Valgavoth, Harrower of Souls (Commander) - Optimized Burn

Background image for Five Painfully Simple Ways to Play Weird Rakdos
Arnaud Gompertz
Oct 29, 2025
Five Painfully Simple Ways to Play Weird Rakdos
Arnaud continues his Branching Out series by looking at some off-kilter ideas for brewing fun decks in Rakdos (black and red).
Deck Filters
Cardsphere
Archidekt
Commander Spellbook
Moxfield
Scryfall
MTGStocks
Hexing Squelcher
36%inclusion4 decks11 decks
31%synergy
Mai, Scornful Striker
30%inclusion17 decks56 decks
26%synergy
Redirect Lightning
16%inclusion13 decks81 decks
8%synergy
Mornsong Aria
9.1%inclusion1 decks11 decks
9%synergy
Fated Firepower
3.7%inclusion3 decks81 decks
0%synergy
High Synergy Cards
Kederekt Parasite
93%inclusion107 decks115 decks
81%synergy
Razorkin Needlehead
94%inclusion108 decks115 decks
81%synergy
Roiling Vortex
81%inclusion93 decks115 decks
73%synergy
Mogis, God of Slaughter
83%inclusion95 decks115 decks
73%synergy
Fate Unraveler
75%inclusion86 decks115 decks
66%synergy
Solphim, Mayhem Dominus
74%inclusion85 decks115 decks
64%synergy
Underworld Dreams
72%inclusion83 decks115 decks
64%synergy
Sheoldred, the Apocalypse
70%inclusion81 decks115 decks
63%synergy
Witch's Clinic
64%inclusion74 decks115 decks
57%synergy
Blood Seeker
64%inclusion74 decks115 decks
56%synergy
Top Cards
Lightning Greaves
77%inclusion89 decks115 decks
43%synergy
Blasphemous Act
73%inclusion84 decks115 decks
22%synergy
Rakdos Charm
71%inclusion82 decks115 decks
28%synergy
Dark Ritual
63%inclusion73 decks115 decks
22%synergy
Gleeful Arsonist
61%inclusion70 decks115 decks
49%synergy
Chaos Warp
59%inclusion68 decks115 decks
11%synergy
Bloodchief Ascension
59%inclusion68 decks115 decks
54%synergy
Scrawling Crawler
57%inclusion66 decks115 decks
48%synergy
The Lord of Pain
57%inclusion66 decks115 decks
47%synergy
Kardur, Doomscourge
57%inclusion65 decks115 decks
39%synergy
Game Changers
Demonic Tutor
66%inclusion76 decks115 decks
48%synergy
Orcish Bowmasters
56%inclusion64 decks115 decks
45%synergy
Vampiric Tutor
53%inclusion61 decks115 decks
39%synergy
Jeska's Will
45%inclusion52 decks115 decks
21%synergy
Ancient Tomb
30%inclusion35 decks115 decks
21%synergy
The One Ring
24%inclusion28 decks115 decks
16%synergy
Gamble
17%inclusion19 decks115 decks
6%synergy
Chrome Mox
17%inclusion19 decks115 decks
11%synergy
Bolas's Citadel
11%inclusion13 decks115 decks
0%synergy
Imperial Seal
10%inclusion12 decks115 decks
5%synergy
Creatures
Nightshade Harvester
53%inclusion61 decks115 decks
47%synergy
Rampaging Ferocidon
51%inclusion59 decks115 decks
44%synergy
Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin
49%inclusion56 decks115 decks
44%synergy
Zo-Zu the Punisher
46%inclusion53 decks115 decks
43%synergy
Harsh Mentor
46%inclusion53 decks115 decks
39%synergy
Rug of Smothering
43%inclusion50 decks115 decks
39%synergy
Bloodthirsty Conqueror
42%inclusion48 decks115 decks
37%synergy
Persistent Constrictor
40%inclusion46 decks115 decks
33%synergy
Blood Artist
38%inclusion44 decks115 decks
20%synergy
Kaervek the Merciless
38%inclusion44 decks115 decks
28%synergy
Mayhem Devil
37%inclusion43 decks115 decks
13%synergy
Gray Merchant of Asphodel
35%inclusion40 decks115 decks
24%synergy
Brash Taunter
35%inclusion40 decks115 decks
25%synergy
Massacre Wurm
34%inclusion39 decks115 decks
26%synergy
Ojer Axonil, Deepest Might
33%inclusion38 decks115 decks
28%synergy
Twinflame Tyrant
26%inclusion30 decks115 decks
21%synergy
Vial Smasher the Fierce
25%inclusion29 decks115 decks
20%synergy
Stormfist Crusader
23%inclusion27 decks115 decks
12%synergy
Deadpool, Trading Card
23%inclusion25 decks108 decks
19%synergy
Magebane Lizard
23%inclusion26 decks115 decks
18%synergy
Syr Konrad, the Grim
22%inclusion25 decks115 decks
12%synergy
Screaming Nemesis
22%inclusion25 decks115 decks
19%synergy
Unstoppable Slasher
19%inclusion22 decks115 decks
16%synergy
Cemetery Gatekeeper
19%inclusion22 decks115 decks
17%synergy
Rakdos, Lord of Riots
17%inclusion20 decks115 decks
11%synergy
Bloodletter of Aclazotz
17%inclusion20 decks115 decks
12%synergy
Enduring Tenacity
17%inclusion20 decks115 decks
16%synergy
Star Athlete
17%inclusion19 decks115 decks
13%synergy
Eidolon of the Great Revel
16%inclusion18 decks115 decks
15%synergy
Torbran, Thane of Red Fell
15%inclusion17 decks115 decks
10%synergy
Solemn Simulacrum
14%inclusion16 decks115 decks
-7%synergy
Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose
14%inclusion16 decks115 decks
10%synergy
Massacre Girl
13%inclusion15 decks115 decks
9%synergy
Florian, Voldaren Scion
13%inclusion15 decks115 decks
6%synergy
Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer
12%inclusion14 decks115 decks
2%synergy
Morbid Opportunist
11%inclusion13 decks115 decks
-4%synergy
Karazikar, the Eye Tyrant
11%inclusion13 decks115 decks
7%synergy
Dauthi Voidwalker
11%inclusion13 decks115 decks
3%synergy
Opposition Agent
10%inclusion12 decks115 decks
5%synergy
Archfiend of Despair
10%inclusion12 decks115 decks
8%synergy
Heartless Hidetsugu
10%inclusion12 decks115 decks
7%synergy
Seizan, Perverter of Truth
10%inclusion11 decks115 decks
8%synergy
Psychosis Crawler
10%inclusion11 decks115 decks
8%synergy
Emberwilde Captain
10%inclusion11 decks115 decks
8%synergy
Hearthborn Battler
10%inclusion11 decks115 decks
6%synergy
Xantcha, Sleeper Agent
8.7%inclusion10 decks115 decks
4%synergy
Falkenrath Noble
8.7%inclusion10 decks115 decks
5%synergy
Valgavoth, Terror Eater
8.7%inclusion10 decks115 decks
6%synergy
Dualcaster Mage
7.8%inclusion9 decks115 decks
-1%synergy
Master of Cruelties
7.8%inclusion9 decks115 decks
5%synergy
Instants
Deadly Rollick
55%inclusion63 decks115 decks
34%synergy
Deflecting Swat
54%inclusion62 decks115 decks
33%synergy
Bedevil
47%inclusion54 decks115 decks
12%synergy
Infernal Grasp
43%inclusion49 decks115 decks
28%synergy
Untimely Malfunction
39%inclusion45 decks115 decks
21%synergy
Withering Torment
39%inclusion45 decks115 decks
17%synergy
Terminate
34%inclusion39 decks115 decks
-6%synergy
Tibalt's Trickery
33%inclusion38 decks115 decks
20%synergy
Bolt Bend
29%inclusion33 decks115 decks
19%synergy
Malakir Rebirth
26%inclusion30 decks115 decks
11%synergy
Fell the Profane
20%inclusion23 decks115 decks
8%synergy
Blood Pact
19%inclusion22 decks115 decks
15%synergy
Suspended Sentence
17%inclusion20 decks115 decks
13%synergy
Pyroblast
17%inclusion19 decks115 decks
7%synergy
Imp's Mischief
16%inclusion18 decks115 decks
7%synergy
Lightning Bolt
16%inclusion18 decks115 decks
-2%synergy
Fire Covenant
13%inclusion15 decks115 decks
6%synergy
Soul Shatter
12%inclusion14 decks115 decks
8%synergy
Abrade
12%inclusion14 decks115 decks
-10%synergy
Red Elemental Blast
11%inclusion13 decks115 decks
2%synergy
Saw in Half
11%inclusion13 decks115 decks
0%synergy
Dismember
11%inclusion13 decks115 decks
7%synergy
Valakut Awakening
11%inclusion13 decks115 decks
3%synergy
Cabal Ritual
10%inclusion11 decks115 decks
1%synergy
Go for the Throat
8.7%inclusion10 decks115 decks
1%synergy
Snuff Out
7.8%inclusion9 decks115 decks
4%synergy
Not Dead After All
7.8%inclusion9 decks115 decks
-2%synergy
Seething Song
7.8%inclusion9 decks115 decks
-3%synergy
Thrill of Possibility
7.0%inclusion8 decks115 decks
-12%synergy
Sheoldred's Edict
7.0%inclusion8 decks115 decks
4%synergy
Darkness
7.0%inclusion8 decks115 decks
5%synergy
Entomb
6.1%inclusion7 decks115 decks
-1%synergy
Price of Progress
6.1%inclusion7 decks115 decks
4%synergy
Force of Despair
5.2%inclusion6 decks115 decks
4%synergy
Desperate Ritual
5.2%inclusion6 decks115 decks
1%synergy
Pyretic Ritual
5.2%inclusion6 decks115 decks
0%synergy
Sorceries
Feed the Swarm
45%inclusion52 decks115 decks
3%synergy
Reanimate
37%inclusion42 decks115 decks
14%synergy
Toxic Deluge
35%inclusion40 decks115 decks
17%synergy
Damnation
35%inclusion40 decks115 decks
27%synergy
Sign in Blood
34%inclusion39 decks115 decks
11%synergy
Chandra's Ignition
32%inclusion37 decks115 decks
26%synergy
Vandalblast
28%inclusion32 decks115 decks
-3%synergy
Grab the Prize
21%inclusion24 decks115 decks
11%synergy
Sadistic Shell Game
18%inclusion21 decks115 decks
13%synergy
Peer into the Abyss
17%inclusion20 decks115 decks
14%synergy
Blasphemous Edict
17%inclusion20 decks115 decks
8%synergy
Wheel of Fortune
17%inclusion20 decks115 decks
11%synergy
Faithless Looting
17%inclusion19 decks115 decks
-12%synergy
Grim Tutor
17%inclusion19 decks115 decks
12%synergy
Exsanguinate
15%inclusion17 decks115 decks
5%synergy
Decree of Pain
15%inclusion17 decks115 decks
10%synergy
Night's Whisper
13%inclusion15 decks115 decks
-6%synergy
Disrupt Decorum
13%inclusion15 decks115 decks
4%synergy
Winds of Change
12%inclusion14 decks115 decks
11%synergy
Demonic Counsel
10%inclusion11 decks115 decks
6%synergy
Mana Geyser
10%inclusion11 decks115 decks
-3%synergy
Diabolic Intent
8.7%inclusion10 decks115 decks
0%synergy
Torment of Hailfire
8.7%inclusion10 decks115 decks
2%synergy
Dark Deal
8.7%inclusion10 decks115 decks
7%synergy
Wheel of Misfortune
7.0%inclusion8 decks115 decks
1%synergy
Light Up the Stage
7.0%inclusion8 decks115 decks
-2%synergy
Bloodsoaked Insight
6.1%inclusion7 decks115 decks
-3%synergy
Reforge the Soul
6.1%inclusion7 decks115 decks
4%synergy
Agadeem's Awakening
5.2%inclusion6 decks115 decks
2%synergy
Twinflame
5.2%inclusion6 decks115 decks
-1%synergy
Dreadbore
5.2%inclusion6 decks115 decks
0%synergy
Utility Artifacts
Swiftfoot Boots
45%inclusion52 decks115 decks
13%synergy
Basilisk Collar
38%inclusion44 decks115 decks
28%synergy
Ankh of Mishra
37%inclusion43 decks115 decks
35%synergy
Shadowspear
25%inclusion29 decks115 decks
21%synergy
Copper Tablet
20%inclusion23 decks115 decks
19%synergy
Jet Medallion
20%inclusion23 decks115 decks
13%synergy
Mindcrank
20%inclusion23 decks115 decks
18%synergy
Mithril Coat
18%inclusion21 decks115 decks
14%synergy
Whip of Erebos
17%inclusion19 decks115 decks
10%synergy
Ruby Medallion
15%inclusion17 decks115 decks
5%synergy
Barbed Wire
12%inclusion14 decks115 decks
11%synergy
Crawlspace
8.7%inclusion10 decks115 decks
6%synergy
Mask of Griselbrand
7.0%inclusion8 decks115 decks
3%synergy
Wayfarer's Bauble
5.2%inclusion6 decks115 decks
-9%synergy
Howling Mine
5.2%inclusion6 decks115 decks
4%synergy
Enchantments
Spiteful Visions
50%inclusion57 decks115 decks
41%synergy
Sulfuric Vortex
49%inclusion56 decks115 decks
44%synergy
Manabarbs
47%inclusion54 decks115 decks
41%synergy
Painful Quandary
37%inclusion43 decks115 decks
31%synergy
Spellshock
37%inclusion42 decks115 decks
34%synergy
Spiked Corridor // Torture Pit
36%inclusion41 decks115 decks
30%synergy
Exquisite Blood
34%inclusion39 decks115 decks
27%synergy
Polluted Bonds
23%inclusion26 decks115 decks
20%synergy
Forsaken Wastes
21%inclusion24 decks115 decks
20%synergy
Fiery Emancipation
20%inclusion23 decks115 decks
14%synergy
Descent into Avernus
18%inclusion21 decks115 decks
8%synergy
The Meathook Massacre
17%inclusion20 decks115 decks
13%synergy
Phyrexian Arena
17%inclusion19 decks115 decks
-8%synergy
Wound Reflection
15%inclusion17 decks115 decks
10%synergy
No Mercy
15%inclusion17 decks115 decks
12%synergy
Black Market Connections
15%inclusion17 decks115 decks
-3%synergy
Grievous Wound
14%inclusion16 decks115 decks
11%synergy
Animate Dead
14%inclusion16 decks115 decks
4%synergy
Revenge of Ravens
14%inclusion16 decks115 decks
12%synergy
Sanguine Bond
13%inclusion15 decks115 decks
9%synergy
Blood Moon
13%inclusion15 decks115 decks
11%synergy
Pyrohemia
13%inclusion15 decks115 decks
11%synergy
All Will Be One
11%inclusion13 decks115 decks
8%synergy
Theater of Horrors
11%inclusion13 decks115 decks
3%synergy
Unholy Annex // Ritual Chamber
10%inclusion12 decks115 decks
8%synergy
Pyrostatic Pillar
10%inclusion11 decks115 decks
9%synergy
Pestilence
10%inclusion11 decks115 decks
7%synergy
Burning Earth
7.8%inclusion9 decks115 decks
7%synergy
Underworld Breach
7.8%inclusion9 decks115 decks
1%synergy
Smoke
7.8%inclusion9 decks115 decks
7%synergy
Necropotence
7.8%inclusion9 decks115 decks
2%synergy
Price of Glory
7.0%inclusion8 decks115 decks
6%synergy
Maddening Hex
7.0%inclusion8 decks115 decks
6%synergy
Bastion of Remembrance
7.0%inclusion8 decks115 decks
1%synergy
Hissing Miasma
7.0%inclusion8 decks115 decks
6%synergy
Enchanter's Bane
6.1%inclusion7 decks115 decks
4%synergy
Citadel of Pain
6.1%inclusion7 decks115 decks
5%synergy
City on Fire
6.1%inclusion7 decks115 decks
-1%synergy
Kaya's Ghostform
6.1%inclusion7 decks115 decks
1%synergy
The Rollercrusher Ride
5.2%inclusion6 decks115 decks
3%synergy
Planeswalkers
Chandra, Awakened Inferno
51%inclusion59 decks115 decks
47%synergy
Ob Nixilis, the Hate-Twisted
10%inclusion12 decks115 decks
9%synergy
Utility Lands
Leechridden Swamp
50%inclusion58 decks115 decks
42%synergy
Shivan Gorge
43%inclusion50 decks115 decks
35%synergy
Reliquary Tower
43%inclusion49 decks115 decks
25%synergy
Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
39%inclusion45 decks115 decks
20%synergy
Bojuka Bog
31%inclusion36 decks115 decks
-4%synergy
Spinerock Knoll
23%inclusion26 decks115 decks
13%synergy
Cabal Coffers
21%inclusion24 decks115 decks
11%synergy
Takenuma, Abandoned Mire
18%inclusion21 decks115 decks
9%synergy
Rogue's Passage
18%inclusion21 decks115 decks
-1%synergy
Temple of the False God
17%inclusion20 decks115 decks
7%synergy
Arena of Glory
17%inclusion19 decks115 decks
8%synergy
Shizo, Death's Storehouse
14%inclusion16 decks115 decks
8%synergy
Urza's Saga
11%inclusion13 decks115 decks
5%synergy
Phyrexian Tower
8.7%inclusion10 decks115 decks
-2%synergy
Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep
7.0%inclusion8 decks115 decks
5%synergy
Command Beacon
7.0%inclusion8 decks115 decks
1%synergy
Spymaster's Vault
5.2%inclusion6 decks115 decks
2%synergy
Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
5.2%inclusion6 decks115 decks
3%synergy
Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance
5.2%inclusion6 decks115 decks
1%synergy
Mana Artifacts
Sol Ring
99%inclusion114 decks115 decks
13%synergy
Arcane Signet
95%inclusion109 decks115 decks
12%synergy
Talisman of Indulgence
80%inclusion92 decks115 decks
24%synergy
Rakdos Signet
63%inclusion73 decks115 decks
4%synergy
Thought Vessel
63%inclusion72 decks115 decks
44%synergy
Fellwar Stone
44%inclusion51 decks115 decks
10%synergy
Mind Stone
34%inclusion39 decks115 decks
4%synergy
Lotus Petal
17%inclusion20 decks115 decks
10%synergy
Mana Vault
10%inclusion12 decks115 decks
5%synergy
Mox Amber
10%inclusion12 decks115 decks
6%synergy
Mox Diamond
8.7%inclusion10 decks115 decks
5%synergy
Commander's Sphere
7.0%inclusion8 decks115 decks
-11%synergy
Cursed Mirror
6.1%inclusion7 decks115 decks
-5%synergy
The Soul Stone
5.9%inclusion5 decks85 decks
1%synergy
Decanter of Endless Water
5.2%inclusion6 decks115 decks
3%synergy
Lands
Swamp
98%inclusion113 decks115 decks
1%synergy
Mountain
97%inclusion111 decks115 decks
-1%synergy
Command Tower
96%inclusion110 decks115 decks
9%synergy
Dragonskull Summit
82%inclusion94 decks115 decks
19%synergy
Graven Cairns
76%inclusion87 decks115 decks
46%synergy
Sulfurous Springs
71%inclusion82 decks115 decks
25%synergy
Smoldering Marsh
70%inclusion80 decks115 decks
6%synergy
Blood Crypt
66%inclusion76 decks115 decks
21%synergy
Tainted Peak
64%inclusion74 decks115 decks
22%synergy
Blazemire Verge
58%inclusion67 decks115 decks
28%synergy
Bloodstained Mire
58%inclusion67 decks115 decks
26%synergy
Foreboding Ruins
53%inclusion61 decks115 decks
7%synergy
Luxury Suite
53%inclusion61 decks115 decks
14%synergy
Blackcleave Cliffs
51%inclusion59 decks115 decks
31%synergy
Haunted Ridge
48%inclusion55 decks115 decks
12%synergy
Shadowblood Ridge
46%inclusion53 decks115 decks
11%synergy
Mount Doom
44%inclusion51 decks115 decks
27%synergy
Exotic Orchard
42%inclusion48 decks115 decks
10%synergy
Temple of Malice
36%inclusion41 decks115 decks
2%synergy
Raucous Theater
35%inclusion40 decks115 decks
13%synergy
Canyon Slough
30%inclusion34 decks115 decks
10%synergy
Badlands
29%inclusion33 decks115 decks
16%synergy
Blightstep Pathway
27%inclusion31 decks115 decks
4%synergy
Malakir Rebirth
26%inclusion30 decks115 decks
11%synergy
Ash Barrens
24%inclusion28 decks115 decks
17%synergy
Bloodfell Caves
22%inclusion25 decks115 decks
3%synergy
Fell the Profane
20%inclusion23 decks115 decks
8%synergy
Evolving Wilds
20%inclusion23 decks115 decks
-1%synergy
Polluted Delta
20%inclusion23 decks115 decks
12%synergy
Terramorphic Expanse
19%inclusion22 decks115 decks
3%synergy
Arid Mesa
19%inclusion22 decks115 decks
11%synergy
Marsh Flats
19%inclusion22 decks115 decks
11%synergy
Wooded Foothills
17%inclusion20 decks115 decks
10%synergy
Verdant Catacombs
17%inclusion20 decks115 decks
10%synergy
Scalding Tarn
17%inclusion19 decks115 decks
9%synergy
Rakdos Carnarium
15%inclusion17 decks115 decks
-18%synergy
Prismatic Vista
13%inclusion15 decks115 decks
7%synergy
Fabled Passage
13%inclusion15 decks115 decks
4%synergy
Geothermal Bog
12%inclusion14 decks115 decks
3%synergy
Valgavoth's Lair
11%inclusion13 decks115 decks
10%synergy
Mana Confluence
11%inclusion13 decks115 decks
5%synergy
Valakut Awakening
11%inclusion13 decks115 decks
3%synergy
City of Brass
10%inclusion11 decks115 decks
3%synergy
Gemstone Caverns
8.7%inclusion10 decks115 decks
4%synergy
Reflecting Pool
7.0%inclusion8 decks115 decks
4%synergy
Cavern of Souls
6.1%inclusion7 decks115 decks
1%synergy
Plaza of Heroes
6.1%inclusion7 decks115 decks
4%synergy
Bloodsoaked Insight
6.1%inclusion7 decks115 decks
-3%synergy
Agadeem's Awakening
5.2%inclusion6 decks115 decks
2%synergy