Elves have always had a place in many players' hearts, including myself, because they are very accessible and also are very representative of the game itself. They were in fact the inspiration to my first real deck when I was young and new to the game. To most players, they are a very simple and humble tribe that are good at mana production and overrunning their opponents, which is true but they are also capable of doing some crazy things when put together a certain way. This deck does both.
First off, this deck started as a Seton, Krosan Protector druid tribal deck which was interesting and efficient, but I ultimately converted it to Ezuri, Ready-Made Leader because it was more reliable and stable. Second off... OVERRUN IN THE COMMAND ZONE! Having overrun "in your hand" at all times is great. Yes you will need 8 mana total to cast him and activate it the turn he comes out, BUT you should have no problem doing that 2-3 times over with the amount of mana you'll be able to generate. This deck deals with a lot of combos, not all necessarily infinite (some are though), involving tap/untap, reusing abilities, and netting mana or ETB effects.
I know there are many ways to have an Elf deck, but this one is really fun to play. Combo is only 1 of many ways for this deck to win and it often goes in crazy directions that I don't plan it to. Here is what I run...
Non-Infinite Mana Production
There are many ways to generate a lot of mana in this deck with cards like Priests of Titania and Elvish Archdruid, which is phenomenal but why not exploit that for MORE?
Infinite Mana Production (I learned these interactions by reading Ryan2theV's post on elf combos)
-What you need... Cloudstone Curio, Heritage Druid, Nettle Sentinel, any 1 cmc Elf (in this example we will use Llanowar Elves for flavor).
-How it works...
Start off by having Cloudstone Curio out along with any 2 or the 3 elves. Play the 3rd elf and then before Cloudstone's trigger goes off use Heritage Druid's ability to tap all three elves to add GGG to your mana pool, Then Cloudstone triggers and you send Llanowar Elves to your hand. You still have GGG floating so use 1 to play Llanowar Elves, Cloudstone triggers and you send Heritage Druid to your hand and Nettle Sentinel untaps with its ability. Still GG floating, cast Heritage Druid, then before Cloudstone's trigger goes off use Heritage Druid's ability to tap all three elves to add GGG to your mana pool and return Llanowar Elves to your hand, rinse and repeat and you will net G each loop granting infinite green mana.
If you use Essence Warden instead of Llanowar Elves, you will net infinite mana AND infinite life. Or Elvish Visionary to have infinite draw, but no mana netted.
Honorable Mention Synergy
I included Rampaging Baloths because we can REALLY abuse it with cards like Storm cauldron or Quirion Ranger with Gaea's Touch and/or Oracle of Mul Daya out. The possibility of putting 4 lands into play means 4 4/4 green Beasts (see ETB section above for more benefits). Storm Cauldron is also good for putting pressure on opponents when we attain a good creature base to produce our mana, same with Winter Orb.
Please post questions/suggestions and throw in your opinions.
You've overlooked the easiest ways to make infinite mana. Just pair Umbral Mantle, Sword of the Paruns, or Staff of Domination with any of the big mana elves. BTW, you are missing one of the big mana elves - Wirewood Channeler. Swiftfoot boots would be better as Lightning Greaves as you can move it around for free. Couple this with a couple of mana elves that produce more mana than they cost and Coudstone Curio and you have another way to make infinite mana. You didn't list your mana base, but since you mentioned Nykthos and you run Kamahl, having Kamahl animate it (or Gaea's Cradle) allows you to equip the three artifacts I mentioned at the beginning. If you run Maze of Ith, it can combo with Argothian Elder to make infinite mana during you attack step (Really the only time you need it with Ezuri). If you add in any (or all) of the mana doublers (Caged Sun, Gauntlet of Power, Mana Reflection, Vernal Bloom, Argothian Elder can go infinite with Wirewood Lodge and one other land.
It looks like you have based an awful lot of your strategy around Cloudstone Curio, but have no way to reliably get it out. I recommend Ring of Three Wishes and/or Planar Portal.
Current EDH Generals: WAvacyn, Angel of Hope|UAzami, Lady of Scrolls|B| Ob Nixilis, the Fallen|R Daretti, Scrap Savant|GEzuri, Renegade Leader|WUBrago, King Eternal|UBGrimgrin, Corpse-born|BR Wort, Boggart Auntie|RGUlasht, the Hate Seed|GW Captain Sisay|WBGhost Council of Orzhova|BGGlissa, the Traitor|GUExperiment Kraj|URMelek, Izzet Paragon RWJor Kadeen, the Prevailer|WBRKaalia of the Vast|GWBGhave, Guru of Spores|UBRMarchesa, the Black Rose
Retired WDarien, King of Kjeldor|RJaya Ballard, Task Mage|RNorin the Wary|GBMomir Vig, Simic Visionary|WUBRGSliver Overlord
You've overlooked the easiest ways to make infinite mana. Just pair Umbral Mantle, Sword of the Paruns, or Staff of Domination with any of the big mana elves. BTW, you are missing one of the big mana elves - Wirewood Channeler. Swiftfoot boots would be better as Lightning Greaves as you can move it around for free. Couple this with a couple of mana elves that produce more mana than they cost and Coudstone Curio and you have another way to make infinite mana. You didn't list your mana base, but since you mentioned Nykthos and you run Kamahl, having Kamahl animate it (or Gaea's Cradle) allows you to equip the three artifacts I mentioned at the beginning. If you run Maze of Ith, it can combo with Argothian Elder to make infinite mana during you attack step (Really the only time you need it with Ezuri). If you add in any (or all) of the mana doublers (Caged Sun, Gauntlet of Power, Mana Reflection, Vernal Bloom, Argothian Elder can go infinite with Wirewood Lodge and one other land.
It looks like you have based an awful lot of your strategy around Cloudstone Curio, but have no way to reliably get it out. I recommend Ring of Three Wishes and/or Planar Portal.
First of all, I can't believe i forgot to enter my mana base... will fix that now.
As a matter of fact, I think i do have Umbral Mantle somewhere and Sword of the Paruns is currently in the mail. Wirewood Channeler, i definitely have a few from previous 60 card decks, will probably put this in soon. As for Lightning Greaves, one just freed up from another deck i recently dismantled so that will be taking Swiftfoot's place. I also have a Ring of Three Wishes, dunno why i overlooked it when choosing cards for the deck. Maybe because i was using Weird Harvest for a while, but sometimes it allows opponents to search their combo pieces, Ring is much better, will find a spot.
Using Kamahl's ability on Nykthos to equip the untappers is a superb suggestion, thank you. Also Gaea's Cradle is a dream card of mine, hopefully one day i will be able to acquire one.
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
Also thanks for suggesting that decklist, definitely some inspiring stuff for me in there.
Nice list, someone should make an Ezuri Primer. I have been working on him for a few months, starting to come together, will hopefully post soon. Big difference is that I have left out the infinite mana combo pieces (argothian elder, cloudstone curio, concordant crossroads) in favor of more draw (lead the stampede, Regal Force, Hunter's Insight, Glimpse of nature). This is mostly to keep the hate to a minimum in my group, but seems to work well enough.
A few cards in your list I am curious about maybe including, care to share your experience?
Groundskeeper - Neat card, hadn't see that one. Is this a meta choice to do with your opponent's LD, or is there some interaction I am missing. - Oh, constant mists, now I see it. Love that card. Nettle Sentinel - Is this really worth running as a singleton? Only recently became fully aware of the power of Heritage Druid in this list and am wondering whether the interaction is enough to warrant Sentinel. What about Birchlore Rangers? Fauna Shaman - Not too slow for you? How often do you use the ability vs just the body? Champion of Lambholt - Left out originally because not an elf, but should probably reconsider. Viridian Corrupter - How often do you hate that this has infect? Freyalise, Llanowar's Fury - How is she working out for you. My list could really use a 5-drop or three, the other one that has been working well is Creeperhulk.
Any plans to put maze of ith in? Seems solid with the direction you are taking.
Nice list, someone should make an Ezuri Primer. I have been working on him for a few months, starting to come together, will hopefully post soon. Big difference is that I have left out the infinite mana combo pieces (argothian elder, cloudstone curio, concordant crossroads) in favor of more draw (lead the stampede, Regal Force, Hunter's Insight, Glimpse of nature). This is mostly to keep the hate to a minimum in my group, but seems to work well enough.
A few cards in your list I am curious about maybe including, care to share your experience?
Groundskeeper - Neat card, hadn't see that one. Is this a meta choice to do with your opponent's LD, or is there some interaction I am missing. - Oh, constant mists, now I see it. Love that card. Nettle Sentinel - Is this really worth running as a singleton? Only recently became fully aware of the power of Heritage Druid in this list and am wondering whether the interaction is enough to warrant Sentinel. What about Birchlore Rangers? Fauna Shaman - Not too slow for you? How often do you use the ability vs just the body? Champion of Lambholt - Left out originally because not an elf, but should probably reconsider. Viridian Corrupter - How often do you hate that this has infect? Freyalise, Llanowar's Fury - How is she working out for you. My list could really use a 5-drop or three, the other one that has been working well is Creeperhulk.
Any plans to put maze of ith in? Seems solid with the direction you are taking.
Thanks for taking a look! Ya Groundskeeper is just too good with Constant Mists, saved my ass many games long enough to become aggressive again.
I have actually been debating Nettle Sentinel because although it has been kind of useful in other situations, it really is only good with the combo with Heritage Druid. Birchlore Rangers would def be a good addition, even if only to bring more use to Nettle. Fauna Shaman has proved to be a little slow, i put it in here as a sort of 2nd Skyshroud Poacher but the discard part os kind of a set back. Considering removing for maybe Yisan, the Wanderer Bard.
Champion of Lambholt is amazing, amazing, and amazing. It has one me so many games because basically if it doesnt get removed youre just swinging unblockable while most likely pumping up your attackers.
Viridian Corrupter isnt hated really. It's always been useful for removal and it serves as a possible backup if i can't get an army going, all while being an elf.
Freyalise actually is pretty solid and i think she does best in a mono green deck. Youre ramping every turn while adding to your elf count and then you draw a bunch all while having a built in Naturalize. She also is not terrifying to most players so she tends to stick around.
Maze of Ith would be absolutely awesome but there are other $20 cards i'd like to get first.
First off, this deck started as a Seton, Krosan Protector druid tribal deck which was interesting and efficient, but I ultimately converted it to Ezuri, Ready-Made Leader because it was more reliable and stable. Second off... OVERRUN IN THE COMMAND ZONE! Having overrun "in your hand" at all times is great. Yes you will need 8 mana total to cast him and activate it the turn he comes out, BUT you should have no problem doing that 2-3 times over with the amount of mana you'll be able to generate. This deck deals with a lot of combos, not all necessarily infinite (some are though), involving tap/untap, reusing abilities, and netting mana or ETB effects.
I know there are many ways to have an Elf deck, but this one is really fun to play. Combo is only 1 of many ways for this deck to win and it often goes in crazy directions that I don't plan it to. Here is what I run...
Decklist:
3 Ezuri, Renegade Leader
Creatures
1 Copperhorn Scout
1 Elvish Mystic
1 Essence Warden
1 Groundskeeper
1 Heritage Druid
1 Joraga Warcaller
1 Llanowar Elves
1 Nettle Sentinel
1 Quirion Ranger
1 Wirewood Symbiote
2 Elvish Visionary
2 Fauna Shaman
2 Priest of Titania
2 Seeker of Skybreak
3 Caller of the Claw
3 Champion of Lambholt
3 Elder of Laurels
3 Elvish Archdruid
3 Elvish Champion
3 Elvish Harbinger
3 Imperious Perfect
3 Reclamation Sage
3 Viridian Corrupter
3 Viridian Joiner
4 Argothian Elder
4 Chameleon Colossus
4 Glissa Sunseeker
4 Immaculate Magistrate
4 Ivy Lane Denizen
4 Nylea, God of the Hunt
4 Oracle of Mul Daya
4 Skyshroud Poacher
4 Wirewood Channeler
4 Wren's Run Packmaster
4 Yeva, Nature's Herald
6 Kamahl, Fist of Krosa
6 Rampaging Baloths
6 Soul of the Harvest
7 Tornado Elemental
1 Concordant Crossroads
2 Gaea's Touch
2 Ground Seal
2 Quest for Renewal
3 Song of the Dryads
5 Asceticism
6 Wild Pair
Artifacts
1 Glaring Spotlight
2 Lightning Greaves
2 Winter Orb
3 Cloudstone Curio
5 Ring of Three Wishes
5 Storm Cauldron
6 Caged Sun
Instants
1 Crop Rotation
2 Constant Mists
2 Deglamer
3 Beast Within
Sorceries
1 Green Sun's Zenith
2 Regrowth
3 Genesis Wave
4 Harmonize
4 Triumph of the Hordes
5 Primal Command
6 Desert Twister
8 Praetor's Counsel
5 Freyalise, Llanowar's Fury
Lands
0 Buried Ruin
0 Forest x27
0 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
0 Rogue's Passage
0 Slippery Karst
0 Treetop Village
0 Wirewood Lodge
Non-Infinite Mana Production
There are many ways to generate a lot of mana in this deck with cards like Priests of Titania and Elvish Archdruid, which is phenomenal but why not exploit that for MORE?
I have included cards like Quirion Ranger, Wirewood Symbiote, and Copperhorn Scout to untap those monster mana producers to use them again and again.
Also stuff like Argothian Elder and Nature's Chosen to untap Wirewood Lodge and Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx.
Infinite Mana Production
(I learned these interactions by reading Ryan2theV's post on elf combos)
-What you need...
Cloudstone Curio, Heritage Druid, Nettle Sentinel, any 1 cmc Elf (in this example we will use Llanowar Elves for flavor).
-How it works...
Start off by having Cloudstone Curio out along with any 2 or the 3 elves. Play the 3rd elf and then before Cloudstone's trigger goes off use Heritage Druid's ability to tap all three elves to add GGG to your mana pool, Then Cloudstone triggers and you send Llanowar Elves to your hand. You still have GGG floating so use 1 to play Llanowar Elves, Cloudstone triggers and you send Heritage Druid to your hand and Nettle Sentinel untaps with its ability. Still GG floating, cast Heritage Druid, then before Cloudstone's trigger goes off use Heritage Druid's ability to tap all three elves to add GGG to your mana pool and return Llanowar Elves to your hand, rinse and repeat and you will net G each loop granting infinite green mana.
If you use Essence Warden instead of Llanowar Elves, you will net infinite mana AND infinite life. Or Elvish Visionary to have infinite draw, but no mana netted.
Mana Outlets and ETB Beneficiaries
So what do we do with all this mana? We are going to dump it into creatures like these...
Chameleon Colossus
Elder of Laurels
Kamahl, Fist of Krosa
Wren's Run Packmaster
and of course Ezuri, Renegade Leader
Each of these will do something very great for you.
Also with all those creatures returning to your hand (infinite or not) you can exploit cards such as...
Champion of Lambholt
Essence Warden
Ivy Lane Denizen
Soul of the Harvest
Wild Pair
Honorable Mention Synergy
I included Rampaging Baloths because we can REALLY abuse it with cards like Storm cauldron or Quirion Ranger with Gaea's Touch and/or Oracle of Mul Daya out. The possibility of putting 4 lands into play means 4 4/4 green Beasts (see ETB section above for more benefits). Storm Cauldron is also good for putting pressure on opponents when we attain a good creature base to produce our mana, same with Winter Orb.
Please post questions/suggestions and throw in your opinions.
UG Ezuri... since been corrupted
BRG Prossh, the Sacrifice Engine
GR Bobo, the Mad Land-chucker (retired)
GU Kruphix, Open the Valves (retired)
UU Talrand, Spell Summoner (retired)
GG Ezuri, Ready-Made Leader (retired)
It looks like you have based an awful lot of your strategy around Cloudstone Curio, but have no way to reliably get it out. I recommend Ring of Three Wishes and/or Planar Portal.
If you want to see a deck that utilizes all of these, check out my Ezuri deck at http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/ezuri-elfball-most-current/
W Avacyn, Angel of Hope|U Azami, Lady of Scrolls|B | Ob Nixilis, the Fallen|R Daretti, Scrap Savant|G Ezuri, Renegade Leader|WUBrago, King Eternal|UB Grimgrin, Corpse-born|BR Wort, Boggart Auntie|RG Ulasht, the Hate Seed|GW Captain Sisay|WB Ghost Council of Orzhova|BG Glissa, the Traitor|GU Experiment Kraj|UR Melek, Izzet Paragon
RW Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer|WBR Kaalia of the Vast|GWB Ghave, Guru of Spores|UBR Marchesa, the Black Rose
Retired
WDarien, King of Kjeldor|R Jaya Ballard, Task Mage|R Norin the Wary|GB Momir Vig, Simic Visionary|WUBRG Sliver Overlord
First of all, I can't believe i forgot to enter my mana base... will fix that now.
As a matter of fact, I think i do have Umbral Mantle somewhere and Sword of the Paruns is currently in the mail. Wirewood Channeler, i definitely have a few from previous 60 card decks, will probably put this in soon. As for Lightning Greaves, one just freed up from another deck i recently dismantled so that will be taking Swiftfoot's place. I also have a Ring of Three Wishes, dunno why i overlooked it when choosing cards for the deck. Maybe because i was using Weird Harvest for a while, but sometimes it allows opponents to search their combo pieces, Ring is much better, will find a spot.
Using Kamahl's ability on Nykthos to equip the untappers is a superb suggestion, thank you. Also Gaea's Cradle is a dream card of mine, hopefully one day i will be able to acquire one.
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
Also thanks for suggesting that decklist, definitely some inspiring stuff for me in there.
UG Ezuri... since been corrupted
BRG Prossh, the Sacrifice Engine
GR Bobo, the Mad Land-chucker (retired)
GU Kruphix, Open the Valves (retired)
UU Talrand, Spell Summoner (retired)
GG Ezuri, Ready-Made Leader (retired)
-Shinen of Life's Roar
-Jungle Basin
in
+Glissa Sunseeker
+Seeker of Skybreak
UG Ezuri... since been corrupted
BRG Prossh, the Sacrifice Engine
GR Bobo, the Mad Land-chucker (retired)
GU Kruphix, Open the Valves (retired)
UU Talrand, Spell Summoner (retired)
GG Ezuri, Ready-Made Leader (retired)
A few cards in your list I am curious about maybe including, care to share your experience?
Groundskeeper - Neat card, hadn't see that one. Is this a meta choice to do with your opponent's LD, or is there some interaction I am missing. - Oh, constant mists, now I see it. Love that card.
Nettle Sentinel - Is this really worth running as a singleton? Only recently became fully aware of the power of Heritage Druid in this list and am wondering whether the interaction is enough to warrant Sentinel. What about Birchlore Rangers?
Fauna Shaman - Not too slow for you? How often do you use the ability vs just the body?
Champion of Lambholt - Left out originally because not an elf, but should probably reconsider.
Viridian Corrupter - How often do you hate that this has infect?
Freyalise, Llanowar's Fury - How is she working out for you. My list could really use a 5-drop or three, the other one that has been working well is Creeperhulk.
Any plans to put maze of ith in? Seems solid with the direction you are taking.
UGUPrime Speaker Seamonster RampUGU
WUGDerevi Does NothingWUG
RRRFeldon's Lovely LadiesRRR
Thanks for taking a look! Ya Groundskeeper is just too good with Constant Mists, saved my ass many games long enough to become aggressive again.
I have actually been debating Nettle Sentinel because although it has been kind of useful in other situations, it really is only good with the combo with Heritage Druid. Birchlore Rangers would def be a good addition, even if only to bring more use to Nettle.
Fauna Shaman has proved to be a little slow, i put it in here as a sort of 2nd Skyshroud Poacher but the discard part os kind of a set back. Considering removing for maybe Yisan, the Wanderer Bard.
Champion of Lambholt is amazing, amazing, and amazing. It has one me so many games because basically if it doesnt get removed youre just swinging unblockable while most likely pumping up your attackers.
Viridian Corrupter isnt hated really. It's always been useful for removal and it serves as a possible backup if i can't get an army going, all while being an elf.
Freyalise actually is pretty solid and i think she does best in a mono green deck. Youre ramping every turn while adding to your elf count and then you draw a bunch all while having a built in Naturalize. She also is not terrifying to most players so she tends to stick around.
Maze of Ith would be absolutely awesome but there are other $20 cards i'd like to get first.
UG Ezuri... since been corrupted
BRG Prossh, the Sacrifice Engine
GR Bobo, the Mad Land-chucker (retired)
GU Kruphix, Open the Valves (retired)
UU Talrand, Spell Summoner (retired)
GG Ezuri, Ready-Made Leader (retired)