Played with Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa in the deck this weekend and it did so much work in tandem with Varchild, Betrayer of Kjeldor. I kept giving my opponent's tokens that they need to hit each other with, and since the tokens can't block, they would go basically unimpeded. Then they finally decided that Varchild had to go, I got all the tokens, GSZ'd for Sidar, and was able to swing with the tokens with impunity.
I like these lands. It seems like they should be in pretty much every EDH deck that shares the color.
Maybe not in 4-5 colour manabases as those are often light on basics (and their bonus isn't good enough IMHO to be worth coming into play tapped), but I'd definitely run these in all mono, two and three color decks if they aren't too expensive.
Don't forget that fetchable dual lands will also meet the criteria.
How does the last ability exactly work? Can it be activated when the opponent has less than 5 cards in yard or not?
It's a cost, so I'm pretty sure the answer is no. Like the untap symbol. You can't pay a sacrifice cost if you have nothing to have sacrifice, etc.
It's not a cost. If it was, it would be "UB, exile five cards from an opponent's yard: effect".
You DO however have to have 5 targets. Which means at least 1 of the 5 targets still has to be in the graveyard when the ability goes to resolve, or it will fizzle.
I didn't play Marisi this weekend since I had been going so hard with him the past two, but did make a few tweaks.
I'm starting to dislike the "All creatures must attack" effects; they just seem lackluster when we are goading our opponent's anyway.
One thing I added to give my creatures a little more evasion is Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa. I've always loved him and this is probably the best home for him. The upside is since his ability affects all all creatures with 2 or less power, not just yours, your opponents' little weenie creatures will be getting in for damage as well.
Like we were discussing on the Let's Brew thread: I have hatebears and ways of granting evasions (Swords, and the recently added Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa)
I will preface this with I have not played Rafiq in a long time, and when I did, it was a Legend of Zelda themed deck, so my choices were made with both flavor and function in mind...
The main thing I can see right now is I don't like have Aura's and Swords of XandY unless they are Sword of Sinew and Steel (the other equipment are fine; these two categories are just nonbos with each other). Focusing on one over the other allows more synergistic cards like Stoneforge Mystic (maybe a good card regardless, since you are playing other equipment) or Sovereigns of Lost Alara
Other individual choices: Stone Haven Outfitter feels meh, you don't have many tokens or creatures, and Im assuming Rafiq will never enter the graveyard to trigger that the draw ability.
A single mana-dork in Avacyn's Pilgrim seems like an odd include.
Tamiyo, Field Researcher is a lot of fun. Her +1 triggers on each instance of combat damage (and not just to a player), so you can target Rafiq or whatever creature you are attacking with, Swing, deal first strike damage and draw a card then deal normal damage and draw a card. And if Rafiq had vigilence, if he blocks, he'll get to draw you another card as well!
1) Are you looking for budget-friendly suggestions?
2) What is your overall game plan? Normally Rafiq will suit-up and win with commander damage, but you a decent number of your creatures look like THEY want to be the ones to attack instead. This is NOT a problem; will just help with suggestions.
A couple of observations from my hatebears-y games:
Hatebears are a fun way to build the deck, but it lacks some reach; I had trouble closing out games. Skyline Despot seems like a perfect one to include.
I had some "attacks each turn if able"effects that seemed kind of lackluster; If I needed my opponents to attack not me, I never really had a problem Goading them
Always remember the read Master Warcraft very carefully; it doesn't do quite what you think it does.
Sunforger is possibly the best equipment for the deck as it grabs all of our white protection spells.
I had Skyline Despot for a while in my list because I LOVE the Monarch as a mechanic, but for tomorrow Im trying a lower land count/lower CMC, more hatebears-y version.
Don't forget that fetchable dual lands will also meet the criteria.
Each mode is a separate instance, so each mode will get a +2 buff.
You DO however have to have 5 targets. Which means at least 1 of the 5 targets still has to be in the graveyard when the ability goes to resolve, or it will fizzle.
I'm starting to dislike the "All creatures must attack" effects; they just seem lackluster when we are goading our opponent's anyway.
One thing I added to give my creatures a little more evasion is Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa. I've always loved him and this is probably the best home for him. The upside is since his ability affects all all creatures with 2 or less power, not just yours, your opponents' little weenie creatures will be getting in for damage as well.
The main thing I can see right now is I don't like have Aura's and Swords of XandY unless they are Sword of Sinew and Steel (the other equipment are fine; these two categories are just nonbos with each other). Focusing on one over the other allows more synergistic cards like Stoneforge Mystic (maybe a good card regardless, since you are playing other equipment) or Sovereigns of Lost Alara
Other individual choices: Stone Haven Outfitter feels meh, you don't have many tokens or creatures, and Im assuming Rafiq will never enter the graveyard to trigger that the draw ability.
A single mana-dork in Avacyn's Pilgrim seems like an odd include.
Tamiyo, Field Researcher is a lot of fun. Her +1 triggers on each instance of combat damage (and not just to a player), so you can target Rafiq or whatever creature you are attacking with, Swing, deal first strike damage and draw a card then deal normal damage and draw a card. And if Rafiq had vigilence, if he blocks, he'll get to draw you another card as well!
1) Are you looking for budget-friendly suggestions?
2) What is your overall game plan? Normally Rafiq will suit-up and win with commander damage, but you a decent number of your creatures look like THEY want to be the ones to attack instead. This is NOT a problem; will just help with suggestions.