{"ops":[{"insert":"Overview:"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is a Rakdos Dragon tribal deck helmed by Rivaz of the Claw, which functions as a mana fixer and graveyard recursion engine for dragons. The primary game plan is to deploy cost reducers (Dragonspeaker Shaman, Dragonlord s Servant, Hazoret s Monument), accelerate with mana rocks, then chain high-impact dragons like Scourge of Valkas, Terror of the Peaks, and Utvara Hellkite to overwhelm opponents through combat damage and ETB triggers. Secondary win conditions include Hellkite Tyrant s artifact-based alternate win and Scourge of the Throne s extra combat turns. The commander is essential for casting dragons from the graveyard once per turn and providing coloured mana, but the deck can function without it thanks to ample ramp and cost reduction.\nPrimer:"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Core Strategy:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ramp and Set Up Cost Reducers"},{"insert":" - Play early mana rocks (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet) and cost reducers (Dragonlord s Servant, Hazoret s Monument) to bring down dragon mana costs."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Deploy Card Advantage Engines"},{"insert":" - Use Faithless Looting, Thrill of Possibility, and repeatable sources like Dragon s Hoard and Herald s Horn to dig for dragons and additional ramp."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Cast Large Dragons"},{"insert":" - Start dropping dragons like Scourge of Valkas, Terror of the Peaks, and Utvara Hellkite; their ETB triggers and attack triggers create a snowballing board state."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Finish Through Combat Damage"},{"insert":" - Utilize Dragon Tempest and Twinflame Tyrant to double damage, or Scourge of the Throne for extra combats. Hellkite Tyrant offers an alternate win if you can swarm artifacts."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mulligan Priorities:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Keep:"},{"insert":" 3-4 lands, a 2 drop mana rock or cost reducer, and a mid range dragon (CMC 5-6) or a card draw spell (Night s Whisper, Herald s Horn)."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Avoid:"},{"insert":" Hands with 6+ dragons but no ramp or cost reduction; hands with only 2 lands and no early plays."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Key Tips:"},{"insert":"\nUse Rivaz of the Claw s second ability to recur a high impact dragon from the graveyard once each turn-this is your main form of recursion."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sequence cost reducers before casting dragons; Dragonspeaker Shaman and Hazoret s Monument stack."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Protect your key dragons with Lightning Greaves; the deck has no instant speed protection otherwise."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Molten Echoes can duplicate a non token dragon for a turn; pair with Utvara Hellkite to generate extra tokens that also attack."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Blasphemous Act is a one sided board wipe if you control enough dragons (13 damage kills most creatures but leaves your dragons alive)."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Crux of Fate can be used as an asymmetric wipe by choosing destroy all non Dragon creatures."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Weaknesses:"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Critical"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Infinite Combos:"},{"insert":" The deck lacks any compact infinite loops; it relies entirely on combat damage, making it vulnerable to fog effects, board wipes, and pillow fort strategies."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Graveyard Hate:"},{"insert":" Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void completely shuts down Rivaz s recursion and all reanimation spells (Animate Dead, Victimize, Bloodline Bidding)."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Moderate"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Commander Dependency:"},{"insert":" Without Rivaz, the deck loses its mana fixing and recursion, reducing its ability to recover from board wipes and hit colour requirements."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mass Artifact Removal:"},{"insert":" Vandalblast (which the deck runs itself) or Bane of Progress can wipe out the large number of mana rocks and cost reducers, setting the deck back several turns."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Minor"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Enchantment Removal:"},{"insert":" Only Feed the Swarm handles problematic enchantments; it is sorcery speed and costs life, making it inefficient against multiple targets."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Edict Effects:"},{"insert":" Sacrifice effects (e.g., Fleshbag Marauder) can force you to sacrifice a key dragon, especially if you only have one or two on board."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Key Cards:"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Scourge of Valkas:"},{"insert":" Primary ETB damage engine; with multiple dragons on board, it can snipe creatures or players."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Terror of the Peaks:"},{"insert":" Converts every dragon ETB into direct damage equal to its power."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Utvara Hellkite:"},{"insert":" Generates a 6/6 Dragon token on each attack, quickly flooding the board."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Dragon Tempest:"},{"insert":" Gives haste to all dragons and provides direct damage on ETB."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Molten Echoes:"},{"insert":" Creates a temporary copy of each non token dragon, doubling ETB triggers and attack presence."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sneak Attack:"},{"insert":" Cheats expensive dragons into play for a single {R}, then sacrifices them at end of turn - combine with ETB triggers for massive impact."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Lathliss, Dragon Queen:"},{"insert":" Doubles dragon tokens and pumps power."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Bladewing the Risen:"},{"insert":" Recovers a dragon from the graveyard on ETB, great with Rivaz."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Hazoret s Monument:"},{"insert":" Discounts red creatures and provides looting, essential for filtering."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Bloodline Bidding:"},{"insert":" Mass reanimation for all dragons, a game endger after a board wipe."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"}]}