All my decks try to adhere to these guidelines:
1) Be able to win.
2) Be mostly true to a flavor and a theme.
3) Be good against one or multiple opponents.
5) Be fun to pilot or to play against and interactive.
6) Have multiple paths to victory.
7) Have lots of cool interactions and synergy.
8) Play out differently every game to keep it fun over a long time.
9) Be streamlined and fast to play without excessive upkeep, time-consuming play or overcomplicated boardstates.
10) Integrate the Commanders abilities into the strategy at least a little, but be able to win without ever playing the commander.
The number in front of the card will denote CMC of the creature/spell.
//Way too expensive
3x Chord of Calling - expensive, but instant speed so REALLY good with mass mana.
5 Staff of Domination - very expensive, every elf deck has this card. It really seems like I must get it.
2. Joraga Treespeaker is an Investment of 5GGGGGG before your Elves can generate GG Mana each - if the weren't able to in the first place before. Karametra's Acolyte could be a great replacement and is a druid!
5. I'd drop Greenweaver Druid for Boreal Druid. Might be that he "only" produces 1, but with the same body but only a third of the CMC, you'll be able to drop him and something else early in the game. Besides if the Elf can't produce R it doesn't matter much if its 1 or G.
7. I'm not a big fan of Essence Warden and Wellwisher. Yes, as an early hit you can rake up loads of life points. But is it worth it? You're playing Elfball and normally sit on the side that drains life, so not a big need to gain life.
10. Masked Admirers are too expensive for me. The first card might only cost you 2GG but everyone after that will cost 2GGGG... Zendikar Resurgent might have the higher CMC, but helps you in more ways.
11. I prefer Glissa Sunseeker over Nullmage Shepherd. Might be that the Shepherd is more flexibe and can be used the turn it hits the board, but tapping 4 Elves is hefty and it won't work by itself. If you got untap possibilites Glissa Sunseeker is superior.
12. Gilt-Leaf Ambush is okay, but if you loose the clash it's "just" 2 Elves. Timberwatch Elf might not be Imperious Perfect, but it enables you to get huge Blockers or unblocked Elves that swing for a load of damage repeatedly. Presence of Gond would be an alternative Token Spawner.
17. Besides the PWs i mentioned above Brass Herald is a cool colorless Sylvan Messenger that fetches and buffs your Elves. Skyshroud Poacher is pretty disgusting with untap possibilies. Wirewood Herald is an easy to trigger Elf Tutor as well.
18. With all these activated abilities, Seedborn Muse is just bonkers.
2. Joraga Treespeaker is an Investment of 5GGGGGG before your Elves can generate GG Mana each - if the weren't able to in the first place before. Karametra's Acolyte could be a great replacement and is a druid!
I agree that karametra's acolyte belongs in here, but not over treespeaker. Treespeaker you add one counter and that's it. The upper level isn't necessary. She's called the green sol ring for a reason. I would run acolyte over bloomtender. You're a two color deck and therefore cannot go infinite with the infinite equipment you do have, but Karametra's acolyte can most assuredly do so.
3. I'd put in Cryptolith Rite for Heritage Druid, as it's harder to remove and not as conditional, same goes for Birchlore Rangers.
I think you should leave these guys as is. If you don't have a haste outlet, they don't require it. Birchlore is also a no-haste required source of red mana for a critical elfball. Cryptolith Rite is most excellent in tokens
7. I'm not a big fan of Essence Warden and Wellwisher. Yes, as an early hit you can rake up loads of life points. But is it worth it? You're playing Elfball and normally sit on the side that drains life, so not a big need to gain life.
I also would leave these guys in, especially wellwisher. You do play a lot of untappers, and I would play all of the ones mentioned below that are elf specific.
8. Seeker of Skybreak is an okay untap outlet, but i prefer Wirewood Symbiote, Quirion Ranger and Scryb Ranger. As they can untap each turn, not only once between untapping. Instill Energy has the same flaw of "only" untapping once during your turn. Plus, Wirewood Symbiote is great tool to have spells fizzle, by returning your important Elves to your hand.
Seeker gets nuts with a most of the equipment onboard, likely an extra copy of whatever huge mana elf you have available (my favorite equipment for this is lightning greaves). I probably wouldn't run scryb ranger, though, or the instill energy.
11. I prefer Glissa Sunseeker over Nullmage Shepherd. Might be that the Shepherd is more flexibe and can be used the turn it hits the board, but tapping 4 Elves is hefty and it won't work by itself. If you got untap possibilites Glissa Sunseeker is superior.
Nullmage shepherd hits more, unfortunately. I think it's the better choice here, personally.
if you liked some of these, maybe checkout the Ezuri, Renegade Leader deck in my signature, which is full of cards you could play.
Other than what was mentioned that I do agree with, you have many other choices in here that are questionable at best. Silhana starfletcher would be better as quirion elf, I think. You'll always get the colors you need, period.
Card draw? You've got a lot of good choices, some you run, some you don't. Among the ones you do run, some need to go!! I would cut:
Momentous fall
hunter's insight
reforge the soul
soul's magesty.
Reasoning? The first, second, and fourth are very conditional upon creature power, which you aren't running a ton of. If you have a bunch of higher power creatures, you surely don't need more cards. Reforge the soul helps your opponents, by you know, giving them wrath effects? Bad idea for this style of deck.
Effective card draw should most assuredly include regal force and lead the stampede. It's true that lead the stampede only gets creatures, but you do run an awful lot of them! With the amount of mana you generate, something like temur sabertooth could get really broken, really quick.
I like immaculate magistrate, why not run timberwatch elf also? I like the idea of going heavy on the "elfball" aspect and he's certainly that.
You do need slots and don't need so many fireballs. Keep like 4 of them and you can use the slots for other things, like wordly tutor or green sun's zenith.
I would also think that artifact mana isn't that helpful. Yes, it doesn't require haste, fixes colors, but elves that do that are better for you. You're in green, so you can do much more with them than most. Your requirements for colored mana are more prolific than colorless, so I would feel that even sol ring might not be that great.
There are many more possibilities, but these are only a few. I would hope my comments are helpful!
Effective card draw should most assuredly include regal force and lead the stampede. It's true that lead the stampede only gets creatures, but you do run an awful lot of them!
Not only these, Genesis Wave and - if you build around it - Primal Surge could make you drop your whole deck in one turn.
Additionally Mul Daya Channelers is a tricky card. You reveal your whole draw, most of the times it will be a strong elf, only 1/3 times it will ramp you. For me it's a card to cut.
Thank you so much for the responses. You all have given me a great deal to ponder. For many of the cards suggested, I have them but in other decks. For the rest, I'm a budget player, but do trade in where warranted.
Thanks again.
Feel free to comment further as I further fine-tune.
revision 2 is up in the OP. Still fine-tuning, but it helps give me some focus if I post it.
Interesting take, I am thinking of doing something similar but instead of Radha I will use Mina and Denn, Wildborn I think it should be ported just alright.
The cuts are generally for just being underwelming or I think the slots could be used better. That's all I have to say about them basically.
I understand about being on a budget. I dropped 30$ to complete my Kazuul deck (bought my final 20 cards I needed) after of attempting to build it for around a year.
That being said, with the exception of Fauna Shaman most of these are under 1-2$. Kessig Wolf Run is like 2$ exactly and it could be an insane finisher as well.
I like Dwynen, Gilt-Leaf Daen in the lifegain slot since it doubles as a lord. Drove of Elves and Realm Seekers double as insane threats that could become really difficult to deal with. Kher Keep while off theme, is super good with Skullclamp and since you have a decent amount of lords in the deck, your elves get above the 1 toughness needed to use skullclamp as a draw engine. The other option you have is Springjack Pasture, but I think Kher Keep is just better and reads as "{4}: Draw Two Cards", Instead of "{6}: Draw Two Cards". Then again, Springjack could be a good source of life/mana so I think it's up to you. But I think either are good enough to include for the sake of Skullclamp alone.
I'm sure there's other stuff I'd do but thats just after a few quick searches and such.
I am pretty sure ntby means need to buy, but I could be wrong on that.
Civic wayfinder would be a last maybe cut? A 2/2 with 2 relevant creature types that fetches lands is usually really good.
Removing devoted druid, sword of the paruns, sylvan messenger, and harmonize would likely be quite foolish, especially if he already has them. He wants elfball with a nasty burn out, so these are all cards that contribute to that. Sword of the paruns + priest of titania effect (if not on your list, get it. It's obscene and belongs with all the other crazy mana guys) + 3 other elves (and they don't even have to be yours..)= infinite mana, go for broke! Is it quite staff of domination? No. Will it do as a budget option? Yes. Will most people ignore it because it isn't staff of domination? You'd better believe it...
Ah yeah, I forgot the Sword had the untap ability. I was thinking of it mostly for the main ability, which I guess still isn't bad if you're able to swarm out a thousand elves like he should be able to. With Messenger and Harmonize, I'm not huge fans of one shot abilities like that but to each their own. They're decent enough to include, I just like other options better, I suppose.
I guess in the end you can ignore my cut suggestions, sorry that I was basically not helpful at all.
- ntby = need to buy yet (my 'under construction' self-comments)
@ pet snake: I will certainly still consider your cut suggestions - perhaps just not for the intended reason - they do give me a 'worst elves' list in which to pull from as required.
Civic Wayfinder is likely next to get the axe....or Viridian Shaman - it's going to depend on how many other cards I get for the build in the near future...
STRENGTHS
As expected from elves, the build was very explosive - there is no 'in-between' setting; either I'm casually placing mana elves down or I'm swinging full tilt with mass aggro. If I draw a burn, it knocks a player out.
WEAKNESSES
I experienced three:
1) Lack of sustainment - Without lifegain, I just feel like I burn out too quickly. When I got Essence Warden into play, it really helped offset the damage being taken. I can see finding a home for Wellwisher, Dwynen, Gilt-Leaf Daen, maybe even Luminescent Rain.
2) Lack of control - Perhaps an alternative to further lifegain, being able to remove the really pesky threats would go a long ways to helping me stabilize too. I'll look for a home for Aftershock, Plummet, maybe even Decimate and/or Cinder Cloud.
3) Lack of card draw - Perhaps more accurately, I don't get the card draw I need when I need it. I'm sure this is where Regal Force gets mentioned again, but unfortunately I don't own a copy of him. I see myself including Creeping Renaissance and also Elvish Visionary if I find a copy of Wirewood Symbiote
All that said, that's 10 new cards to the mix - so I'm back into "what to cut mode".
For haste, you have Akroma's Memorial, Concordant Crossroads, although the latter is around 5$.
As far as removal goes: Brittle Effigy is pretty nice. I tend to run that or Unstable Obelisk in mono colored decks that have low removal options. Burn Away adds in nice utility to help stop graveyard strategies. Also don't forget that your X spells also target creatures, and while it sucks not to just chuck 40 damage at their face, sometimes just removing a creature is good too.
(Edited to suggest better cards, because I'm a good player who can suggest good cards. )
Are just a few options. There are others, of course.
If you're after spot removal, green does have tornado, desert twister, and beast within in addition to what you have listed. Red also has fissure and volcanic offering in addition to the cinder cloud, and really, both are better options than that one. Volcanic offering is a guaranteed 2 for 1 and could go as high as 4 for 1, none of which will ever be yours. I would definitely add the decimate, though. It's obscene in multiplayer.
2) Plummet feels too narrow for me, plus loads of Elves could do the job. Aftershock, Fissure and Cinder Cloud are strictly better. Deglamer and Unravel the Æther are the best way outside of white when it comes to indestructible stuff. Krosan Grip can't be countered and keeps opponents from activating anything in response.
Elvish Promenade is the hardest one to let go. It can be so much threat but in the times I've played it, it's just been 'win more'. - maybe I hold on to it too long....
@NoNeedToBragoBoutIt - you are probably right about Plummet in that it's too narrow. I'll try out Jagged-Scar Archers first for awhile. I'll hold on to Cinder Cloud for now as 5 mana is a fair bit for a kill spell.
@weltkrieg - I had no idea Wizards printed cards like Volcanic Offering. Totally awesome and definitely and going in once I find a copy. Thank you for suggesting it.
@pet snake - I've had my eye on Concordant Crossroads for 10 years now though I've never liked the thought of giving all creatures haste and not just my own. It is nice for mono-green though. The same can be said for Mass Hysteria, though in a 'force all player to attack each turn deck', it could actually be quite funny.
All my decks try to adhere to these guidelines:
1) Be able to win.
2) Be mostly true to a flavor and a theme.
3) Be good against one or multiple opponents.
5) Be fun to pilot or to play against and interactive.
6) Have multiple paths to victory.
7) Have lots of cool interactions and synergy.
8) Play out differently every game to keep it fun over a long time.
9) Be streamlined and fast to play without excessive upkeep, time-consuming play or overcomplicated boardstates.
10) Integrate the Commanders abilities into the strategy at least a little, but be able to win without ever playing the commander.
The number in front of the card will denote CMC of the creature/spell.
4 Mina and Denn, Wildborn
//Planeswalker (1)
5 Freyalise, Llanowar's Fury
//Elf Druids (18)
1 Arbor Elf
1 Boreal Druid
1 Llanowar Elves
1 Elvish Mystic
1 Heritage Druid
1 Birchlore Rangers (errata)
2 Priest of Titania
2 Devoted Druid
2 Bloom Tender
3 Farhaven Elf
3 Elvish Harbinger
3 Silhana Starfletcher
3 Viridian Joiner
3 Greenweaver Druid
3 Elvish Archdruid
4 Wirewood Channeler (errata)
4 Argothian Elder (errata)
5 Gilt-Leaf Archdruid
//Card Advantage (9)
1 Skullclamp
1x Green Sun's Zenith
3 Elemental Bond
3x Genesis Wave
4 Harmonize
4 Slate of Ancestry
5 Reforge the Soul
5 Shamanic Revelation
5 Creeping Renaissance
1 Joraga Warcaller
1 Essence Warden
2 Seeker of Skybreak
2 Viridian Zealot
3 Elvish Champion
3 Timberwatch Elf
3 Jagged-Scar Archers
3 Reclamation Sage
3 Imperious Perfect
3 Ezuri, Renegade Leader
4 Sylvan Messenger
4 Nullmage Shepherd
4 Immaculate Magistrate
4 Lys Alana Huntmaster
4 Wren's Run Packmaster
4 Dwynen, Gilt-Leaf Daen
//Buffs (9)
2 Lightning Greaves
2 Swiftfoot Boots
2 Wrap in Vigor
3 Fires of Yavimaya
3 Hammer of Purphoros
3 Fervor
4 Door of Destinies
5 Overrun
5 Asceticism
2 Back to Nature
3 Beast Within
4 Aftershock
4 Decimate
//Elfball (4)
1x Fireball
1x Devil's Play
2x Comet Storm
2x Clan Defiance
//Ramp (5)
1 Instill Energy
3 Elvish Guidance
3 Thousand-Year Elixir
3 Umbral Mantle
4 Sword of the Paruns
//Land (33)
0 Wirewood Lodge
0 Oran-Rief, the Vastwood
0 Command Tower
0 Rugged Highlands
0 Rootbound Crag
0 Flamekin Village
0 Kazandu Refuge
0 Kessig Wolf Run
18 Forest
7 Mountain
100 cards so far!!
2 Plummet - likely too narrow; will try Jagged-Scar Archers first
2x Squall Line
2 Elvish Visionary
NTBY:
2 Wellwisher
1 Wirewood Symbiote
1 Mass Hysteria
//Way too expensive
3x Chord of Calling - expensive, but instant speed so REALLY good with mass mana.
5 Staff of Domination - very expensive, every elf deck has this card. It really seems like I must get it.
//Community Suggestions
2 Cryptolith Rite - could replace Joraga Treespeaker?
1 Taunting Elf
May 10 2016:
Initial Build
May 19 2016:
Viridian Shaman >> Jagged-Scar Archers
Red Sun's Zenith >> Fireball - because it's classic elfball!
Presence of Gond >> Aftershock
Elvish Promenade >> Fervor
July 1 2016:
Forest >> Mountain
Glissa Sunseeker >> Bloodbraid Elf
Brass Herald >> Back to Nature
July 15 2016:
Copperhorn Scout >> Dwynen, Gilt-Leaf Daen
Oak Street Innkeeper >> Mina and Denn, Wildborn
Joraga Treespeaker >> Volcanic Offering
Wood Elves >> Decimate
Collective Unconscious >> Creeping Renaissance
Sept 11 2016:
New General: Mina and Denn, Wildborn
Radha, Heir to Keld >> Elemental Bond
1x Banefire >> Hammer of Porphoros
Dec 3 2016:
Volcanic Offering >> Green Sun's Zenith -- Will help get Gilt-Leaf Archdruid ftw!
Bloodbraid Elf >> Arbor Elf
Coat of Arms >> Boreal Druid -- too many are taking better advantage of Coat of Arms.
| 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
1. Drop Nissa Revane & Nissa's Chosen for Freyalise, Llanowar's Fury and Garruk, Caller of Beasts. - Nissa rarely ults, her +1 is "just" life gain and her chosen one blocks a deck spot. On the other hand Freyalise, Llanowar's Fury is Removal, Elf Spawn, Ramp and Card Draw all in one. Garruk, Caller of Beasts' + fetches you Elves, his - let's you put them on the board without spending mana and his ult is devastating for your opponents.
2. Joraga Treespeaker is an Investment of 5GGGGGG before your Elves can generate GG Mana each - if the weren't able to in the first place before. Karametra's Acolyte could be a great replacement and is a druid!
3. I'd put in Cryptolith Rite for Heritage Druid, as it's harder to remove and not as conditional, same goes for Birchlore Rangers.
4. Farhaven Elf and especially Civic Wayfinder never really had a great impact for me, Wood Elves are better as the Forest enters untapped. Insane value if you can later on add Cinder Glade, Stomping Ground or even Taiga.
5. I'd drop Greenweaver Druid for Boreal Druid. Might be that he "only" produces 1, but with the same body but only a third of the CMC, you'll be able to drop him and something else early in the game. Besides if the Elf can't produce R it doesn't matter much if its 1 or G.
6. Why play Arbor Elf if you don't play something like Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx or Gaea's Cradle? Deserted Temple is more flexible, only occupies a land slot, doesn't have summoning sickness and is hard to remove.
7. I'm not a big fan of Essence Warden and Wellwisher. Yes, as an early hit you can rake up loads of life points. But is it worth it? You're playing Elfball and normally sit on the side that drains life, so not a big need to gain life.
8. Seeker of Skybreak is an okay untap outlet, but i prefer Wirewood Symbiote, Quirion Ranger and Scryb Ranger. As they can untap each turn, not only once between untapping. Instill Energy has the same flaw of "only" untapping once during your turn. Plus, Wirewood Symbiote is great tool to have spells fizzle, by returning your important Elves to your hand.
9. Viridian Shaman is too narrow. Viridian Zealot can be dropped more easily and can be activated at instant speed.
10. Masked Admirers are too expensive for me. The first card might only cost you 2GG but everyone after that will cost 2GGGG... Zendikar Resurgent might have the higher CMC, but helps you in more ways.
11. I prefer Glissa Sunseeker over Nullmage Shepherd. Might be that the Shepherd is more flexibe and can be used the turn it hits the board, but tapping 4 Elves is hefty and it won't work by itself. If you got untap possibilites Glissa Sunseeker is superior.
12. Gilt-Leaf Ambush is okay, but if you loose the clash it's "just" 2 Elves. Timberwatch Elf might not be Imperious Perfect, but it enables you to get huge Blockers or unblocked Elves that swing for a load of damage repeatedly. Presence of Gond would be an alternative Token Spawner.
13. Gruul Signet and Talisman of Impulse are good for color fixing, but i never felt i need the matching ones in my Rhys the Redeemed deck. For most stuff RR will be enough and the rest can be paid in G. Chromatic Lantern would be more efficent.
14. Life's Legacy is nearly as great as Momentous Fall at a lower CMC. Maybe you'll find a spot.
15. Creeping Renaissance and Praetor's Counsel are great recursion for Elf decks. I'd pick them over Restock any time.
16. Primal Rage is okay, but Beastmaster Ascension is better. Instead of Overrun i'd play Triumph of the Hordes and/or Thunderfoot Baloth.
17. Besides the PWs i mentioned above Brass Herald is a cool colorless Sylvan Messenger that fetches and buffs your Elves. Skyshroud Poacher is pretty disgusting with untap possibilies. Wirewood Herald is an easy to trigger Elf Tutor as well.
18. With all these activated abilities, Seedborn Muse is just bonkers.
19. Taunting Elf enables you to swing with all your Elves and loose only itself - if only, considering Ezuri, Renegade Leader, Asceticism and Wrap in Vigor are in the deck. If you can afford it Yavimaya Hollow is awesome.
20. Having only creature-based removal in your deck is dangerous. Think about Beast Within, Krosan Grip, Unravel the Æther and Deglamer to get rid of targets and shuffle away Gods! Primal Command is very flexible and serves as Removal as well. Terastodon has high CMC but get ish done.
21. Caller of the Claw and Beast Within are stupidly good comebacks after board wipes.
22. Blighted Woodland, Mosswort Bridge, Spinerock Knoll, Oran-Rief, the Vastwood, Thespian's Stage and Flamekin Village could make great additions to your mana base.
if you liked some of these, maybe checkout the Ezuri, Renegade Leader deck in my signature, which is full of cards you could play.
Other than what was mentioned that I do agree with, you have many other choices in here that are questionable at best. Silhana starfletcher would be better as quirion elf, I think. You'll always get the colors you need, period.
Card draw? You've got a lot of good choices, some you run, some you don't. Among the ones you do run, some need to go!! I would cut:
Momentous fall
hunter's insight
reforge the soul
soul's magesty.
Reasoning? The first, second, and fourth are very conditional upon creature power, which you aren't running a ton of. If you have a bunch of higher power creatures, you surely don't need more cards. Reforge the soul helps your opponents, by you know, giving them wrath effects? Bad idea for this style of deck.
Effective card draw should most assuredly include regal force and lead the stampede. It's true that lead the stampede only gets creatures, but you do run an awful lot of them! With the amount of mana you generate, something like temur sabertooth could get really broken, really quick.
I like immaculate magistrate, why not run timberwatch elf also? I like the idea of going heavy on the "elfball" aspect and he's certainly that.
You do need slots and don't need so many fireballs. Keep like 4 of them and you can use the slots for other things, like wordly tutor or green sun's zenith.
I would also think that artifact mana isn't that helpful. Yes, it doesn't require haste, fixes colors, but elves that do that are better for you. You're in green, so you can do much more with them than most. Your requirements for colored mana are more prolific than colorless, so I would feel that even sol ring might not be that great.
There are many more possibilities, but these are only a few. I would hope my comments are helpful!
Credit to DolZero for this awesome sig!
With a second look, i realized you aren't playing Fyndhorn Elves and Llanowar Elves, both have to be in a true to the spirit Elf deck. If you are concerned about color fixing, Joiner Adept, Quirion Elves, maybe even Lifespring Druid could do.
Additionally Mul Daya Channelers is a tricky card. You reveal your whole draw, most of the times it will be a strong elf, only 1/3 times it will ramp you. For me it's a card to cut.
Thanks again.
Feel free to comment further as I further fine-tune.
revision 2 is up in the OP. Still fine-tuning, but it helps give me some focus if I post 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
My final cut propably would be either Reforge the Soul or Civic Wayfinder.
Don't worry about being on a budget. The more rewarding when you get to add arrivals.
Marath, Will of the Wild
Friendly Kess Twin Combo
Tatyova - Sir Bounce A Lot
Gonti's Luxury Pie
Prime (Eldrazi) Speaker Zegana (Retired)
What does ntby mean? I couldn't figure it out as well.
I'd personally look at doing something like this:
1 Devoted Druid
1 Civic Wayfinder
1 Silhana Starfletcher
1 Mul Daya Channelers
1 Greenweaver Druid
1 Copperhorn Scout
1 Viridian Shaman
1 Sylvan Messenger
1 Harmonize
1 Sword of the Paruns
1 Dwynen, Gilt-Leaf Daen
1 Drove of Elves
1 Riftsweeper
1 Fauna Shaman
1 Keeper of Progenitus
1 Realm Seekers
1 Aftershock
1 Predator, Flagship
1 Kessig Wolf Run
1 Kher Keep
1 Naya Panorama
1 Jund Panorama
1 Rogue's Passage
The cuts are generally for just being underwelming or I think the slots could be used better. That's all I have to say about them basically.
I understand about being on a budget. I dropped 30$ to complete my Kazuul deck (bought my final 20 cards I needed) after of attempting to build it for around a year.
That being said, with the exception of Fauna Shaman most of these are under 1-2$. Kessig Wolf Run is like 2$ exactly and it could be an insane finisher as well.
I like Dwynen, Gilt-Leaf Daen in the lifegain slot since it doubles as a lord.
Drove of Elves and Realm Seekers double as insane threats that could become really difficult to deal with.
Kher Keep while off theme, is super good with Skullclamp and since you have a decent amount of lords in the deck, your elves get above the 1 toughness needed to use skullclamp as a draw engine. The other option you have is Springjack Pasture, but I think Kher Keep is just better and reads as "{4}: Draw Two Cards", Instead of "{6}: Draw Two Cards". Then again, Springjack could be a good source of life/mana so I think it's up to you. But I think either are good enough to include for the sake of Skullclamp alone.
I'm sure there's other stuff I'd do but thats just after a few quick searches and such.
Semi-Retired EDH: Saffi Infinite Combo | Grenzo Mono-Red Aggro
Modern: Shamanism
Thread | CubeTutor :Jank Cube
Civic wayfinder would be a last maybe cut? A 2/2 with 2 relevant creature types that fetches lands is usually really good.
Removing devoted druid, sword of the paruns, sylvan messenger, and harmonize would likely be quite foolish, especially if he already has them. He wants elfball with a nasty burn out, so these are all cards that contribute to that. Sword of the paruns + priest of titania effect (if not on your list, get it. It's obscene and belongs with all the other crazy mana guys) + 3 other elves (and they don't even have to be yours..)= infinite mana, go for broke! Is it quite staff of domination? No. Will it do as a budget option? Yes. Will most people ignore it because it isn't staff of domination? You'd better believe it...
Credit to DolZero for this awesome sig!
I guess in the end you can ignore my cut suggestions, sorry that I was basically not helpful at all.
Semi-Retired EDH: Saffi Infinite Combo | Grenzo Mono-Red Aggro
Modern: Shamanism
Thread | CubeTutor :Jank Cube
- ntby = need to buy yet (my 'under construction' self-comments)
@ pet snake: I will certainly still consider your cut suggestions - perhaps just not for the intended reason - they do give me a 'worst elves' list in which to pull from as required.
Civic Wayfinder is likely next to get the axe....or Viridian Shaman - it's going to depend on how many other cards I get for the build in the near future...
| 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
Version 1.0 is up and running! Thank you all for helping me put this deck together! You've really helped me sort through many of the options.
I'll comment on testing soon...
| 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
Was able to put in a few test games last night.
STRENGTHS
As expected from elves, the build was very explosive - there is no 'in-between' setting; either I'm casually placing mana elves down or I'm swinging full tilt with mass aggro. If I draw a burn, it knocks a player out.
WEAKNESSES
I experienced three:
1) Lack of sustainment - Without lifegain, I just feel like I burn out too quickly. When I got Essence Warden into play, it really helped offset the damage being taken. I can see finding a home for Wellwisher, Dwynen, Gilt-Leaf Daen, maybe even Luminescent Rain.
2) Lack of control - Perhaps an alternative to further lifegain, being able to remove the really pesky threats would go a long ways to helping me stabilize too. I'll look for a home for Aftershock, Plummet, maybe even Decimate and/or Cinder Cloud.
3) Lack of card draw - Perhaps more accurately, I don't get the card draw I need when I need it. I'm sure this is where Regal Force gets mentioned again, but unfortunately I don't own a copy of him. I see myself including Creeping Renaissance and also Elvish Visionary if I find a copy of Wirewood Symbiote
All that said, that's 10 new cards to the mix - so I'm back into "what to cut mode".
So far I see the following under the axe:
Copperhorn Scout
Viridian Shaman
Forest (33 land was too many)
...
Also, having a few more haste effects and a few more untap creature effects will help the engine as well.
| 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 far as removal goes: Brittle Effigy is pretty nice. I tend to run that or Unstable Obelisk in mono colored decks that have low removal options. Burn Away adds in nice utility to help stop graveyard strategies. Also don't forget that your X spells also target creatures, and while it sucks not to just chuck 40 damage at their face, sometimes just removing a creature is good too.
(Edited to suggest better cards, because I'm a good player who can suggest good cards. )
Semi-Retired EDH: Saffi Infinite Combo | Grenzo Mono-Red Aggro
Modern: Shamanism
Thread | CubeTutor :Jank Cube
Are just a few options. There are others, of course.
If you're after spot removal, green does have tornado, desert twister, and beast within in addition to what you have listed. Red also has fissure and volcanic offering in addition to the cinder cloud, and really, both are better options than that one. Volcanic offering is a guaranteed 2 for 1 and could go as high as 4 for 1, none of which will ever be yours. I would definitely add the decimate, though. It's obscene in multiplayer.
Grave hate? Scavenging ooze is pretty solid. Loaming shaman is another pretty good answer. There are also many spell based options, too, in addition to a plethora of artifact options (tormod's crypt, relic of progenitus, etc. )
Credit to DolZero for this awesome sig!
Deglamer and Unravel the Æther are the best way outside of white when it comes to indestructible stuff. Krosan Grip can't be countered and keeps opponents from activating anything in response.
3) Once again: not a fan of Reforge the Soul. Loreseeker's Stone and Outpost Siege could be great additions. Garruk, Caller of Beasts is great card advantage of you can protect him. Lead the Stampede is cool as well.
Don't underestimate Copperhorn Scout. With Asceticism and/of Ezuri, Renegade Leader out you basically get a second Untap Phase every turn.
When it comes to haste enablers; Concordant Crossroads outside mono-green is too much of a risk. Akroma's Memorial is good, but has high CMC and is more fragile than enchantments. Fires of Yavimaya, Fervor and In the Web of War cost less money and mana and work very well enough.
Viridian Shaman >> Jagged-Scar Archers
Red Sun's Zenith >> Fireball - because it's classic elfball!
Presence of Gond >> Aftershock
Elvish Promenade >> Fervor
Elvish Promenade is the hardest one to let go. It can be so much threat but in the times I've played it, it's just been 'win more'. - maybe I hold on to it too long....
@NoNeedToBragoBoutIt - you are probably right about Plummet in that it's too narrow. I'll try out Jagged-Scar Archers first for awhile. I'll hold on to Cinder Cloud for now as 5 mana is a fair bit for a kill spell.
@weltkrieg - I had no idea Wizards printed cards like Volcanic Offering. Totally awesome and definitely and going in once I find a copy. Thank you for suggesting it.
@pet snake - I've had my eye on Concordant Crossroads for 10 years now though I've never liked the thought of giving all creatures haste and not just my own. It is nice for mono-green though. The same can be said for Mass Hysteria, though in a 'force all player to attack each turn deck', it could actually be quite funny.
More changes to come when I find the cards...
| 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