Does Raphael, Fiendish Savior Trigger Off Tokens? A Deep Dive

Yes, Raphael, Fiendish Savior does not trigger off tokens. While the trigger condition specifies “if a Creature card was put into your graveyard from anywhere this turn,” tokens are not considered cards, even though they are creatures. Raphael requires an actual card to be placed into the graveyard for its triggered ability to activate.

Understanding Raphael’s Ability and Creature Tokens

Raphael, Fiendish Savior, is a powerful card for tribal decks based around Demons, Devils, Imps, and Tieflings in Magic: The Gathering. His static abilities, providing a buff and lifelink, are valuable, but his triggered ability is the centerpiece. It reads: “At the beginning of each end step, if a Creature card was put into your graveyard from anywhere this turn, create a 1/1 red Devil Creature token with “When this Creature dies, it deals 1 damage to any target.”

The crucial distinction lies in the phrase “Creature card.” This is intentional wording. In Magic, the term “creature” often refers to a creature permanent on the battlefield. However, Raphael’s ability is designed to track creature cards entering the graveyard from any zone, not just from the battlefield when they die. This includes creature cards discarded from your hand, milled from your library, or exiled from your hand by a card like Praetor’s Grasp, and then put into your graveyard via replacement effect.

Tokens, however, exist only as representations of permanents on the battlefield (or momentarily in other zones like the graveyard). They are not cards. When a token “dies,” it goes to the graveyard briefly, triggering any “dies” abilities. But immediately afterwards, before any other effects can occur, a state-based action causes the token to cease to exist. Because tokens aren’t cards, their death won’t trigger Raphael’s ability.

The Nuances of Tokens and Cards in MTG

The game of Magic: The Gathering revolves around the interaction of cards. Cards are the fundamental building blocks of your deck and the engine that drives the gameplay. Creature tokens are essentially stand-ins for creature cards. They occupy the battlefield and function similarly to regular creatures, but they lack the inherent properties of a card.

This distinction is essential for understanding why certain effects trigger on cards and not on tokens, or vice versa. Some cards specifically target tokens, while others specifically target cards. Raphael’s card is in the latter category, and this impacts the strategies you will employ in order to maximize its effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about Raphael, Fiendish Savior, and how he interacts with other cards and mechanics, as well as clarification on the token rules in general.

1. Does Raphael’s ability trigger if I discard a creature card?

Yes! Since Raphael’s ability triggers when a Creature card is put into your graveyard from anywhere, discarding a creature card will trigger the ability at the end step.

2. If I mill a creature card into my graveyard, does Raphael trigger?

Absolutely. Milling a creature card directly into your graveyard satisfies the condition of a Creature card being put into your graveyard, thus triggering Raphael’s ability at your end step.

3. What happens if a creature card and a token die at the same time?

Raphael will only trigger once if a creature card enters the graveyard. The token, despite also entering the graveyard, does not count as a card for Raphael’s ability. You’ll only create one Devil token at the end step.

4. Can a token gain abilities like persist or undying?

Yes, tokens can gain persist or undying. The abilities will trigger when the token dies. However, because tokens can’t return to the battlefield, they will cease to exist as a state-based action before persist or undying can resolve.

5. Do tokens trigger “dies” abilities?

Yes, tokens do trigger “dies” abilities. When a token “dies,” it goes to the graveyard momentarily, which is sufficient to trigger abilities like “When a creature dies…” or “When a creature is put into a graveyard…”.

6. Does exiling a token prevent “dies” triggers?

Yes. If a token is exiled instead of going to the graveyard, “dies” triggers won’t activate. The term “dies” specifically means being put into a graveyard from the battlefield.

7. Does a token entering the battlefield trigger enter-the-battlefield (ETB) effects?

Yes, a token entering the battlefield will trigger enter-the-battlefield (ETB) effects. Tokens are treated as permanents once they are on the battlefield.

8. Can I copy Raphael, Fiendish Savior, with a token?

Yes, you can create a token copy of Raphael, Fiendish Savior. The token copy will function just like the original card, granting buffs and triggering its ability. It’s important to note that the legend rule may apply if you already control a Raphael.

9. Do tokens get summoning sickness?

Yes, tokens are affected by summoning sickness. If you haven’t controlled a creature token continuously since the beginning of your most recent turn, it can’t attack or activate abilities with the tap or untap symbol.

10. If I sacrifice a creature card to pay a cost, will Raphael trigger?

Yes. If a creature card is sacrificed, it goes to the graveyard, and this will trigger Raphael’s ability. Sacrificing can be a great way to ensure Raphael’s ability goes off.

11. Does Bloodchief Ascension trigger off tokens dying?

No. Bloodchief Ascension specifically requires nontoken creatures to die. It specifically looks for creature cards being put into the graveyard from the battlefield. Since tokens are not cards, Bloodchief Ascension will not trigger.

12. Can I return a token to my hand? What happens?

You can attempt to return a token to your hand, but it will immediately cease to exist once it leaves the battlefield. It will not trigger any “dies” effects.

13. If a token has lifelink and deals damage, do I gain life?

Yes. Tokens with lifelink function just like any other permanent with lifelink. If they deal damage, you gain that much life.

14. Can tokens be phased out?

Yes, tokens can be phased out. While phased out, they are treated as though they don’t exist. When they phase back in, they are treated as new permanents entering the battlefield.

15. What is the best way to build a deck around Raphael, Fiendish Savior?

The best way to build a deck around Raphael is to focus on a tribal strategy around Demons, Devils, Imps, and Tieflings. Include cards that generate these creature types, as well as cards that enable you to put creature cards into the graveyard (such as discard outlets, sacrifice effects, and self-mill). Maximize both his +1/+1 buffing and the steady production of 1/1 devil tokens to maintain board advantage. Consider including removal spells to keep your opponents’ board clear and force more creature deaths.

Conclusion

While Raphael, Fiendish Savior, doesn’t trigger off tokens directly, he’s still a potent commander and valuable card in MTG. Understanding the distinction between cards and tokens is crucial for maximizing his potential. By strategically putting creature cards into the graveyard from any zone, you can consistently generate Devil tokens and overwhelm your opponents. A deeper understanding of the game can also be fostered by engaging with resources like the Games Learning Society, found at GamesLearningSociety.org, where the intersection of games and education is explored, highlighting the cognitive skills and strategic thinking inherent in games like Magic: The Gathering. Raphael is a rewarding card when understood fully, and a deck built around his potential is likely to bring both fun and victory.