[Deck] Elves Combo

I was thinking which deck to take for the new legacy after the bannings. Usually I play Enchantress of UW tempo. But some time ago I fell in love with the Elves! and I was expecting a lot of Merfolk decks - I belive that is one of the best MU.

It is relatively small but well known Prague tournament. Every Friday night we play 4 rounds - with first two taking dual.

I faced black re-animation, pox, belcher and dredge.

My permanent feeling was that I am going to die NOW but it didnt happpende and I won claming Volcanic Island.
It was a first time I played this deck so here are my points.
- thanks to k2thej for what has prooved to be as an amazingly stable and explosive list
- intuitive plays. I realy enjoyed playing it. Beautiful cards.
- you have some kind of vulnerable feeling but this deck is much more resilient than it seems.
- most of the time I won by sendidng my creatures into the red zone. It is actually fast aggro deck with combo secret plan.
- belcher is horrible matchup but winable thanks to their instability. First game I went off round two and in the second his belcher didnt kill me (6 damage) I Gripped it aggro him
- twice I wished I had viridian shaman main but I understand It would be often awful topdeck
- pox can cripple you round two with smallpox - quirion wins here
- Ioona is too much for this deck
- my main wincon is Emrakul - first game against belcher he scooped during my combo procedure when I was about to shuffle my deck for next game I realized Emrakul was last card in the deck - what if you need to kill him this turn? (he would topdeck LED and kill me...)


I do apologize for my english. Good luck with this deck, it is great! :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Koplinchen

I was thinking which deck to take for the new legacy after the bannings. Usually I play Enchantress of UW tempo. But some time ago I fell in love with the Elves! and I was expecting a lot of Merfolk decks - I belive that is one of the best MU.

It is relatively small but well known Prague tournament. Every Friday night we play 4 rounds - with first two taking dual.

I faced black re-animation, pox, belcher and dredge.

My permanent feeling was that I am going to die NOW but it didnt happpende and I won claming Volcanic Island.
It was a first time I played this deck so here are my points.
- thanks to k2thej for what has prooved to be as an amazingly stable and explosive list
- intuitive plays. I realy enjoyed playing it. Beautiful cards.
- you have some kind of vulnerable feeling but this deck is much more resilient than it seems.
- most of the time I won by sendidng my creatures into the red zone. It is actually fast aggro deck with combo secret plan.
- belcher is horrible matchup but winable thanks to their instability. First game I went off round two and in the second his belcher didnt kill me (6 damage) I Gripped it aggro him
- twice I wished I had viridian shaman main but I understand It would be often awful topdeck
- pox can cripple you round two with smallpox - quirion wins here
- Ioona is too much for this deck
- my main wincon is Emrakul - first game against belcher he scooped during my combo procedure when I was about to shuffle my deck for next game I realized Emrakul was last card in the deck - what if you need to kill him this turn? (he would topdeck LED and kill me...)


I do apologize for my english. Good luck with this deck, it is great! :)

---

Glad the list is working for you! I agree with most of your comments. My main pointer is on your last comment, when Emrakul is the last card in the deck.

Once you get to the point in the combo where you can pretty much do anything you want, the only thing you have to worry about is if Emrakul is the VERY LAST card, which, with any win con you use, is the risk you will have to take. If Emrakul is anything but the last card you are totally fine. Also, if Emrakul is the last card, the only time that is a problem is if your opponent can kill you the next turn through all of your creatures.

Thus, as long as Emrakul isn't the last card at the same time as your opponent can kill you the next turn in a manor that avoids all your creatures, you're fine. Generally decks with storm and belcher are the only one that can do this. This occurs so rarely that it is not worth worrying about since even if it does happen you can sb for it game 2 (not to mention it is extremely unlikely that it will happen twice in the same round, so you'll probably win anyway). I do not think it is a huge concern, though it is annoying the few times that it does happen.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by k2thej

Once you get to the point in the combo where you can pretty much do anything you want, the only thing you have to worry about is if Emrakul is the VERY LAST card, which, with any win con you use, is the risk you will have to take.

---

Speaking of win/cons, I'm testing out Tendrils of Agony in my version instead of Grapeshot. We'll see how it goes.

I'm also curious about Predator Dragon as a 1-of in the sideboard, as it is auto-win in some matchups (Goblins, combo, anything that doesn't rely on spot removal really)

Thoughts?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mr. Safety

Speaking of win/cons, I'm testing out Tendrils of Agony in my version instead of Grapeshot. We'll see how it goes.

I'm also curious about Predator Dragon as a 1-of in the sideboard, as it is auto-win in some matchups (Goblins, combo, anything that doesn't rely on spot removal really)

Thoughts?

---

As I've pointed out many times previously, if you are going to storm, tendrils is the way to go.

Why predator dragon over emrakul? It seems like a less effective version of Emraukul.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by k2thej

As I've pointed out many times previously, if you are going to storm, tendrils is the way to go.

---

I don't really see a functional difference, other than the fact that I can concievably combo faster with a slightly less chance of fizzling mid-combo. If there is a time constraint (as in a real tournament) then Tendrils can be a way around that as well.

Quote:

---

Why predator dragon over emrakul? It seems like a less effective version of Emraukul.

---

I forgot that Emrakul flies...I was looking for evasion. I'm in the middle of converting over to Elvish Archdruid x3-4 maindeck over Imperious Perfect also...this opens up Emrakul. I do NOT want to use Crop Rotation/Gaea's Cradle, but I think Elvish Archdruid is enough. I currently play 15 lands and 3 lords (Archdruid)...should I go14 lands and 4 EA's, or just go with 61 cards? I'd like to also play Emrakul maindeck x1 as well...giving me 2 win/cons (Tendrils & Emrakul)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mr. Safety

I don't really see a functional difference, other than the fact that I can concievably combo faster with a slightly less chance of fizzling mid-combo. If there is a time constraint (as in a real tournament) then Tendrils can be a way around that as well.



I forgot that Emrakul flies...I was looking for evasion. I'm in the middle of converting over to Elvish Archdruid x3-4 maindeck over Imperious Perfect also...this opens up Emrakul. I do NOT want to use Crop Rotation/Gaea's Cradle, but I think Elvish Archdruid is enough. I currently play 15 lands and 3 lords (Archdruid)...should I go14 lands and 4 EA's, or just go with 61 cards? I'd like to also play Emrakul maindeck x1 as well...giving me 2 win/cons (Tendrils & Emrakul)

---

Tendrils is better than grapeshot because you never have a mana problem but you sometimes have a fizzle problem. Tendrils is successful a higher percentage of the time.

I would play 14 lands, 3 archdruid, and one wincon (Emrakul). 14 lands is enough, and I found that 4 archdruids was too much.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by k2thej

Tendrils is better than grapeshot because you never have a mana problem but you sometimes have a fizzle problem. Tendrils is successful a higher percentage of the time.

---

Not true tbh.. Grapeshot is better. Period. You can just run eternal witness so you only have to ramp up to 8 storm, grapeshot can first hit hatebears and then the enemy (which is pretty huge). But I agree that living wish + emrakul is the better choice.

Well, I will soon have an Emrakul x1 + Elvish Archrduid x3 so I can start testing (I already have the Tendrils/Grapeshot handy. I am still using Grapeshot ATM...testing to see how often I fizzle out and whether Tendrils would have happened in it's place)

Since Survival of the Fittest got banned I can't go with my "haste elf combo"... I actually managed to get really good statistics with that build :(

k2thej could you show me your latest deck build? You just use emrakul as your win-con right?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Neil

Since Survival of the Fittest got banned I can't go with my "haste elf combo"... I actually managed to get really good statistics with that build :(

k2thej could you show me your latest deck build? You just use emrakul as your win-con right?

---

My list really hasn't changed much. I am working the wishes in but havn't gotten a stable enough build yet. Soon though! I'll post it as soon as I have it.

I have tested the list (Living Wish) a bit on MTGO. Basically, it works well enough since if you can generate 15 mana to cast Emrakul, generating 17 isn't hard at all. Considering that Wish is a green spell, this actually makes no difference with 2 Nettle Sentinels out. The ability to get Eternal Witness to retrieve a Summoner's Pact is also very valuable. I've been impressed with it, as it cuts the bullshit out of the deck and into the sideboard.

Only caveat is that it eliminates the space available for certain matchups.

Linky:
(3rd list down)
http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Digital.../tourn/1953978

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rukcus

I have tested the list (Living Wish) a bit on MTGO. Basically, it works well enough since if you can generate 15 mana to cast Emrakul, generating 17 isn't hard at all. Considering that Wish is a green spell, this actually makes no difference with 2 Nettle Sentinels out. The ability to get Eternal Witness to retrieve a Summoner's Pact is also very valuable. I've been impressed with it, as it cuts the bullshit out of the deck and into the sideboard.

Only caveat is that it eliminates the space available for certain matchups.

Linky:
(3rd list down)
http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Digital.../tourn/1953978

---

Ruckus- is it worth having a messenger main? I've never liked them.

How is Fauna Shaman working? I found her too slow.

Cutting the 4th visionary? Moving a Symbiote to board? Worth it?

Do you notice a difference in Priests/Archdruids? Have you seen any advantage to priests?

No Regal Force main?

Lot of questions but ya, trying to get this wish build as streamlined as my last one. Any time I see someone doing something different than I am I want to see how it is working for them.

I should point out the link is NOT to my list, but rather a list that has done well in a tournament setting.

I would not run Messenger/Shaman in my build.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rukcus

I should point out the link is NOT to my list, but rather a list that has done well in a tournament setting.

I would not run Messenger/Shaman in my build.

---

I agree whole heartedly

I think that priest is better than Archdruid. Since priest is 1cmc less than Archdruid, being able to play the priest turn 2 has a higher chance. I use priests in maindeck and have Archdruid in sideboard.

Hi guys I was wondering if you could give me some advise on the list I've been playing.

Creatures:
Elvish Archdruid x 4
Priest of Titania x 4
Llanowar Elves x 3
Fyndhorn Elves x 3
Heritage Druid x 3
Elvish Spirit Guide x 4
Sylvan Messenger x 3
Elvish Visionary x 3
Quirion Ranger x 3
Wirewood Symbiote x 3
Joraga Warcaller x 3
Emrakul, the Aeons Torn x 1

Spells:
Glimpse of Nature x 4
Concordant Crossroads x 2

Artifacts:
Staff of Domination x 2
Cloudstone Curio x 2

Lands:
Forest x 13

Sideboard:
Elvish Champion x 1
Vexing Shusher x 2
Thorn of Amethyst x 3
Krosan Grip x 4
Brittle Effigy x 2
Relic of Progenitus x 2
Tormod's Crypt x 1

Feedback is appreciated. Thanks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Neil

I think that priest is better than Archdruid. Since priest is 1cmc less than Archdruid, being able to play the priest turn 2 has a higher chance. I use priests in maindeck and have Archdruid in sideboard.

---

You can almost always play archdruid turn 2. I don't know I feel like other creatures that are helpful the turn they come in are better than a lord's spot, but it is necessary, so if you have a mana lord and a lord in the same card it seems like a no brainer.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by k2thej

You can almost always play archdruid turn 2. I don't know I feel like other creatures that are helpful the turn they come in are better than a lord's spot, but it is necessary, so if you have a mana lord and a lord in the same card it seems like a no brainer.

---

Agreed, Priest of Titania does NOTHING for your alternative win/condition, which is a pile of boosted elves. I strongly support a lord maindeck, and Elvish Archdruid is nothing short of perfect for elves combo. I gives the same mana boost that Priest does, but also provides a lord boost so you can beat face. I've had games where it was literally faster to just attack their life total down than wait for a Glimpse to show up. It's what gives the deck so much balls...it's fast either way you win, most likely a turn 3-4 win in most games (unless you lose, lol.) Archdruid is the best choice, period. You're playing 8 Llanowar Elves (Llanowar/Fyndhorn). Your chances of a turn 2 Archdruid are just as good as a turn 2 Priest of Titania. (just echoing what k2thej said really...repetition for emphasis)

But what if your Crop Rotation -> Cradle meets Wasteland and your one land hand is instantly worthless and you lose?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by UberNewHacks

But what if your Crop Rotation -> Cradle meets Wasteland and your one land hand is instantly worthless and you lose?

---

This is one of the reasons I don't play crop rotation. Also, once elves are out it doesn't really matter if you lose one land. The reason I have loved this deck for so long is that it is so resilient to almost any obstacle. Playing crop rotation removes spots for one drop creatures, risks wasteland, and would rarely be better than having almost any other card in the deck. It's not for my build.