Kaysa Glimpse Elves

[Anusien]

It's designed to be like Glimpse Elf Combo/Beatdown in EDH. The biggest concern is maintaining immunity to Wrath effects (even though the local playgroup is short on them).

Taunting Elf will become a Joraga Warcaller as soon as I put my hands on one.

Kaysa

// Land
24 Forest
Mosswort Bridge
Gaea's Cradle
Wirewood Lodge
Oran-Rief, the Vastwood
Tranquil Thicket

// Elf Spells
Elvish Promenade

// Mana Elf Creatures
Quirion Ranger
Boreal Druid
Wood Elves
Arbor Elf
Birchlore Rangers
Seeker of Skybreak
Fyndhorn Elves
Heritage Druid
Priest of Titania
Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary
Llanowar Elves
Nettle Sentinel

// Card Draw Elf Creatures
Multani's Acolyte
Bloodline Shaman
Sylvan Messenger
Elvish Visionary
Masked Admirers

// Elf Lord Creatures
Elvish Archdruid
Elvish Champion
Imperious Perfect

// Naturalize Elf Creatures
Viridian Shaman
Glissa Sunseeker
Elf Replica
Viridian Zealot

// Other Elf Creatures
Heedless One
Elvish Vanguard
Drove of Elves
Gaea's Herald
Elvish Soultiller
Essence Warden
Lys Alana Huntmaster
Wren's Run Packmaster
Timberwatch Elf
Caller of the Claw
Nissa's Chosen
Taunting Elf
Wirewood Herald

// Non-Elf Creatures
Regal Force
Primordial Sage
Eternal Witness
Patron of the Orochi
Woodfall Primus
Skyshroad Poacher
Genesis
Wirewood Symbiote
Duplicant

// Draw/Tutoring
Summoning Trap
Nature's Resurgence
Primal Command
Glimpse of Nature
Slate of Ancestry
Harmonize
Natural Order
Akroma's Memorial
Coat of Warms
Worldly Tutor
Sylvan Library
Weird Harvest
Chord of Calling
Survival of the Fittest

// Other Non-Creature Spells
Sword of Light and Shadow
Umezawa's Jitte
Sword of Fire and Ice
Crop Rotation
Concordant Crossroads
Nissa Revane
Thousand-Year Elixir
Eldrazi Monument
Door of Destinies
Coat of Arms

[Mr. Fantastic]

I've been working on a similar list myself but with Eladamri, Lord of Leaves instead of Kaysa.  Actually, Kaysa isn't in my list at all but perhaps warrants testing.

I don't like her as a general as I feel she is overpriced for what she has to offer. Not initially, perhaps, but the idea of paying 7 and then 9 to replay her from the command zone is very unattractive.  I like Eladamri (who I see you aren't using at all, actually) because he remains reasonably priced at 4cc and while trashy at 6cc, not intolerable. Shroud and Forestwalk for the little green men have both been very, very good thus far in duel games. No thoughts on Multiplayer as it remains a mystery to my humble self.

RE: Bloodline Shaman—I've long been a fan of this frail unassuming gem.  I also like Wolf-Skull Shaman and feel it's under priced at   . I'd probably still play it at   and wouldn't really think it was terrible at   .

Other than that, it all looks pretty good to me. If you feel inclined to periodically update this thread with testing results, I for one would be an interested audience.

[Anusien]

I was very disappointed with Wolf-Skull Shaman. It never did anything relevant for me.

Eladamri gives shroud, which I'm not sure I like. It turns off Wirewood Symbiote, Quirion Ranger, Timberwatch Elf and the equipment.

[Matt]

I was very disappointed with Wolf-Skull Shaman. It never did anything relevant for me.

Eladamri gives shroud, which I'm not sure I like. It turns off Wirewood Symbiote, Quirion Ranger, Timberwatch Elf and the equipment.

You're also more afraid of sweepers than spot removal.

[Mr. Fantastic]

I was very disappointed with Wolf-Skull Shaman. It never did anything relevant for me.

I like it for its low commitment of resources and acceptable power-and-toughness-to-casting-cost ratio.  My build is strictly a duel deck and more rush based, though in general rush strategies are obviously sub optimal in a format w/ 40 life and I don't take my deck too seriously.

Eladamri gives shroud, which I'm not sure I like. It turns off Wirewood Symbiote, Quirion Ranger, Timberwatch Elf and the equipment.

True.  The only equipment I am using is Lightning Greaves for Eladamri himself.

You're also more afraid of sweepers than spot removal.

I don't entirely agree.  Sweepers in general obviously give any mono G EDH deck a big old mouthful of AIDS, but two of the best monochromatic generals—Vendilion Clique and Jaya—are highly dependent on spot removal for board control. Against these decks and others in their vein, Eladamri is quite disruptive to their general strategy, especially w/ Lightning Greaves/Dense Foliage.

JMHO.

[zimagic]

Eladamri gives shroud, which I'm not sure I like. It turns off Wirewood Symbiote, Quirion Ranger, Timberwatch Elf and the equipment.

True.  The only equipment I am using is Lightning Greaves for Eladamri himself.

Really?

Look at the OP's deck playing mono-G elves with the intention of trying to gain significant CA though Glimpse but also no Skullclamp. That's strange when 20+ out of 100 cards in your deck have 1 toughness and you're going to be eating sweepers all day. There's also the not incidental "Herald/Clamp = find any elf you need, draw 2 cards" interaction. If that's at the end of you munching a stack of weenies and dropping an army of bears (Caller), that can be really strong. What else are you doing with your 1/1's when your opponents have any number of mid-game blockers anyway? You have Crossroads & Memorial for haste should you need it.

Incidently, where's your Cloudstone Curio/Visionary interaction? Once you get Heritage Druid/Glimpse going, you're getting into the realms of drawing a large potion of your deck. It also allows you to double Glimpse if you have an EWit either in hand or play.

You can also generate a lot of mana and a lot of 1/1's but you seem to be missing Kamahl, Fist of Krosa. Tribal Forcemage is another good ace in the hole if you want to attack with any intention of causing huge trampling damage and also works on Bears if you only have bears rather than elves. You already have Birchlore Rangers in there if people get wind of your Tribal Forcemage and you want to bait removal. Who plays Birchlore Rangers as a morph anyway?

You interested in spoilers from RoE? There's an uncommon that will most likely make your deck.

I don't necessarily agree with cutting the Taunting Elf either. Yes, you'll need the Warcaller but the Taunting Elf is a rattlesnake if you have any sort of board presence and the intention to attack.

Other little things: She's not an elf but I find Scryb Ranger is pretty amazing in anything green. You'll always have blue players at the table and she's stunning against a non trampling Rafiq. She'll also allow you to double the usual Qurion Ranger tricks.

[Anusien]

Yes, I'm more worried about board sweepers than spot removal. I should clarify, I don't play 1v1. I don't really see the point. And in multiplayer, there can be a lot of Wraths going around. I figure, if they don't clear my board I can win anyway. So part of the point of the deck is to survive multiple Wraths. Especially because I'm 2/3 on casting Weird Harvest and having somebody get Shard Phoenix.

(muahahaha - Matt)

Skullclamp was pretty awful for me. I have too many Lords.

Taunting Elf has never entered the battlefield for me. But I have Champion + insane Lord action, so I'm not really worried. If I had more Timberwatch effects, it would be good as a provoke card.

I ended up shying away from Tribal Forcemage and Tribal Unity and similar one-shot effects because I figure if I can get to that point in comboing, I can win anyway. Same thing with Kamahl. If I want an overrun effect, there are probably better ones.

I haven't gotten a Curio yet.

Sure, spoilers away.

[zimagic]

Yes, I'm more worried about board sweepers than spot removal. I should clarify, I don't play 1v1. I don't really see the point. And in multiplayer, there can be a lot of Wraths going around. I figure, if they don't clear my board I can win anyway. So part of the point of the deck is to survive multiple Wraths. Especially because I'm 2/3 on casting Weird Harvest and having somebody get Shard Phoenix.

I don't play 1v1 either, these are multiplayer suggestions. Weird Harvest & Pact are really effects where you're getting the card you want to win with. Your Shard Phoenix opponent shouldn't ever get the chance to play it. This is where Forcemage & Kamahl are great because you get them and beat for 20 to knock someone out right there. If you're letting people untap to destroy you, you're probably doing it wrong. (Sorry) You should rarely ever Harvest for more that   .

(muahahaha - Matt)

>chuckle<

Skullclamp was pretty awful for me. I have too many Lords.

And your dudes don't make Insects or die to Wrath Effects? You'll always find a way to draw 2 cards for   even if it's not right now. You can use it as a deterrant by attacking with an equipped dude. No-one wants to block that just to give you 2 cards. Damage is damage. Then you drop High Market or Mirren and get the cards anyway. Incidently I've seen a UG Momir Vig combo elves deck that runs Fecundity and when it goes off with Glimpse that's pretty insane. It's not necessarily for your deck but still something to think about if you find you're stalling and need additional CA.

Taunting Elf has never entered the battlefield for me. But I have Champion + insane Lord action, so I'm not really worried. If I had more Timberwatch effects, it would be good as a provoke card.

I ended up shying away from Tribal Forcemage and Tribal Unity and similar one-shot effects because I figure if I can get to that point in comboing, I can win anyway. Same thing with Kamahl. If I want an overrun effect, there are probably better ones.

Fair enough, I think the Forcemage is excellent because it's not limited to choosing Elves in your deck, Bears & insects tends to work just as well. I think he's a short cut to dealing a lot of damage, just like Kamahl. You can turn a small force into something really dangerous using one card.

I haven't gotten a Curio yet.

It's my fetish card. Proxy it into your deck for a couple of go arounds before you make up your mind. I think it's insane.

Sure, spoilers away.

From the official spoiler: http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/Article.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/riseoftheeldrazi/spoiler



If you have the ability to upgrade him quickly, he'll explode your mana.

[Philatio]

I was very disappointed with Wolf-Skull Shaman. It never did anything relevant for me.

Eladamri gives shroud, which I'm not sure I like. It turns off Wirewood Symbiote, Quirion Ranger, Timberwatch Elf and the equipment.

You're also more afraid of sweepers than spot removal.

I so love wirewood herald -> Caller of the Claw as an answer to boardsweep.  Chord of Calling into Herald in response to wrath is so hot.  I'm glad this in in here.

If you're playing 1,000 elixir an d C. Crossroads, may I suggest Lightning Greaves and the new 11th edition sword for even more hastiness?

Drove of Elves, Jagged-Scar Archers and Timberwatch Elves are so sick.  Primordial Sage, while costly, is a glimpse with legs.

I think exploration effects would go a long way since you are drawing so many cards (don't forget Burgeoning!)

Chameleon Colossus is an elf - you make lots of mana - YOU WON'T LIKE ME WHEN I'M ANGRY!

I'd play every fetch available for thinning as well as Skyshroud Claim, Gaea's Bounty and the two forest cycling elves.

[Philatio]

In my first metagame, there was a guy with an elf deck, and his general was Patron of the Orochi.  Now, you've chosen your general, but I think this guy deserves a spot - he is nuts in multiplayer.  You do all your tapping during your turn, tap this guy, which untaps all of your forests, your elves *and himself*.  Since he is untapped you can use him during the next players turn, the turn after that, etc.  In that vein, I think Seedborn Muse deserves a slot.  Possibly Awakening, if you don't mind the symmetry.

Bloodline Shaman is a pretty solid draw engine. Quirion Ranger is a great tempo boost if you play him or use his ability prior to your land drop for the turn.  No Coat of Arms?

Depending on your metagame, you may want graveyard hate.  Krosan Reclamation can fill that spot.  Epic Struggle can win the game out of nowhere; ditto for Helix Pinnacle.

I don't think I've seen Dark Depths activated before, but I believe this deck could do it.

[Philatio]

Have you given any thought to Upwelling, now that manburn is gone?  Wellwisher and Hurricane for 40!

[Anusien]

No. I think that's too cute.

Also, I've taken the deck apart. It was too good.

[Philatio]

The more and more I think about this deck, I realize how busted Abundance is in a deck with so many draw triggers.  That kind of of hand sculpting is just superb.