You should probably check out Travis Woo's article on channelfireball.

I'm of the opinion that in mon-green, Asceticism is a better sideboard than Privileged Position . The regeneration saves you from and Supreme Verdict , Mutilate or other boardwipes.

The wording does leave your lands (especially nkythos), as well as garruk open to some removal, but I still think saving creatures from board wipes would be very strong here. Ultimately it's your deck though, so go ahead and weigh the options.

MAJOR, major props to you guys (and the other contributors) for this deck. It is incredibly well designed and fun to play. I'm playing a mono-green version (basically only dropping the Coiling Oracle and the fetches) and I love the fact that you're never out of a match. Aspect of Hydra is so insane in this build as you can come out of nowhere and win games with even a measly unblocked Elf.

Well done and the amount of work and testing that you all have put in deserves the top spot! +1!

rstnme....Thanks for pointing me to that!

Twoo may have gone a little far taking complete credit for his deck. It's tough though, because so many decks are made daily that it's possible that two people can come up with similar decks and not even know it. I'm not saying he took my deck at all...I wouldn't care if he did! I'd be happy it got to more people :). This is FAR more like Michael Jacob's version (which has been around for a few months). The win-cons and style is extremely similiar to MJ's.... But even my version started much more like MJ's before changing. The Arbor Elf /Utopia Sprawl things is all his). That being said; it is a really neat take on green devotion! I haven't seen Twoo's 60 before; so in truth; it is his take on it. It just would be easy for more people to read without getting upset if he mentioned Jacob's deck (as it appears there is obvious inspiration). In the end though, we should just say "cool deck" as that is what it is :)

One sentence I found extremely interesting in the article was this:

"The main weakness of the deck is the all-ramp no fat-draw, but that is just an archetype weakness...."

Obviously given my list I tend to disagree :). You can have BOTH with the right balance. That was the issue I set out to fix when developing my version. I haven't tested Twoo's version; but given its similarity to Michael Jacob's version, I assume it runs into the same issues...

The deck has amazing interactions (Eternal Witness /Primal Command is really cool) and can win by turn 3. Also, a lot of times this deck wins; it really wins! My version probably won't see many turn 3 wins; but it will nearly always be in a winning position by turn 4; and more importantly it can win a game you are well behind on. The main issues I had with the MJ-versions as I'll call them (only because that's where I personally saw it first....not because I have anything against Twoo) is you very quickly run out of cards and are kind of in "top deck mode". There were a lot of games where you have tons of mana and nothing to do with it. Twoo has a good amount of "bigger cards" in his build, so this may help. I love Kessig Wolf Run in devotion decks (wish I could have it mine); so that's great to as a mana sink.

My main disagreement with Travis of course would be the power of drawing cards while building up devotion. I don't consider it "dirrdiling" to draw cards and contain to overwhelm the opponent while using up the ample mana you create; but he also plays against numerous types of decks. Of course everyone will have their own opinion

I don't want to pretend that I know any more than a professional or that my deck is "better". I've learned not to make "blanket claims" about individual cards or decks (as any card can be great in the right build and even the oddest of decks can end up being great when you sit down and play them). Travis Woo's deck is another great example of what can be done with green-devotion from a great brewer! I'm pretty darn sure we will see at least one green devotion deck at the next pro tour (although most likely more in line with Michael Jacob's/Travis Woo's build) given its availability and popularity.

That being said, I still think this build is just as competitive. Devotion is such a great mechanic for the very fact that there is so many different ways to take advantage of it!

Contoro...thank you!

Taking out the blue and Coiling Oracle can be done quite easily. Strangleroot Geist was always great; so you could go that route. I've just always liked how Coiling Oracle drew a card and ramped at the same time. The life from the fetches and shock lands and the resiliency of Strangleroot may more than make up for it though.

You are absolutely right about Aspect of Hydra . It's is amazing in this deck! I updated last night that I have to find a way to get another one in here. It just steals so many games!

I really do appreciate the kind words as well! We're really proud of this deck; but as I've said before; the community really made it what it is.

i would recommend these Creakwood Liege , Murkfiend Liege , and Wilt-Leaf Liege +1

Raybelfast.... Chord of Calling is a great idea. I will definitely try it in the spot Summoner's Pact is currently in...often times you have plenty of extra creatures to help with the convoke cost; and getting a Primalcrux directly into play can be huge for devotion. I like it! Will definitely be testing that!

atlantis55555... The lieges are all great and you are right that they scream "devotion" deck. The pump up everyone else while adding three to their respective devotion...one thing I've learned building/testing this deck is there are literally dozens of amazing devotion decks that can be made....there's just so many great cards!

I'm not sure where they would fit in this deck; but possibly as a one-of to round out a board full of smaller guys (so they would attack and block for way more collectively). I certainly test it out! Thank you for the suggestion! Over 100 comments and we're still seeing new and interesting ideas :)

You should try finding room for 1x Cloudstone Curio . You don't want anymore than 1 because it's a dead draw if you draw a second one. But it allows you to make a huge amount of mana (as this deck tends to do) and then play Coiling Oracle bouncing Elvish Visionary . Spend two more of your floating mana to play Elvish Visionary bouncing Coiling Oracle . It allows you to draw a lot of cards in a single turn. I figured it was worth throwing your way. I like it my deck and thought you may be interested in playtesting it.

Midwest...this is a neat idea. I am certainly going to test it as it sounds like a perfect fit (especially as a one-of). Thanks for the suggestion! How's your deck coming along by the way? I'll take a look at it now...I know they won't let me +1 it again; but it's worth a shot :)

It's going alright. The addition of Cloudstone Curio allows me to use my Mwonvuli Beast Tracker to bounce Elvish Visionary or Carven Caryatid so that I can draw the tutored creature the same turn that I tutor for it.

That is a GREAT idea! In your deck, Cloudstone Curio is a must-have and a great addition. Most likely it may be a good addition to mine as well..

The Green Book is really coming together into something special all it's own. The synergy you've created with the cards is amazing (starting with the simple idea of Mwonvuli Beast Tracker and growing from there)...It looks really good.

I wonder how Cloudstone Curio would work with Burning-Tree Emissary ? That could make a fun little "mini-combo" with Elvish Visionary (where you play the BTE to bounce the visionary and us the two mana the BTE creates to play the Elvish Visionary for a "free" draw....such an interesting card...

Thank you! I still like this deck more honestly but that's ok. My deck's working on it lol.

Ha! I was just thinking...with 10-mana a Burning-Tree Emissary and a Elvish Visionary with a Cloudstone Curio in play that you would draw out 5-cards...

Then I thought...with 10 mana and a Cloudstone Curio along with Elvish Visionary and Coiling Oracle you would still draw 5 cards! haha...both sound good to me :) Of course with Coiling Oracle you may end up with a few extra lands in play; but Burning-Tree Emissary counts as two points of devotion and with Red (instead of Blue)splashing you get the option to play Kessig Wolf Run ...ugh....so many decisions :)

Gotta test em both now! Thanks for the great suggestion. Opens up a world of opportunities if it works out.

I originally got the idea from a Burning-Tree Emissary combo with Cloudstone Curio . I replaced Strangleroot Geist with Burning-Tree in The Green Book since I don't have the blue splash in my deck.

But you're welcome! Thought it may work out for you the same as it has for me. I'll keep you posted if I have anymore ideas.

Yeah...that is a great idea...you may wanna throw in a Kessig Wolf Run or two if you start splashing red in yours; but you could just as easily keep it all green (if you didn't want to add either Stomping Ground or Rootbound Crag which would still work but would be far cheaper).

+1 because green devotion ftw!

But seriously, I love this deck. Cheers to monogreen devotion in modern.

Thanks v4v3! Green Devotion is officially my favorite idea in Magic ever! Being a green mage...there simply isn't anything better :)

Just to stay updated...I am currently testing Explore over Coiling Oracle ...it does take away a body and a devotion point, but you can play a land that is already in your hand; and you remove all the damage you may take from blue....we'll see!

Of course, also testing Cloudstone Curio as well.

Are you finding that you take too much damage with the fetches and shocks for your blue source?

No...not really...but if it can be avoided it may be worth it... I have, however, been playing with both Spellskite and Hurkyl's Recall in the side board; so its a little more than just the Coiling Oracle :)

I love the card Explore though; as the land doesn't have to come off the top (it can be in your hand). It is a card we use A LOT (it's in the RUG Superfiends deck and pretty much any deck we run with green)...

I just want to see if it consistently gets me a land more often and if the one devotion loss becomes a large problem...Most likely nothing will change, but it never hurts to try to improve :)

No, not at all. You won't know until you test it. I'm super on the fence about Relic of Progenitus vs. Ground Seal for my sideboard. I prefer Relic myself. Ultimately they both draw a card and are great graveyard hate for 2 mana. Ground Seal gives me a devotion where Relic does not but relic actively exiles their graveyard and isn't prone to removal. I think it's really personal preference at that point but is there something I haven't considered? Why do you run Ground Seal over Relic?

Literally the only reason for Ground Seal was the devotion. I'll try Relic of Progenitus . The devotion is nice, and we've found just as much artifact removal as enchantment removal; but you make great points! Exiling the graveyard can be important.

Ugh....Its gonna take a considerable amount of testing to determine whether the additional two drop should be Explore or Coiling Oracle ...here's the arguments::

1. Coiling Oracle draws you a card (just as Explore does), however Explore allows you to play an extra land whether that land was on the top of the deck or it was in your hand (so +1 to Explore).
   

2. Coiling Oracle , however, also provides a 1/1 body and +1 devotion; which can be hugely important when 1 makes the difference whether Nylea, God of the Hunt is active or not (so +1 to Coiling Oracle ).
   

3. With the rise of Zoo decks (which no doubt will be more prevalent with the unbanning of Wild Nacatl tonight) a 1/1 blocker can be important (+1 to Coiling Oracle

4. The addition of Explore over Coiling Oracle would allow me to remove blue from the deck all together. I wouldn't do myself damage, Merfolk would have a much more difficult game against me, and I would never have an issue where I didn't have the mana to cast my 2-drop (it is extremely rare; however I have had a game or two where I didn't have the blue I needed to cast Coiling Oracle ). (+1 to Explore )

5. The removal of Blue narrows my sideboard options (although the only real cards are Hurkyl's Recall and Spellskite 's ability (which I can just take the two life for in the event I use it.) Creeping Corrosion is often better than Hurkyl's Recall anyways, so this is not a huge loss. This is a wash.

So this decision is EXTREMELY close. I'm not entirely certain one is better than the other...what do you guys think?

The difference for me with relic and ground seal was if you play artifact removal, I can in response pay 1 mana to exile your graveyard. Whereas if you hit Ground Seal it just dies. I don't feel one's right over the other, just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything.

As for Oracle vs. Explore I really like the Oracle here. I think it's really strong in your deck. The most convincing argument in my opinion for or against it were these two; for: Helps block zoo decks. Against: Breeding Pool helps Merfolk. At this point I feel Merfolk is both common and very strong. I think the biggest determining factor will be how prevalent do Zoo decks become? My guess? Very. In the end I think you should decide which deck is scarier for your deck specifically? Zoo or Merfolk? Then make the decision from there.