Best Cards for Rafiq of the Many (2026)
Rafiq of the Many is the OG one-shot machine. With double strike when attacking alone and the exalted mechanic stacking power bonuses, this Bant legend can eliminate opponents with commander damage before they even know what hit them. Let's dive into the best cards to turn Rafiq into an unstoppable force.
If you're looking to create custom versions of these cards or design your own Rafiq-themed tokens, we've got you covered.
Commander Overview
Mana Cost:
Rafiq's key abilities make him a Voltron powerhouse:
- Exalted: Whenever a creature you control attacks alone, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn
- Double Strike Enabler: Whenever a creature you control attacks alone, it gains double strike until end of turn
This means a base 3/3 Rafiq deals 8 commander damage on turn 4 with just his own exalted trigger. Add a few power boosts and you're looking at one-shot territory.
Must-Have Auras
1. Eldrazi Conscription
Mana Cost:
The finisher. +10/+10, trample, and annihilator 2 means Rafiq becomes a 13/13 with double strike—that's 26 commander damage in one swing. Game over.
Why it's essential: Even without Rafiq's exalted bonus, this single aura threatens lethal. Pair with Sovereigns of Lost Alara to cheat it into play mid-combat.
2. Finest Hour
Mana Cost:
An absolute staple. Finest Hour gives you an additional combat phase when a creature attacks alone, meaning double the exalted triggers and double the damage. With Rafiq and Finest Hour, you're attacking twice per turn with escalating power.
Why it's essential: This card essentially doubles your clock. Two combat phases means two chances to eliminate opponents.
3. Steel of the Godhead
Mana Cost:
+2/+2, lifelink, AND unblockable on a
Why it's essential: Unblockable Rafiq with double strike is usually lethal with any other power boost. The lifelink keeps you healthy while you close out games.
4. Shield of the Oversoul
Mana Cost:
On a
Why it's essential: Indestructible commander is a nightmare for opponents. Flying provides evasion that stacks with your other protection.
5. Spirit Mantle
Mana Cost:
+1/+1 and protection from creatures. This effectively makes Rafiq unblockable while also protecting him from creature-based removal like fight effects.
Why it's essential: Two mana for guaranteed damage every combat? Sign us up.
6. Ethereal Armor
Mana Cost:
First strike and +1/+1 for each enchantment you control. In an aura-heavy build, this easily grants +5/+5 or more for just
Why it's essential: The scaling is insane. First strike is redundant with double strike, but the power boost is what matters.
7. All That Glitters
Mana Cost:
+1/+1 for each artifact and enchantment you control. If you're running a mix of auras and equipment, this can easily provide +6/+6 or more.
Why it's essential: Scales with your board state and works in both enchantment and equipment-focused builds.
Essential Equipment
8. Sword of Feast and Famine
Mana Cost:
+2/+2, protection from black and green, and when you deal combat damage: target player discards and you untap all your lands.
Why it's essential: Untapping your lands means you can hold up protection spells or cast more threats in your second main phase. The protection also blocks common removal colors.
9. Swiftfoot Boots
Mana Cost:
Hexproof and haste. Unlike Lightning Greaves, you can still target your own creature to attach more auras.
Why it's essential: Haste lets you attack immediately after casting Rafiq, and hexproof protects against targeted removal. The
10. Shadowspear
Mana Cost:
+1/+1, trample, lifelink, and the ability to remove hexproof and indestructible from opponents' permanents.
Why it's essential: Trample ensures your massive damage gets through chump blockers. The utility ability handles problematic permanents.
Key Support Cards
11. Sovereigns of Lost Alara
Mana Cost:
When a creature attacks alone, search your library for an Aura and attach it to that creature. This is how you cheat Eldrazi Conscription into play.
Why it's essential: Tutoring directly onto Rafiq during combat is devastating. Your opponent has no window to respond before damage.
12. Sublime Archangel
Mana Cost:
All your creatures have exalted. If you have three other creatures, Rafiq gets +4/+4 just from attacking.
Why it's essential: Stacking exalted triggers accelerates your commander damage clock dramatically.
13. Noble Hierarch
Mana Cost:
Exalted plus mana ramp in Bant colors. The perfect turn-1 play.
Why it's essential: Accelerates Rafiq by a turn AND provides an exalted trigger. Auto-include.
14. Grand Abolisher
Mana Cost:
Opponents can't cast spells or activate abilities during your turn. No more instant-speed removal during combat.
Why it's essential: Forces opponents to deal with Rafiq on their own turn or before you declare attackers.
15. Sram, Senior Edificer
Mana Cost:
Draw a card whenever you cast an Aura, Equipment, or Vehicle spell. Card advantage in Voltron is crucial.
Why it's essential: Keeps your hand full as you load up Rafiq with enhancements.
Protection Spells
16. Heroic Intervention
Mana Cost:
Your permanents gain hexproof and indestructible until end of turn. Saves Rafiq and all your auras from board wipes.
Why it's essential: Two mana to blank a Wrath of God or targeted removal is incredible value.
17. Fierce Guardianship
Mana Cost:
Free counterspell if you control your commander. Protects your Voltron setup without spending mana.
Why it's essential: Holding up zero mana for protection is invaluable when you're tapped out for auras.
18. Mother of Runes
Mana Cost:
Why it's essential: Every turn you can blank one removal spell or make Rafiq unblockable against one opponent.
Wrapping Up
Rafiq of the Many remains one of the most efficient Voltron commanders in Magic. The combination of built-in double strike and exalted means you need less investment to threaten lethal compared to other Voltron options. Focus on efficient auras, reliable protection, and a few key support creatures.
Looking to test this deck before buying? Use our proxy printer to print playtest cards, or design custom versions of these staples with your own art.
Related Reading
- Best Voltron Equipment for Commander 2026 — A deep dive into the best equipment for any Voltron build
- Best Cards for Uril, the Miststalker 2026 — Another powerful aura Voltron commander
- Best Cards for Syr Gwyn, Hero of Ashvale 2026 — Mardu equipment Voltron at its finest
- Best Cards for Light-Paws, Emperor's Voice 2026 — Mono-white aura tutor Voltron
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