If this is 1v1, I'd replace Sovereigns of Lost Alara with Academy Rector so then you can get the annihilator triggers from Eldrazi conscription or the extra turn trigger from finest hour if you can Beast within it before the attack step, she's also a very frightening blocker or attacker even with one base power. And she comes down at least a turn earlier and gets more things than Conscription or rancor. Speaking of which, some more removal never hurt anybody, like Beast Within

I'd drop the Grand arbiter for Mother of Runes to get damage through.Infecters with evasion are always nice in Rafiq as well such as Inkmoth Nexus and Blighted Agent both of which are 3 turn clocks with rafiq out.

But anyway there are a couple Rafiq primers that say way more then I just did online as well.

Wow, rector is way better than Sovereigns, that is an easy replacement. Beast Within also makes quite a bit of sense, don't know why I forgoed it. Mom is probably pretty good too and I think I have an extra copy around here somewhere. Idk how I feel about poison in EDH, It seems kinda dickish but I guess that is kinda the theme of the deck anyway, so I'll test it out. thanks for the suggestions!

well to put infect into perspective, just consider it as double commander damage and rafiq by himself is a 3 turn clock but without the evasion when compared to the infectors I mentioned. In a way they are worse as they depend on a pumper but can still end the game by themselves with the evasion plus a sword.

You have a lot of ramp. Excessive amounts, in fact, and I only see one mana sink in the whole deck. Ramp is good in EDH, but not a crazy amount unless you're playing something(s) huge

Any suggestions on what I could add to ramp into?

I'm not a commander player, but one card could be Helix Pinnacle. I would research some X-casting cost cards. You could also add Zuran Orb for excess land and more survivability

I think you should find a new commander. Rafiq is too weak to be competitive viable............

okay now that that didn't work.... Forcefield or Dueling Grounds or Silent Arbiter . All three are things that are highly beneficial to you and that opponents have to use removal on in most cases.

Desertion is also a great way to say oh look i have your commander what you gonna do about it and its also a way to teach new players about replacement effects and why they can't put their general back to the command zone.

As for the earlier comment about having too much ramp, I don't see why thats a problem as you get the general out uber early and melt faces and have counters ready earlier.

Something pretty basic, but why not get all the help you can get? Cathedral of War

Could go the token approach. Add fatties like Armada Wurm. And as a side condition that might be fun, put in a Mimic Vat for shennanigans.

Or. Or. If you still need a mana dump, you have access to lots of hydras. Mistcutter Hydra, Genesis Hydra (Which could be dope), Heroes' Bane, Polukranos, World Eater. The world of ramp is in your general's colors, sir.

I've gotten a few suggestions for the Cathedral, so I'll probably add it. Genesis Hydra and//or Polukranos would be interesting inclusions, as would Wargate. Mimic Vat is one of those cards I keep forgetting to add too.

Amazing deck, I tell u, I was playing something similar and I lose all my Magic's friends XD, the deck is so good as a teen in hotpants...

Rafuq is a veteran warrior, try feed him with a good Mystic Remora, cooked by an Elvish Spirit Guide, in a softy place like Elephant Grass, and be sure that he sleep well into the Hall of the Bandit Lord.

Its a great idea infect this deeck too ;)+1 to this fat library!

Mystic Remora is a good idea, I'll try and find a slot for it during the next round of cut. Elvish Spirit Guide is deff something I'll keep my eyes out for, it's arguably better than Lotus Petal, due to the added utility of being a creature. I'll test out Elephant Grass, but I'm not sure how long it will stick around because it doesn't do much to help Rafiq win. I need to invest into a hall, a number of my decks want one. Thanks for the suggestions!

Hi,

I would suggest to play Flusterstorm and Swan Song instead of Mental Misstep and Spell Pierce.

And maybe you should play Cold-Eyed Selkie for massive draw.

For a more aggro-variant of the deck check my Rafiq Aggro EDH 1vs1 Competitive (with Guide).

Greetings

Hey man, love the deck! I have a multiplayer variant that I've been working on for quite some time. Do you ever use this successfully in 4 man pods? Here's my list for reference. Rafiq of the Many Wins (EDH competitive MP)

As far as cuts, how's Krosan Grip doing for you? Nature's Claim seems like a better choice even tho it's an aggro deck. I think a couple more mana dorks would be great here as well. Cheers!

Literally years later I put into effect yalls suggestions. Although I love Mental Misstep too much to cut it lol.