This deck is my baby. I’ve been working on it on and off for about 3 months now, tweaking it to be as competitive as possible on a somewhat low budget. I wanted to really tune this deck as much as I could, but I didn’t add anything ridiculous like any of the Swords ($50? Come on Wizards we need another reprint). I tried to stay around $100, but because I play against $700+ decks I needed to add some more expensive cards to make the deck function properly and be able to win.
You will like this deck if: You like consistent decks that can function in a somewhat competitive metagame, and you don’t want to spend a week’s wages on one commander deck.
You won’t like this deck if: You don’t like the same gameplan every game or you like long, grindy matchups with lots of interaction. While this deck can keep running in the late game, it really thrives in the early game when hopefully your opponents are setting up. Because it tries to win that quickly, there is almost no interaction in the deck(except
Counterspell
, pure value). I never found this to really affect me, though, and the times it did I could usually still bounce back.
I’m going to talk about some of the standout cards that can make the deck win against even the most tuned of decks.
Creatures:
Starting with my favorite creature in all of Magic,
Dauntless Escort
. This rhino has saved my board countless times from an inopportune board wipe that would’ve otherwise crippled my board state. Sometimes, your opponents just forget you have it and other times other players at the table are too big of a threat that they can’t hold it back any longer.
Sublime Archangel
is such a powerful card in any voltron deck, turns any of your value, non-exalted creatures into more pumps for Rafiq.
Kestia, the Cultivator
is a very new card with the most recent Commander set, it pumps Rafiq and at the same time gives you card draw when you attack with him.
Medomai the Ageless
is just hilarious with this deck. He lets you
Time Stretch
with each attack from Rafiq and you can usually win the game with these two extra turns. For some reason, my opponents don’t like him as much as I do. But hey, they’re playing Narset so I guess nobody is playing fair anymore.
Instants:
Simic Charm
: The best charm in the game by far. Can pump Rafiq for an extra six damage for two mana, or can protect him, and any of your other creatures, from spot removal. Both choice are quite powerful and both will definitely be used as you play this deck through different matchups. Even the third mode can get pesky blockers out of the way in a pinch.
Artifacts:
Whispersilk Cloak
makes Rafiq unblockable and it is then only a matter of time before your opponents succumb to commander damage from him. The protection from spot removal is always nice as well.
Loxodon Warhammer
and
Behemoth Sledge
: The pumps to attack get doubled and the lifelink can get out of hand pretty quickly. Trample is also very nice to deal with small chump blockers.
Sigil of Valor
: A metal
Sublime Archangel
that can make Rafiq attack for a ridiculous amount of damage in one single swing. Couple this with some extra exalt triggers and it is just silly.
Darksteel Plate
: Who can argue with an indestructible commander?
Enchantments:
Finest Hour
gives Rafiq more combat steps to do more damage.
Steel of the Godhead
grants Rafiq unblockable and can easily close games along with the +2/+2 it gives as well.
Eldrazi Conscription
: Do I even need to talk about this? The most fun enchantment they’ve ever made. +10/+10? Already good. Annihilator 2 as well? Even more good. Trample too? Now we’re getting ridiculous. The easiest way to win a game with this deck.
Spirit Mantle
: Basically another way to give Rafiq unblockable. Can also protect him from something like an
Avatar of Woe
or
Royal Assassin
.
This deck is a lot of fun and packs a huge punch for its price point. It can be used in casual environments, but it’s designed for more competitive groups and you’ll likely end up stomping over anybody who dares stand in your way. The fun thing about this deck is how consistent it is. Even if Rafiq gets hit with a
Nevermore
, you have a
Trygon Predator
to take it out, or you can just play the game without him. The deck can function without a commander, but Rafiq just takes it that extra mile. It’s super consistent, and that’s why it can perform well at almost any level.
