Major update on the way, leaving this space blank until I post it.
Basically I rebuilt the deck, and I've been working on a primer-style post to go here. While no one really reads this thread anymore, I am keen on getting it both updated and invigorated again.
Eldrazi Conscription is definitely an aura I want to get my hands on, I know a lot of Rafiq and voltron decks run it. It is a little spendy to cast, though there are certainly ways of getting around that. Cold-Eyed Selkie was one I had considered adding, but ultimately chose not to. She does give great card advantage, and I may have to reconsider adding her. The problem is, and I am already sort of on my way there, I don't want this deck to be like every other Rafiq deck out there. Eventually I may have to cycle some things out to make it less like other Rafiq decks, but I am not sure. If I change it up too much it may not be as effective.
Major overhaul of the original deck. I am also writing a rather lengthy introduction to the deck, which will be finalized tomorrow evening. Thanks for any input that might be added between now and then!
Sublime Archangel is one of the best creatures you can possibly run in a Rafiq deck. Should you choose to run mana dorks at any time, it gets even better. I highly recommend at least Noble Hierarch and Birds of Paradise.
Private Mod Note
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Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Tantarus: It didn't make the gaka greifer level, so it should be fine
Why not Rancor? It makes Rafiq a must deal threat for only one mana and if he dies you get it back.
If you really want to steer away from from classic voltron Rafiq check out my list (in the sig). It is more a creature based control deck that tries to get the advantage by creating two-for-one situations, blinking ETB creatures and a lot of carddraw.
Rafiq is at the helm because he can create a lot of pressure (as you said he's a beast) with very little support.
Also check out the Jenara Primer for more ideas.
Sublime Archangel is one of the best creatures you can possibly run in a Rafiq deck. Should you choose to run mana dorks at any time, it gets even better. I highly recommend at least Noble Hierarch and Birds of Paradise.
Sublime Archangel is a creature I want for this deck, but due to budgetary restrictions (at least for awhile) I can't get my hands on her. Same for the Noble Hierarch.
As to Rancor... Actually Rancor was in the deck two days ago, still sitting on my desk right next to me in-fact, heh. I took it out because... Well, the truth is, that although it did have it's uses (I even used it as a sac outlet when one of my friends had something that made everyone sac permanents at the beginning of their upkeeps) it just wasn't making a big difference, and here is why; In almost 90 percent of my games when I get ready to swing with Rafiq, or whoever (typically Rafiq, Stoic Angel, or Sigarda), they were usually unblockable already, and already in a position to deal lethal or near-lethal damage. The +2/+0 and Trample effects from the Rancor, despite being a one-drop aura, were either redundant or just simply not necessary.
The Paladin based on my prior experience with the card, Favor based on it being weaker than your other Auras, and the other two based on the fact that you already have better methods of protecting your creatures in the deck.
The Paladin based on my prior experience with the card, Favor based on it being weaker than your other Auras, and the other two based on the fact that you already have better methods of protecting your creatures in the deck.
Thanks for spotting the four extra cards, though I disagree with your choices, except the last two (which were already slotted for removal.)
Knotvine has seen a lot of play in my games, and while he's never gotten massive he's enough of a potential threat to draw a lot of hate away from other things on the board I don't want to lose, and I've actually swung for pretty decent damage with him. Ultimately he falls into the category of "not great creatures that I have an irrational love for," lol. Favor gives him the additional +2/+2 and vigilance, and while the flying is redundant the vigilance can be nice. I may have to consider it, but for now I was loathe to cut it simply on the basis of not having that many auras to begin with.
The aura graft and enchantment alteration were knee-jerk responses to a friend using Lignify and there is nothing more amusing than seeing him slap it on something I control and then shifting it to something he controls. They have also been useful in situations where I wasn't ready to drop Rafiq but wanted to pump something else, and then move the aura from that creature to Rafiq when I did finally throw him out. Ultimately this was only helpful once in a game, so I ended up dropping them anyway.
I actually had forgotten about those, thanks for reminding me of them! I'll have to consider what to remove to slot them in, maybe the much higher costed Stormtide, since it gives him a similar ability.
Three Dreams is tough. I have used that card to tutor up three very needed auras in I can't count how many games. 5 c isn't really a lot if you think about the length of time it takes to even get Rafiq properly set up for the final blow, and while I am not in a position to say "I absolutely can't cut this card!" I don't think I am in a position to want to yet.
Mirari's Wake is a fantastic find, thanks for that suggestion. A bit spendy, but I will add it to my list of future additions, thanks for that suggestion!
I don't struggle too bad with mana, though I have considered swapping in some mana dorks or creatures that fetch mana (outside of the Yavimaya Elder that I currently use.) I may consider doing that over the mana rocks I use, which I find to be somewhat slow at times.
Your deck is interesting. At my firm is a link for my Rafiq's deck. You can take some ideas from it. It has some updates that I don't have updated but soon I will do.
This deck is defunct, and had a lot of issues (almost zero ramp for example) and is a classic case of someone, namely me, still trying to figure out how EDH works (it was the second deck I ever made and not entirely great, though, to be fair to myself, not entirely terrible either.) If I ever reconstruct it Sphere of Safety is definitely a card I would get for the pillow-forting part of the deck.
Basically I rebuilt the deck, and I've been working on a primer-style post to go here. While no one really reads this thread anymore, I am keen on getting it both updated and invigorated again.
EDH:
RNorin the WaryR <-Link! (Primer - Mono Red Control)
GUEdric, Spymaster of TrestUG <- Link! (Mini-Primer - Dredge)
Duel Commander:
WUGeist of Saint TraftUW <- Link! (Aggro-Control)
BGSkullbriar, the Walking GraveGB <- Link! (Aggro)
BUGDamia, Sage of StoneGUB <- Link! (Extinction Control)
Church of the Wary
If you really want to steer away from from classic voltron Rafiq check out my list (in the sig). It is more a creature based control deck that tries to get the advantage by creating two-for-one situations, blinking ETB creatures and a lot of carddraw.
Rafiq is at the helm because he can create a lot of pressure (as you said he's a beast) with very little support.
Also check out the Jenara Primer for more ideas.
GWKarametra - The MistveiledGW
GWR Marath - The Egg-laying Wool-Milk-Pig GWR
RBGrenzo - Restrained RakdosRB
UWRGBHorde of NotionsUWRGB
Retired: Karador, Ghost Chieftain | Rafiq of the Many | Animar, Soul of Elements | Maelstrom Wanderer
Sublime Archangel is a creature I want for this deck, but due to budgetary restrictions (at least for awhile) I can't get my hands on her. Same for the Noble Hierarch.
As to Rancor... Actually Rancor was in the deck two days ago, still sitting on my desk right next to me in-fact, heh. I took it out because... Well, the truth is, that although it did have it's uses (I even used it as a sac outlet when one of my friends had something that made everyone sac permanents at the beginning of their upkeeps) it just wasn't making a big difference, and here is why; In almost 90 percent of my games when I get ready to swing with Rafiq, or whoever (typically Rafiq, Stoic Angel, or Sigarda), they were usually unblockable already, and already in a position to deal lethal or near-lethal damage. The +2/+0 and Trample effects from the Rancor, despite being a one-drop aura, were either redundant or just simply not necessary.
The Paladin based on my prior experience with the card, Favor based on it being weaker than your other Auras, and the other two based on the fact that you already have better methods of protecting your creatures in the deck.
Thanks for spotting the four extra cards, though I disagree with your choices, except the last two (which were already slotted for removal.)
Knotvine has seen a lot of play in my games, and while he's never gotten massive he's enough of a potential threat to draw a lot of hate away from other things on the board I don't want to lose, and I've actually swung for pretty decent damage with him. Ultimately he falls into the category of "not great creatures that I have an irrational love for," lol. Favor gives him the additional +2/+2 and vigilance, and while the flying is redundant the vigilance can be nice. I may have to consider it, but for now I was loathe to cut it simply on the basis of not having that many auras to begin with.
The aura graft and enchantment alteration were knee-jerk responses to a friend using Lignify and there is nothing more amusing than seeing him slap it on something I control and then shifting it to something he controls. They have also been useful in situations where I wasn't ready to drop Rafiq but wanted to pump something else, and then move the aura from that creature to Rafiq when I did finally throw him out. Ultimately this was only helpful once in a game, so I ended up dropping them anyway.
Neheb
Marath
Yidris
Sharuum
Yidris
I actually had forgotten about those, thanks for reminding me of them! I'll have to consider what to remove to slot them in, maybe the much higher costed Stormtide, since it gives him a similar ability.
Did you think about Austere Command?
Maybe Kodama's Reach or Mirari's Wake, Sakura tribe-elder for some more mana.
And perhaps instant removal such as, path to exile, swords to plowshares, ...
Neheb
Marath
Yidris
Sharuum
Yidris
Mirari's Wake is a fantastic find, thanks for that suggestion. A bit spendy, but I will add it to my list of future additions, thanks for that suggestion!
I don't struggle too bad with mana, though I have considered swapping in some mana dorks or creatures that fetch mana (outside of the Yavimaya Elder that I currently use.) I may consider doing that over the mana rocks I use, which I find to be somewhat slow at times.
And are you in need of instant removal?
Dismantling Blow is a cool card too ^^
Neheb
Marath
Yidris
Sharuum
Yidris
UTefferiU
UBGrimGrinUB
BROliviaBR
WBRKaaliaWBR
WBGKaradorWBG
WRGUrilWRG
WUBRGSliver QueenWUBRG
UTefferiU
UBGrimGrinUB
BROliviaBR
WBRKaaliaWBR
WBGKaradorWBG
WRGUrilWRG
WUBRGSliver QueenWUBRG
That is a pretty sweet card actually.
This deck is defunct, and had a lot of issues (almost zero ramp for example) and is a classic case of someone, namely me, still trying to figure out how EDH works (it was the second deck I ever made and not entirely great, though, to be fair to myself, not entirely terrible either.) If I ever reconstruct it Sphere of Safety is definitely a card I would get for the pillow-forting part of the deck.