It's currently like this:






I'm not even sure if Beastmaster Ascension is something to keep. The card wins like it always does but we don't have the same sort of token/convoke speed and tend to trade/lose bodies from repetitive swings (so we can pressure damage or pump wide).

Vengevine in the first iteration was actually quite strong. It was easy to recur and had the same sort of constant pressure angle like Masked Admirers.

Other considerations are the Gods Willing that Left4Doner mentioned and Reprisal/ Timberwatch Elf interaction that Hakeem mentioned. Hall of Triumph could still be a thing too.

I wonder if instead of Gods Willing, we consider Cloudshift? It's pseudo protection but more importantly it can bounce Visionary and Admirers for more draw? I know it's desperate but this deck just really needs moar draw!

elk

I'm going to try running it with
-2 Beastmaster Ascension
+2 Reprisal

So far in my games with Ascension, I have left it sitting in my hand because I have to keep playing creatures to make up for the ones that my opponent keeps killing. I like the idea of Cloudshift or Gods Willing, but not sure what to cut.

I don't think the creature type Elf makes Elvish Pioneer playable. Any thoughts of playing Chorus of Might or Hunter's Prowess to help push through damage with Timberwatch?

I agree. He basically says "1/1 Elf for . Start the game with 4 cards in hand." The fact that he's an elf doesn't make him playable in this deck or any deck.

With the addition of Selesnya Evangel at the 2 drop slot, Elvish Pioneer isn't a necessity any more but it is nice to have a fat low end curve in an elf deck (the mono green variation just didn't have options so it made Pioneer more important).

I had been using the Paragon of Eternal Wilds as my trample option when I couldn't get through/wide but Chorus could make an appearance as an alternative (the deck is; after all, based on bodies on the field).

Considering the draw concerns, Hunter's Prowess actually sounds like an even better consideration (especially with the pump options available). This I think needs testing. It also makes me wonder about a grave cycler.

I'm still on the fence about Beastmaster. The deck can win with Elder of Laurels, Timberwatch Elf, Sigil Blessing and Beastmaster Ascension (considering Paragon can add trample and now the other trample options to test). It can be tough to keep a large enough board state but removing a win condition doesn't seem like a good idea in this deck. It was the same concern I had when I removed Craterhoof Behemoth. It was too expensive but it was definitely a win when it was played. I'm hoping the additional draw can help fill the field and meet the Ascension condition at an earlier play.

-4 Elvish Pioneer
+2 Hunter's Prowess
? +1 Vengevine
? +1 Plains

Seems like a good start but not sure about the last 2 yet. I still don't think the deck needs a lot of disruption/removal especially with adding more draw from Prowess (considering every other elf deck in the DotP series, they were all about creatures/board state so it seems fitting to stay with that theme and just draw into more threats). So maybe Vengevine could find it's way back in. Maybe the last spot is another land to improve play consistency or possibly another Sigil? Heck, if there's enough draw therefore access to more land, maybe Craterhoof could be a thing again!

The one nice thing about moving over to Selesnya, is being able to make the Pioneer cut which gives some more flexibility to add options. If it comes down to it, there's at least room to add the removal/disruption aspect.

Off to do some more testing! Thank goodness for some DLC cards!

elk

I got in 2 quick games before having to stop for dinner but Prowess came up both times and filled my hand back up (one was on the back of the Vengevine). The 2nd game also gave me the cards to win with Ascension. That was a good call Hakeem. Thanks




elk

Yeah, I think Prowess is better than Chorus and the ability to restock your whole hand is insane.

The deck feels like it has enough draw/gas now which is great. Even against some strong removal, I've been able to rebuild and keep the pressure on (which lends itself to skipping the removal and just powering ahead).

I did run out 2 Paragons to the board which made Mentor a dud but I think I'm ok with a problem like that (easy enough to plan around).

The deck plays better than the mono green version and seems to have a lot of outs so I'm happy where it's at/headed.

Any more testing feedback would be greatly appreciated.

elk

I wish I had the damn cards so I could try it out.

Hey..aren't you suppose to be shoveling? Get out there! The snow won't move itself!


elk

I was hoping there might have been a tester or two (come on Wizards, give the Xbox users the cards so Hakeem can give this a spin!) but I have to say the deck has been working well.

With Elvish Visionary, Mentor of the Meek, Masked Admirers and Hunter's Prowess, I seem to be able to keep my hand rolling and my board fat even while my opponents continue to remove my threats. If I were to change anything currently, it might be the Paragon of Eternal wilds. It's a good card here and helps make all the elf weenies more of a threat (at least get into ranges for trading) and has the great upside of trample; which can be a real game winner, but it probably would be my first cut if I had to make one. The only reason I'm considering it is for an option like Gods Willing. I'm still not convinced it's needed and I'm sticking to the plan of 'just play more threats' but there have been a few games where you just get the flat hands and wondered if the protection option would have made any difference. It'll be something to test for sure.

Lastly, Anger of the Gods I hate you (unless I'm running a deck with it). There have been a few games where I've pushed hard only to be destroyed by 1 card. It hurts Such is life of the weenie/token strategy.

elk

Eh? How does this look.

I am not sure about Paragon of Eternal Wilds, since I really want to run Hero of Iroas for the Heroic activations and for making Raised by Wolves cost less. Not sure if it is still worth running them if we are running Hero.

Not sure what I would replace them with were I to cut them. There are a lot of potential options in white that could be good here. Mentor of the Meek, Akrasan Squire, Sigiled Paladin, Squadron Hawk, Banisher Priest, Loyal Pegasus, Knight of the Skyward Eye, Nimbus Wings, Brimaz, King of Oreskos. All seem like they could potentially be worked into the deck in some form or another.

Just my first draft I slapped together. Seems like it could be really solid though. The deck is basically Selesnya Heroic without the Heroic and more evasion.

Considering how well Nimbus Wings works in the Aura theme, I'd say to try it here.

I'd even cut a Sigil Blessing to squeak in more Wings. The evasion is game winning and the toughness just helps get out of a lot of removal ranges.

I'm liking where this is headed!


elk

I like the look of the deck elk im going to try it out, can you believe til this day I have not played selesnya. I know that's so bad right? the wolf deck looks neat too, I wonder if theres room to somehow combine them to make a wolf elf deck.

I think Selesnya is the sweet spot for Wolf Tribal. Time for more playtesting!

Sweet! Glad to hear it. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts/feedback.

elf...err...elk

so I have been playing the elf deck elk and I have been taking a beating. its a fun deck don't get me wrong but the issue I feel with it is that it feels like a slower watered down version of selesnya tokens. it has strong draw but I want to be winning by turn 4-5 and most of the time I don't. you can play the early aggressor and swing with spire tracers and buff them with timberwatch but for that to be reliable you need to just jam every elf. a lot of times I was flooded with mana aswell. for such a low curve deck I dropped it down to 22 removing 1 from each color. I added 2 scion of the wild.

I know its a tribal theme and thus not going to be tier 1 but I feel the deck would be better in mono green. mono green would allow for fewer lands, more pump, more ramp, more power. its fun but not as competitive as elfs could be. thanks for the deck, I enjoyed trying it out at least and it has given me ideas for mono green.

edit: and I see u have a elf list in mono green as well hehe, I'll have to give that one a shot.

Well geez, that's strange. I have like a 90% win ratio with it.....

The reason I had kept the mana count at 24 was for tempo to 6-8 mana (for multiple plays per turn) and investing into Elder of Laurels (either multiple activations or coming down on T7) or to recur multiple Masked Admirers (I used this card like a Vengevine and constantly just tossed them into the fray). I could definitely get behind cutting some mana though. The Green version ran Genesis Hydra specifically for flooding out. Maybe that's an option to reconsider?

Seems as though Timberwatch Elf fell short? I had cut Elvish Pioneer and felt comfortable at 21 elves but maybe it's something to look at again?

You indicated 'more pump'? Was Elder of Laurels, Paragon of Eternal Wilds and Sigil Blessing not enough or are you referring to combat tricks like Titanic Growth/ Primal Bellow/ Gather Courage?

What fell short or were dead plays? Was there anything you held onto and played other options first (I gravitated to other cards before putting out my Paragons)?

Would have something like Gods Willing been useful to you? How about removal? Did you find you wanted/needed it or could you just power through it (or wide around it)? In terms of their removal, where you able to power through that (tempo/ draw) or was it tough to recover?

What did work for you in the deck? Where were you having the most success? What decks were you winning against and which were giving you the most trouble?

Were you able to curve out normally? Were you able to get to multiple plays per turn for T4 through T6?

Sorry for all the questions but it's good to get constructive feedback for tweaking.

Thanks for the spins!

elk

How about dem apples eh?


elk