Community

FMeral16 wrote:

@MrIndigo: I'll think about Rafiq. I definitely do want to get maybe two copies of him in there (somehow), but I don't know about replacing Stoic Angel.

To me it just seems that Angel is for effective. Rafiq gives me one double striking attacker a turn, Angel gives me two attackers (more if I have multiple Angels, Treetop or Stewart of Valeron) while locking down my opponent if they happen to be playing creatures. To me it just seems that Angel does the same job better. Plus, Rafiq is a legend, so 4-of sounds iffy. One problem that Stoic Angel is giving me is that it urges me to run Cryptic Command, which is messing with the mana base. It almost makes me want to run Thoughtweft Gambit .

Also maybe it's just me, but Deft Duelist looks very underwhelming. Since it's W/U it'll probably only get as big as 3/2 with no evasion (since I can't even slap an Aura on it). Other opinions?

Sooooooooo we also have:
Rafiq vs. Stoic Angel
(sideboard) Chameleon Colossus vs. Oversoul of Dusk
Shield of the Oversoul vs. Loxodon Warhammer vs. Steel of the Godhead
Murkfiend Liege vs. Wilt-Leaf Liege

This is pretty interesting... (I vote Angel, Oversoul of Dust, Shield, and could go either way on the Lieges)

The problem with Stoics is that you are building an aggro deck. Rafiq is miles better in an aggro deck. You dont want your guys to be restricted by angel at all if you are playing aggro. Midrange is different, but then you'd want a LOT less creatures I would think. Rafiq also makes Deft Duelist a 3/2 shrouded double striker and the infiltrator a 3/3 unblockable double striker. Thats 6 damage a turn. Throw on Shield and you're golden. Oversoul over Colossus and Shield over the rest.

I'd probably go like this:

Creatures:

4 Deft Duelist
4 Jhessian Infiltrator

4 Rhox War Monk
4 Kitchen Finks

3 Wilt-Leaf Liege
3 Rafiq of the Many

2 Oversoul of Dusk

Non-creatures:
4 Oblivion Ring
3 Shield of the Oversoul
4 Bant Charm
2 Elspeth, Knight-Errant

Land:
2 Treetop Village
2 Yavimaya Coast
4 Bant Triland
3 Mystic Gate
2 Flooded Grove
2 Wooded Bastion
1 Adarkar Wastes
4 Brushland
3 Reflecting Pool

FMeral16 wrote:

@ConvictedRaven: I can see your point about running Stoic Angel with a whole lot of other creatures. But doesn't Rafiq restrict you in the same way? Once he hits the table, you're only going to be able to attack with one creature at a time anyway. At least with Angel you'll be able to keep their creatures tapped down to reduce chump blocking. Rafiq's also the only creature with exalted in your list, and he's a legend, so you won't be getting huge boosts from him.

Also, for your new list, Cryptic Command probably is a little more out of place without the Stoic Angel. Maybe drop them for more 2 Liege, and a Jhessian Infiltrator? Or maybe some card draw.

Rafiq is there because when he is the only creature on the board, he can swing for 8. He makes the two drops ridiculous, and has just as much synergy as (if not more than) Stoic Angel with Shield and over all is just better in an aggro deck. The second he drops turn 4, swinging with a shielded infiltrator is usually game then and there. You dont really need exalted creatures other than him.

I do agree with cutting cryptic, and I kinda want more card draw but im not sure what to put in. I want to test out Elspeth though....She can pump our infiltrators to 5/5, make Rafiq omega cool...well +3/+3 flying makes alot of people cool and is very useful (Turn 3 Monk, Turn 4 Elspeth = 6/7 flying lifelinker!). And if it even happens (big if) her ultimate just seals the game basically. I'm looking at -4 birds +1 duelist, +1 infiltrator, + 1 bant charm, +1 Finks. -3 cryptic +2 Elspeth, +1 Liege?