Rakdos Guildgate

Rakdos Guildgate

Dragon's Maze Common
Mana Cost:
Type: Land — Gate
Rakdos Guildgate Text:
This land enters tapped. {T}: Add {B} or {R}.
Flavor:
Maze-runners who pass through the Rakdos gate leave behind their scruples and a significant amount of skin.
Artist: Eytan Zana
Collector Number: 154
Release Date: 2013-05-03
Art crop

Full Analysis

Generated on 2025-06-30T17:14:29.650906 • Legacy Format

Rakdos Guildgate: A Powerful Addition to Aggressive Decks

The Rakdos Guildgate is a unique and powerful land card that provides a way to tap into the dark magic of Rakdos, while also offering flexibility in terms of adding either black or red mana. Its ability to enter tapped and generate one mana of the chosen color at its tap makes it an excellent addition to aggressive decks that aim to deal damage quickly.

Detailed Card Mechanics and Interactions

The Rakdos Guildgate is a Land — Gate card, which means it's designed to be played in conjunction with other lands. When tapped, it generates one mana of the chosen color (black or red). The twist here is that this land enters tapped, meaning it can't be used to generate mana unless it's already been tapped.

One of the most interesting aspects of the Rakdos Guildgate is its ability to add either black or red mana. This makes it an excellent addition to aggressive decks that aim to deal damage quickly. For example, a deck that wants to play a fast combo with a creature can use the Rakdos Guildgate to fuel its ramp and generate the necessary colors.

Strategic Uses, Combos, and Synergies

The Rakdos Guildgate is an excellent addition to any aggressive deck that aims to deal damage quickly. Its ability to add either black or red mana makes it a versatile card that can be used in a variety of situations. Here are a few examples:

  • Aggro Decks: The Rakdos Guildgate is perfect for aggro decks that aim to deal damage quickly. With its ability to generate one mana of the chosen color, it can help fuel a fast combo with a creature.
  • Combo Decks: The Rakdos Guildgate can also be used in combo decks that rely on quick turns and aggressive plays. Its ability to add either black or red mana makes it an excellent addition to these types of decks.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

The Rakdos Guildgate is a versatile card that can be used in a variety of deck archetypes. Here are a few examples:

  • Aggro: The Rakdos Guildgate is perfect for aggro decks that aim to deal damage quickly.
  • Combo: The Rakdos Guildgate can also be used in combo decks that rely on quick turns and aggressive plays.
  • Midrange: With its ability to add either black or red mana, the Rakdos Guildgate can also be used in midrange decks that aim to generate a mix of colors.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

The Rakdos Guildgate has been a staple in the Modern format for several years, and it remains one of the most powerful Land — Gate cards available. Its ability to add either black or red mana makes it an excellent addition to aggressive decks that aim to deal damage quickly.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

The Rakdos Guildgate has a few rules interactions worth noting:

  • Tap: The Rakdos Guildgate can enter tapped, which means it cannot be used to generate mana unless it's already been tapped.
  • Mana Generation: When the Rakdos Guildgate is tapped, it generates one mana of the chosen color (black or red).

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

The Rakdos Guildgate features a unique illustration that reflects its dark and aggressive nature. The card's flavor text reflects this as well, with the words "This land is an abomination, but it will serve you." This line captures the essence of Rakdos, a guild known for their brutal and efficient tactics.

Summary of Key Points

  • Tap Interaction: The Rakdos Guildgate can enter tapped.
  • Mana Generation: When the Rakdos Guildgate is tapped, it generates one mana of the chosen color (black or red).
  • Aggressive Deck Synergy: The Rakdos Guildgate is perfect for aggro decks that aim to deal damage quickly.
  • Combo Deck Synergy: The Rakdos Guildgate can also be used in combo decks that rely on quick turns and aggressive plays.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Rakdos Guildgate is a powerful Land — Gate card that provides a way to tap into the dark magic of Rakdos. Its ability to add either black or red mana makes it an excellent addition to aggressive decks that aim to deal damage quickly. With its versatility and flexibility, it's no wonder why this card remains one of the most popular in the Modern format. Whether you're building an aggro deck or a combo deck, the Rakdos Guildgate is sure to be a valuable addition.

Synergies with Other Cards

The Rakdos Guildgate can also be used to enhance synergies with other cards in your deck. For example:

  • Talisman of Luminous Bonds: This card can be paired with the Rakdos Guildgate to create a powerful combo that generates two mana of the same color.
  • Firebreathing Beast: This creature can be paired with the Rakdos Guildgate to create a fast and aggressive combo that deals damage quickly.

Tips for Using the Rakdos Guildgate

Here are a few tips for using the Rakdos Guildgate effectively in your deck:

  • Use it as a ramp land: The Rakdos Guildgate can be used as a ramp land to generate additional mana for more expensive spells.
  • Pair it with aggressive creatures: The Rakdos Guildgate can be paired with aggressive creatures to create fast and deadly combos.

By following these tips and using the Rakdos Guildgate effectively, you can create a powerful and aggressive deck that deals damage quickly and efficiently.