Rakdos vs. Azorius Duel Deck

[(nameless one)]

Prologue:

First, I acquired 4 Golgari vs. Izzet Duel Decks and put them together to make "lean" Golgari and Izzet decks. I ended up with the following:

Izzet:
9x Island
7x Mountain
4x Terramorphic Expanse (later added to compliment Brainstorm)

4x Steamcore Weird
3x Gelectrode

2x Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind

4x Brainstorm
4x Force Spike
4x Izzet Charm
4x Magma Spray
3x Dissipate
2x Fire//Ice
2x Street Spasm
2x Vacuumelt

3x Prophetic Bolt

3x Isochron Scepter

The idea of this deck is a U/R "tempo" deck that has flexible answers.

Golgari:
11x Forest
9x Swamp
3x Barren Moor
3x Tranquil Thicket


4x Dreg Mangler
4x Elves of Deep Shadow
3x Eternal Witness
2x Boneyard Wurm
2x Korozda Guildmage
2x Reassembling Skeleton

2x Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord

4x Putrefy
3x Grisly Salvage
2x Vigor Mortis

3x Life from the Loam

3x Golgari Signet

The idea of this deck a Loam-based control deck.

-------------------- The Main Stuff----------------------

With this duel deck idea, I wanted to have variety so I can switch decks and so my buddies could have options.

Then comes the same idea of Rakdos vs. Azorius. The main difference is that I want it to be lean as the posted decks above with the following rules:

- Only basic lands and a playset of common/uncommon land for "fixing" or anything synergistic effect.

- Has to feature the guild's mechanic from Ravnica block and RtR block, as well as a third "guest" mechanic (Izzet has Imprint and Golgari has Cycling).

- Has to include 3 common/uncommon artifact that "synergizes" with the represented guild.

- Has to include 3 instant/sorcery rares that "synergizes" with the represented guild. Rest of the cards will be common/uncommon.

- Has to include 2 "guild leader"

So far, I have a "complete" Rakdos deck and the Azorius deck is in the works. First:

Rakdos:

9x Mountain
9x Swamp
4x Rakdos Guildgate

4x Rakdos Cackler
4x Jagged Poppet
3x Drekavac
3x Gore-House Chainwalker
3x Rakdos Shred-Freak
2x Undertaker

2x Rakdos, Lord of Riots

4x Fiery Temper
4x Hideous End
3x Blightning

3x Demonfire

3x The Rack

Basically the idea of this deck is a R/B Sligh (Red Death) deck. I actually feel that the deck is way faster than the other decks but it does have its downfall: when it runs out of gas pretty quick. The deck's late game is The Rack and topdecking Demonfire (with Hellbent) [which isn't that much]. But the deck's early and mid game is really good.

I originally wanted to go with a Pox deck but I feel like it would fit better with an Orzhov deck (Yes, I am planning to do all 10 guilds). Although Innocent Blood and Raze do sound tempting in the deck. Maybe even Smallpox. Although as for the deck's removal suit, I might change Murder (and possibly Blightning) with the likes of Launch Party and Fling. Not quite sure yet.

The deck's "guest" mechanic is Madness as it could go well with self discard (Drekavac, Jagged Poppet and Undertaker).

Demon Rakdos's paincasting ability doesn't really have a synergy with the deck but having a turn four 6/6 with evasion usually will win the game in a turn or two.

The last one is Azorius.

Azorius:
11 Plains
9 Island
3 Crystal Vein


4 Lyev Skyknight
4 Spiketail Hatchling
2 Sky Hussar

2 Isperia the Inscrutable

4 Soul Tithe
3 Arrest
3 Propaganda
3 Soothsaying
2 Kismet
2 Oblivion Ring
1 Sphere of Safety
1 Story Circle

3 Idyllic Tutor

3 Elixir of Immortality


The basic idea of the deck is a Prison deck. Its "guest" mechanic is enchantment based. The enchantments don't really have synergy between each other outside of Sphere of Safety but I like the flavor it creates. I also might change Ghostly with Counterbalance (and add more Sphere of Safety) and Tablet of the Guilds [now Elixir of Immortality] with Crystal Ball to simulate a CounterTop deck, but I am afraid that the deck would be too good (even if its not a Sensei's Divining Top. Also, the guest mechanic is already enchantment based unless Scry is the actual guest mechanic).

So any ideas are welcome for all the decks above.

[Hanni]

The Azorius list needs Pride of the Clouds. It's such a fantastic card, and a perfect fit for what you're going for. Since it has Forecast, that would allow you to also run Sky Hussar and Plumes of Peace. It doesn't get much more "Azorius" than that. Since you're going the enchantment route, Plumes of Peace fits perfectly. Also, consider Faith's Fetters as well.

[(nameless one)]

For Pride of the Clouds, I wanted to put it too since its flying (Isperia tutorable) and it is also Forecast. Its great if I have Sky Hussar and might even go the Standstill but Pride of the Clouds is rare and it does break the symmetry with the rest of the duel decks.

As for Faith's Fetters, I am considering it over Arrest or Oblivion Ring. Although I love the flavor Arrest brings. I also like the utility Oblivion Ring brings but if Oblivion Ring proves to be too good, I might switch it with Faith's Fetters.

[Hanni]

My bad, I missed the sentence "Rest of the cards will be common/uncommon." Maybe you could lighten your criteria on that slightly? It seems like the more important goal would be to make sure that the two (or four) decks are balanced.

[(nameless one)]

I have updated the Azorius deck