Aggro Elves is a tribal deck based around fast mana and fast creatures. The goal is to use mana producing elves like Llanowar Elves and Arbor Elf to allow for a tempo advantage over your opponent. From there, you continue laying elves that either gain some sort of card advantage or board presence (Elvish Visionary, Wolf-Skull Shaman) and any of the multiple elf lords. The basis of the deck relies heavily on the aggro foundation of Legacy Elves. Obviously, not having accessPriest of Titania and Sylvan Messenger is a big loss to the Modern version (as well as no alternative win condition with Natural Order and Progenitus) but the deck has some options to fill in for the role those cards helped with. Green Sun's Zenith is a very powerful tool for helping getting turn 1 mana ramp with Dryad Arbor for hands lacking a one drop mana elf, searching for elf lords, and creating a toolbox for silver bullets in the maindeck or sideboard. The basis of the deck is along the lines of:
Elvish Archdruid: The elf that provides the most mana. An auto include 4-of. His fast mana helps make for explosive starts. Elvish Champion: Great against any deck packing forests. Against other decks she is usually the last lord you would fetch for with Green Sun's Zenith but against decks running green it is typically the first one to find (possibly second behind Archdruid). Imperious Perfect: The lord effect on a token maker. An overall solid card that can help increase board presence if necessary. Bramblewood Paragon: A lord in Elf Warrior decks that grants evasion and is cheaper then other lords. Joraga Warcaller: An elf lord that can be extremely powerful when used with Elvish Archdruid and Bramblewood Paragon. Only downside is it is not fetchable with Green Sun's Zenith. Ezuri, Renegade Leader: Great as a finisher that can Overrun (sometimes multiple times). Also helpful in providing regeneration to your small elf army. Just watch out, he is legendary.
Utility Elves
Elvish Visionary: In order to keep your hand as full as possible, Elvish Visionary is great at replacing itself and provides a body to receive the pumps from all the elf lords. Shes cheap to cast, provides card draw, and is an elf. All things that fit well in this type of deck.
Wolf-Skull Shaman: A way of building up board presence for a very small mana investment. Although the wolf tokens don't receive the bonus from the lords, he still does. Due to the lack of reliable card drawing, Wolf-Skull Shaman can help provide the board presence we need to overwhelm. Sylvan Ranger: Sylvan Ranger is much like an Elvish Visionary that always draws you into land. Although probably not a 4-of along with Elvish Visionary, she can act as 5-7 and make sure you are hitting your land drops. Fauna Shaman: Another 2-drop that goes well with a Green Sun's Zenith toolbox and ditching late game mana dorks for lords.
Power Elves
Wren's Run Vanquisher: A hefty body for little cost that grows larger with pumps from lords. She can act as removal in some instances but is overall just a giant threat to cast turn 2. Nettle Sentinel: A one mana 2/2 is a good deal. Typically paired up with Heritage Druid in Combo Elves but is also a really good aggro card for any elf deck, especially ones with a warrior subtheme. Talara's Battalion: She can be extremely troublesome to cast and a terrible top deck but when you can she becomes a beating. Luckily, she can be tutored in with a Green Sun's Zenith.
Sideboard/Toolbox Elves
Virdian Zealot: An elf that has versatility. Killing enchantments and being fetchable makes worthwhile having one in the sideboard but with the lack of enchantment based decks and needing to kill itself to kill an artifact means there is better options. If enchantments become prevalent than moving it to the mainboard could be necessary. Viridian Shaman: With the current lack of troublesome enchantments (other than possibly Pyromancer's Ascension), Viridian Shaman does her job better than Viridian Zealot since she actually sticks around and kills when she enters the battlefield. A great card when you need to kill artifacts. Tajuru Preserver: Helps handle Eldrazi annihilator effects. Not great in every matchup so typically would be a singleton that is fetched by Green Sun's Zenith. Gaea's Herald: Works well against control decks (if there were actually any control decks being played).
Spells
Green Sun's Zenith: The catchall card that can help you out in any situation. Can grab whatever elf you need when you need it. Lets you feel like you are running 8 of each creature and 16 lords in the deck. It provides consistency, versatility, and power. Lead The Stampede: Its not an elf but it does have the potential to draw a lot of them. A bodiless version of Sylvan Messenger so it shouldn't be taking up 4 slots but running 2 may provide for late game card draw if necessary and to recuperate from sweepers.
With the new ban list, I've become intested in Modern. I figured that playing everyones favorite green tribe would be fun. I am completely new to the format and have no idea what the metagame is and will become but some rough ideas and directions:
I'm looking into building an elves deck, maybe Gw with Crib Swap or Path. I would also definitely include Genesis Wave and try to ramp into it, maybe a single Eldrazi to finish. Garruk Wildspeaker should be included too, with overrunning elves as a win con. There are way too many good elf cards in Modern to ignore.
Decks I have in my bag of tricks- Needless to say, someone who wants to play will probably have a deck UB/x Faeries UR Storm XURWB Affinity G Elves UW control
THIS 100X!!! If you don't agree with this then there is no amount of logic that will ever convince you that good, non-oppressive, combos should be allowed. If you don't agree with it then just don't play this game, and you certainly shouldn't feel entitled to make any comment on ban lists ever.
That was literally what i was just going to say. GB elves seems really strong. you also get pulse, putrefy. The manabase is there and i would even play bitterblossom.
That was literally what i was just going to say. GB elves seems really strong. you also get pulse, putrefy. The manabase is there and i would even play bitterblossom.
I completely forgot. Thanks. I was just thinking of one of the old lists that ran 4 bitterblossom and a war hammer to beat out a lot of matches. OH well.
Obviously we have a great card-pool to choose from. I will be testing various builds and hopefully include some card comparisons later. Until then, here is my current list (I will keep it updated):
This isn't the first thread on this subject (e.g. see here).
Anyway, I came up with a similar deck idea (but mono-green). It's in its second revision now (still needs lots of testing). Basically, like yours, the idea is to couple Bramblewood Paragon's "warrior lord"-ness with Joraga Warcaller and other elf warriors. In addition, I've noticed a few other cards that help put +1/+1 counters on Joraga Warcaller: Oran-Rief, the Vastwood, Llanowar Reborn, and Hunting Triad (which can either put 3x +1/+1 counters on Joraga Warcaller, or can put 3x Elf Warrior tokens into play... which could easily be +3/+3 or bigger if Bramblewood Paragon/Oran-Rief, the Vastwood are in play, in addition to pumping from the traditional elf lords: Joraga Warcaller, Elvish Archdruid, Imperious Perfect). Basically, every card in the deck either ramps mana, pumps elves, or produces card advantage in some way (tokens, draw, tutoring directly to the battlefield). Nissa Revane/Nissa's Chosen are definitely the weakest cards in the deck and may get replaced... but I was hoping that Nissa might actually be viable in Modern (?). And Nissa's Chosen (tutored by Nissa) could be a pretty huge elf (via Bramblewood Paragon/Oran-Rief, the Vastwood), ignoring enhancements from elf lords
I've been wondering about if Vial should be dropped, but most of the lords are 3 CMC, so its really tempting...
Also, the reason I like Magus is that he doesn't hurt us at all (unless we are playing punishing fire), while he really kills some decks. maybe sb material?
I like your list Nano, but I really think you should play Wren’s Run Vanquisher. Its a 3/3 deathtouch warrior for 2, what's not to like? Have you had a problem with too many ETBT lands?
It may be my preferance, but I think that Blood Moon would be a little better than Magus, due to magus not really synergizing with the rest of your deck (it's not an elf), and is very weak.
Private Mod Note
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Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Take a mechanic from the pre-mirrodin era, and a mechanic after the mirrodin era, and create a card that flavorfully melds both mechanics.
Mono-G should probably be focused on Warriors, but if we did a BG Elf deck, I could see using thoughtseize and Glissa md, maybe Maelstorm Pulse as well? Or do you guys think Go for the Throat is more useful here than Thoughtseize? Or... even run both?
I don't understand the addition of Nissa in a Modern Elf deck. Her +2 life per elf ability is nice, and she serves as bait, but other than that, she doesn't seem that great.
Garruk 1.0 seems better in a PW slot, he's a more immediate threat, he costs what is effectively half as much to cast, puts your opponent on a 1 turn clock (assuming you have a couple elves out), and can pump out 3/3's in the event of a board wipe.
Seems quite a bit better to me, maybe I'm just off?
I don't understand the addition of Nissa in a Modern Elf deck. Her +2 life per elf ability is nice, and she serves as bait, but other than that, she doesn't seem that great.
Garruk 1.0 seems better in a PW slot, he's a more immediate threat, he costs what is effectively half as much to cast, puts your opponent on a 1 turn clock (assuming you have a couple elves out), and can pump out 3/3's in the event of a board wipe.
Seems quite a bit better to me, maybe I'm just off?
Agreed, although I don't feel either PW should really be included. Thoughts on the list I posted? I'll try to turn this post into an Elves primer eventually
Stopped reading when I saw non-modern legal cards which means I didn't make it past Gempalm Strider. Aggro elves will probly have viability though, just will interesting to see how it develops.
Stopped reading when I saw non-modern legal cards which means I didn't make it past Gempalm Strider. Aggro elves will probly have viability though, just will interesting to see how it develops.
Ooo... Thanks >.< I saw the boarder when I was looking through my cards and didn't think about that it was a specialty addition
I like your list Nano, but I really think you should play Wren’s Run Vanquisher. Its a 3/3 deathtouch warrior for 2, what's not to like? Have you had a problem with too many ETBT lands?
If you think of an ETBT land as playing a spell for 1, then putting +1/+1 counters on Joraga Warcaller is certainly worth it. But that requires having Joraga Warcaller in play. ETBT lands are a concern, especially turn 1 (if you don't draw a forest). I'm still playing with it. Might have to reduce the number of non-basics.
Mono-G should probably be focused on Warriors, but if we did a BG Elf deck, I could see using thoughtseize and Glissa md, maybe Maelstorm Pulse as well? Or do you guys think Go for the Throat is more useful here than Thoughtseize? Or... even run both?
Glissa is solid for 3 mana, even if you ignore her artifact ability. But to really take advantage of her, your deck should revolve around artifacts that get sacrificed. But if you ignore that and use her in an aggro/control deck, and if you can ramp into Nath of the Gilt-Leaf early, it would be devastating for an opponent.
I don't understand the addition of Nissa in a Modern Elf deck. Her +2 life per elf ability is nice, and she serves as bait, but other than that, she doesn't seem that great.
Garruk 1.0 seems better in a PW slot, he's a more immediate threat, he costs what is effectively half as much to cast, puts your opponent on a 1 turn clock (assuming you have a couple elves out), and can pump out 3/3's in the event of a board wipe.
Seems quite a bit better to me, maybe I'm just off?
On his own, Garruk 1.0 is better than Nissa in this deck. Originally I put 4x Nissa's Chosen in the deck, but took out all but 1 since there are better elves. Also, in terms of mana curve, the 2-drop elf can get skipped (aside from Bramblewood Paragon) assuming you get a Llanowar Elves / Dryad Arbor (via GSZ) / Arbor Elf out on turn 1. Still, that 1 Nissa's Chosen acts like a Bloodghast (minus the haste part, but plus synergy from the elf lords) when Nissa Revane is in play. Or she can net you a truckload of life. In short, I never want a Nissa's Chosen in my hand; I only want to find it when Nissa is in play, and then use it as an expendable attacker/blocker and otherwise gain life.
...
The more I think about it, the more I'd rather just run Garruk Wildspeaker.
Aggro Elves is a tribal deck based around fast mana and fast creatures. The goal is to use mana producing elves like Llanowar Elves and Arbor Elf to allow for a tempo advantage over your opponent. From there, you continue laying elves that either gain some sort of card advantage or board presence (Elvish Visionary, Wolf-Skull Shaman) and any of the multiple elf lords. The basis of the deck relies heavily on the aggro foundation of Legacy Elves. Obviously, not having accessPriest of Titania and Sylvan Messenger is a big loss to the Modern version (as well as no alternative win condition with Natural Order and Progenitus) but the deck has some options to fill in for the role those cards helped with. Green Sun's Zenith is a very powerful tool for helping getting turn 1 mana ramp with Dryad Arbor for hands lacking a one drop mana elf, searching for elf lords, and creating a toolbox for silver bullets in the maindeck or sideboard. The basis of the deck is along the lines of:
18 Forest
4 Llanowar Elves
4 Arbor Elf
4 Elvish Archdruid
4 Elvish Champion
4 Imperious Perfect
2 Ezuri, Renegade Leader
From here we start to fill in the holes with //gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?type=+[Elf">||subtype=+[Elf]&format=[%22Modern%22]"]other elves. I will explain my inclusions and then add new cards as discussion arises.
Elf Lords
Elvish Archdruid: The elf that provides the most mana. An auto include 4-of. His fast mana helps make for explosive starts.
Elvish Champion: Great against any deck packing forests. Against other decks she is usually the last lord you would fetch for with Green Sun's Zenith but against decks running green it is typically the first one to find (possibly second behind Archdruid).
Imperious Perfect: The lord effect on a token maker. An overall solid card that can help increase board presence if necessary.
Bramblewood Paragon: A lord in Elf Warrior decks that grants evasion and is cheaper then other lords.
Joraga Warcaller: An elf lord that can be extremely powerful when used with Elvish Archdruid and Bramblewood Paragon. Only downside is it is not fetchable with Green Sun's Zenith.
Ezuri, Renegade Leader: Great as a finisher that can Overrun (sometimes multiple times). Also helpful in providing regeneration to your small elf army. Just watch out, he is legendary.
Wolf-Skull Shaman: A way of building up board presence for a very small mana investment. Although the wolf tokens don't receive the bonus from the lords, he still does. Due to the lack of reliable card drawing, Wolf-Skull Shaman can help provide the board presence we need to overwhelm.
Sylvan Ranger: Sylvan Ranger is much like an Elvish Visionary that always draws you into land. Although probably not a 4-of along with Elvish Visionary, she can act as 5-7 and make sure you are hitting your land drops.
Fauna Shaman: Another 2-drop that goes well with a Green Sun's Zenith toolbox and ditching late game mana dorks for lords.
Wren's Run Vanquisher: A hefty body for little cost that grows larger with pumps from lords. She can act as removal in some instances but is overall just a giant threat to cast turn 2.
Nettle Sentinel: A one mana 2/2 is a good deal. Typically paired up with Heritage Druid in Combo Elves but is also a really good aggro card for any elf deck, especially ones with a warrior subtheme.
Talara's Battalion: She can be extremely troublesome to cast and a terrible top deck but when you can she becomes a beating. Luckily, she can be tutored in with a Green Sun's Zenith.
Virdian Zealot: An elf that has versatility. Killing enchantments and being fetchable makes worthwhile having one in the sideboard but with the lack of enchantment based decks and needing to kill itself to kill an artifact means there is better options. If enchantments become prevalent than moving it to the mainboard could be necessary.
Viridian Shaman: With the current lack of troublesome enchantments (other than possibly Pyromancer's Ascension), Viridian Shaman does her job better than Viridian Zealot since she actually sticks around and kills when she enters the battlefield. A great card when you need to kill artifacts.
Tajuru Preserver: Helps handle Eldrazi annihilator effects. Not great in every matchup so typically would be a singleton that is fetched by Green Sun's Zenith.
Gaea's Herald: Works well against control decks (if there were actually any control decks being played).
Green Sun's Zenith: The catchall card that can help you out in any situation. Can grab whatever elf you need when you need it. Lets you feel like you are running 8 of each creature and 16 lords in the deck. It provides consistency, versatility, and power.
Lead The Stampede: Its not an elf but it does have the potential to draw a lot of them. A bodiless version of Sylvan Messenger so it shouldn't be taking up 4 slots but running 2 may provide for late game card draw if necessary and to recuperate from sweepers.
My list is currently looking like:
18 Forest
4 Llanowar Elves
4 Arbor Elf
4 Elvish Visionary
4 Wolf-Skull Shaman
2 Sylvan Ranger
2 Fauna Shaman
4 Imperious Perfect
4 Elvish Archdruid
4 Elvish Champion
2 Ezuri, Renegade Leader
1 Viridian Shaman
4 Green Sun's Zenith
1 Dauntless Escort
1 Gaddock Teeg
2 Viridian Zealot
2 Thorn of Amethyst
1 Tajuru Preserver
8 ???
ChessFreak's 3-1 Mono G List:
1 Dryad Arbor
17 Forest
Creatures (36)
4 Arbor Elf
4 Bramblewood Paragon
4 Elvish Archdruid
1 Elvish Champion
1 Ezuri, Renegade Leader
3 Heritage Druid
3 Imperious Perfect
4 Joraga Warcaller
4 Llanowar Elves
4 Nettle Sentinal
4 Wren's Run Vanquisher
2 Green Sun's Zenith
4 Lead the Stampede
1 Back to Nature
2 Choke
2 Krosan Grip
4 Leyline of Vitality
3 Relic of Progenitus
2 Tajuru Preserver
1 Viridian Zealot
RG List that 4-0'd a recent daily event:
4 Copperline Gorge
2 Fire-Lit Thicket
4 Forest
2 Karplusan Forest
4 Mountain
1 Raging Ravine
4 Rootbound Crag
2 Treetop Village
Creatures
4 Bloodbraid Elf
4 Boggart Ram-Gang
4 Bramblewood Paragon
4 Imperious Perfect
4 Nettle Sentinel
3 Tattermunge Maniac
4 Wren's Run Vanquisher
1 Colossal Might
4 Lash Out
4 Lightning Bolt
1 Stonewood Invocation
3 Act of Aggression
1 Colossal Might
4 Flame Slash
3 Guttural Response
4 Krosan Grip
With the new ban list, I've become intested in Modern. I figured that playing everyones favorite green tribe would be fun. I am completely new to the format and have no idea what the metagame is and will become but some rough ideas and directions:
4 Treetop Village
4 Mutavault
4 Bramblewood Paragon
4 Civic Wayfinder
4 Wren's Run Vanquisher
4 Imperious Perfect
3 Nissas Chosen
4 Llanowar Elf
4 Boreal Druid
4 Chameleon Colossus
2 Nissa Revane
4 Stomping Ground
2 Raging Ravine
13 Forest
4 Elvish Archdruid
4 Elvish Champion
4 Imperious Perfect
4 Elvish Visionary
4 Llanowar Elves
4 Boreal Druid
4 Wolf Skull Shaman
1 Dryad Arbor
2 Mutavault
4 Llanowar Elves
4 Boreal Druid
4 Elvish Visionary
4 Wolf-Skull Shaman
4 Elvish Archdruid
4 Elvish Champion
4 Imperious Perfect
2 Ezuri, Renegade Leader
2 Elvish Harbinger
1 Viridian Shaman
1 Wrens Run Packmaster
1 Copperhorn Scout
There is obviously also Gw Elves, Rock Elves, Fauna/VV, and other decks I'm missing .
UB/x Faeries
UR Storm
XURWB Affinity
G Elves
UW control
4x Temple Garden
2x Verdant Catacombs
2x Marsh Flats
2x Plains
10x Forest
Creatures
4x Llanowar Elf
4x Arbor Elf
4x Heritage Druid
4x Nettle Sentinel
3x Elvish Visionary
4x Elvish Archdruid
3x Mirror Entity
2x Ezuri, Renegade Leader
2x Regal Force
1x Harmonic Sliver
1x Gaddock Teeg
1x Eternal Witness
4x Green Sun's Zenith
3x Path to Exile
Not sure if GSZ or Lead the Stampede is better for this deck.
BG Nath of the Gilt Leaf
as well as Thoughtseize
Here's my list so far (still needs testing):
4x Arbor Elf
4x Bramblewood Paragon
4x Elvish Archdruid
2x Ezuri, Renegade Leader
4x Imperious Perfect
4x Joraga Warcaller
4x Llanowar Elves
4x Nissa's Chosen
3x Wolf-Skull Shaman
2x Wren's Run Packmaster
1x Dryad Arbor
8x Forest
4x Llanowar Reborn
4x Oran-Rief, the Vastwood
Sorceries (6)
2x Genesis Wave
4x Green Sun's Zenith
Planeswalkers (2)
2x Nissa Revane
2x Elvish Scrapper (or similar artifact hate)
2x Elvish Lyrist (or similar enchantment hate)
4x Viridian Zealot (tune to meta)
3x Thornweald Archer (flying hate)
3x Jagged-Scar Archers (flying hate)
1x Elvish Champion (tune to meta)
1x Joraga Warcaller
1x Bramblewood Paragon
1x Llanowar Reborn
1x Oran-Rief, the Vastwood (or Llanowar Reborn)
1x Llanowar Elves (or Arbor Elf or Green Sun's Zenith)
1x (anything else)
Turn 1: Forest, Llanowar Elves (or Arbor Elf, or Green Sun's Zenith fetching Dryad Arbor)
Turn 2: Oran-Rief, the Vastwood (or Llanowar Reborn), Bramblewood Paragon
Turn 3: Llanowar Reborn, Joraga Warcaller kicked 1x; move counter(s) from Llanowar Reborn(s) to Joraga Warcaller; tap Oran-Rief, the Vastwood to give him another +1/+1; and he gets +1/+1 from Bramblewood Paragon's triggered ability. All elves get +4/+4! Attack with Bramblewood Paragon (6/6).
G Pumped Elvish Warriors G
GW Infectious Slivers WG
WU Milling Allies UW
Legacy:
UB Hex-Depths BU (combo-control)
G NO/Aggro Elves G
Commander:
WUBRG Sliver Army GRBUW (multiplayer)
WUG Rafiq the Exalted GUW (1-on-1 voltron)
GU Edric's Circus UG (multiplayer tokens)
B Relentless Rats B (multiplayer combo)
UB Sygg, the Punisher (in progress)BU
UBR Nicol Bolas, Elder Dragon Highlander RBU (in progress)
That was literally what i was just going to say. GB elves seems really strong. you also get pulse, putrefy. The manabase is there and i would even play bitterblossom.
... except that it's banned.
G Pumped Elvish Warriors G
GW Infectious Slivers WG
WU Milling Allies UW
Legacy:
UB Hex-Depths BU (combo-control)
G NO/Aggro Elves G
Commander:
WUBRG Sliver Army GRBUW (multiplayer)
WUG Rafiq the Exalted GUW (1-on-1 voltron)
GU Edric's Circus UG (multiplayer tokens)
B Relentless Rats B (multiplayer combo)
UB Sygg, the Punisher (in progress)BU
UBR Nicol Bolas, Elder Dragon Highlander RBU (in progress)
I completely forgot. Thanks. I was just thinking of one of the old lists that ran 4 bitterblossom and a war hammer to beat out a lot of matches. OH well.
The amazing thing about Elves in Modern is we actually have too many lords/pseudo-lords to fit in the deck! Here is a list of them:
Lords/Pseudo-Lords:
Joraga Warcaller
Bramblewood Paragon
Elvish Archdruid
Impervious Perfect
Elvish Champion
Ezuri, Renegade Leader
Adaptive Automation
Immaculate Magistrate
Wilt-Leaf Liege
Since we so many lords, we need to focus on the very best of them. The best lord of the bunch is obvious: Joraga Warcaller. Not only that, but Joraga Warcaller has some sick synergy with Bramblewood Paragon, Llanowar Reborn, and Oran-Rief, the Vastwood, especially once you look at some of the other Elvish Warriors:
Obviously we have a great card-pool to choose from. I will be testing various builds and hopefully include some card comparisons later. Until then, here is my current list (I will keep it updated):
14 Forest
4 Oran-Rief, the Vastwood
2 Dryad Arbor
Creatures:
4 Arbor Elf
4 Llanowar Elves
4 Joraga Warcaller
4 Bramblewood Paragon
4 Wren's Run Vanquisher
4 Imperious Perfect
4 Elvish Archdruid
2 Ezuri, Renegade Leader
2 Elvish Champion
3 Green Sun's Zenith
2 Lead the Stampede
3 Hunting Triad
2 Gaea's Herald
4 Leyline of Vitality
3 Tajuru Preserver
2 Krosan Grip
1 Fracturing Gust
3 Tectonic edge
Level 1 Judge
Currently Playing:
W Death and Taxes
BGR ScapeWish Nic Fit
BGR Punishing Nic Fit
Anyway, I came up with a similar deck idea (but mono-green). It's in its second revision now (still needs lots of testing). Basically, like yours, the idea is to couple Bramblewood Paragon's "warrior lord"-ness with Joraga Warcaller and other elf warriors. In addition, I've noticed a few other cards that help put +1/+1 counters on Joraga Warcaller: Oran-Rief, the Vastwood, Llanowar Reborn, and Hunting Triad (which can either put 3x +1/+1 counters on Joraga Warcaller, or can put 3x Elf Warrior tokens into play... which could easily be +3/+3 or bigger if Bramblewood Paragon/Oran-Rief, the Vastwood are in play, in addition to pumping from the traditional elf lords: Joraga Warcaller, Elvish Archdruid, Imperious Perfect). Basically, every card in the deck either ramps mana, pumps elves, or produces card advantage in some way (tokens, draw, tutoring directly to the battlefield). Nissa Revane/Nissa's Chosen are definitely the weakest cards in the deck and may get replaced... but I was hoping that Nissa might actually be viable in Modern (?). And Nissa's Chosen (tutored by Nissa) could be a pretty huge elf (via Bramblewood Paragon/Oran-Rief, the Vastwood), ignoring enhancements from elf lords
4x Arbor Elf
4x Bramblewood Paragon
4x Elvish Archdruid
1x Ezuri, Renegade Leader
4x Imperious Perfect
4x Joraga Warcaller
4x Llanowar Elves
2x Lys Alana Huntmaster
1x Nissa's Chosen
1x Rhys the Redeemed
2x Dryad Arbor
7x Forest
4x Llanowar Reborn
4x Oran-Rief, the Vastwood
Sorceries (12)
2x Genesis Wave
4x Green Sun's Zenith
4x Hunting Triad
2x Lead the Stampede
Planeswalkers (2)
2x Nissa Revane
4x Viridian Zealot (artifact/enchantment hate)
3x Thornweald Archer (flying hate)
3x Jagged-Scar Archers (flying hate)
2x Fresh Meat (or similar wrath recovery)
3x other stuff (tune to meta)
1x Joraga Warcaller
1x Bramblewood Paragon
1x Llanowar Reborn
1x Oran-Rief, the Vastwood (or Llanowar Reborn)
1x Llanowar Elves (or Arbor Elf or Green Sun's Zenith)
1x (anything else)
Turn 1: Forest, Llanowar Elves (or Arbor Elf, or Green Sun's Zenith fetching Dryad Arbor)
Turn 2: Oran-Rief, the Vastwood (or Llanowar Reborn), Bramblewood Paragon
Turn 3: Llanowar Reborn, Joraga Warcaller kicked 1x; move counter(s) from Llanowar Reborn(s) to Joraga Warcaller; tap Oran-Rief, the Vastwood to give him another +1/+1; and he gets +1/+1 from Bramblewood Paragon's triggered ability. All elves get +4/+4! Attack with Bramblewood Paragon (6/6).
G Pumped Elvish Warriors G
GW Infectious Slivers WG
WU Milling Allies UW
Legacy:
UB Hex-Depths BU (combo-control)
G NO/Aggro Elves G
Commander:
WUBRG Sliver Army GRBUW (multiplayer)
WUG Rafiq the Exalted GUW (1-on-1 voltron)
GU Edric's Circus UG (multiplayer tokens)
B Relentless Rats B (multiplayer combo)
UB Sygg, the Punisher (in progress)BU
UBR Nicol Bolas, Elder Dragon Highlander RBU (in progress)
Also, the reason I like Magus is that he doesn't hurt us at all (unless we are playing punishing fire), while he really kills some decks. maybe sb material?
I like your list Nano, but I really think you should play Wren’s Run Vanquisher. Its a 3/3 deathtouch warrior for 2, what's not to like? Have you had a problem with too many ETBT lands?
I'll admit I didn't see the other threads :/
Level 1 Judge
Currently Playing:
W Death and Taxes
BGR ScapeWish Nic Fit
BGR Punishing Nic Fit
Take a mechanic from the pre-mirrodin era, and a mechanic after the mirrodin era, and create a card that flavorfully melds both mechanics.
Level 1 Judge
Currently Playing:
W Death and Taxes
BGR ScapeWish Nic Fit
BGR Punishing Nic Fit
Level 1 Judge
Currently Playing:
W Death and Taxes
BGR ScapeWish Nic Fit
BGR Punishing Nic Fit
Garruk 1.0 seems better in a PW slot, he's a more immediate threat, he costs what is effectively half as much to cast, puts your opponent on a 1 turn clock (assuming you have a couple elves out), and can pump out 3/3's in the event of a board wipe.
Seems quite a bit better to me, maybe I'm just off?
Agreed, although I don't feel either PW should really be included. Thoughts on the list I posted? I'll try to turn this post into an Elves primer eventually
Level 1 Judge
Currently Playing:
W Death and Taxes
BGR ScapeWish Nic Fit
BGR Punishing Nic Fit
Has Garruk 2.0 been considered?
Except... he only has 1 Chosen...
Garruk 2.0 is kinda expensive... it really seems win-more to me. If your going to be drawing a ton of cards of it, your about to win anyways...
Level 1 Judge
Currently Playing:
W Death and Taxes
BGR ScapeWish Nic Fit
BGR Punishing Nic Fit
Ooo... Thanks >.< I saw the boarder when I was looking through my cards and didn't think about that it was a specialty addition
Level 1 Judge
Currently Playing:
W Death and Taxes
BGR ScapeWish Nic Fit
BGR Punishing Nic Fit
If you think of an ETBT land as playing a spell for 1, then putting +1/+1 counters on Joraga Warcaller is certainly worth it. But that requires having Joraga Warcaller in play. ETBT lands are a concern, especially turn 1 (if you don't draw a forest). I'm still playing with it. Might have to reduce the number of non-basics.
Glissa is solid for 3 mana, even if you ignore her artifact ability. But to really take advantage of her, your deck should revolve around artifacts that get sacrificed. But if you ignore that and use her in an aggro/control deck, and if you can ramp into Nath of the Gilt-Leaf early, it would be devastating for an opponent.
On his own, Garruk 1.0 is better than Nissa in this deck. Originally I put 4x Nissa's Chosen in the deck, but took out all but 1 since there are better elves. Also, in terms of mana curve, the 2-drop elf can get skipped (aside from Bramblewood Paragon) assuming you get a Llanowar Elves / Dryad Arbor (via GSZ) / Arbor Elf out on turn 1. Still, that 1 Nissa's Chosen acts like a Bloodghast (minus the haste part, but plus synergy from the elf lords) when Nissa Revane is in play. Or she can net you a truckload of life. In short, I never want a Nissa's Chosen in my hand; I only want to find it when Nissa is in play, and then use it as an expendable attacker/blocker and otherwise gain life.
...
The more I think about it, the more I'd rather just run Garruk Wildspeaker.
G Pumped Elvish Warriors G
GW Infectious Slivers WG
WU Milling Allies UW
Legacy:
UB Hex-Depths BU (combo-control)
G NO/Aggro Elves G
Commander:
WUBRG Sliver Army GRBUW (multiplayer)
WUG Rafiq the Exalted GUW (1-on-1 voltron)
GU Edric's Circus UG (multiplayer tokens)
B Relentless Rats B (multiplayer combo)
UB Sygg, the Punisher (in progress)BU
UBR Nicol Bolas, Elder Dragon Highlander RBU (in progress)