Some MTG players like controlling the board and winning slow victories of attrition. Some MTG players like protecting themselves long enough to win instantly with combos and say 'Ha' to the table. Some MTG players just like to win, no matter how they do it or if they have any fun. And some MTG players like beating face with a ton of elves. If you are a member of that last group, Ezuri is the general for you.
First, a few notes.
-This is the second primer for Ezuri - check out handsome_sailor's fantastic one here. I partially based this deck off of that deck, and took a ton of his thoughts into consideration. The two spoilers may seem redundant but I'm posting this list and I'm posting it right.
-Sadly, I am not the type of person who can spend $1000 on a whim to buy a deck with all the best stuff, so a lot of budget considerations have been taken into account in this list. There is only one card that costs more than $10 on TCGplayer.com, and that is Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary, who is vital to this deck. A list of cards I would run had I the budget is below. The entire list can be bought for $137.31 (including shipping, as of 7/15/2011).
-This deck would probably be better in 1v1 EDH, but I have it listed in multiplayer because that's the format I like to play.
-One last note: I only recently built this deck and have just begun to test it. Expect a lot of changes as I continue to test this deck, both on Cockatrice, a free (but somewhat worse) MTGO alternative, and in real life with my friends.
So, on with the primer.
You might be asking yourself, "Why would I play Ezuri?" "How is this list fun to play?" "Is this guy going to do what every primer does and do a stupid list of why you would and wouldn't play his general?" Well, the answer to all those questions is, yes. You would play Ezuri if:
-You like beating face with elves.
-You like beating face with elves.
-You like casting Genesis Wave for 20.
-You like actually having stuff to do early in the game.
-You like beating face with elves.
-Legolas is your favorite character in LOTR.
-You don't mind losing games to a single board wipe.
-You like beating face with elves.
You wouldn't play Ezuri if:
-You like controlling the game.
-You like tapping two islands and saying, "No".
-You like to be able to survive a board wipe.
-You like combos (although there are a few here).
-Legolas is your least favorite character in LOTR (I know, how is that possible).
-You don't like fun.
How to play Ezuri:
Playing this deck is not very hard. The modus operandi doesn't change much from game to game; play ramp elves, play Ezuri, overrun 500,000 times, beat face. That's really all there is to it. If you are playing against controllish decks, it is important to do things like not overextend, but really, that is extraneous. The basic strategy is the same every game.
And now, the moment you've all been waiting for - The decklist:
Ezuri, Renegade Leader - this is easily the best lord for Elf tribal decks. The deck is built around his second ability. Apart from simply winning the game, the ability allows us to pose a threat to the board even with a few creatures out, and not overextend. As well, with Ezuri, we always have something to do with our mana. His first ability is underrated, and often forgotten - use it to take opponents by surprise.
Elvish Champion - my first MTG card ever, and personal favorite of all time. Also, if your opponent runs forests, game-winning. Eladamri, Lord of Leaves - see above, add shroud, costs 1 less, instant ridiculous. Joraga Warcaller - it is very fun to cast this guy for 7 or 9. If he sticks, you win. Bramblewood Paragon - He makes big dudes. Especially good with... Imperious Prefect - makes your guys bigger, generates more guys. What's not to love? Eldrazi Monument - indestructibility and flying. This can win you the game really quickly. Coat of Arms - I've heard plenty of arguments against this card. "It's too symmetrical." "It's too risky." "It's win-more." Well, here's an argument for this card - "It's fun." Even if it ends up losing you the game instead of winning you the game - and in most circumstances it will win you the game - it adds instant fun to the table, and that's really what EDH is all about.
Big Stuff and Stuff to Make More Stuff:
Chameleon Colossus - this guy is big. Very big. Woodfall Primus - this guy is bigger, and takes care of one or two things bothering you. Terastodon - this guy is even bigger, and takes care of three things bothering you. Talara's Battalion - sadly, a lot smaller, but an elf and very aggresively costed. Wren's Run Vanquisher - see above. Jagged-Scar Archers - an aggressively costed X/X, and deals with pesky fliers that this deck otherwise has very little way to deal with. Lys Alana Huntmaster - ridiculous. If she sticks, you will have an army in no time. Hunting Triad - MOAR ELVES. Gilt-Leaf Ambush - MOAR ELVES.
Tutor, Drawing:
Worldly Tutor - a very solid tutor for most of your library. Staple in this deck. Chord of Calling - puts the card straight into play, and thus makes up for costing a ton. Green Sun's Zenith - green staple. This card is ridiculous. Fauna Shaman - not quite as good as Survival of the Fittest, but much cheaper. Elvish Visionary - a body that draws me a card. Regal Force - I love this guy. He can refill your hand. Slate of Ancestry - repeatable Regal Force? Yes please. Skullclamp - the drawing off of this thing can get ridiculous. Harmonize - probably the best green draw spell ever printed. Sylvan Library - card advantage, the card. Fierce Empath - can tutor Regal Force or one of the big permanent destroyers. Wirewood Herald - a very solid tutor.
Utility and Miscellaneous:
Lightning Greaves - It's Lightning Greaves. Need I say more? Krosan Grip, Naturalize - too versatile not to play. Beast Within - see above, except more. Concordant Crossroads - haste is huge in this deck. Thousand-Year Elixir - for two more, one-sided proto-haste and untapping. Perfect for this deck. Wirewood Symbiote - the more I play with this guy, the more I love him. Not only does he untap guys, but he offers pseudo-protection and is great with ETB abilities. Seeker of Skybreak, Quirion Ranger - untappers. What more is there to say? Copperhorn Scout - mass untapper. Works wonders with Ezuri + big mana elf X. Wild Pair - This is a great card to find more lords and things like that. Mana dork into Priest of Titania is huge. Gaea's Herald - shut that pesky blue mage up. Glissa Sunseeker - repeatable artifact destruction? Oh yes. Viridian Shaman, Viridian Zealot - non-repeatable artifact destruction, but still very good. Genesis Wave - Casting this for 20 is the funnest thing I've ever done in any game of magic ever, but pair this up with infinite mana for even more fun. Be careful though - if you Wave for every card in the deck, and a Regal Force or Visionary hits...
Cards I would run or at least consider running if I had the money:
Gaea's Cradle - *crying* Akroma's Memorial - this is a ridiculous card which can win games. It's Eldrazi Monument without the downside. Survival of the Fittest - Fauna Shaman is good, but the original is just better. Glimpse of Nature - Ridiculous draw.
Sword of X and Y, Umezawa's Jitte - very strong equipment that I would consider running because of their pure strength.
So there you have it. My hands hurt now. Have fun with the deck!
I would consider Fresh Meat and Heedless One in your build. Fresh Meat prevents those board wipes from being game over, and heedless one is a big trampling elf. Also elves beg for Beastmaster Ascension.
I would consider Fresh Meat and Heedless One in your build. Fresh Meat prevents those board wipes from being game over, and heedless one is a big trampling elf. Also elves beg for Beastmaster Ascension.
I considered Fresh Meat, but it seemed like it would be dead in a lot of situations, and I'd always have to leave mana up to have it ready, not to mention that it's about the worst topdeck possible late in the game. As for Heedless One, trample is usually irrelevant because my dudes get trample from Ezuri anyway, and it costs 1 more than Jagged-Scar Archers and doesn't take care of fliers. I don't think it's worth the slot. I definitely want to try Beastmaster Ascension, but at the moment I don't know what to cut for it.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Thanks to SushiOtter at Hakai Studios for the sig. Check them out!
My first instinct is to replace Naturalize (usually a terrible card in this format) with Nullmage Shepherd or Acidic Slime (both of which are vastly superior). Is there any reason why you chose Naturalize over those two, especially since Nullmage Shepherd is an Elf?
I'm not really sure about Bramblewood Paragon here... other than Imperious Perfect, you really have no way to abuse it.
Except for...you know...his general. Awesome deck, I play Ezuri myself (list is on the boards). Have you considered the following cards?:
Yavimaya Hollow You can regenerate Ezuri with it, something I find to be very helpful Taunting Elf Send the crew and Taunting Elf in. Very easy to get general damage (or regular damage) in this way. Triumph of the Hordes This card doesn't make friends, but it certainly wins a lot of games Mosswort Bridge It's super fun overrunning on your opponents turn, them asking what you are doing, then activating Mosswort Bridge to play the card underneath it. This card is just upside.
I'd love to hear about any kind of correction you'd make to my deck.
U've missed out the best removal for a mono-colored deck - Spine of Ish Sah. Couple that with Mirrodin's Core and you have a colorless vindicate every turn. Only problem is the mana cost..... or IS THAT A PROBLEM?
Spine's saved my ass whenever I'm faced with the 2 cards a tribal and mono colored deck would hate - especially when it's elves. I'm referring to Iona and Linvala. Both would pwn this deck when they hit the board.
I'll suggest Nature's Will as well - this cheap enchantment works wonders for green beatdown decks.
Finally, no Elvish Promenade..? Double the Elves for Double the fun!! Not to mention that you can look for this with the Harbinger...
Craterhoof Behemoth? Anyone?
[CARD]
Elvish Promenade[/CARD] is the nuts, you gotta try that out. I really like Sylvan Messenger. People always forget elves have a ringleader too.
I run Eternal Witness even though it isn't an elf. Its always good to Gwave twice. Collective Unconscious is a card. Its like another Regal Force. I also run Beastmaster Ascension. Its okay, not super special but when it hits you win.
Nice list you have there. With the low mana cost and lots of dorks have you considered cutting one or two more lands?
Also please don't use the primer tag unless you have been approved by the primer committee. I hate to tell that to people, but if everyone did that then there wouldn't be a point in submitting a primer for review.
I've removed the primer tag. This list was necroed from over a year ago, and the user hasn't been on in over a year, before we had official primer tags.
First, a few notes.
-This is the second primer for Ezuri - check out handsome_sailor's fantastic one here. I partially based this deck off of that deck, and took a ton of his thoughts into consideration. The two spoilers may seem redundant but I'm posting this list and I'm posting it right.
-Sadly, I am not the type of person who can spend $1000 on a whim to buy a deck with all the best stuff, so a lot of budget considerations have been taken into account in this list. There is only one card that costs more than $10 on TCGplayer.com, and that is Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary, who is vital to this deck. A list of cards I would run had I the budget is below. The entire list can be bought for $137.31 (including shipping, as of 7/15/2011).
-This deck would probably be better in 1v1 EDH, but I have it listed in multiplayer because that's the format I like to play.
-One last note: I only recently built this deck and have just begun to test it. Expect a lot of changes as I continue to test this deck, both on Cockatrice, a free (but somewhat worse) MTGO alternative, and in real life with my friends.
So, on with the primer.
You might be asking yourself, "Why would I play Ezuri?" "How is this list fun to play?" "Is this guy going to do what every primer does and do a stupid list of why you would and wouldn't play his general?" Well, the answer to all those questions is, yes. You would play Ezuri if:
-You like beating face with elves.
-You like beating face with elves.
-You like casting Genesis Wave for 20.
-You like actually having stuff to do early in the game.
-You like beating face with elves.
-Legolas is your favorite character in LOTR.
-You don't mind losing games to a single board wipe.
-You like beating face with elves.
You wouldn't play Ezuri if:
-You like controlling the game.
-You like tapping two islands and saying, "No".
-You like to be able to survive a board wipe.
-You like combos (although there are a few here).
-Legolas is your least favorite character in LOTR (I know, how is that possible).
-You don't like fun.
How to play Ezuri:
Playing this deck is not very hard. The modus operandi doesn't change much from game to game; play ramp elves, play Ezuri, overrun 500,000 times, beat face. That's really all there is to it. If you are playing against controllish decks, it is important to do things like not overextend, but really, that is extraneous. The basic strategy is the same every game.
And now, the moment you've all been waiting for - The decklist:
1 Ezuri, Renegade Leader
Mana Elves - 10
1 Llanowar Elves
1 Fyndhorn Elves
1 Boreal Druid
1 Arbor Elf
1 Heritage Druid
1 Joraga Treespeaker
1 Priest of Titania
1 Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary
1 Devoted Druid
1 Wirewood Channeler
Lords - 5
1 Joraga Warcaller
1 Eladamri, Lord of Leaves
1 Elvish Archdruid
1 Imperious Perfect
1 Elvish Champion
Big Elves - 5
1 Talara's Battalion
1 Wren's Run Vanquisher
1 Chameleon Colossus
1 Jagged-Scar Archers
1 Lys Alana Huntmaster
Untappers - 4
1 Quirion Ranger
1 Copperhorn Scout
1 Wirewood Symbiote
1 Seeker of Skybreak
1 Bramblewood Paragon
1 Elvish Visionary
1 Wirewood Herald
1 Fauna Shaman
1 Viridian Zealot
1 Sylvan Ranger
1 Viridian Shaman
1 Elvish Harbinger
1 Fierce Empath
1 Gaea's Herald
1 Glissa Sunseeker
Non-elves - 4
1 Regal Force
1 Terastodon
1 Woodfall Primus
1 Skyshroud Poacher
Instants and Sorceries - 11
1 Krosan Grip
1 Gilt-Leaf Ambush
1 Chord of Calling
1 Hunting Triad
1 Harmonize
1 Green Sun's Zenith
1 Beast Within
1 Worldly Tutor
1 Genesis Wave
1 Collective Unconscious
1 Naturalize
1 Concordant Crossroads
1 Sylvan Library
1 Elvish Guidance
1 Vernal Bloom
1 Mana Reflection
Artifacts - 9
1 Skullclamp
1 Coat of Arms
1 Eldrazi Monument
1 Lightning Greaves
1 Umbral Mantle
1 Thousand-Year Elixir
1 Sword of the Paruns
1 Slate of Ancestry
1 Caged Sun
Land - 35
1 Wirewood Lodge
1 Oran-Rief, the Vastwood
1 Pendelhaven
1 Strip Mine
31 Forest
The General:
Ezuri, Renegade Leader - this is easily the best lord for Elf tribal decks. The deck is built around his second ability. Apart from simply winning the game, the ability allows us to pose a threat to the board even with a few creatures out, and not overextend. As well, with Ezuri, we always have something to do with our mana. His first ability is underrated, and often forgotten - use it to take opponents by surprise.
Mana Ramping:
Mana Dorks - Llanowar Elves, Arbor Elf, Fyndhorn Elves, Joraga Treespeaker, Boreal Druid, Devoted Druid - these are what every elf deck is built upon. These cards make the deck possible. Always try to have one in your opening hand if possible.
Heritage Druid - an elf staple. Psuedo-hasted mana is always nice.
Elvish Harbinger - I'm not sure about this card. I hate 3-cmc creatures that don't do much, but fetching Rofellos or Eladamri is very good.
Priest of Titania, Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary Elvish Archdruid, Wirewood Channeler - yeah.
Elvish Guidance - see above. Slightly worse because of Strip Mine, but doesn't die to mass removal and great with Arbor Elf.
Mana Reflection, Caged Sun, Vernal Bloom - expensive but ridiculous. Also really good for refilling your board after a sweep, as you'll likely have only lands left. Caged Sun also adds a nice lord effect, which doesn't quite make up for its worse-ness but is nice.
Umbral Mantle, Sword of the Paruns - combo pieces with big rampers.
Make Stuff Big:
Elvish Champion - my first MTG card ever, and personal favorite of all time. Also, if your opponent runs forests, game-winning.
Eladamri, Lord of Leaves - see above, add shroud, costs 1 less, instant ridiculous.
Joraga Warcaller - it is very fun to cast this guy for 7 or 9. If he sticks, you win.
Bramblewood Paragon - He makes big dudes. Especially good with...
Imperious Prefect - makes your guys bigger, generates more guys. What's not to love?
Eldrazi Monument - indestructibility and flying. This can win you the game really quickly.
Coat of Arms - I've heard plenty of arguments against this card. "It's too symmetrical." "It's too risky." "It's win-more." Well, here's an argument for this card - "It's fun." Even if it ends up losing you the game instead of winning you the game - and in most circumstances it will win you the game - it adds instant fun to the table, and that's really what EDH is all about.
Big Stuff and Stuff to Make More Stuff:
Chameleon Colossus - this guy is big. Very big.
Woodfall Primus - this guy is bigger, and takes care of one or two things bothering you.
Terastodon - this guy is even bigger, and takes care of three things bothering you.
Talara's Battalion - sadly, a lot smaller, but an elf and very aggresively costed.
Wren's Run Vanquisher - see above.
Jagged-Scar Archers - an aggressively costed X/X, and deals with pesky fliers that this deck otherwise has very little way to deal with.
Lys Alana Huntmaster - ridiculous. If she sticks, you will have an army in no time.
Hunting Triad - MOAR ELVES.
Gilt-Leaf Ambush - MOAR ELVES.
Tutor, Drawing:
Worldly Tutor - a very solid tutor for most of your library. Staple in this deck.
Chord of Calling - puts the card straight into play, and thus makes up for costing a ton.
Green Sun's Zenith - green staple. This card is ridiculous.
Fauna Shaman - not quite as good as Survival of the Fittest, but much cheaper.
Elvish Visionary - a body that draws me a card.
Regal Force - I love this guy. He can refill your hand.
Slate of Ancestry - repeatable Regal Force? Yes please.
Skullclamp - the drawing off of this thing can get ridiculous.
Harmonize - probably the best green draw spell ever printed.
Sylvan Library - card advantage, the card.
Fierce Empath - can tutor Regal Force or one of the big permanent destroyers.
Wirewood Herald - a very solid tutor.
Utility and Miscellaneous:
Lightning Greaves - It's Lightning Greaves. Need I say more?
Krosan Grip, Naturalize - too versatile not to play.
Beast Within - see above, except more.
Concordant Crossroads - haste is huge in this deck.
Thousand-Year Elixir - for two more, one-sided proto-haste and untapping. Perfect for this deck.
Wirewood Symbiote - the more I play with this guy, the more I love him. Not only does he untap guys, but he offers pseudo-protection and is great with ETB abilities.
Seeker of Skybreak, Quirion Ranger - untappers. What more is there to say?
Copperhorn Scout - mass untapper. Works wonders with Ezuri + big mana elf X.
Wild Pair - This is a great card to find more lords and things like that. Mana dork into Priest of Titania is huge.
Gaea's Herald - shut that pesky blue mage up.
Glissa Sunseeker - repeatable artifact destruction? Oh yes.
Viridian Shaman, Viridian Zealot - non-repeatable artifact destruction, but still very good.
Genesis Wave - Casting this for 20 is the funnest thing I've ever done in any game of magic ever, but pair this up with infinite mana for even more fun. Be careful though - if you Wave for every card in the deck, and a Regal Force or Visionary hits...
Cards I would run or at least consider running if I had the money:
Gaea's Cradle - *crying*
Akroma's Memorial - this is a ridiculous card which can win games. It's Eldrazi Monument without the downside.
Survival of the Fittest - Fauna Shaman is good, but the original is just better.
Glimpse of Nature - Ridiculous draw.
Sword of X and Y, Umezawa's Jitte - very strong equipment that I would consider running because of their pure strength.
So there you have it. My hands hurt now. Have fun with the deck!
Changelog:
Nothing yet, geez, don't rush me.
Thanks to SushiOtter at Hakai Studios for the sig. Check them out!
Standard:
GGGRDungrove Wolf RunGGGR
Modern:
URExarchMite KikiTwinUR
EDH:
GGGOmnathGGG
WWWDarienWWW
GGGEzuriGGG
How is this list fun to play? Yes
lolz
I would consider Fresh Meat and Heedless One in your build. Fresh Meat prevents those board wipes from being game over, and heedless one is a big trampling elf. Also elves beg for Beastmaster Ascension.
Scry! (rollover popups)
Modern: W Soul Sisters (WIP), GW Melira Pod (WIP)
Current EDH:
G Ezuri's Renegade Elves (thread)
BGW Ghave's Legion (thread)
WUB Sharuum, Artifact Savant
I considered Fresh Meat, but it seemed like it would be dead in a lot of situations, and I'd always have to leave mana up to have it ready, not to mention that it's about the worst topdeck possible late in the game. As for Heedless One, trample is usually irrelevant because my dudes get trample from Ezuri anyway, and it costs 1 more than Jagged-Scar Archers and doesn't take care of fliers. I don't think it's worth the slot. I definitely want to try Beastmaster Ascension, but at the moment I don't know what to cut for it.
Thanks to SushiOtter at Hakai Studios for the sig. Check them out!
Standard:
GGGRDungrove Wolf RunGGGR
Modern:
URExarchMite KikiTwinUR
EDH:
GGGOmnathGGG
WWWDarienWWW
GGGEzuriGGG
Scry! (rollover popups)
Modern: W Soul Sisters (WIP), GW Melira Pod (WIP)
Current EDH:
G Ezuri's Renegade Elves (thread)
BGW Ghave's Legion (thread)
WUB Sharuum, Artifact Savant
Yeva (88/92 foils)
Raff
Scarab
Rakdos
Wort ($50 budget, 94/97 foils)
Trostani
Except for...you know...his general. Awesome deck, I play Ezuri myself (list is on the boards). Have you considered the following cards?:
Yavimaya Hollow You can regenerate Ezuri with it, something I find to be very helpful
Taunting Elf Send the crew and Taunting Elf in. Very easy to get general damage (or regular damage) in this way.
Triumph of the Hordes This card doesn't make friends, but it certainly wins a lot of games
Mosswort Bridge It's super fun overrunning on your opponents turn, them asking what you are doing, then activating Mosswort Bridge to play the card underneath it. This card is just upside.
I'd love to hear about any kind of correction you'd make to my deck.
Works well to keep your elves on the field after a boardwipe.
Works really well if you have Oran-Rief, the Vastwood to remove the -1/-1 counters.
I've found it to be very helpful whenever I've had it out....to the point where I'm seriously considering further ways of tutoring for it.
| B Erebos, God of VampiresB | GYeva SmashG | RBosh ArtifactsR | GURAnimar +1 BeatsGUR | RBVial's Secret Hot SauceRB | UBRNekusar, Draw if you DareUBR | RGBDarigaaz'z DragonsRGB | GBSlimeFEETGB | UBOn-Hit LazavUB | URBrudiclad's Artificer InventionsUR | GUBMuldrotha's ElementalsGUB | WUGKestia's EnchantmentsWUG | GUTatyova - Draw, Land, Go!GU | WGArahbo's EquipmentWG | BUWVarina's ZOMBIE HORDESBUW | WLyra's Angelic SalvationW | WBChurch of TeysaWB | UAzami...WizardsU
As soon as I saw it, it instantly popped into my mind for elves.
Loving the cheap cost for such a fun deck if only I could afford Handsome Sailor's deck ;(
Spine's saved my ass whenever I'm faced with the 2 cards a tribal and mono colored deck would hate - especially when it's elves. I'm referring to Iona and Linvala. Both would pwn this deck when they hit the board.
I'll suggest Nature's Will as well - this cheap enchantment works wonders for green beatdown decks.
Finally, no Elvish Promenade..? Double the Elves for Double the fun!! Not to mention that you can look for this with the Harbinger...
Iwamori says "Just Bring It!"
Edric's Spiesssssssss (Snake Tribal) GU
Sliver Overlord (Slivers Galore!!) WUBRG
Ruhan of the Fomori RWU
Seton, Krosan ProtectorG
Intet, The Dreamer (Hive Mind + Scrambleverse anyone?) URG
Karona, False God the Goddess of Tribal - Samurai, P3K Horsemen, 5c MyrsWUBRG
Garza's Family UBR
Sygg, River Guide and his merry merrowmen UB
Sharuum, the Hedgemon Sphinx Tribal
[CARD]
Elvish Promenade[/CARD] is the nuts, you gotta try that out. I really like Sylvan Messenger. People always forget elves have a ringleader too.
I run Eternal Witness even though it isn't an elf. Its always good to Gwave twice. Collective Unconscious is a card. Its like another Regal Force. I also run Beastmaster Ascension. Its okay, not super special but when it hits you win.
GWUBAtraxa, Praetor's Voice PrimerGWUB
GWURoon Bant Blink WhateverGWU
BRGLord Windgrace LandsBRG
Also please don't use the primer tag unless you have been approved by the primer committee. I hate to tell that to people, but if everyone did that then there wouldn't be a point in submitting a primer for review.
EDH
GWSigarda, Host of EnchantressGW[Primer]
Misc. EDH Stuff: Commander Cube | Zombies (Horde)
Resources:Commander Rulings FAQ | Commander Deckbuilding Guide
Follow me on Twitter! @cryogen_mtg