Rafiq of the Many MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Knight
Abilities Exalted
Power 3
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Rafiq excels in escalating combat damage, enabling swift victory through doubled combat strikes.
  2. He synergizes with instant-speed cards for unexpected plays, enhancing strategic deck construction.
  3. Relevant in aggressive strategies, Rafiq of the Many amplifies your threats and maintains pressure on opponents.

Text of card

Exalted (Whenever a creature you control attacks alone, that creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.) Whenever a creature you control attacks alone, it gains double strike until end of turn.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Rafiq of the Many shines in situations where board presence equates to winning the game. With every attack, Rafiq provides the opportunity to draw into more threats by doubling up on combat damage and, if equipped properly, can trigger card draw effects that depend on dealing combat damage to a player.

Resource Acceleration: As a leader in a Commander deck, Rafiq can enable explosive turns. By increasing the damage dealt, Rafiq helps reduce the number of turns needed to eliminate an opponent which indirectly accelerates the game’s pace in your favor. Though he doesn’t directly create mana, his efficiency in combat can lead to fewer resources spent on offense and more on developing your board state and options.

Instant Speed: While Rafiq himself doesn’t operate at instant speed, he synergizes well with cards that do. His ability to double the Exalted benefit can turn instant-speed creatures into surprise blockers or end-of-turn threats that your opponents are ill-prepared to handle. Additionally, Rafiq encourages a strategic playstyle where holding up mana for responsive plays becomes more viable when you need fewer attackers to deal significant damage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Rafiq of the Many doesn’t have a direct discard requirement, but playing such a high-profile creature could inadvertently force you to discard cards due to being a priority target for removal spells from opponents. This leaves you vulnerable, often needing to use other resources to protect him.

Specific Mana Cost: As a multicolor card requiring green, white, and blue mana, he necessitates a deck with a reliable mana base to cast consistently. This can be limiting as it requires the deck to be tailored to meet these strict mana demands, potentially restricting the inclusion of other impactful spells.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Rafiq’s mana cost places him at a higher tier, which means he competes with other high-impact spells you could be casting. For a four-mana investment, decks may prefer spells or creatures with more immediate or resilient effects, particularly in formats where efficiency is key to victory.


Reasons to Include Rafiq of the Many in Your Collection

Versatility: Rafiq of the Many is adaptable and can helm various types of decks with his ability to empower single attackers. Whether in a Voltron strategy, focusing on buffing a single creature, or in a deck that aims for powerful, targeted strikes, Rafiq’s ability to grant double strike makes him a flexible choice for players looking to lead with a bang.

Combo Potential: Rafiq’s double strike ability can be a linchpin in combos that leverage damage triggers or combat-related abilities. Pairing Rafiq with equipment, auras, or creatures that benefit from attacking can result in devastating turns and swift victories. His presence turns any creature into a significant threat.

Meta-Relevance: In today’s gameplay, having a commander that can quickly turn the tide of battle is crucial. Rafiq’s ability to rapidly increase combat damage keeps opponents on their toes and makes him a constant presence in the Commander format. His relevance spikes further when aggressive strategies are favored, ensuring his place in a competitive collection.


How to beat

Rafiq of the Many is a powerhouse in the MTG universe, known for turning any creature into a formidable threat with its double-strike ability. When facing Rafiq, it’s crucial to prioritize removal spells or abilities that can neutralize the threat before it escalates. Spells such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade are prime examples of efficient ways to deal with him, ensuring he doesn’t have a chance to swing for massive damage.

Additionally, keeping the board clear of other creatures is vital to weaken Rafiq’s exalted mechanic. Counterspells also play a critical role here, with options like Counterspell itself or Mana Leak, to prevent Rafiq from hitting the battlefield in the first place. Utilizing these strategies can shift the tide in your favor, transforming a potentially game-ending threat into a manageable challenge. But remember, timing is everything. Striking at the right moment is key to successfully dismantling the synergies that make Rafiq of the Many a formidable opponent.

Taking these precautions in your deck-building and gameplay can help ensure you’re prepared to face this commander, keeping his many advantages in check and paving your way to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the dynamic nature of MTG requires a deep dive into the synergies and strategies cards like Rafiq of the Many offer. Recognizing the strengths and constraints of such a multivalent card is key to optimizing your gameplay. As you refine your deck or consider Rafiq for your collection, it’s essential to assess board presence, capitalize on combat damage, and ensure a robust mana base for consistent casting. Embrace the adventure that is deck-building and gameplay finessing. Ready to make Rafiq of the Many a staple in your winning strategies? Take the next step in your MTG journey with us and discover comprehensive guides, expert insights, and much more.


Cards like Rafiq of the Many

Rafiq of the Many is a notable figure in the realm of Commander games for MTG players. This card shines in strategies that focus on voltron or individual creature-oriented aggression. Rafiq’s double strike ability particularly accentuates his dominance when comparing him to other legendary creatures. Take Sigarda, Host of Herons, for example. While Sigarda offers resilience with her ability to resist sacrifices, she lacks the offensive boost Rafiq provides to not just himself but another attacking creature as well.

Another card worth mentioning is Uril, the Miststalker. Uril gains strength with each aura attached to it, similar to how Rafiq benefits from enhancements. However, Rafiq’s ability to grant an additional combat phase advantage is absent in Uril’s arsenal. Comparatively, Rafiq can swiftly turn the tides of combat by doubling damage outputs, a trait Uril does not inherently possess.

Choosing Rafiq of the Many in your deck often means adopting a swift and aggressive posture in matches. While similar cards may offer protection or incremental advantage, Rafiq stands out for enabling decisive, high-damage turns that can quickly close out games.

Sigarda, Host of Herons - MTG Card versions
Uril, the Miststalker - MTG Card versions
Sigarda, Host of Herons - Open the Helvault (PHEL)
Uril, the Miststalker - Alara Reborn (ARB)

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rafiq of the Many MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara and Shards of Alara, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Rafiq of the Many and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Rafiq of the Many Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2008-10-03 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-10-03Shards of AlaraALA 2502015normalblackMeel Tamphanon
22008-10-03Shards of AlaraALA 1852003normalblackMichael Komarck
32011-08-26From the Vault: LegendsV11 102003normalblackWayne Reynolds
42022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 5342015normalblackMichael Komarck
52022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 2682015normalblackMichael Komarck
62023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 5892015normalblackMichael Komarck
72023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 3522015normalblackMichael Komarck

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rafiq of the Many has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Rafiq of the Many card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2008-10-01 Exalted abilities will resolve before blockers are declared.
2008-10-01 Exalted bonuses last until end of turn. If an effect creates an additional combat phase during your turn, a creature that attacked alone during the first combat phase will still have its exalted bonuses in that new phase. If a creature attacks alone during the second combat phase, all your exalted abilities will trigger again.
2008-10-01 If you attack with multiple creatures, but then all but one are removed from combat, your exalted abilities won’t trigger.
2008-10-01 If you declare exactly one creature as an attacker, each exalted ability on each permanent you control (including, perhaps, the attacking creature itself) will trigger. The bonuses are given to the attacking creature, not to the permanent with exalted. Ultimately, the attacking creature will wind up with +1/+1 for each of your exalted abilities.
2008-10-01 In a Two-Headed Giant game, a creature “attacks alone” if it’s the only creature declared as an attacker by your entire team. If you control that attacking creature, your exalted abilities will trigger but your teammate’s exalted abilities won’t.
2008-10-01 Some effects put creatures onto the battlefield attacking. Since those creatures were never declared as attackers, they’re ignored by exalted abilities. They won’t cause exalted abilities to trigger. If any exalted abilities have already triggered (because exactly one creature was declared as an attacker), those abilities will resolve as normal even though there may now be multiple attackers.

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