Why no Collected Company? Seems like it would do pretty well in here. Also, the new Sylvan Messenger would do well.

Edit: Didn't notice the budget part. So CoCo my not work out, but the other might.

SirFowler Although I do think that in some cases Sylvan Messenger would do well, I think that Genesis Wave is a little better, especially in the case of the Nettle Sentinel + Heritage Druid combo. The problem I have with Messenger for Modern is that it doesn't put the elves out on to the battlefield for free, just into my hand, while Genesis Wave lets me put any permanent with X or less out onto the battlefield. And with the amount of mana ramp in this deck, the Sylvan Messenger won't even be needed.

That's just my logic with it - I'm fairly new to the competitive scene and I am trying to learn, so if I am completely wrong with that, please let me know.

Hey, I'm not much of a competitive player either, I just like elves.

What are your thoughts about adding in a Dryad Arbor for a free creature? I like it, but I'm not sure if it would be necessary.

Hm. I would definitely consider Dryad Arbor if Green Sun's Zenith was Modern legal because I could get a turn one forest, GSZ, get Dryad Arbor out and have two land turn one. Other than that, I don't think it has much of a use for this deck. :|

I like elves. Like the only mono-green deck I'll ever make. Have you thought about Craterhoof Behemoth and Akroma's Memorial(the second is my little addition that makes Genesis Wave with the Behemoth that much more powerful)? Also, as SirFowler said, if you can get your hands on them, then you should seriously get some Collected Company. Probably soon, I don't see that card going anywhere but up in price.

I've considered Behemoth and CoCo most definitely, but they aren't budget D: My big card (which I'm trading for) is Heritage Druid. That's the most expensive card I can go, and it's needed more than CoCo

I see. Well, Craterhoof Behemoth would be a one-of, just so you know. And yeah, those Heritage Druid are ridiculously priced right now. And yes, get those before the CoCo.

Holy crap! The druid is $20?! Wow, I probably won't be making any real life modern decks any time soon.

It's a rough world in Elves :'(

The one thing I'm glad about is that I bought Ezuri, Renegade Leader When he was 2 bucks a piece - then he went up to 11, so I'm glad I made that investment early. Just sad I didn't take the chance to get Heritage Druid when it was 6 bucks each.

At least it's not as bank busting as Tron. That s%#! is ridiculous.

Edit: I remember I bought an Omniscience for 5 bucks. It's worth the investment....sometimes at least.

Dude this isn't budget, it's over 250 bucks.

It's pretty budget! For a tournament ready deck, it's very budget.

Yeah $250 is definitely on the cheap end for a modern deck. I think you've done well with your budget.

The only recommendations I have would cost money (Collected Company, fourth Heritage Druid) so I think you're deck is as good as it can be with your budget.

Awesome :) thank you for the insight. I definitely want to get a playset of CoCo, just not within budget :( I have other priority cards, and I can sub CoCo for other things.

Just win a few FNM events and you'll have your playset in no time ;) 1st place FNM normally pays about $60 at my store, that's almost enough for a playset right there!

I'm reluctant to order the rest of this deck! I want to, but I'm unsure of how it will compete. Do you think it stands a good chance in a somewhat competitive scene? Not like GP, but competitive enough.

It's good enough to play at FNM, I'd say. I wouldn't take this to any tournament with more than 4 rounds though. Long tournaments are where the inconsistencies start to show.

Yeah :) just for local FNM play!

Good to know. I'm still fairly new to this game, I started 3-4 months ago! So yeah, I'm still learning quite a bit.