Skip to content

Raphael, the Nightwatcher

TMT · rare · Released 2026-03-06

Power

brawl
tier-2tier-1Build-around bomb
commander
tier-2tier-1Build-around bomb

Tier shown as baseline → best-case (in its ideal shell).

Derived from the 7 atoms below.

over

above rate

incremental

minor value alone

build around

needs a shell

takes over

can take over a game

rigid

one mode

narrow

situational

fragile

easily answered

Commander Bracket

1Precon2Core3Upgraded4Optimized5cEDH

Archetypes

positive:
aggrovoltronequipment-voltron
negative:
controlstax-prisoncombo

Roles

evasive-threatmass-pumpaggressive-creatureattack-trigger

Risks

pip-heavycommander-dependentslow-setuptelegraphed

Mechanics

mech-sneak

Typal

synergy:

anti:

Structural

static-abilityalternative-cost

Rationale

4cmc 2/3 legendary creature whose static grants ALL attacking creatures double strike — a devastating combat anthem that threatens to end games quickly with any evasive or power-boosted attacker. Sneak lets him enter tapped and attacking for {1}{R}{R} by bouncing an unblocked attacker, enabling surprise double-strike turns as early as turn 3. Signature in aggro and equipment-voltron where stacked power/double strike is a one-shot threat; pip-heavy double red limits non-red shells.

Learnings (3)

  • The double strike anthem applies to ALL attacking creatures simultaneously, not just Raphael himself — a wide board of even modest creatures becomes lethal the turn he enters.

    tagging · claude-sonnet-4-6

  • The Sneak alternative cost requires returning an unblocked attacker during the declare blockers step specifically; if all your attackers are blocked, you cannot pay the Sneak cost that combat.

    tagging · claude-sonnet-4-6

  • Because Raphael enters tapped and attacking via Sneak, he can immediately trigger his own double strike static ability on himself, and any equipment already attached to returned-to-hand creatures can be re-equipped next turn — consider this sequencing with Lightning Greaves.

    tagging · claude-sonnet-4-6

Popularity

  • EDHREC rank: #8,650