This Deck is Sneaky Good! Get Ready for RAKDOS Dragons!

Updated:
Explore the power of Rakdos Dragons in this midrange Magic: The Gathering deck. Unleash combos, removal, and ramp for competitive edge in Standard.

You didn't think I could only give you one dragon deck, did you? I honestly saw too many fun options to do just Boros, so today I'm bringing you another. This one steers toward the more midrange, good ol' honest Magic side of things. I wanted to center a deck around something that is more consistent with the status quo of dragons: carnage and destruction. We have plenty of removal in this deck, and a creature that doubles as a board wipe when needed. Since we aren't doing a super fancy combo in this deck, I wanted to add element of ramp to get to the higher mana spells that we have in the deck. We will be able to use early creatures to help out with that, and also a new fancy artifact. We will torch the board and force our opponents to be more resilient than we are, while flying over the top of what they might manage to keep on the board. Let's take a look at the deck and then I'll tell you some of my favorite things about it.

Total Cards:

You can see some of the fun that we will have right off the bat with this deck. We are looking to smash aggro decks, and still punish other decks that don't play to the board. Although this one has fewer dragons on paper, we have a few permanents that can actually turn into them, and this leads to some cheeky interactions. Let's check out some of the new cards from Tarkir Dragonstorm that are in this deck, and then we will go over some fun combos!

Key New Cards

There are a couple of ways to get good value from this card, and it never hurts to use a free spell to get that value. We are going to have a certain spell that appears later that we can cast at a reduced cost of one mana - you will see how much value that can bring us.

Everyone loves Sarkhan. He may not be a dragon (not at first) but he always has something to do with them, helps us make it easier to play them, and sets the stage for dragons to raise some hell. In this iteration, he is able to turn into a dragon the same turn that we have another dragon enter, and get a +1/+1 counter. He also gets flying until the end of that turn! We can behold a dragon (reveal a dragon or choose one on the board) when he enters and ramp by getting a treasure token. This will be really helpful in getting some of our bigger creatures out, and with ensuring that we can cast our board wipe when needed. 

This is another one that allows us to behold a dragon and get some more value. You may or may not see the combo now, but don't worry, if you don't, I'll still go over it shortly. Even if you don't reduce the cost of this spell, it's pretty good and can really be helpful against the aggressive decks. A lot of the dragon removal is centered around 3 toughness or less, because a lot of dragons historically have a power and toughness of 4/4. 

I added this one to the new demons list and I wanted to make sure it found its way into the main deck of one of my lists for Tarkir. I think this is phenomenal with the modality that it gives us. It's an easy casting cost with only requiring one black mana, so it allows our mana base to be more forgiving. We also love the ward ability of requiring discard because at the end of the day, we are still a grindy midrange deck. 

I really like this guy in the sideboard because he can really cause a strong exchange. Since we are a two-color deck, we have a little bit less freedom to choose colorless lands that produce abilities for us, so having that ability double with a creature that just so happens to be a dragon is supremely convenient. The stun counter going on their land is also something that makes the ability even better than something like Demolition Field. It is an added benefit that can turn into one of the things that gives us those incremental advantages needed to win midrange battles. 

Fun Combos

OK, I will finally explain the fun combo. In an ideal situation, and as early as turn three, we can play a four mana dragon. This will allow Sarkhan to also become a dragon, and get a counter and flying. If we have a Mox Jasper on the board as well, that is now online. We will be able to behold a dragon - even if they have removal - because now we have two dragons. This also allows us to tap the Jasper for one mana, thus allowing us to cast Caustic Exhale for one mana. We can use it as a combat trick, or to clear the board. It is one of the interactions to watch out for in the deck, because sequencing will be key - as it is in most midrange decks. 

Another fun interaction is that we can use Terror of the Peaks to help us flip Invasion of Tarkir. This is particularly useful, because it of course gives us another dragon, but it also allows us to get that additional Terror of the Peaks trigger from the backside of the battle hitting the board. The best part is that we can also cast that spell early to do a ton of damage to a creature, or slap our opponent in the face. If we are able to untap with it the next turn, then swing out with our three dragons, we will do six damage just by attacking. I'm sure it is becoming more and more apparent how the damage in this deck can fireball quickly. What is most exciting is that we can make a battle playable again!

This deck, like all of the other Tarkir decks that I brought you this month will be played in Early Access on my stream! I hope that you enjoy the list, and that you get a chance to come check out the gameplay on Wednesday, the 2nd! Cheers.

Rate this article
I am a Magic The Gathering competitive player, and streamer. I specialize in homebrew decks. My favorite formats are: Standard, Pioneer (Explorer on Arena), and EDH. I first started playing MTG in 2001, and have played on and off since then.

Check out more content by Numbskull

Explore the dynamic shifts in Magic: The Gathering's Standard meta. Discover how Izzet Prowess and Orzhov Pixie are reshaping competitive play.
The Meta is Changing, so it's Time for a Standard Check-In
Remember when Domain was the best deck in the format? Pepperidge Farm remembers. We are currently experiencing some pretty hefty shifts in the meta regarding the most popular decks, and it seems that many players who enjoy big mana decks are making the shift towards an aggro-based list. A few of us have gotten our wish - myself included - Tarkir has brought us the shift in the meta that many felt we desperately needed. There are some cards in Tarkir that stand out and are helping to shape the meta. We have new archetypes rising, and there are some other archetypes that were on the edge of being relevant, and just needed a couple of cards. Some of those archetypes are now lit up, and the meta is becoming more diverse. I think it's a little too early to flat out call it healthy, but I think that it is starting to feel better, and to feel as if we can play fun decks without playing against the same thing every time. Today we will look at some of the biggest shifts in the metagame, and check out some of the cards that are causing these shifts. The Latest Challenger We'll start out with the biggest difference-maker in the meta: Izzet Prowess. This is a deck that people have tried to play before, and there were random times where it was good, but it has finally been given a tool that allows for constant generation of creatures, and rewards proper sequencing of spells. 
Discover why Orzhov Pixie is the top Standard deck in Magic: The Gathering. Explore its consistent mana base and versatile gameplay in our detailed analysis.
Finding the best Pixie Deck in Standard (it's Orzhov)
We just finished up the Regional Championship in Bologna, and we are finally getting some answers in regards to what the best decks are in Standard. We had the confirmation of aggro still being very effective, and those pesky mice continue to do their thing. In addition to that, Izzet Prowess has made a name for itself. Jeskai Control had a good showing, and Domain was still represented as well. We have all known about Esper Pixie for a bit, and many of us have been adequately terrorized by it. A new, more consistent version of this archetype is here and it uses some great cards. This archetype had a good showing at the Regional Championship, and had a list that qualified for the next RC, while just missing a spot at the pro tour. Orzhov Pixie is a deck that aims to be more consistent with its mana, and also allows for a pivot to more of a midrange battle when needed. The plethora of discard and removal make it a deck that is right up my alley, and I will never turn down the opportunity to play cards that make the opponent lose life. Today we are going to examine Orzhov Pixie, and why I believe it is the best version of the Pixie Archetype. We will go over some important cards that this list uses that the Esper version does not, then we will compare the pros and cons of playing each list.  This list that was pretty well curated by Massimiliano earned him an honorable finish in Bologna. This player was one win away from a pro tour invitation and at that point, you have to say that they are in the conversation to be considered one of the top-tier players in Europe at least. They will be back for more opportunities to qualify. This deck has started to break into the meta, and it has finally made a name for itself by having three different players finish in the top 64 with the deck. All three players took home at least $500. Not bad for playing your favorite game over a weekend. What strikes me the most in this deck is the versatility of it. There are cards that we can top deck that make it so we are a lot less likely to run out of gas. I think that is what I enjoy most about this compared to the Esper Version. Esper is all in on the combo itself, and it doesn't have as good of a backup plan. This list allows you to play the midrange and attrition-based matchups that are sometimes demanded of you based on what the opponent is playing. The versatility of Orzhov Pixie is what sets it apart. Relevant Cards
Explore the best color combos for aggro decks in MTG with our Mardu Combo deck. Discover key cards, strategies, and new mechanics like Mobilize!
Popular
It's Time to Mobilize the Aristocrats with Mardu Combo!
There is an ongoing argument in both Standard and Pioneer currently. What color combination is the best for aggressive decks? We have seen people try out Jeskai Aggro to try and incorporate the best of both worlds between Azorius Aggro, and Boros Aggro. Some like to stick with Gruul Aggro because of the high rolls that it allows for, and there is also an argument that sometimes all you need is mono red - and the results have proven as much in major events. There has been a bit of a surge of some Mardu Aristocrat/Sacrifice decks, and today's list will follow that to some degree. We went a little bit more aggro-based, but there is a combo element to it, along with a healthy sideboard that should provide for balanced gameplay. We will look to get a bunch of creatures onto the board, and then create a bunch more based on the amount that we have, while punishing the opponent when they die. If that isn't enough, the go-wide strategy should also allow us to swing for ample damage at an ample pace.  A new ability called Mobilize that is being brought to us in Tarkir Dragonstorm is going to allow us to pull off some pretty powerful swings in combat. Mobilize allows us to create a bunch of tapped and attacking 1/1 tokens based on either the number behind it, or circumstances that pertain to "X." Something that is particularly fun is that we can benefit from our creatures dying, because the mobilize ability requires us to sacrifice the creatures that we get from mobilizing at the beginning of our end step. This is yet another deck that can allow us to win on the end step which is always fun. Another fundamental reason why I think the deck is good is because we are rewarded for something that would normally be considered a setback. If you find enough ways to turn negatives into positives, it usually can translate into the small margins that win you a match. Enough of me blabbing. Let's take a look at the cool new cards! Key New Cards
Explore the latest Demon deck in Magic: The Gathering's Tarkir Dragonstorm set. Enhance your strategy with new cards, graveyard combos, and potent threats.
Demons Are Getting New Toys, and This Deck is ROTTEN
We have seen the vast majority of the cards that will be released in Tarkir Dragonstorm, and the excitement is definitely building. Magic players are expecting this to meet the hype that Duskmourn brought us, and hopefully more. We were left a bit underwhelmed with Aetherdrift, but this is proving to be all but a filler set. It's something that is so easy to be excited for. Who doesn't love dragons?! Anyone with an ounce of nerdiness is interested as soon as they hear the word. Although I don't have a dragon deck for you today, I am going to do my obligatory Mono Black Deck for the new set. If you have read my articles in the past, you know that I do one every set - and this one is no different. We finally have enough cards from Tarkir to give me what I needed to make a new-and-improved Demons list for you. We have a new one that will let us pull off some combos on earlier turns, and hopefully have a better body early on to put pressure on aggro decks. I think that should give us a better shot against the meta, since the threat of a 5 damage crackback can definitely give someone extra things to consider in combat phases. He also isn't a bad creature to discard, as he has an ability to activate from the graveyard. This will help us against the bounce/pixie decks. We have ample graveyard hate and removal for the graveyard combo decks, so I like most of our matchups against the current meta. The only thing we will have to see with time is if the meta shifts with this monster of a new set. We really have some fun cards to add here, and we are adding another type of threat to the deck. We have historically not used our graveyard for much, but now we are able to get additional value from it with a new addition. Our sideboard even has a dragon with an adventure that reads like The Meathook Massacre! I've said enough, let's check out these cards. Relevant New Cards
Unleash your MTG prowess with our Boros Dragons Standard deck! Discover free dragon combos, new Tarkir cards, and turn 4 wins in competitive play.
Free Dragons = Turn 4 Wins!
We are officially in the perpetual spoiler season of the MTG year, and Wizards has not been disappointing us. Most people can get behind a set centered largely around dragons, and it definitely helps that the plane itself is one that we have wanted to see them bring back for a long time. Over a decade later, we are going back to Tarkir. I played a good bit of Magic and did a lot of deck building the last time we had some fun dragons on Arena, and I knew that this set was going to call me back to those days. My favorite archetype a couple of years ago was Boros Dragons. I largely played that in the Alchemy format, but I am going to bring you a Boros Dragons Standard Deck today. We are going to take advantage of a combo that is used in Standard currently, but we are going to use a different payoff this time. We are going to cast dragons for FREE and then either they will have the opponent dead just from entering, or we will hopefully have a way to give them all haste! We will take a look at the new cards that are awesome. Then I'll let you know about the combo that will help us get there. We want to keep the board as clear as we can for our dragons and then slam them all on the board at once to clean things up. We also have some smaller creatures that we can use to chump block earlier in the game. When needed, we also have board wipes to deal with other creatures. New Cards from Tarkir Dragonstorm
Explore a Magic: The Gathering deck using Monument to Endurance for cleanup step triggers. Enhance your strategy in Standard's competitive scene.
I See a Monument and I want it Painted Black
It's been a few weeks since Aetherdrift came out, and we are starting to see the cards that are standing out in the meta. We didn't expect the set to change things too much with regard to what we have been seeing. What we did get from it is a nice supplement to many other decks. Although we did not get a ton of format-shaping cards, we have seen a couple that have lit up fringe archetypes. What I've brewed for today plays off of a familiar archetype, and it was one that we kind of already had, but it allows us to pivot in a certain way and get additional value from it that we may not have gotten in the past. One of the biggest things that our deck can do is have plenty of action on the end step/cleanup step. It's an interesting scenario because usually when we think of the cleanup step at the end of each turn, we remove damage, and we discard to hand size. Usually discarding to hand size is pretty much the final step, and there aren't any triggers... until now. We will be using Monument to Endurance to have triggers when we discard to hand size, and get additional value from it. Now we don't care if we end the turn with nine or ten cards in hand, because we are going to benefit from it. This will help us possibly get in some finishing damage against our opponent, or get extra value. It is worth noting that this will cause triggered abilities on the cleanup step, and this is something that our opponents can respond to. This has historically been a point in the turn where no player can respond to actions. We'll take a look at the relevant cards in the deck, and then I'll detail a few fun combos that we may see during gameplay. Relevant Cards
Explore the dynamic shifts in Magic: The Gathering's Standard meta. Discover how Izzet Prowess and Orzhov Pixie are reshaping competitive play.
The Meta is Changing, so it's Time for a Standard Check-In
Remember when Domain was the best deck in the format? Pepperidge Farm remembers. We are currently experiencing some pretty hefty shifts in the meta regarding the most popular decks, and it seems that many players who enjoy big mana decks are making the shift towards an aggro-based list. A few of us have gotten our wish - myself included - Tarkir has brought us the shift in the meta that many felt we desperately needed. There are some cards in Tarkir that stand out and are helping to shape the meta. We have new archetypes rising, and there are some other archetypes that were on the edge of being relevant, and just needed a couple of cards. Some of those archetypes are now lit up, and the meta is becoming more diverse. I think it's a little too early to flat out call it healthy, but I think that it is starting to feel better, and to feel as if we can play fun decks without playing against the same thing every time. Today we will look at some of the biggest shifts in the metagame, and check out some of the cards that are causing these shifts. The Latest Challenger We'll start out with the biggest difference-maker in the meta: Izzet Prowess. This is a deck that people have tried to play before, and there were random times where it was good, but it has finally been given a tool that allows for constant generation of creatures, and rewards proper sequencing of spells. 
logo

By joining our community, you can immerse yourself in MTG Arena gameplay. Watch matches, engage with content, comment, share thoughts, and rate videos for an interactive experience.

Follow Us

LATEST VIDEOS