I had a self-proclaimed cEDH player downplay my commander, Zur the Enchanter, for me during a 4 player FFA: "Oh, Zur only gets enchantments 3 CMC or less. It can't even get Omniscience." He stated as he nonchalantly handed over my commander and condemned the holographic Momir Vig, Simic Visionary sitting across from him. He thought himself the big fish with Maelstrom Wanderer. I was inclined to submit to the self-proclaimed cEDH player; who am I to counter argue expertise and title?
It draws 4 cards upon cast and represents -4 permanents whenever it attacks. Aside from annihilating 4 permanents, refilling your hand for a potential recast or another plan is dangerous. Obviously, the quicker you get to your commander, the better.
Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger is solid with exile 2 permanents upon cast. The exile 20 is not as threatening as Annihlator 4. Now, most new age double digit CMC spells are obviously threatening; all threats need to be answered. The Butcher has the edge.
For some time, my brother believed my words about his slow play were mine alone. Early on, our friend shared the same sentiment but never let it be known. Ten years later, those words were his new playgroups; some ten years afterwards, his new friends stated the same thing.
It is not confusion, nor lack of paying attention. He consistently takes account of others' decks and his own with every game development. It is frustrating, but a talk gets him accelerating his assessments, conclusions and play. I learned to use his method but with obvious ataraxia...wearing headphones while assessing characters, habits, developments, decks and strategies.
If your playgroup believes you are taking long and tells you, fix the issue by using the different strategies others have posted.
From your original post, it read as a lean towards Atraxa. The first response you provided, leaned towards Atraxa; in fact, it had more to do with your unrelated PW Atraxa deck than the topic, Atraxa/Rafiq Voltron. If you are in need of secondary confirmations or introvert affirmations, create a thread to do so. Eliminate the unwarranted loss of time of others or be forward with your intentions.
On topic:
Make sure to include Hall of the Bandit Lord. Since Rafiq is three colors, El Salón de el Señor Bandido works slightly better by being three colors versus four.
Since you have been on Team Atraxa from the get go, do not for get Tainted Strike.
Rafiq rides on a fluffy lion. This is an easy decision.
You're correct. Rafiq is an exalted, double-striking general who asks where he's going to plant something within a tempo, control and/or combo color set. He is not linear; he is as linear as you build him.
I am in need of a playgroup. After going to over a dozen local game shops in my area, Carson, CA, I do not have a playgroup or a shop that runs competitive EDH. I am a mature, budgetless player.
He will be easier to win with and has a wider spectrum to build for and applies to different versions of the deck; obviously, Voltron is on the table. Bant is resilient color set. Green can assist with mana fixing and relevant creatures and auras. White equates efficient target removal (Exile being most significant), auras and applicable tutors. Blue provides consistency and control.
Nothing feels better than casting the 7-9th Edition Might of Oaks on a naked Rafiq for the win (Read the flavor text).
I play Death and Taxes, Stoneblade, and Esper Blade
Grand Arbiter Augustin IV has been the best Death and Taxes general I have seen work in an über competitive setting (I have played EDH since 2006). It contains the usual suspects such as Spelltithe Enforcer (Kicker that Rite to Replication) without diving too deep into the STAX department. Blue is there to provide the consistency and stack control while artifacts fill the gaps. White provides the taxes. Death is up to you.
With that assertion, STAX is your best bet in EDH. Zur the Enchanter STAX is terribly consistent with lynchpin cards.
Zur entered a turn late, turn 4, with the help of Cavern of Souls. This left 1 colorless floating from Sol Ring and a W/U land open. In response to the Lightning Greaves equip, the Merieke player casted Swords to Plowshares, targeting Zur, with his last untapped land. The Zur player casted Pact of Negation (PoN) to which the Merieke player casts his own PoN to ensure Zur left the battlefield. The exchange secured that the Merieke player would be able to steal Zur with Merieke on the next cast. The Zur player successfully resolved Stasis with his remaining land and colorless mana.
The Merieke player turned slightly as he glanced wildly at the Zur player's tapped mana base. Not untapping his lands, the Merieke player goes directly into his draw step without realizing he skipped and could not pay his PoN cost.
I had a self-proclaimed cEDH player downplay my commander, Zur the Enchanter, for me during a 4 player FFA: "Oh, Zur only gets enchantments 3 CMC or less. It can't even get Omniscience." He stated as he nonchalantly handed over my commander and condemned the holographic Momir Vig, Simic Visionary sitting across from him. He thought himself the big fish with Maelstrom Wanderer. I was inclined to submit to the self-proclaimed cEDH player; who am I to counter argue expertise and title?
Keep brewing.
It draws 4 cards upon cast and represents -4 permanents whenever it attacks. Aside from annihilating 4 permanents, refilling your hand for a potential recast or another plan is dangerous. Obviously, the quicker you get to your commander, the better.
Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger is solid with exile 2 permanents upon cast. The exile 20 is not as threatening as Annihlator 4. Now, most new age double digit CMC spells are obviously threatening; all threats need to be answered. The Butcher has the edge.
Keep brewing.
It is not confusion, nor lack of paying attention. He consistently takes account of others' decks and his own with every game development. It is frustrating, but a talk gets him accelerating his assessments, conclusions and play. I learned to use his method but with obvious ataraxia...wearing headphones while assessing characters, habits, developments, decks and strategies.
If your playgroup believes you are taking long and tells you, fix the issue by using the different strategies others have posted.
Keep brewing.
From your original post, it read as a lean towards Atraxa. The first response you provided, leaned towards Atraxa; in fact, it had more to do with your unrelated PW Atraxa deck than the topic, Atraxa/Rafiq Voltron. If you are in need of secondary confirmations or introvert affirmations, create a thread to do so. Eliminate the unwarranted loss of time of others or be forward with your intentions.
On topic:
Make sure to include Hall of the Bandit Lord. Since Rafiq is three colors, El Salón de el Señor Bandido works slightly better by being three colors versus four.
Since you have been on Team Atraxa from the get go, do not for get Tainted Strike.
Grafted Exoskeleton is great for Rafiq and not bad with Atraxa.
Do not forget Berserk & co.
Keep brewing.
You're correct. Rafiq is an exalted, double-striking general who asks where he's going to plant something within a tempo, control and/or combo color set. He is not linear; he is as linear as you build him.
Keep brewing.
Keep brewing.
Anyone want to meet for a game at a shop?
Keep brewing.
He will be easier to win with and has a wider spectrum to build for and applies to different versions of the deck; obviously, Voltron is on the table. Bant is resilient color set. Green can assist with mana fixing and relevant creatures and auras. White equates efficient target removal (Exile being most significant), auras and applicable tutors. Blue provides consistency and control.
Nothing feels better than casting the 7-9th Edition Might of Oaks on a naked Rafiq for the win (Read the flavor text).
Keep brewing.
I play Death and Taxes, Stoneblade, and Esper Blade
Grand Arbiter Augustin IV has been the best Death and Taxes general I have seen work in an über competitive setting (I have played EDH since 2006). It contains the usual suspects such as Spelltithe Enforcer (Kicker that Rite to Replication) without diving too deep into the STAX department. Blue is there to provide the consistency and stack control while artifacts fill the gaps. White provides the taxes. Death is up to you.
With that assertion, STAX is your best bet in EDH. Zur the Enchanter STAX is terribly consistent with lynchpin cards.
Keep brewing.
Keep brewing.
Keep brewing.
@Phone
Those are my deck averages: Zur the Enchanter Stax and Ruhan of the Fomori Voltron/Shenanigans. The averages are correct for both decks.
Keep brewing.
Non-Competitive: 3.0
Keep brewing.
Zur entered a turn late, turn 4, with the help of Cavern of Souls. This left 1 colorless floating from Sol Ring and a W/U land open. In response to the Lightning Greaves equip, the Merieke player casted Swords to Plowshares, targeting Zur, with his last untapped land. The Zur player casted Pact of Negation (PoN) to which the Merieke player casts his own PoN to ensure Zur left the battlefield. The exchange secured that the Merieke player would be able to steal Zur with Merieke on the next cast. The Zur player successfully resolved Stasis with his remaining land and colorless mana.
The Merieke player turned slightly as he glanced wildly at the Zur player's tapped mana base. Not untapping his lands, the Merieke player goes directly into his draw step without realizing he skipped and could not pay his PoN cost.
Keep brewing.
Keep brewing.