Rakdos Lifegain Hate

Standard
by NeedledScorpion · Sep 6, 2026
Deck Strategy
Concept

A red-black aggressive deck that uses Sunspine Lynx to stop life gain while cheap creatures and burn pressure opponents.

Synergies

Felonious Rage and burn spells target your Valiant creatures, growing Emberheart Challenger and Slickshot Show-Off into evasive threats. Sunspine Lynx locks opponents out of life gain, and Unstoppable Slasher plus Bloodletter of Aclazotz can close games with a single attack.

Mulligan Strategy

Keep hands with a turn-one Hired Claw or turn-two Emberheart Challenger, Slickshot Show-Off, or Sunspine Lynx and at least two lands. Mulligan slow hands lacking early plays or anti-life gain.

Game Plan

Early: deploy cheap threats and keep pressure. Mid: cast Sunspine Lynx to stop life gain, use removal to clear blockers, and trigger Valiant for damage. Late: finish with Unstoppable Slasher and Bloodletter of Aclazotz or direct burn.

Weaknesses

Creatures are vulnerable to sweepers and exile removal. The mana base is mostly basics, so color screw is possible. The deck leans on Sunspine Lynx to beat dedicated life gain, so protect it.

60 cards
Type Rarity Card Name Mana
Creatures (22) Mythic Rare Bloodletter of Aclazotz
Rare Emberheart Challenger
Rare Hired Claw
Rare Razorkin Needlehead
Rare Slickshot Show-Off
Rare Sunspine Lynx
Rare Unstoppable Slasher
Instants (16) Uncommon Bitter Triumph
Common Felonious Rage
Common Lightning Strike
Common Shock
Sorceries (1) Common Duress
Lands (21) Rare Blazemire Verge
Rare Fabled Passage
Basic Land Mountain
Rare Restless Vents
Basic Land Swamp
0 cards

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