Raphael, the Nightwatcher
TMT · rare · Released 2026-03-06
Power
Tier shown as baseline → best-case (in its ideal shell).
Derived from the 7 atoms below.
above rate
minor value alone
needs a shell
can take over a game
one mode
situational
easily answered
Commander Bracket
Archetypes
Roles
Risks
Mechanics
Typal
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Structural
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