MTG Salvation

decklist in multiplayer section now.

Quote from handsome_sailor

Check out my recent Primer on Ezuri, you might get a few ideas - CLICK

To be honest, you have the strangest elf build I've ever seen - take that as a compliment since others are very similar to each other Elves without mana elves, well damn, isn't that something.... BTW I digg the Warrior subtheme. My deck might go in the same direction... It's just too bad that there are only a few good elf warriors, like 10 in total.

Also you should mos def check Obsidian Battle-Axe.

Definately checked out your primer.....gleened many good ideas from your decklist....just gotta get a few of the cards. (and yea, Obsidian Battle-Axe looks pretty solid)

Definately was going with the sub-theme approach, so I'm really glad you were able to notice it. In addition to the warriors, I have druids with Gilt-Leaf Archdruid going off, and I have archers as a solid line against flyers. I have several shaman in aswell, though I have not yet found a good outlet for that perticular sub-theme. A few other misnomers, but you get the idea.

Thanks for taking a peak at my list...

Good Morning.

K, I've gone through a few suggestion threads now, and updated my OP list, as well as updated my Ideas Area.

Would love some suggestions in what to cut....what to include....fine tuning sort of things. Any takers?

Honestly I found Nissa Revane to be outright bad for Elfball EDH. Sadly she can only go get one of her friends and if the lifegain is ever any good you should probably already be winning and not need lifegain. She is soooooo hard to protect since you have like no flying defense and you don't want to trade blockers to protect her.

Obviously if you cut Nissa then you should also cut Nissa's Chosen.

You have a lot of the 1-2 mana elves that just tap for one mana. Generally you want to pick up an army and swing in with lots of overruns. I found that elves that go and fetch lands work better for this strategy. If someone wraths you you still have the land they went and got. Also you cant tap a guy for mana and swing in the same turn. Go for the guys who will tap for a lot of mana for your mana critters.

Most of your archers sort of suck... sorry to say it but they do. You want something that will just trade nicely into some of the larger EDH flyers. I would suggest Thornweald Archer

Wren's Run Packmaster she is actually loss of momentum. You take 2 cards and make it into one big elf... I guess this is your call though. I went stright for ramping my elves through Ezuri. If you want a wolf subtheme that's your call. I found her to be sort of lacking.

Primordial Sage keep in mind how much you expect to be wrathed. This guy works over time and chances are people wont want you to draw a ton of cards. You might be better off using a 1 shot card draw card and being done with it. I haven't ever played him so I guess this is up to you.

Garruk's Packleader I just dont see this guy triggering that often. Considering he isnt a elf either I would cut him.

Bellowing Tanglewurm isnt your commander's trample sort of the point of him. Who cares if you get blocked you will just crush your enemies.

Presence of Gond setting yourself up for a 2 for 1 just sucks.

Bear Umbra I guess I have to ask how much exiling and sacing your opponents really do. The umbras can be fun but they also offer a potential 2 for 1.

Spellbook If you draw a ton of cards shouldnt you be able to just dump them into play???? You are running elfball. I cant think of that many situations where I was discarding tons of needed cards in elfball. You have the tower already and I dont feel like this is worth a slot.

Where did Cauldron of Souls go??? Did it not make your list? If you do end up swapping some of the low mana tapping elves out for land fetch it becomes better. Also keep in mind that if you have one of your lords on the table the elves will come back buffed and live.

Soul's Majesty ???? this is elfball... Just use Harmonize it will probably pay out more regularly.

EDIT: Ooops I just realized that you posted this list in 1v1... well that might throw off some of my suggestions. If you plan on playing this deck strictly one v one you might have to take my advice with a grain of salt. Most of my suggestions were intended for multiplayer play.

@ISBPathfinder
Thanks for taking a look at my decklist. I appriciate it.

I'll be keeping Nissa Revane in, if not for nastalgia....I don't own many PW's, and my meta doesn't in general, so even if she's not good, my meta considers her high threat. If I get her ultimate off, it'll be pretty sweet.

I'll definately take a look into exchanging some of my mana-tappers for land-searchers. LD is low in our meta, so that would be more stable.

Thanks for the [card]Thornweald Archer[/card suggestion. He'll definately go in.

I can definately see you're point with Wren's Run Packmaster. I had thought putting tonnes of mana into wolves could be a good thing, but Ezuri doesn't pump wolves. I'll probably drop Wolf-Skull Shaman too.

I never played with the Primordial Sage before either. I just thought he'd curve overall tempo like Lurking Predators or Garruk's Packleader. I'll keep him in for now, but that may change. Maybe all three should just be cut.

I thought Bellowing Tanglewurm could be an alternate win condition, similar to that of Triumph of the Hordes. That way, should Ezuri be out of reach, I can still swing with substantially less to knock off my opponent.

Yeah, I'll agree with you on Presence of Gond. I was hesitant to put it in, I figured creating elves for Ezuri would be beneficial. Maybe Gilt-Leaf Ambush would be more appropriate as I would probably only get two taps out of it anyways.

Bear Umbra I have in just for one swing. Not so much for the Umbra part as for the 'untap all lands for way for elves part', similar to Copperhorn Scout. Maybe not effective enough. I'll try it.

I'm not sure as to the consistancy of my mana base as I have never played anything that belches onto the table. Spellbook was included redundantly, though could easily be removed if I can consistantly dump my hand.

Cauldron of Souls hadn't been added to the decklist yet. It's going in; I just needed to get an idea of what to cut first. Also, I'll be trying Concordant Crossroads, tossing in Elvish Archdruid and Wirewood Channeler to begin with. That's $10 worth of cards though for just 4 cards. Need to play test them first for a bit before I purchase them.

I figured after one pump from Ezuri, Soul's Majesty would be decent with any elf. I don't own a Harmonize yet, and as you see above, my money is probably going to be spent elsewhere.

I'm kinda glad you gave your advice for multiplayer instead of 1 vs 1. While this is primarily going to be 1vs1, I do sit down to the occasional multiplayer game and it would be nice for my opponents to underestimate me.

Thanks again for the advice. It definately gives me some direction as to what I should probably cut and what I should probably include. Will do some playtesting and see how it turns out.

Cheers

Good Morning all

So I've had a chance to test this deck out and it kinda fell flat. Already I've made several changes to the decklist in an attempt to further streamline the deck, but I still don't think it's going to be enough.

To begin with, my games:

First was a best of three against an allies tribal deck. First game my deck worked and put my hopes high as I crashed with a T5 win. Second game my opponent got a lock on me with a Murasa Pyromancer + Splinter Twin lock. Nasty business, but understandable. Third game I made a really silly mistake that cost me tempo and I could not regain.

Second match was against Wrexial mill. Two games went by and I was up against things like Royal Assassin, Incremental Blight, etc. I couldn't get an army onto the table.

Third matchup was against Kresh. So, splash burn made for some really quick games. I'd build an army and right before I was about to swing, all my guys would die. Lavalanche, Violent Ultimatum, etc: Kresh would get bigger. And we'd repeat. Lasted through 3 boardwipes on the second game before I finally died, but I was no where near winning throughout.

So, what I've done:
I've added Asceticism and Steely Resolve, as I need to protect my elves however possible. I took out all my non-elves, while they gave me tempo card draw around turn 5, it's not what I want as the game should be over by then. I added Harmonize, and I'll need more card draw yet as I did not once do what I hoped to do with this deck: I want to be able to belch out my library by t6 consistantly.

I'm considering the lure elves as alternate aggro conditions. Trample is nice, but keeping my elves alive would be nicer. I need three cards to cut to make room for them though.

I most certainly need more card draw spells to abuse my library.

Lastly is my opponent out-tempoing me. Creature control. Beast Within seems to be the only one....I'll take suggestions though...

Thanks for the help...

I've been tossing in several changes to the deck. Included lure elves. Included a few more druids.

Thing is I'm now at 107 cards, and it's getting pretty foggy in what to cut....

Could I get some help with some suggestions?

please note the theme I am trying to portray, as this is a casualish deck; multi sub-elf themes, a 'lord' running each group.

edit: Sadly, I did cut Concordant Crossroads as the price can then be put towards several other cards for this deck.

edit edit: K. Made my cuts. Everything cut is now back in the ideas section.

I do love seeing more creatures in this deck than anything. That being said, I am curious on your thoughts of infinite combos for this deck.

The two I can see which are actually pretty easy to interrupt would require you to put in Mana Reflection for one and Presence of Gond back in for the other.

The first one is using Devoted Druid with Mana Reflection with Ezuri on the battlefield. Simply tap Devoted Druid for GG and then use her untap ability, tap again for GG, untap once more (she now has -2/-2), then tap for GG and use that mana for Ezuri's effect, it will now buff Devoted Druid back up and she can untap and repeat. It gives you infinite mana for the turn as well as infinite buffs from Ezuri. (Though poor little Devoted Druid dies if you get stopped or damage prevented on the end of turn :/ )

The second one is putting Presence of Gond on our friend Devoted Druid once more, this time while Coat of Arms is on the Battlefield. Now you can tap the the druid for one elf and she will get +1/+1 from the Coat of Arms due to another elf, which allows her to untap and repeat. You get infinite Elfs with Infinite power, though without haste those guys don't do you much. Also Devoted Druid will die if the Coat or enough tokens die in the process.

Just some thoughts on everyone's favorite and clearly most devoted little druid.

Quote from Omnifarious Grey

I do love seeing more creatures in this deck than anything. That being said, I am curious on your thoughts of infinite combos for this deck.

The two I can see which are actually pretty easy to interrupt would require you to put in Mana Reflection for one and Presence of Gond back in for the other.

The first one is using Devoted Druid with Mana Reflection with Ezuri on the battlefield. Simply tap Devoted Druid for GG and then use her untap ability, tap again for GG, untap once more (she now has -2/-2), then tap for GG and use that mana for Ezuri's effect, it will now buff Devoted Druid back up and she can untap and repeat. It gives you infinite mana for the turn as well as infinite buffs from Ezuri. (Though poor little Devoted Druid dies if you get stopped or damage prevented on the end of turn :/ )

The second one is putting Presence of Gond on our friend Devoted Druid once more, this time while Coat of Arms is on the Battlefield. Now you can tap the the druid for one elf and she will get +1/+1 from the Coat of Arms due to another elf, which allows her to untap and repeat. You get infinite Elfs with Infinite power, though without haste those guys don't do you much. Also Devoted Druid will die if the Coat or enough tokens die in the process.

Just some thoughts on everyone's favorite and clearly most devoted little druid.

Thanks for the thoughts.

The problem I faced was that, without the ability to tutor, I am at the mercy of card draw to dig up these combos. I haven't been having much luck with my Sharuum Artifact combo deck yet do to its lack of tutors so I'm not sure how effective the combos would be here with no tutors whatsoever...

Faster ways of aggro beats is what I'm looking for...

Good Morning

Well, lot's a little tweaking has gone into the deck now. Lost a bunch of cards. Gained a bunch of cards. Need to playtest yet to make sure this is how I hope the build works.

Check out the OP for the decklist, and if any suggestions, still feel free to make them.

As is, I'm sitting at $24 to complete this deck, with the total decklist available for purchase at $52. Tolismir really got a revamp.

Playtesting complete. I'm quite happy with the build. It's lacking creature kill which is probably it's only downside...but the game is ussually over before creatures become a problem.

I played against a Isperia the Inscrutable bounce deck, a Brion Stoutarm giant tribal deck, and against Rafiq of the Many...I don't know if there was is a theme to Rafiq....exalted...smash face?

My deck performed very well overall, even against Rafiq. The only games where it was rough was when Rafiq got Sovreigns of Alara down and swung attaching Eldrazi Conscription...that hurts on T4. If I got to T6 without a boardwipe hitting me, I won.

Beast Within is obviously going to be on my scopes now. I think that's the only creature kill in green...but it'll help if I have it in hand.

Still welcome suggestions, but please include a cut suggestion aswell. Thanks

More playtesting done.

Played against Zur, the Enchanter, Kresh, the Bloodbraid, and a Cromat ally tribal deck.

The deck performed very well. T6 wins is a solid average to this deck's ability. Had a little bit of difficulty if Kresh got an early boardwipe off, but destroyed Zur an Ally's deck.

If anyone has further suggestions to fine-tune this machine a little further, I am more than willing to hear ya out as to what your cut and add suggestions are.

I think I'm going to try out Recollect. Would be nice to redraw a card if needed....

Thanks

More playtesting done.

This time it was a 3-way battle; my Ezuri, Renegade Leader against Kresh, the Bloodbraid and Rafiq of the Many. Elves don't do well against boardwipes....but politics helps alot.

The early game felt grimly routine. I'd play several elves down (somtimes get a card draw spell off), Kresh would boardwipe, and Rafiq would take a swing at me. I would then rebuild my line while Kresh and Rafiq duked it out. Thankfully Rafiq had nothing special happening so when I did take damage, it was a small amount. I was able to get Nissa Revane midway which buffed up my life total, before proceeding to do two more iterations of the above.

Kresh easily gained the upper hand in the early conflict as his boardwipes were also affecting Rafiq some of the time and eventually Rafiq had to start swinging at Kresh, lest it be a landslide victory. The timing was wonderful as I was really out of options by this point and it took me a long time to rebuild my hand and board position from all the wrath.

Near the end game, life totals were: Ezuri: 14, Rafiq: 11, Kresh: 9

Then I drew Greatbow Doyen. (I see you rolling your eyes already, but this guy gave me the game). I had Ezuri's Archers, Lys Alana Bowmaster, and Silhana Starfletcher as well as Ezuri, Renegade Leader and Heritage Druid in play. With 6 land + Heritage Druid's ability, enabling me to give my archers +3/+3 or regen, depending on the situation, I sat hoping for Kresh and Rafiq to duke it out.

Kresh had other ideas as he proceeded to boardwipe 4 damage to all creatures, forcing me to overrun. I still had 1 regen available too, so if I was attacked by Kresh this turn, he would die from the Greatbow Doyen's damage effect with double blockers. Rafiq couldn't attack either of us as he had no support and didn't want to be defenseless.

My turn came with an overrun to Kresh, since if he wasn't going to fight me on my terms, then I was going to fight him, leaving two guys behind to deal with blocking Rafiq. Whether Kresh blocked or not, he was dead with 12 damage crossing smashing, so he double blocked Greatbow Doyen, taking him out.

Rafiq's turn came, and he placed his topdecked Steel of the Godhead on and swung...it was all he could do but it seemed like enough for the long-game...dealing 12 damage to me, which put me at 2 and him at 24. With only 5 elves on the board and Ezuri's overrun, the most damage I could do was 21...sooo close.

I top decked a Harmonize and one of the elves on the field was Heritage Druid so I figured I may draw into sometime to take care of that enchantment and last another turn as I widdle him down....I tap 4 of the 11 land I had for the 3 cards. Last card I drew: Triumph of the Hordes!!! Gladly played the 4 mana and swung with my 5 elves....sure, no +3/+3, but +1/+1 was all I needed at this point....dealt 11 points of poision damage to Rafiq and took the field.

2 life remaining.....that was close.

Good Morning

Two small updates have occurs to this decklist since my last post. They are as follows:

Jan 1 2012 Update:
Copperhorn Scout >> Thousand-Year Elixir: Primarily for more consistent creature-mana untaps.
Fecundity >> Creeping Renaissance: Tough call. Recur vs draw. I suppose the difference is that my opponents don't benefit.

Apr 1 2012 Update:
Elvish Lyrist >> Viridian Zealot: More potent. My budget finally afforded it.
Elvish Scrapper >> Elvish Aberration: Overlooked the infinite elf in conjunction with Umbral Mantle

Comments and suggestions welcome. Please see my original post for the current decklist.

Thanks

Another small update. Always with the fine-tuning.

Asceticism >> Oak Street Innkeeper
Descendants' Path >> Frontier Guide
Quest for Renewal >> Tangle

You are missing my favorite elf ..wellwisher

I like gilt-leaf archdruid so I can steal my opponent's land. Also a big fan of Kaysa as she is an elf and pumps all your green creatures. HUGE fan of Skyshroud Poacher - pay 3, get an elf in play, such as Quirion Ranger. Return a forest to untap the Poacher and repeat. Tutoring for any two elves for 5 mana in one turn is pretty sweet.

Good Evening everyone

Version 3 of the decklist has been posted. I still have several cuts to make, however I think the deck is really taking shape.

Of course, I always welcome suggestions, comments, and opinions.

Please refer to the OP for decklist and changelog details.

Thank you.

Good Morning

I was able to test out my deck last night. Maybe I was extremely luck with my opening hand, but it played out like this:

T1: Forest, Elvish Mystic
T2: Forest, Wood Elves, Wirewood Symbiote
T3: Forest, Wood Elves, Wood Elves (first bounce of Wood Elves was before my turn began)

End of turn 3, I had access to 7 G (6 Forests and 1 creature) with 2 Forests and Wirewood Channeler and Elvish Archdruid still in hand.

Decklist was a huge force through out game, always threatening 60+ damage if able to swing. Alas, I didn't win in the end - an Azusa, Lost but Seeking player took the field with massive Avenger of Zendikar+Overwhelming Stampede; but the game was a TONNE of fun.

Look forward to tweaking it a little and trying it out again.

This deck is moved to the Multi-player Commander page. No further updates will be done here.