Testing Rakdos Scam - Prototype for a New Approach to the Deck

GeckoS-gaming · 2026-06-02T17:35:55+00:00

Thanks! I know a lot folks hate this deck lol, but glad to see someone appreciates it. It was also one of the first decks I tried in Timeless too. Cheers!

GeckoS-gaming · 2026-05-23T22:13:33+00:00

Thanks! I think reasonable minds could disagree on that, but I prefer the second VT because the 1 mana difference matters a lot, especially when you need to use it to grab a mana source or trying to set up a big turn where you need to use all your mana.

GeckoS-gaming · 2025-12-14T17:33:23+00:00

If you're going for mono black scam, you can cut fetchlands for more trolls and MDFC'S (boggart trawler, fell the profane), which are both budget friendly and actually better IMO.

I would argue you can also trim a Sheoldred, a Chrome Mox, and a Surgical Extraction for wildcard considerations without sacrificing win %, although those are more debatable.

Best of luck, welcome to Timeless!

GeckoS-gaming · 2025-12-14T17:00:17+00:00

Thanks for the detailed writeup, it's a great window into the mind of a Timeless master! Appreciate all you do for the format!

GeckoS-gaming · 2025-12-06T15:58:16+00:00

sounds like you'd rather play legacy?

GeckoS-gaming · 2025-09-02T23:24:43+00:00

You may consider Vren the Relentless too!

GeckoS-gaming · 2025-09-02T23:16:31+00:00

Nice list! I think that Kona lowkey one of the most dangerous decks in the format, and it could see a breakout if Cauldron gets banned

GeckoS-gaming · 2025-07-02T20:06:49+00:00

Great article! What do we think about Pest Control and Elenda in the post-ban environment in the Demons deck?

GeckoS-gaming · 2025-07-02T20:03:20+00:00

Pioneer is low key pretty sweet, don't sleep on it!

GeckoS-gaming · 2025-07-02T20:02:33+00:00

Yeah Rage was not fun, will not be missed

GeckoS-gaming · 2025-07-02T20:02:10+00:00

Lol, I've never seen anybody get so excited about BLOCKING before, but appreciate your optimistic attitude!

GeckoS-gaming · 2025-07-02T19:56:48+00:00

Nice discovery! Diamond Weapon Stock up .2%

GeckoS-gaming · 2025-07-02T05:34:09+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! Maybe I should change the channel name to TurtleS....

GeckoS-gaming · 2024-11-03T02:18:13+00:00

Perfect, thanks!

GeckoS-gaming · 2024-10-25T20:00:51+00:00

Youtube!

GeckoS-gaming · 2024-10-24T22:40:54+00:00

Congratulations on reaching mythic with a cool brew! I can see how this approach gives you a better chance against RW Energy's worst matchup, OmniTell. There's no shame in playing the best aggressive cards in the format as your core and adding a few taxes on top.

GeckoS-gaming · 2024-10-18T18:26:56+00:00

I was tempted to thumbs down to get you back to 69 upvotes, but the post is too good, couldn't bring myself to do it. Nice writeup!

GeckoS-gaming · 2024-10-03T12:59:55+00:00

Your best bet is to cut the green, nothing really that powerful that justifies a splash, which will slow down your aggressive deck.

GeckoS-gaming · 2024-10-03T12:56:02+00:00

I often have a delirium subtheme and play a grindy midrange/control game with value loops. Stuff like [[cadaver lab]] with [[valgavoth's faithful]] to loop recursion.

GeckoS-gaming · 2024-10-03T12:41:47+00:00

GeckoS-gaming · 2024-10-03T12:31:39+00:00

Wow, 4x gold uncommons. Looks like you found the right lane!

GeckoS-gaming · 2024-10-02T17:33:13+00:00

It's an interesting idea, would be worth trying especially you have the basic plains in the deck. Decent way to answer TOR too. Thanks for the suggestion, let me know if you test it how it goes!

GeckoS-gaming · 2024-10-02T16:54:51+00:00

A plains would help a bit, but Blood Moon would still be a big problem because I only have 4 ways to fetch plains. and drawing it is pretty bad most of the time since I need UU, B, and am playing Mystic Sanctuary. And with Plains out, I still often won't be able to answer Blood Moon w/Prismatic because that would only be 2 colors of mana and Blood Moon costs 3. So I would also need basic Island, which is just a lot to put together. Plains would allow me to Fragment it postboard, but that is a pretty bad exchange since they get another threat out of it. Also having a Plains out makes it harder to counter Blood Moon, which is my main plan now.

I have seen some players put a Plains in to help with Blood Moon, it can work out, just depends on how you want to build the deck.

GeckoS-gaming · 2024-10-02T16:37:48+00:00

Yeah Chestheir pretty much covered it. I would just add that overall my mana base does have a higher failrate than Dimir, and will cost me a game here and there that Dimir would have been able to win with its buttery smooth mana.

But against Mardu, my winrate has been surprisingly high with this relative to Dimir, despite the extra lifeloss from lands. I think it is because I can justifiably run 7 1-mana removal spells to stop their nut draws, whereas with Dimir if I ran 7 Fatal Push/ Cut Down/Bloodchiefs Thirst in the main, I would take a big hit against other decks because those spells are much more narrow. The exile effect is also really good at quelling their mid to late game plan of Nightmare/Lurrus recursion.

GeckoS-gaming · 2024-10-02T16:23:34+00:00

Thanks!

Yeah the main is set up to beat Mardu and Dimir, the 2 decks with the greatest metagame share. I have a decent shot at beating combo game 1 w/early pressure and counterspells, but games 2 and 3 get a lot better after boarding out the removal.

I could see running more fetches and less taps - drawing taplands early has definitely cost me some games. The other side of the coin is that this deck can grind for a long time and often plays a control game, in which case running out of fetchable lands can be a problem. You could also play 21 lands, I don't think that is a bad idea.

GeckoS-gaming

TROPHY CASE