Standard has become a very interesting format since the release of Duskmourn. Plenty of pre-existing archetypes got big upgrades. For example, Enduring Curiosity has made its presence felt in Dimir midrange shells, while the Domain archetype has adopted Overlord of the Hauntwoods.
Additionally, the new set has given rise to a handful of new strategies. Azorius enchantments has taken off, abusing elite auras like Sheltered by Ghosts in conjunction with Eerie threats such as Entity Tracker.
One of the coolest decks that has been gaining some traction in recent weeks is Rakdos sacrifice. This deck is nothing like the Pioneer sacrifice decks, as there are no copies of Cauldron Familiar or Mayhem Devil present.
Instead, this deck is focused on pulling ahead by sacrificing cheap creatures and enchantments for value. While this deck hasn’t had a huge breakout performance yet, it’s put up solid results here and there. Most importantly, it’s a great budget-friendly option for someone that wants to look beyond your usual cheap red aggro strategy. A handful of Duskmourn commons and uncommons act as the driving force behind the archetype, which is cool to see.
Rewards for Staying On-Theme
- Mana Value: BR
- Rarity: Rare
- MTG Sets: Duskmourn
- Card Text: When Disturbing Mirth enters, you may sacrifice another enchantment or creature. If you do, draw two cards. When you sacrifice Disturbing Mirth, manifest dread. (Look at the top two cards of your library. Put one onto the battlefield face down as a 2/2 creature and the other into your graveyard. Turn it face up any time for its mana cost if it’s a creature card.)
As is typical with sacrifice decks that have has success in the past, this deck makes use of a few payoffs that reward you for having permanents around to sacrifice. Without any incredible synergies present like Cauldron Familiar+Witch’s Oven, you need a collection of cards that actively incentivize you to sacrifice your own permanents.
One of the strongest cards in this category is actually an uncommon enchantment from Duskmourn in the form of Disturbing Mirth. Disturbing Mirth does everything this deck wants. As we will see in the next section, there are tons of low-cost creatures and enchantments in this deck that reliably enable Disturbing Mirth’s enters-the-battlefield effect.
Being able to draw multiple cards for two mana is quite strong. Deadly Dispute is a multi-format staple for a reason. Disturbing Mirth may not be an instant nor does it make a Treasure, but it makes up for this in another way. See, Disturbing Mirth then sticks around as an enchantment that provides even more value if you can sacrifice it. As such, they work really fantastically in multiples.
Beyond that, they allow you to basically free-roll Torch the Tower as well as the newly printed Final Vengeance. Final Vengeance in particular is insanely efficient, you just need the right fuel to maximize it. What better way to do so than sacrificing Disturbing Mirth.
The last payoff that also combos nicely with Disturbing Mirth is Braids, Arisen Nightmare. Braids is another card that most decks can’t abuse. But this one sure can! With ample enchantments to send to the graveyard each turn, it’s easy to start generating a boatload of card advantage with Braids while pressuring the opponent’s life total in the process. Chances are, they won’t have any mediocre enchantments lying around to ditch themselves.
Read More: Broken Card Draw Engine Resurrects Forgotten MTG Archetype
Tons of Sacrifice Fodder
- Mana Value: R
- Rarity: Common
- Stats: 1/1
- MTG Sets: Duskmourn
- Card Text: Haste. When Clockwork Percussionist dies, exile the top card of your library. You may play it until the end of your next turn.
What helps make this deck tick is that, once you find Braids or Disturbing Mirth, there’s no shortage of cards to sacrifice to them. This deck is chock full of one-drops that provide a small benefit when they enter the battlefield or die, making them the perfect cards to sacrifice.
Hopeless Nightmare and Clockwork Percussionist easily fit the bill. Hopeless Nightmare forces the opponent to discard card a card when it enters. It offers little value while in play, but you get your value up front. As such, you aren’t actually down on resources when you get rid of it to one of your sacrifice payoffs.
Similarly, Clockwork Percussionist lets you play the top card of your library until your next turn when it dies. So, as long as you can play the card, you once again aren’t falling behind in the resource battle.
Likely the best one-drop to pair with Braids or Disturbing Mirth is none other than Spiteful Hexmage. Spiteful Hexmage is an interesting card. As a one-mana 3/2, its stats are great. But, if you play it turn one, it enters with a Cursed Role token, making it a 1/1. Well, in this deck, you can simply follow up with Disturbing Mirth, ditch the Cursed Role token since it’s an enchantment, and unlock your 3/2 body!
Other reasonable creatures to sacrifice include Greedy Freebooter and Undead Sprinter. Greedy Freebooter once again provides value when it dies, and Undead Sprinter is very easy to replay out of your graveyard on a future turn.
If you’re ever low on creatures to sacrifice, Urabrask’s Forge is a nice tool that provides a creature to sacrifice every single turn. The damage adds up quickly, too, making Urabrask’s Forge a great finisher in your aggressive draws.
Read More: Popular Meta Deck Gets Some (Literal) New Toys From Duskmourn
A Solid Budget Option
- Mana Value: B
- Rarity: Common
- MTG Sets: Duskmourn
- Card Text: As an additional cost to cast this spell, sacrifice a creature or enchantment. Exile target creature.
Ultimately, this deck hasn’t gotten a ton of noise yet, and it’s unlikely to climb to the top tier of decks in Standard anytime soon. Nonetheless, it does have some nice things going for it. The combination of efficient removal and card advantage gives you a good shot at winning grindy games versus red aggro strategies. At the same time, Urabrask’s Forge is excellent in attrition battles.
A big part of the deck’s appeal, however, comes from its price tag. Urabrask’s Forge and Blazemire Verge are the only cards worth $5 or more a piece. There are tons of commons and uncommons in the decklist, which makes it a decent deck to craft on MTG Arena.
It’s definitely worth watching to see if this shell gets more love in the coming weeks. If you’re looking for something unique to break out at your next event, Rakdos sacrifice has you covered.
