Budget Commander Staples: Rakdos

Continue this month's theme of two-color allied combos [adjacent color pairs], today I look at budget Commander staples in Rakdos colors (black/red). I focus on four categories: ramp, card draw, targeted removal, and board wipe. And this is budget, so cards cost under $2.

Ramp

Ramp is about accelerating land deployment and/or mana access. Rakdos has no options here (in exactly two colors).

Card draw

Rakdos has no options here (in exactly two colors).

Targeted removal

This is where Rakdos shines. Damage, discard, and destroying permanents . . . this is a powerful color combo. Kolaghan's Command is a nice option spell at instant speed. Blightning, Rakdos's Return, and Skull Rend do damage and make an opponent discard. Terminate, Bedevil, and Dreadbore are simple removal spells, enabling you to destroy one or more types of permanents. Rakdos Charm gives three options, all of which could be useful. Spiteflame Witch can be fun if you have more life than your opponent. And Angrath's Rampage is helpful when your opponent has few options on the board.

Board wipe 

There are no board wipes in exactly Rakdos colors. 

Conclusion

The 10 cards shown above are worth considering for any Rakdos Commander deck.