So, I recently got a Rakdos Guild Kit as a gift, and the sweet new art on Rakdos, Lord of Riotshas me wanting to make a demon tribal deck. But, I don't know how to build demon tribal other then Shadowborn Apostle-style decks, which I'm not super interested in running. Is a non-shadowborn-based demon deck actually possible/viable? I could really use some suggestions.
edit: also if anyone knows how to link the guild kit artwork lol.
Surely it is possible. Of course, rakdos demon tribal is a bit of a misnomer, I think. There isn't a ton of demon tribal support. I run a rakdos, the defiler deck as my demon tribal list. Mine isn't particularly budget, but the tribal support in it doesn't cost much.
Mostly, demons are big fliers with effects and sometimes really big drawbacks. Just remember that when you play the deck, you need to have a screw loose! Or, you can run cards like faithless looting and reanimate them!
You can always throw Rakdos into a Kaalia of the Vast deck and make it demon tribal.
I can see how Rakdos can help you cast your big demons, but there is no payoff I can think of for playing only demons vs eldrazi and artifact creatures.
My Rakdos LoR has a few demons in it, but I would rather have 3 eldrazi on turn 5.
I think for a genuine Rakdos Demon tribal now you surely have to give Rakdos, the Showstopper a whirl. Makes his 50/50 wipe one sided, strong flavor etc.
With Rakdos, Lord of Riots you can do the usual group pain cards and put big demons in instead of other fatties usually used (Eldrazi etc), though you might need some sac fodder for certain demons.
Alternatively, with Showstopper, you'd just need a reasonably amount of artifact ramp to afford your demons early enough.
make sure you run demonic consultation. its banned in legacy and restricted in vintage for a reason!
my rakdos deck runs the reanimation route - basically, use looting effects to draw reanimation spells, discard big beaters, then reanimate them. Some are inexpensive animate dead, corpse dance), but some are possibly a bit higher budget into the breach, shallow grave).
If you're married to Lord of Riots specifically, then you'll want Pestilence and Pyrohemia as you can turn the 1 mana spent into a 2+ paincast discount.
edit: also if anyone knows how to link the guild kit artwork lol.
Mostly, demons are big fliers with effects and sometimes really big drawbacks. Just remember that when you play the deck, you need to have a screw loose! Or, you can run cards like faithless looting and reanimate them!
Credit to DolZero for this awesome sig!
(U/B)(U/B)(U/B) JUMP IN THE LINE, ROCK YOUR BODY IN TIME
(R/W)(R/W)(R/W) RISING FROM THE NEON GLOOM, SHINING LIKE A CRAZY MOON
(U/R)(R/G)(G/U) STEALIN' WHEN I SHOULD HAVE BEEN BUYIN'
RBGLiving EndRBG
EDH
UFblthpU
BRXantchaRB
BGVarolzGB
URWZedruuWRU
I can see how Rakdos can help you cast your big demons, but there is no payoff I can think of for playing only demons vs eldrazi and artifact creatures.
My Rakdos LoR has a few demons in it, but I would rather have 3 eldrazi on turn 5.
8.RG Green Devotion Ramp/Combo 9.UR Draw Triggers 10.WUR Group stalling 11.WUR Voltron Spellslinger 12.WB Sacrificial Shenanigans
13.BR Creatureless Panharmonicon 14.BR Pingers and Eldrazi 15.URG Untapped Cascading
16.Reyhan, last of the Abzan's WUBG +1/+1 Counter Craziness 17.WUBRG Dragons aka Why did I make this?
Building: The Gitrog Monster lands, Glissa the Traitor stax, Muldrotha, the Gravetide Planeswalker Combo, Kydele, Chosen of Kruphix + Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa Clues, and Tribal Scarecrow Planeswalkers
With Rakdos, Lord of Riots you can do the usual group pain cards and put big demons in instead of other fatties usually used (Eldrazi etc), though you might need some sac fodder for certain demons.
Alternatively, with Showstopper, you'd just need a reasonably amount of artifact ramp to afford your demons early enough.
my rakdos deck runs the reanimation route - basically, use looting effects to draw reanimation spells, discard big beaters, then reanimate them. Some are inexpensive animate dead, corpse dance), but some are possibly a bit higher budget into the breach, shallow grave).
chuck in a mass of big demon beaters, and you never know, some might end up being more awesome than others. lord of the void and abyssal persecutor, hellcarver demon and abyssal overseer have been good for me, whereas master of cruelties and razaketh, the foulblooded[/card] have been pretty sub-par for me.
It's seriously good fun though, demon tribal. makes you play a style of magic in EDH that's kinda not very common, i think.
Legacy - Solidarity - mono U aggro - burn - Imperial Painter - Strawberry Shortcake - Bluuzards - bom
Echo here, as I've done just that. Link in sig.
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.