Birchlore is what gives you your red mana to cast Grapeshot. Otherwise your list has no way to cast it. Lots of times 1 Nettle + 1 Birchlore is all it takes to start going off too.
I don't like the Hivemaster, the deck should not have any problem having plenty of creatures to clamp.
I play with 7 fetches and 6 forests/bayous, people have these statistics saying that you don't see the effects of thinning until turn 13 or something, but when you're drawing 35 cards in a turn you'll very clearly see the difference.
I also really like Regal Force as a 1 or 2-of.
I keep 1 Viridian Shaman for a maindeck out to Chalice at 1.
Viridian Shaman as D00ms said, it can solve many annoying problems - consider Eternal Witness (which I know is not an Elf but gets you recursion) - sometimes you need to get Grapeshot back from Graveyard if it has been Duressed or Seized or simply to use again.
Viridian Shaman as D00ms said, it can solve many annoying problems - consider Eternal Witness (which I know is not an Elf but gets you recursion) - sometimes you need to get Grapeshot back from Graveyard if it has been Duressed or Seized or simply to use again.
Definitely must run at least a singleton Witness, more often than not for Grapeshot recursion (if that is the version you're running). Do any of you think Gaea's Herald deserves a spot MD as a singleton as well?
ESG is a boon against Daze and Spell Pierce, with Pacts I run it as a singleton and love bluffing when I know I'll be facing Blue mages. Visionary belongs, period. If you haven't experienced it in play with a Symbiote, you've missed out. As for Clamp, I really don't mind killing off mana elves like the basic ones (llanowar) and the ones you only need one of in play (birchlore, heritage). The two cards drawn guarantee they'll be replaced.
I'd try to avoid any spell that isn't a creature or doesn't help you put creatures in your hand, since most of the time you are relying on your topdecks... I'd be pretty bummed out if I drew Aluren while going off. I've tried a bunch of non creature spells and more often than not they've left me wanting. Land Grant is an example.
I'm still not sold on Gaea's Cradle for a few reasons: when ready, you will tap out pretty soon in the turn and you can't use it to activate Quirion Ranger, it's horrible to draw as your only land in your first 7, and vulnerability to Wastes / Blood Moon etc. I have also tested Tranquil Thicket but was pretty underwhelmed, do you guys think it might deserve a spot? The only time you might fizzle is when you're only drawing a handful of land and it might help in a tight squeeze. Early game it can be a random extra card if you're still developing the board or maybe have a few Pacts in hand but not enough gas to go off right away. I guess I'm used to the Legacy version without Clamp so I can envision its addition to make more of a difference there. It's hard to not want to just run more critters whenever you're cutting something...
I don't like the Hivemaster, the deck should not have any problem having plenty of creatures to clamp.
I play with 7 fetches and 6 forests/bayous, people have these statistics saying that you don't see the effects of thinning until turn 13 or something, but when you're drawing 35 cards in a turn you'll very clearly see the difference.
I also really like Regal Force as a 1 or 2-of.
I keep 1 Viridian Shaman for a maindeck out to Chalice at 1.
My list is in my sig.
Trade Thread
Modern
RWGBurnGWR
GUInfectUG
GRTronRG
UWGifts TronWU
URBGrixis DelverBRU
RGWZooWGR
Legacy
BUWTinFinsWUB
UROmniTellRU
BURTESRUB
GElves!G
GBPSIBG
RGBelcherGR
UBRGWDredgeWGRBU
UBAffinityBU
RBurnR
Vintage
UBGDoomsdayGBU
0Martello Shops0
GElves!G
UBTPSBU
UBelcherU
0Dredge0
Definitely must run at least a singleton Witness, more often than not for Grapeshot recursion (if that is the version you're running). Do any of you think Gaea's Herald deserves a spot MD as a singleton as well?
ESG is a boon against Daze and Spell Pierce, with Pacts I run it as a singleton and love bluffing when I know I'll be facing Blue mages. Visionary belongs, period. If you haven't experienced it in play with a Symbiote, you've missed out. As for Clamp, I really don't mind killing off mana elves like the basic ones (llanowar) and the ones you only need one of in play (birchlore, heritage). The two cards drawn guarantee they'll be replaced.
I'd try to avoid any spell that isn't a creature or doesn't help you put creatures in your hand, since most of the time you are relying on your topdecks... I'd be pretty bummed out if I drew Aluren while going off. I've tried a bunch of non creature spells and more often than not they've left me wanting. Land Grant is an example.
I'm still not sold on Gaea's Cradle for a few reasons: when ready, you will tap out pretty soon in the turn and you can't use it to activate Quirion Ranger, it's horrible to draw as your only land in your first 7, and vulnerability to Wastes / Blood Moon etc. I have also tested Tranquil Thicket but was pretty underwhelmed, do you guys think it might deserve a spot? The only time you might fizzle is when you're only drawing a handful of land and it might help in a tight squeeze. Early game it can be a random extra card if you're still developing the board or maybe have a few Pacts in hand but not enough gas to go off right away. I guess I'm used to the Legacy version without Clamp so I can envision its addition to make more of a difference there. It's hard to not want to just run more critters whenever you're cutting something...
Modern
Legacy