I think I am going to use this mana base. Seems like a solid compromise between the old and the new.
(I assume you mean dragonskull summit when you refer to dragonspire cavern)
Thanks for the feedback
I too played Red's brew this past week at FNM. I went 2-3. There is no doubt that some of the issue was my piloting. As I had played the previous version of Dos Rakis for quite a while, maybe I just need more reps with Red's faster version. The speed is of Redthirst's deck is great, maybe I just need to run it more.
What I did notice was in a number of games I lacked the punch to finish games (really missed the Thundermaws) I did actually like Legion Loyalists quite a bit. Being hasty and their effect helps the deck in my opinion. I also liked the Phoenixes quite a bit- hasty, flyer and the ability to bring them back to my hand is nice. I love Mutavault, and I picked up a set, but I'm unsure of running 4 in this deck. I did have more mana issues than with the previous deck. And guildgates were a true liability at times.
The following is what I'm looking at next week. My mana base is still a concern. I only have 23 with three Thundermaws, so I may need to add another. I also wonder if I add Mutavaults and cut Mountains if that makes double red (Ash Zealot) harder to cast.
Anyway- here's what I'm looking at. Your feedback is appreciated.
It should provide more than a sufficient place to start. You just need to tweek it according to your meta game. I have changed it a few times, but find myself returning to this plan as my lgs is pretty diverse and people changes decks a lot.
Putting KoI in the sideboard is certainly an option. Maybe put him there in place of the Weird?
I have been considering this move for a while. I took the weird out in for the SCG Open in Baltimore (please don't ask me for a report- it was not good. I am convinced it was the pilot (me) and not the deck). Anyway I put in two charms in place of the weird as I expected to see reanimator. I didn't play any. I would like to find a place for three of these sideboard. But what else can be removed?
I know the value of Stonewright, but what about replacing him with 2 KOI mainbord and the weirds in the SB?
:shrug::shrug:
Its really up to you. If you don't want to play FNM/competitive for a while then do as others have said and play different proxy decks against your dad. It will help him be a better player and you will enjoy trying other decks. You can always play casual with your friends.
If you enjoy playing competitively at all and you can maintain your deck without too much of an investment, then play when you can.
Its not an all or nothing thing. You can play the deck you have and make slight adjustments when new cards come out for minimal investment.
Or you can just play for fun against your dad and friends with proxies and casual decks.
Like others have said, it should be fun. So do what is fun for you. The issue shouldn't be about funds its about FUN (I realize how cheesy that is).
I have been tinkering with various different types of Rakdos decks, including one with curse of stalked prey and Exava and a bunch of "unleashed" creatures. I mostly play-test against my son who is playing an red/green aggo (with a splash of white). He was beating me at least 65% of the time. I realized that I had not found a successful variant of Dos Rakis.
I decided to go with Windstrider's list for FNM and did quite well. I was worried that Rakdos was losing ground and I was trying to be creative and find a solution. But in the end it comes down to using the best cards available. I beat two Jund mid-range, a green-red aggro and esper control. My only loss was to a Red/Black Zombies (he landed Thundermaw last game, I did not.)
Thanks to Windstrider and Redthirst for renewing my confidence in Dos Rakis. I had a few tough weeks there, but it looks like I don't have to switch from my beloved Red/Black!:)
I agree with that. I think it has great synergy with my version of dos rakis deck. You listed the criticisms that I have heard, but it takes people by surprise. As far as it being a "win-more" I can see that, but in the current control heavy meta, it helps grow your little guys very quickly. A stromkirk noble with the curse is sick and must be dealt with. Coupled with stonewright and Aristocrat it does work!
I like it...
Talz, I agree with Johnny Spike. The deck he posted is pretty much the standard Rakdos deck. Depending on what you are seeing at your game shop, you might want dreadbore in the main deck (as you mentioned). If you are seeing a lot of boros reckoner its nice to have a way to get rid of them without getting burned yourself (and they get rid of planeswakers). If you can't get reckoners right away another three drop possibility is hellhole flailer
Changed my deck up this week to a more conventional build. I had been running more large creatures (4 hellriders and 2-3 thundermaws). I was totally missing out on the synergy the smaller creatures offer. So, this FNM due to the changes I made, and some very fortunate match ups I went 4-1 placing 5th out of 30 some.
I didn't keep detailed notes but round one was a 2-0 win vs green red aggro. Volcanic strength on Stromkirk was awesome in game two.
Round 2 was Green-black (loss 1-2). Had to mulligan to 5 game three and was too slow. My sideboard was not really much help in this match up.
Round 3 white/humans. Knight and Stromkirk were fantastic and this wasn't even close.
Round 4 white/blue (maybe some red-again bad notes and a short memory) 2-1 win. He is very good player, Just another favorable match up for me. Knight was awesome again.
Round Four Grixis control win 2-1. Game one I got out quick on a solid curve and Reckoner blocked while Aristocrat flew in. Game two I sided in my volcanic strength, but it never showed up. He seemed to have an endless stream of Olivias and stole two of my reckoners :(. Game three was long but the reckoners held my defense long enough and I finally punched through the damage to win (after a terrible misplay that almost lost me the game).
I sided in auger spree a few times in the evening but never saw it. I usually face more control and so my board wasn't that helpful on the night. Volcanic strength was really nice when I saw it. There were a lot of other red deck variants out there, so I may go to three VS. Just missed the cut for top 4, but it was my most successful FNM in a long time.
I have learned a lot from this forum. Thanks!
One final thought: someone pointed out curse of stalked prey to me as a possible sideboard card. It could add an interesting dimension to the deck. Has anyone tried it? I know it may just not be good enough for a spot, but it is interesting.
3 mana removal is always a little sketchy, but it does answer a lot of problem cards I guess ~ kills any x/4; any regenerator (eg: Wolfir Avenger) and anything with indestructible.
Please excuse my stupid question, but does the "-4 until end of turn" prevent regeneration?
Regarding the discussion about Auras to connect to Reckoner- has anyone tried out Gift of Orzhova? It is a three drop, but lifelink with Reckoner could be nuts. I plan to try at least a couple of them out. Any thoughts?
I think I am going to use this mana base. Seems like a solid compromise between the old and the new.
(I assume you mean dragonskull summit when you refer to dragonspire cavern)
Thanks for the feedback
What I did notice was in a number of games I lacked the punch to finish games (really missed the Thundermaws) I did actually like Legion Loyalists quite a bit. Being hasty and their effect helps the deck in my opinion. I also liked the Phoenixes quite a bit- hasty, flyer and the ability to bring them back to my hand is nice. I love Mutavault, and I picked up a set, but I'm unsure of running 4 in this deck. I did have more mana issues than with the previous deck. And guildgates were a true liability at times.
The following is what I'm looking at next week. My mana base is still a concern. I only have 23 with three Thundermaws, so I may need to add another. I also wonder if I add Mutavaults and cut Mountains if that makes double red (Ash Zealot) harder to cast.
Anyway- here's what I'm looking at. Your feedback is appreciated.
4 Dragonskull Summit
3 Swamp
12 Mountain
4 Stromkirk Noble
4 Legion Loyalist
2 Stonewright
4 Ash Zealot
4 Spike Jester
4 Chandra's Phoenix
4 Falkenrath Aristocrat
3 Thundermaw Hellkite
4 Pillar of Flame
4 Dreadbore
3 Mizzium Mortars
3 Burning Earth
2 Olivia Voldaren
3 Boros Reckoner
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showpost.php?p=10170501&postcount=2465
It should provide more than a sufficient place to start. You just need to tweek it according to your meta game. I have changed it a few times, but find myself returning to this plan as my lgs is pretty diverse and people changes decks a lot.
I have been considering this move for a while. I took the weird out in for the SCG Open in Baltimore (please don't ask me for a report- it was not good. I am convinced it was the pilot (me) and not the deck). Anyway I put in two charms in place of the weird as I expected to see reanimator. I didn't play any. I would like to find a place for three of these sideboard. But what else can be removed?
I know the value of Stonewright, but what about replacing him with 2 KOI mainbord and the weirds in the SB?
:shrug::shrug:
If you enjoy playing competitively at all and you can maintain your deck without too much of an investment, then play when you can.
Its not an all or nothing thing. You can play the deck you have and make slight adjustments when new cards come out for minimal investment.
Or you can just play for fun against your dad and friends with proxies and casual decks.
Like others have said, it should be fun. So do what is fun for you. The issue shouldn't be about funds its about FUN (I realize how cheesy that is).
I decided to go with Windstrider's list for FNM and did quite well. I was worried that Rakdos was losing ground and I was trying to be creative and find a solution. But in the end it comes down to using the best cards available. I beat two Jund mid-range, a green-red aggro and esper control. My only loss was to a Red/Black Zombies (he landed Thundermaw last game, I did not.)
Thanks to Windstrider and Redthirst for renewing my confidence in Dos Rakis. I had a few tough weeks there, but it looks like I don't have to switch from my beloved Red/Black!:)
I agree with that. I think it has great synergy with my version of dos rakis deck. You listed the criticisms that I have heard, but it takes people by surprise. As far as it being a "win-more" I can see that, but in the current control heavy meta, it helps grow your little guys very quickly. A stromkirk noble with the curse is sick and must be dealt with. Coupled with stonewright and Aristocrat it does work!
I like it...
3 stromkirk noble
3 stonewright
4 knight of infamy
4 Ash zealot
4 boros reckoner
4 falkenrath aristocrat
3 hellrider
2 pillar of flame
4 searing spear
11 mountain
4 dragonskull summit
4 godless shrine
4 blood crypt
Changed my deck up this week to a more conventional build. I had been running more large creatures (4 hellriders and 2-3 thundermaws). I was totally missing out on the synergy the smaller creatures offer. So, this FNM due to the changes I made, and some very fortunate match ups I went 4-1 placing 5th out of 30 some.
I didn't keep detailed notes but round one was a 2-0 win vs green red aggro. Volcanic strength on Stromkirk was awesome in game two.
Round 2 was Green-black (loss 1-2). Had to mulligan to 5 game three and was too slow. My sideboard was not really much help in this match up.
Round 3 white/humans. Knight and Stromkirk were fantastic and this wasn't even close.
Round 4 white/blue (maybe some red-again bad notes and a short memory) 2-1 win. He is very good player, Just another favorable match up for me. Knight was awesome again.
Round Four Grixis control win 2-1. Game one I got out quick on a solid curve and Reckoner blocked while Aristocrat flew in. Game two I sided in my volcanic strength, but it never showed up. He seemed to have an endless stream of Olivias and stole two of my reckoners :(. Game three was long but the reckoners held my defense long enough and I finally punched through the damage to win (after a terrible misplay that almost lost me the game).
I sided in auger spree a few times in the evening but never saw it. I usually face more control and so my board wasn't that helpful on the night. Volcanic strength was really nice when I saw it. There were a lot of other red deck variants out there, so I may go to three VS. Just missed the cut for top 4, but it was my most successful FNM in a long time.
I have learned a lot from this forum. Thanks!
One final thought: someone pointed out curse of stalked prey to me as a possible sideboard card. It could add an interesting dimension to the deck. Has anyone tried it? I know it may just not be good enough for a spot, but it is interesting.
Please excuse my stupid question, but does the "-4 until end of turn" prevent regeneration?
I see quite a bit of lifegain, and it always presents a challenge. I'll be trying it out, and post results.
Besides the fact that its flavor comment is great!