Overview:

This Rakdos deck leverages Deadpool's unique text-swap ability to create explosive interactions, focusing on cheating out threats via reanimation, token duplication, and sacrifice synergies. Deadpool serves as a flexible enabler—either becoming a powerful engine by swapping with creatures like Phyrexian Altar or acting as a value piece. The primary win conditions involve infinite combos using token generators (Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker, Splinter Twin) or mana loops (Basalt Monolith + Rings of Brighthearth), backed by reanimation targets like Sheoldred, Whispering One and Urabrask the Hidden. The deck operates at high velocity with fast mana and tutors but is vulnerable to graveyard hate and stack interaction.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3):
   • Deploy fast mana (Sol Ring, Mana Vault, Dark Ritual) or reanimation spells (Animate Dead, Reanimate) to cheat threats. Use Entomb/Vampiric Tutor to set up graveyard or combo pieces.
   • Cast Deadpool early to enable text-swap shenanigans (e.g., swap with Ashnod's Altar for sacrifice draws).

2. Mid-Game Engine (Turns 4-6):

   • Assemble infinite combos:
     • Kiki-Jiki + Zealous Conscripts/Splinter Twin
     • Dualcaster Mage + Twinflame
     • Basalt Monolith + Rings of Brighthearth (infinite mana → Walking Ballista/Comet Storm)
   • Leverage token generators (Feldon of the Third Path, Rionya, Fire Dancer) to copy value creatures or combo pieces.

3. Win Execution:

   • Overwhelm with combat via The Master, Multiplied + Blade of Selves (permanent myriad tokens) or Purphoros, Bronze-Blooded hasty threats.
   • Sacrifice outlets (Phyrexian Altar, Ashnod's Altar) fuel Revel in Riches or Pitiless Plunderer loops.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with fast mana (Sol Ring, Mana Vault), a reanimation spell, or a combo piece (Kiki-Jiki, Dualcaster).
• Prioritize lands that fix/ramp (Ancient Tomb, Cabal Coffers + Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth).
• Avoid hands lacking early plays or reliant on high-CMC cards without acceleration.

Key Tips:

• Deadpool Flexibility: Swap his text with sacrifice outlets (e.g., Phyrexian Altar) for card draw or with Mana Echoes for explosive mana.
• Protection Is Critical: Use Lightning Greaves, Mithril Coat, or Deflecting Swat to shield combo pieces.
• Graveyard Management: Dauthi Voidwalker and Necropotence offer alternative recursion if reanimation is countered.
• Life Loss Mitigation: Balance Necropotence/Phyrexian Arena with lifegain from The Darkness Crystal or Sheoldred, Whispering One.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard Hate: Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void cripples reanimation, combo recursion, and Entomb setups.
• Stack Interaction: Counterspells disrupt key combo spells (Twinflame, Reanimate), and the deck has limited countermagic.
• Anti-Token Effects: Torpor Orb/Hushbringer null ETB triggers; Cursed Totem shuts down Kiki-Jiki/Feldon activations.

Moderate

• Artifact/Enchantment Removal: Losing Ashnod's Altar, Rings of Brighthearth, or Splinter Twin delays wins significantly.
• Sacrifice Outlet Reliance: Without free sac outlets, Deadpool’s life loss or death triggers become liabilities.
• Life Total Pressure: Constant life payment (Necropotence, Phyrexian Arena) makes aggressive matchups risky.

Minor

• Commander Tax: Deadpool’s recast cost escalates quickly if removed repeatedly.
• Color Fixing: Heavy black requirements strain red sources; nonbasic land hate (Blood Moon) can disrupt mana.

Most Important Cards:

• Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker (Primary combo enabler)
• Splinter Twin (Infinite token combo with Kiki/Conscripts)
• Basalt Monolith (Infinite mana with Rings of Brighthearth)
• Entomb (Graveyard setup for reanimation/combo)
• Vampiric Tutor (Consistency for key pieces)
• Phyrexian Altar (Sacrifice outlet, mana engine)
• Dauthi Voidwalker (Graveyard hate bypass, card advantage)
• The Master, Multiplied (Token synergy with myriad/Blade of Selves)
• Deflecting Swat (Free protection for combos)
• Cabal Coffers (Explosive black mana with Urborg)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 9/10

• Capable of T3-4 wins with ideal hands (e.g., fast mana into Entomb + Reanimate on Kiki-Jiki + Twinflame).

Resilience: 6/10

• Free interaction (Deflecting Swat) and recursion (reanimation) provide recovery, but combos fold to well-timed counters/graveyard hate.

Consistency: 8/10

• 10+ tutors (Demonic Tutor, Vampiric, Entomb) and card draw (Necropotence, Phyrexian Arena) ensure reliable access to win conditions.

Interaction: 7/10

• Efficient targeted removal (Abrade, Feed the Swam), free spells (Deadly Rollick, Pyroblast), and board wipes (Toxic Deluge), but lacks broad stack control.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at cEDH-viable speeds with multiple T3-4 win lines, backed by robust tutoring and fast mana, but its vulnerability to graveyard hate and reliance on unprotected combos prevent consistent T1-3 locks. High speed and consistency place it in high-power tiers, though resilience issues cap its ceiling.

Power level: 8.0 - 8.5