Best artifact for an elf deck?
Modern Deck Help forum
Posted on June 14, 2017, 11:29 a.m. by StoryArcher
Morning, all.
I'm really going back and forth over how I want to build my Modern Elf deck. At the crux of this deliberation are three artifacts which all seem to offer tremendous opportunities, depending on how its built.
My first thought was Staff of Domination for the infinity loop it offers with Elvish Archdruid - those two cards hit the table with any kind of support and its game over, while in the meantime I just run a traditionally aggressive Elf deck, perhaps with some Heroic Intervention to keep the key parts of the combo safe.
My second thought was building a Elf recursion deck around Cloudstone Curio, specifically using elves that create an effect as they come into play, like the aforementioned Shaman of the Pack, Elvish Visionary, Reclamation Sage, Elvish Harbinger and Sylvan Messenger. Even Joraga Warcaller works here because it can be cast early for (G) and then picked up and recast with the kicker when the mana production explodes. In fact, with this version I'm finding myself with a bit of 'option paralysis', where including everything that looks good might lead me taking too few of anything, making my ideal draw less and less likely. Something like this (Elven Curiosity), maybe.
My final consideration was lifecrafter's beastiary. I've actually run Elf decks with 42 elves and nothing else but lands and had them be very effective. I can't help but think that the added draw (and scry) that the Bestiary gives me could really speed up the game - but by the same token, I don't want to get drug down by casting it and re-casting it as my opponent bounces, counters or destroys it.
I've toyed around with a host of non-creature cards - green staples like Heroic Intervention, Collected Company and Chord of Calling - and I'm not specifically opposed to including them, but again, I've found success and synergy going all-Elf in the past. I guess I'm wondering if working towards those combos is pulling me away from the strength of Elves or, if done correctly, might instead help me maximize what they can do. It seems like the Staff of Domination combo might be too specific, but its not as if the deck wouldn't be strong even if the combo never comes out. The Cloudstone Curio combo might be too unfocused, though it does offer quite a bit of versatility. Card draw is so important, hence Lifecrafter's Bestiary... ugh.
Another part of me thinks that sticking with my original 42 so that I don't have to worry about protecting my artifacts and not having any non-creature spells in the deck at all could actually give me an advantage in wasted draws by my opponent. After all, the entire reason I lean hard towards Elf decks is the speed and efficiency with which they can overwhelm an opponent. I'm so conflicted...
Here's what it comes down to - if I were going to run an Elf deck with 38 Elf spells and 18 lands, which artifact would you suggest to fill those 4 remaining card slots, and why it over the other options available? Any insights would be most appreciated...
What's your expected win turn when goldfishing with these elf variants you're brewing?
June 14, 2017 11:53 a.m.
its not that 38 isn't enough, its that you don't need artifacts for it. maybe bestiary would work, if anything
June 14, 2017 12:02 p.m.
StoryArcher says... #7
I find that 'win turn' speculation often creates false expectations when there are so many variables you can't account for. I try to build decks that jump out early, can take advantage of poor draws by my opponent but then are able to sustain themselves through the midgame if my own initial efforts are stymied.
I can outline some ideal draw/plays if you like, but they aren't anything original... Mana Elf on the first turn and then Heritage Druid coupled with Dwynen's Elite and then an early Elvish Archdruid or Talara's Battalion on turn two. After that it can really be off to the races - I've had variants just absolutely explode the board in turn three - but obviously that depends as much on your draw as what your opponent is doing in the same time frame.
June 14, 2017 12:25 p.m.
Understandable, but that's why I emphasized goldfishing.
If your opponent was playing a deck of basic forests, and you just were playing cards and taking turns, how long is it going to take you to win?
If you rammed out the playtest feature on tappedout for 20 to 50 games, on about what turn would you expect to win in each game?
June 14, 2017 1:19 p.m.
I like Staff of Domination because it does...well, everything. The option is always lingering over your opponent's head that you'll go infinite once Elvish Archdruid resolves. The important things are:
- It can work on its own. If your opponent hits you with something like Whipflare, you can still tap down their Arcbound Ravager, gain life, and draw cards to get back in the game.
- You can control combat. When you have a couple of lords on the table, being able to attack with a 4/4 Elvish Mystic, then untap it so it can block, can be crucial to racing other aggro decks.
Also, I'm going to shamelessly plug my own Elf deck:
U/G C-c-c-combo Elves!
Modern
SCORE: 8 | 5 COMMENTS | 1737 VIEWS | IN 1 FOLDER
I'm more partial to full-combo with Nettle Sentinel and Heritage Druid. I've found Lead the Stampede and Summoner's Pact beats Collected Company and Chord of Calling unless you're playing Shaman of the Pack and lots of lords. With Collected Company, I found it underwhelming when I spend 4 mana to flip two 1/1 mana dorks into play.
The main difficulty you'll find playing Elves is how vulnerable you are to Lightning Bolt and red in general. Naya Burn and R/G Tron are by far the worst matchups. You absolutely shit all over everything else when you can empty your hand on by turn 3, restock with Lead the Stampede/Beck / Call, and then still kill them with Craterhoof Behemoth regardless of anything else.
Wurmlover says... #2
the answer is more elves
June 14, 2017 11:35 a.m.