Here's what I've done with the deck.
Creatures
4 x
Sylvan Ranger2 x
Sylvan Advocate1 x
Nissa, Vastwood Seer1 x
Linvala, the Preserver1 x
Greenwarden of Murasa1 x
Woodland Bellower1 x
Ulamog, the ceaseless hungerEnchantments
2 x
Retreat to Emeria2 x
Oath of GideonSorcery
2 x
Call the Gatewatch2 x
Declaration in Stone4 x
Explosive Vegetation2 x
Planar Outburst2 x
Radiant Flames2 x
Languish RemovedInstant
2 x
Anguished Unmaking1 x
Kozilek's ReturnPlaneswalkers
1 x
Ob Nixilis Reignited1 x
Sorin, Grim Adversary1 x
Nahiri, the Harbinger1 x
Gideon, Ally of Zendikar1 x
Chandra, Flamecaller1 x
Arlinn KordLands
2 x
Shambling Vent2 x
Needle Spires2 x
Hissing Quagmire2 x
Canopy Vista2 x
Cinder Glade3 x
Evolving Wilds3 x
Forest3 x
Plains2 x
Swamp2 x
Mountain1 x
Westvale AbbeySo I know removing the oath to Nissa/Chandra kind of defeat part of the theme of the deck, but there is already enough spot removal and I've never had a mana problem since the switch.
The hydra is a great card and I just removed it and an
Angelic Purge to put in the 2
Languish. Again, I've not had any mana fixing problems and with all the spot removal, Hydra is easily killed. The
Woodland Bellower is another obvious great card that I removed and I really want to put it back in because it creates a 6/5 and a 4/5 body that pumps our man lands.
But these changes allowed for me to 4 x spot removal and 6 sweepers. The
Languish will be the first to go as I just added them and haven't even tested them yet. (Maybe remove the Langushes and add back Bellower and
Kozilek's Return??).
Retreat to Emeria may seem odd, but has saved my butt more than once and is another wincon all by itself with
Explosive Vegetation. It also allows me to activate
Westvale Abbey. Though I've only done that once. But to be able to swing for 9 over everybody's head has got to win me a game or two. Though the Retreat does clog up the 4 mana spot a little.
The hardest games have been against aggro decks if I didn't draw a sweeper. Hence the addition of Languish. As I type this, I want Bellower back so I think I'm going to -2 Languish and +1 Kozilek's Return +1 Woodland Bellower.
What do y'all think about these changes?
I'd remove Kozilek's Return and put the Languish back in. Return only does 2 damage, and the creatures are better now than in the past...you need to be able to kill 3 toughness creatures. I'd almost say get rid of the Radiant Flames for Oath of Nissa; the draw/filter is pretty relevant and not having to worry about mana costs for your Planeswalkers is pretty good, IMO.
Another change I would suggest is removing Explosive Vegetation and replacing with Natural Connection. Yes, you are getting 1 less land but you get to ramp up to 5 mana on turn 4, which allows you to Planar Outburst earlier against aggro.
I'd also look at removing the Retreat to Emeria. Yes, it is sexy and all, but I am not a fan. If it's working for you, cool. I'd drop kick it to the curb, though, for something more proactive, like say, the
creature that you get a clue token for every land drop that gets bigger when you sac a clue.
Also, if you aren't going to run the new Hydra, you might want to go up to 2 Westvale Abbey.