So, you’ve met the artist. He’s dramatic. He’s kind of a brat. He has a very specific way of pronouncing his own name—R-A-F-A-Y-E-L—and he probably spends more on high-end paints than most people do on rent. But if you’ve been playing Rafayel Love and Deep Space for a while, you know the "flamboyant painter" bit is mostly a front. Beneath the sarcasm and the whiny "pomeranian" energy is a story so tragic it makes the other love interests look like they’re living in a sitcom.
Honestly, Rafayel is a walking contradiction. He’s an artist with the Evol of Fire, yet he’s intrinsically tied to the ocean. He acts like he’s never had a care in the world, but his history spans thousands of years of abandonment and a literal sunken civilization.
If you're trying to figure out if he's worth your Diamonds, or if you're just confused about why he keeps talking about Lemuria, let's break it down.
The Secret History of Lemuria
Most players start the game thinking Rafayel is just a rich guy with a gallery at Whitesand Bay. Then you hit his Myths, specifically Forgotten Sea and Sea of Golden Sand, and everything changes.
Rafayel isn't just a Lemurian; he is the God of Tides.
Lemuria was a hyper-advanced underwater civilization that humans basically destroyed. They hunted Lemurians for their "immortal blood," which can grant humans eternal life. In the present timeline, Rafayel is one of the few survivors, living among the humans he secretly despises.
👉 See also: Little Big Planet Still Feels Like a Fever Dream 18 Years Later
Here is the kicker: in a past life, he was supposed to take the protagonist’s heart as a sacrifice to save his people. Instead, he gave her his heart. This choice effectively doomed Lemuria to fall, but it saved her. Talk about a "down bad" move that lasted several lifetimes.
Why the Fire Evol?
It’s weird, right? A sea god who controls fire.
In the game, his fire isn't just standard heat. It represents his "burn" for revenge and the intense, volatile emotions he keeps under a lid. In the Tears of Romirro myth, we see him as a much darker version of himself—an assassin hunting down those who hurt his kind.
The fire is a curse as much as a power. It’s the visual representation of how he’s been "dried out" by the loss of his home and the betrayal of humanity.
Playing the Long Game: Rafayel's Personality
If Zayne is the "ice king" and Xavier is the "sleepy knight," Rafayel is the "chaotic creative."
✨ Don't miss: Why the 20 Questions Card Game Still Wins in a World of Screens
You’ve probably noticed he’s incredibly clingy one second and teasingly distant the next. This is classic anxious attachment. Because he’s been forgotten by the protagonist across multiple reincarnations, he’s terrified of being left behind again.
- He’s a gourmet: Don't try to take him away from a seafood dinner. He will get genuinely cranky.
- The "Goldfish" Memory: He claims to have a bad memory, but he actually remembers every single detail about your past lives. He’s just lying to protect himself.
- The Brat Factor: He whines to get your attention. It’s a strategy. He knows he's pretty, and he knows you know he's pretty.
Combat Strategy: Making the Sea God Work
In the arena, Rafayel plays very differently than the other guys. If you're using his Sea God myth pair, you aren't just hacking and slashing.
You need to focus on his Divine Favor state. This is when he summons a water tornado and starts raining down spears. It’s visually stunning, but it requires some actual brainpower to use effectively.
Quick Tips for Building Rafayel
- Prioritize Defense: Unlike most characters, many of Rafayel’s skills scale off his DEF stat. If you give him pure ATK protocores, you’re leaving damage on the table.
- The 1:2 Ratio: Aim for a Crit Rate to Crit Damage ratio of roughly 1:2. If you have 40% Crit Rate, you want at least 180% Crit Damage (counting the base 100%).
- Dodge the Crystals: When he’s in his Divine Favor state, he generates Lightning Crystals. Don't just ignore them. If you dodge through them, you trigger extra burst damage.
What Most People Get Wrong About Rafayel
The biggest misconception is that Rafayel is the "easy" or "lighthearted" choice.
Sure, his interactions in the Destiny Cafe are hilarious. He pouts, he gets flustered when you tease him back, and he’s constantly trying to buy your affection with "shiny baubles." But his lore is arguably the darkest in the game.
🔗 Read more: FC 26 Web App: How to Master the Market Before the Game Even Launches
He is a god who lost his kingdom, his divinity, and his people, all for a girl who (initially) doesn't even remember his name. When he says, "You owe me," he isn't just talking about the dinner he bought you. He's talking about the thousands of years he spent waiting for you to come back to the shore.
How to Maximize Your Bond
If you want to unlock those spicy "Secret Times" or the deeper lore entries, you have to play into his specific brand of logic.
- Be Smart: He respects the MC when she shows critical thinking. Don't just agree with everything he says; challenge him.
- Quality Time: His love language isn't just gifts; it's presence. He wants you in his studio, even if you’re both just sitting in silence while he paints.
- The Small Stuff: Acknowledge his subtle gestures. When he ensures you're getting enough rest or fixes something for you without being asked, that’s where the real Rafayel lives.
Actionable Next Steps for Players
To truly master the Rafayel route and optimize your gameplay, focus on these three things immediately:
- Farm the "Sea God" Myth Cards: These are his most powerful units and contain the core of his Lemurian backstory. Without them, his character arc feels incomplete.
- Level up DEF-based Protocores: Check your inventory for SSR protocores with high DEF% substats. These are usually "trash" for other characters but "gold" for Rafayel.
- Read the "Anecdotes": If you're confused about his "Siren" persona or why he's sometimes seen in a mask, the Anecdotes section in the "World Underneath" tab provides the gritty, non-romantic details of his life as an underground informant.
Rafayel is a slow burn that feels like a wildfire once it starts. He's not just a painter at Whitesand Bay; he's the last heartbeat of a dead civilization, and he's decided that you are the only thing left worth saving.