Rakdos Charm is a versatile and powerful 2-mana instant that allows you to choose one of three effects. It can exile an opponent's graveyard, destroying their ability to recur cards or reanimate creatures; destroy a target artifact, disrupting opponents' plans; or deal 1 damage to each creature, pressuring the board.

Its power level is moderate-high due to its flexibility and ability to impact multiple aspects of the game. Rakdos Charm sees play in Commander decks, particularly those centered around aggressive strategies or artifact destruction. It's also seen use in Modern formats where its effects can be leveraged to disrupt opponents' plans.

Rakdos Charm is a versatile instant that offers three distinct options for dealing with opponents' cards and creatures. This card's primary mechanic is its ability to choose one of the three effects, allowing it to adapt to various situations.

Keyword Abilities

None of the effects on Rakdos Charm are keyword abilities, as defined by Magic's rules (2020). However, each option interacts with specific types or subtypes:

• Exiling a graveyard targets and changes the state of a player's graveyard.
• Destroying an artifact is equivalent to destroying a permanent that has the artifact subtype.
• Dealing damage to creatures with the creature type is done through the ability's effect.

Functionality on the Stack

When Rakdos Charm resolves, it allows its controller to choose one of the three effects. This choice is made at resolution, not during the beginning phase (as stated in Rule 601.2). The chosen effect then takes place immediately after resolution.

Consider this scenario: a player has a creature token with 1 toughness and casts Liliana's Reclamation on it to create another creature token. If they play Rakdos Charm targeting the graveyard, and choose to exile the graveyard, the Liliana's Reclamation tokens are destroyed because their creatures' graveyard is exiled.

Functionality on the Battlefield

Rakdos Charm has no power or toughness, making it a non-creature permanent that doesn't interact with most creature-based effects. However, if an opponent controls Tibalt's Traitor and casts Rakdos Charm, choosing to exile their graveyard will also remove Tibalt's Traitor from the battlefield because its ability depends on having creatures in the graveyard.

Edge Cases

When resolving Rakdos Charm:

• If a player has no graveyards or artifacts, choosing either option won't change anything.
• Exiling a graveyard that contains Chandra's Defiance tokens will remove their ability to create tokens from the game.
• Destroying an artifact with Wishclaw Talisman on it won't prevent its controller from getting card draw, since Wishclaw Talisman doesn't trigger when destroyed.

Interactions

In a Commander game where Tevesh Szat is on the field, Rakdos Charm can destroy Tevesh's creatures without affecting his life total. This interaction demonstrates how each option might impact different situations and the need to understand the cards in play when choosing an effect.

Rakdos Charm's flexibility makes it a valuable addition to Commander decks focused on removal and graveyard manipulation, allowing players to adapt their strategy based on the current board state.

Rakdos Charm is a versatile and powerful instant that can be used in various strategies, particularly those revolving around the Rakdos color identity. Its low cost of {B}{R} makes it an attractive addition to many decks.

Casual and Competitive Builds

Rakdos Charm finds a home in combo-heavy lists, such as Monastery Swiftspear or Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca-based builds. It's often used to exile opposing players' graveyards, disrupting their combo potential. For example, in a deck featuring Adriana, Captain of the Guard, Rakdos Charm can be played to clear the way for Adriana's ability.

In more aggressive lists, like those centered around Sram, Guinlithe Enchantress or Yidris, Maelstrom Wanderer, Rakdos Charm is used to deal 1 damage to each creature on the battlefield. This allows the player to create an advantage in a single turn, especially when combined with other cards that benefit from this effect.

Niche Builds

A more niche application of Rakdos Charm can be seen in artifact-based decks, such as those featuring Karn, Liberated or Mox Opal. In these lists, the instant's ability to destroy target artifacts is invaluable. It allows players to quickly address opponent-controlled artifacts and maintain a favorable game state.

Rakdos Color Identity

The Rakdos color identity naturally gravitates towards Rakdos Charm due to its alignment with the aggressive, combo-oriented playstyle that Rakdos decks are known for. Rakdos Charm complements cards like Guttersnipe or Chandra's Defiance, which benefit from a low-toughness opponent.

In summary, Rakdos Charm is an excellent addition to many different Rakdos-based strategies, offering flexibility and value in various scenarios. Its versatility makes it a staple in both casual and competitive decks.

Rakdos Charm is a versatile and powerful instant that can be used in various contexts to disrupt opponents or gain an advantage. Its three modes offer different applications, depending on the game state.

Exiling Graveyards

The first mode allows you to exile a target player's graveyard, which can prove useful when facing a deck reliant on graveyard synergy, such as Bolas's Citadel-fuelled combos or Liliana, Dreadhorde General. By exiling their graveyard, you can disrupt their plans and gain an upper hand.

Destroying Artifacts

The second mode enables the destruction of target artifacts, which is particularly effective against control decks that heavily rely on artifact-based protection or ramp. This mode synergizes well with creatures like Chandra, Torch of Defiance, who can destroy artifacts while attacking.

Deal 1 Damage

The third mode causes each creature to deal 1 damage to its controller, creating an immediate threat and potentially allowing your creatures to become more threatening. This mode works particularly well when paired with creatures that have a power or toughness value close to the target's life total, such as Sarkhan, Firebring.

Synergy Examples

• In combination with Chandra, Torch of Defiance, Rakdos Charm can be used to destroy artifacts while Chandra attacks and deals damage.
• With Liliana, Dreadhorde General on the board, using Rakdos Charm's third mode allows your creatures to deal 1 damage each to Liliana's controller.
• When facing a graveyard-based deck, exiling their graveyard with Rakdos Charm can be followed up by destroying key artifacts or disrupting other plans.

By leveraging these modes and integrating Rakdos Charm into your deck, you can gain an edge over opponents who rely on specific game states or synergy.

Mistakes with Rakdos Charm in Commander often stem from misjudging the timing of its effects or failing to consider the broader implications of its choices. Here are some common pitfalls:

• Timing issues: One frequent mistake is playing Rakdos Charm too late, when the game state has already become complex and difficult to control. As an instant, Rakdos Charm can be played at any time during a player's turn, but its effects will only matter if used correctly in relation to other events on the board.
• Misunderstanding graveyard interactions: Exiling a graveyard with Rakdos Charm can seem appealing, especially when combined with Grave Titan or Golgari Findbroker. However, this often overlooks the fact that the exiled graveyard's contents will not be permanently removed. In many cases, allowing the graveyard to stay and potentially generating card advantage from it is more beneficial.
• Ignoring artifact destruction: Rakdos Charm's ability to destroy an artifact can be highly situational, depending on the specific game state. Players often underestimate its potential when combined with Ashnod's Altar or Cabal Ritual, as these cards can generate multiple artifacts that can be sacrificed for value.
• Failing to consider damage output: Rakdos Charm's third ability, dealing 1 damage to each creature, is frequently overlooked but can have significant impact in certain situations. Combining this with Kumagoro or other creatures with trample or vigilance can create formidable pressure on the opponent.
• Poor synergy with lifegain-based decks: Rakdos Charm's damage output can be at odds with lifegain-based strategies, which often prioritize preserving life total over dealing direct damage. Players using this card in these types of decks must balance their goals and find alternative applications for its effects.

When playing Rakdos Charm in Commander, it is essential to consider the overall strategy and how each of its choices contributes to that goal. Misjudging timing, failing to account for graveyard interactions, or overlooking artifact destruction can lead to suboptimal results.

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Rakdos Charm: A Card of Unpredictability

In the world of Magic, Rakdos Charm stands out as an uncommon instant that embodies the chaotic spirit of the red-black duo. Its three options – exiling a player's graveyard, destroying an artifact, or dealing 1 damage to each creature – make it a versatile addition to any rakdos deck.

History and Notable Appearances

Rakdos Charm has seen play in various formats, particularly in Rakdos-colored decks that utilize its unique abilities. It's been featured in iconic decks like the Rakdos, Lord of Riots archetype, which leverages the instant's abilities to fuel aggressive strategies.

Key Scenarios and Matchups

In multiplayer politics, Rakdos Charm can be a valuable tool for turning the tables on an aggressive player. By exiling their graveyard or destroying one of their key cards, its controller can gain an advantage and shift the balance of power in the game.

Here are some key scenarios where Rakdos Charm excels:

• Against graveyard synergies: Exiling a player's graveyard can disrupt their plans and leave them unable to recur key cards.
• Against artifact-heavy decks: Destroying an important piece of equipment or a crucial component of the opponent's plan can be devastating.

However, Rakdos Charm has some limitations. For example:

• Against tokens or swarming creatures: In situations where the opponent is generating a large number of small creatures, Rakdos Charm's damage mode may not be as impactful.
• In combo-heavy matchups: If the opponent has a reliable way to recur their cards and set up complex combos, Rakdos Charm's ability to exile graveyards or destroy artifacts may not be enough to disrupt them.

Budget-Friendliness and Reprint Status

Rakdos Charm is an affordable option for most players, with a price of $0.61 USD. Its reprint status is essential to consider in Commander decks, as availability can fluctuate.

For those seeking similar effects at an even lower cost, consider the following alternatives:

• Dark Confidant: This 2-drop creature (1B) has a high power and toughness for its mana cost.
• Goblin Piledriver: As a 2-drop creature (R), Goblin Piledriver deals 2 damage to any target when it dies.

These options can help you achieve similar effects without breaking the bank.

Rakdos Charm

This two-mana instant offers three distinct effects, allowing it to slot into various Rakdos and multi-color decks. Its versatility stems from its ability to adapt to different situations, making it an excellent addition to the following Commanders:

• Korlash, Truth-Reneegade: This Commander's affinity for sacrificing creatures creates a natural synergy with Rakdos Charm's ability to destroy artifacts.
• Gixxer, Grip of Darkness: As a powerful Rakdos commander, Gixxer thrives on destroying permanents and disrupting opponents. Rakdos Charm complements this strategy perfectly.

Rakdos Charm excels in the following color identities:

• B/R Aggro: This aggressive archetype focuses on fast creatures and removal spells. Rakdos Charm's ability to destroy artifacts and deal 1 damage to each creature's controller further supports the aggro strategy.
• B/R Midrange: In this build, players aim for a balance between creatures and removal spells. Rakdos Charm provides an excellent tool for dealing with problematic permanents or disrupting opponents' plans.

Thematic engines that benefit from Rakdos Charm include:

• Artifact destruction: Cards like Shatter and Destruction Spell, which destroy artifacts, can be paired with Rakdos Charm to create a powerful artifact-clearing strategy.
• Mid-game acceleration: Enchantments like Furnace of Rath or Eternity Vessel that accelerate the game's pace by removing card draw or generating card advantage benefit from Rakdos Charm's ability to disrupt opponents' plans.

Synergy cards that work well with Rakdos Charm include:

• Sacrifice-enabling creatures: Cards like Crimson Hellkite, Grave Titan], or [[Liliana of the Veil can sacrifice themselves to generate value, which Rakdos Charm can then leverage to destroy artifacts or disrupt opponents.
• Artifact-neutral removal: Spells like Crush Contraband] or [[Destructive Fury that ignore artifact counters can be used in conjunction with Rakdos Charm to effectively remove problematic permanents.

Keep in mind that Rakdos Charm's versatility allows it to slot into various decks beyond those mentioned above. Its effects can be leveraged to address specific needs, making it an excellent addition to a diverse range of strategies.

Format Breakdown:

• Commander: Rakdos Charm is a solid inclusion in many Rakdos-themed decks, providing flexible options to disrupt opponents. Its ability to exile graveyards can be particularly useful against token-heavy strategies or players relying heavily on graveyard interaction Necrotic Ooze. The charm's destruction option also makes it a decent addition to artifact-focused decks.
• Casual: In casual play, Rakdos Charm is often played for its versatility and potential for surprise plays. Its relatively low cost and accessible mana requirements make it an attractive choice for players looking to explore different strategies without breaking the bank Vandalblast.

Competitive Play:

In competitive Commander, Rakdos Charm sees limited play due to its inconsistent impact. While it can be a nice addition in certain situations, its effects often don't have the same level of impact as more targeted removal or graveyard destruction spells like Chaos Warp. However, some aggressive and artifact-heavy decks may consider including it for its ability to disrupt opponents' plans.

Banned/Overlooked:

• No bans: Rakdos Charm is not banned in any format.
• Not overlooked: While it might not be a staple in every deck, Rakdos Charm has found a niche in certain strategies and remains a viable option for players looking to add some flexibility to their builds.

Example Decklists:

A sample Rakdos-themed Commander decklist featuring Rakdos Charm might include:

• Creatures:
  • Keldon Marauders
  • Rakdos, Lord of Riots
• Removal/Disruption:
  • Chaos Warp
  • Vandalblast
• Artifact/Token Generation:
  • Ingot Chewer
  • Golgari Findbroker

Key Scenarios & Matchups

Rakdos Charm excels in situations where tempo and flexibility are crucial. Its ability to exile a player's graveyard, destroy an artifact, or deal 1 damage to each creature can swing the game in favor of its controller.

• Against graveyard synergies: Rakdos Charm is particularly effective against opponents with large graveyard bases. Exiling their entire graveyard can disrupt their plans and leave them unable to recur key cards.
• Against artifact-heavy decks: The ability to destroy a target artifact can be devastating, especially if it's an important piece of equipment or a crucial component of the opponent's plan.
• In creature-heavy matchups: Rakdos Charm's third mode can deal 1 damage to each creature, potentially shaving off a creature's life total and giving its controller an advantage in combat.

However, Rakdos Charm has some limitations. For example:

• Against tokens or swarming creatures: In situations where the opponent is generating a large number of small creatures, Rakdos Charm's damage mode may not be as impactful.
• In combo-heavy matchups: If the opponent has a reliable way to recur their cards and set up complex combos, Rakdos Charm's ability to exile graveyards or destroy artifacts may not be enough to disrupt them.

In multiplayer politics, Rakdos Charm can be a valuable tool for turning the tables on an aggressive player. By exiling their graveyard or destroying one of their key cards, its controller can gain an advantage and shift the balance of power in the game.

Rakdos Charm is an uncommon instant from the set afc. Its history in competitive play is marked by appearances in various formats, particularly in Rakdos-colored decks that utilize its unique abilities.

Notably, Rakdos Charm has seen play in decks centered around Tireless Tracker, a popular card for creating token swarms and generating card advantage. The instant's ability to exile an opponent's graveyard provides a strong counterspell effect against combo decks that rely on graveyard recursion.

In EDHREC popularity metrics, Rakdos Charm ranks 355th among all cards, indicating moderate but consistent play in Commander formats. While not as ubiquitous as some other charms, it remains a viable option for players seeking to create chaos and disruption in their games.

Iconic decks featuring Rakdos Charm include the Rakdos, Lord of Riots deck archetype, which leverages the instant's abilities to fuel aggressive strategies and disrupt opponents' plans. Additionally, the charm has seen play in combo decks built around cards like Estrid's Invocation, where its graveyard exile effect can help prevent opponents from generating card advantage.

In terms of printings and reprints, Rakdos Charm remains relatively rare, with only a few instances available for purchase on online marketplaces. Its current price is approximately $0.61 USD, making it an affordable option for players looking to add the instant to their collection.

Rakdos Charm is a quintessential reflection of the chaotic and anarchic spirit of the Rakdos guild. This instant card embodies the unpredictable nature of the red-black duo, where strategy meets unbridled aggression.

The ability to exile an opponent's graveyard with Liliana's Caress or Phyrexian Arena-like efficiency is a testament to Rakdos Charm's affinity for the darker corners of the multiverse. It's as if Khrussha, the Unseen, has blessed this card with a taste of Liliana's dark powers.

Destroying an artifact with Rakdos Charm brings to mind the countless ways Shatter or Shattering Blow can shatter even the sturdiest defenses. This destruction is not just about annihilating a target, but also about sowing chaos in the midst of battle.

The third option, where creatures deal 1 damage to their controllers, harkens back to the era of Sulfurous Blast and Inferno Titan, when red's explosive potential was at its most unforgiving. Rakdos Charm distills this fury into a single, precise strike.

Rakdos Charm is not just an instant that can be played in isolation; it's a microcosm of the guild's impact on the game world. Its versatility and adaptability make it a versatile addition to any rakdos deck, whether you're aiming for pure aggression or seeking to subvert your opponents' expectations.

In the world of Ravnica, Rakdos Charm echoes the tumultuous streets of Ravnica's undercity, where anything can happen at any moment. Its three options represent the ever-present struggle between chaos and control, with each choice forcing players to navigate the razor's edge of unpredictability.