commander removal with limited recovery tools.

Consistency: 6/10

• Abundant looting/discard effects and tutors (Unmarked Grave) reliably fill the graveyard, but relies on drawing evasion/ramp early.

Interaction: 5/10

• Efficient targeted removal (Terminate, Chaos Warp) and board wipes (Blasphemous Act), but lacks counterspells or stack protection for key abilities.

Rating Justification:

The deck's reliance on combat damage to trigger delayed wins (T8-10) and acute vulnerability to graveyard hate place it in the Optimized Casual tier. While consistent in setup, its speed and fragility prevent higher optimization.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5