MTG - Modern Elves, A Budget Mono Green Deck Tech for Magic: The Gathering

[@Davisn3d]

This deck runs fantastically for the price. I'm loving it.

[@pikemand1410]

Honestly considering finally making the split with Standard and starting out with this as my first modern deck. Also, I just checked out your patreon and man, you are rakin' in the dosh, good for you man, I'm glad it worked out, threw in a few bucks of my own too.

[@jackmanleblanc2518]

Goldenhand The Just Yeah I'm just getting into the game and, as a college student who doesn't make much, am really starting to wonder if Standard is even worth it. I don't play standard though just casual with some friends. But I've been trying to figure out if I want to play standard or modern.

[@DubiousKing]

Jackman LeBlanc I'd say go ahead with modern. The money barrier is the lowest of the eternal formats and even tier 2 decks can be quite competitive. You can honestly just play one deck and stick with it through the meta changes and still have fun without having to worry about the key cards rotating out. Standard takes quite a bit of commitment to keep up with, especially once the rotation speeds up with the release of BFZ.

[@andycho2933]

Goldenhand The Just modern is amazing, standard doesnt give me enough time to play and refine my decks to their maximum potential as blocks rotate out, but modern lets me continue to play and improve decks

[@ms.samlake7371]

DubiousKing I hate to be "That Gal", because I know most people don't care, but the confusion has caused at least one or two unfortunate things happening that I know of so I feel the need to correct (Don't hate me!). Modern is not an "Eternal" format. "Eternal" formats mean you can play with every set since the game was created. Modern is a "Non-Rotating" format. If people say they play Eternal magic, and you show up with a Modern deck, you're going to have a bad time.

[@qwerqsar]

I just love all these decktechs for budget options you give us. I may not build this one, but you helped me get into modern with the mono black 8-rack one. Just... thank you very much!

[@gmjones2001]

Got this deck 95% built ... OMG! A few test sessions (solo) and it appears to be BRUTAL. I'm going to need more D6's to keep track of my +1/+1's!!!

[@sonic64101]

just a tip. i always use 2 D12 to keep track of things if they go above 10 bc then you can have 1 d12 be the 10s and the other be the 1s place so then you can keep count of something up to 129

[@stnavellino]

*Sees budget elves in title* *Sees price tags is $300* *Dies*

[@matttheman3923]

TheMiner2S yeah but that's the nonbudget version though. Granted the budget version is 175, but it's cheaper than 300

[@adamgarber9063]

Jesus, I think I'll stick to my mono green elf deck that focuses around wren's run packmaster that cost me maybe $30. It doesn't win every game, but once I start turning out hoards of 2/2 wolfs with deathtouch, it doesn't do bad. That and it feels good knowing I can still eat dinner that night.

[@guglielmo_arte_naturale]

Lol

[@holly9081]

One thing I know well in MTG is elves. Nissa Revane is what inspired me to play and gave me my loves for elves. I personally prefer Genesis Wave over Chord of Calling. I also run pure elves for creatures as well as mono green. Now, that may change with Origins when I go to build my standard elves. I am also curious why you Tolarian Community College didn't suggest Oran-Rief, the Vastwood for land. It's relatively inexpensive and I personally prefer it over Okina, Temple to the Grandfathers. I'd love to talk about my elf deck with you and see what you think!

[@aappaapp6627]

This deck is called "seriously you guys, look at how many frigging elves i have"

[@MediumSella]

So glad to see so many videos, and you doing so well professor. You, of all people, deserve it.

[@nobodygaming]

I had always heard Elves weren't all that great to build a deck around these days, but you have given me some wonderful ideas to get started on something within a reasonable budget. Thanks for reminding me that other people's negative opinions aren't always worth paying attention to

[@brentonoliver5169]

Watching this I was like a kid again. I just love elf decks and try to make one in every format. I was lucky because when Elves started to seem powerful with Collected Company, I jumped on that wagon just because I thought it was awesome so I got more copies of the elves so I could keep my Elf decks separate. Now the deck is $150 when I only spent $50 to receive the cards. So lucky I jumped on the wagon lol.

[@wombatman5164]

I really enjoy this deck, it actually reminds me of an Ezuri edh I've been building.

[@ares6037]

When it comes to elf decks, I always splash black. For extra removal and hate with cards like duress and so on. And shaman of the pack is a good finisher, in my opinion.

[@gankord3020]

This deck is actually down to bout $140 on tcg player right now. Thinking bout making this my first modern deck.

[@TolarianCommunityCollege]

Nice!

[@mattbrooks4921]

+Chance Lozier there is a better "starter" modern beatdown elves deck that you can upgrade later to be a really competitive! It starts for around 88 bucks on TCG

[@bavarianwolf3806]

link?

[@davidgoode1427]

5:56 Instead of Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx or Cavern of Souls, you could sub out for a Karametra's Acolyte, which adds green mana equal to your devotion. Although since it measures devotion, it would be hard to side in artifacts, and it would obliterate the whole theme of this deck, but it would help substantially in those instances where you would use those expensive lands.

[@Jagsterarea51]

I find it sad that budget decks cost up to $300.

[@TolarianCommunityCollege]

Jagster Me too. Still cheaper than standard, and at least in Modern the deck never rotates out.

[@Jagsterarea51]

Tolarian Community College Yes I don't think standard will last much longer because of costs.

[@merritboibeaux1320]

Jagster , keep dreaming. Wizards pushes standard harder than any other format.

[@Jagsterarea51]

Merrit Boibeaux Very true but I think mtg players will soon realize it's a waste of money.

[@Frankenstein3r]

Jagster If only

[@Koutentogiwrghs]

Brings back memories! In 2011 I was playing an aggro-elves deck with Fauna shaman, Lead the Stampede, Green Suns Zenith, Vengevines and 22 lands! (way too many for an elves deck) at my local FNM, quite successfully I might add :) Vengevines and lands worked great because there were many Day of Judgements (and Ezuri was not out all of time), you see it was the caw blade era back then, well and Linvala was sidedecked :P Many times the win was decided by Venge-swinging for 8-12 from the grave. New Phyrexia was great also with Spellskite (Fauna Shaman's bf) and Beast Within. Also the most enjoyable thing I have done with this deck was Viridian Corrupting a turn 3 Batterskull and a turn 5 one (resolving a GSZ despite the mana leak) and winning with infect! Regal force would be a great singleton for such a deck, Arbor elves can untap shocklands which may come in handy because that Shaman of the pack seems super sweet :) Seems like I will give Magic another swing after all :) All in all, I have all the really costly cards. For the rest, it seems like I can sell the tons of lightning bolts I have, I still cannot believe that they got 2.5 bucks each :P

[@AlecInstant]

I run an elves deck and I think that Doubling Chant is a must include, you will basically get a copy of your battlefield. Also Protean Hulk, Elvish Bard, and I really like wellwisher. I also only run 15 lands because once I have one land out I have never needed another that badly.

[@ggflowen]

Love this video. I'm building a version of elves for my first foray into standard because the deck really called to me. I'm choosing to splash black for Shaman of the Pack, which strikes me as a cool card. It's worth noting that Heritage druid has dropped a lot. I got my playset for $12 total. I am also omitting Chord of Calling and going instead with Lead the Stampede. I'm also considering Descendant's Path because I already have a few copies. I was able to put my build together for around $90.

[@austinjohnson2936]

I'm so happy that collected company almost singlehandedly brought back so much of the tribal love, as long as you're willing to play green. Would you also consider tribal favorites such as Mutavault and Aether Vile if you where to go non budget?

[@inkedblessed7904]

Can u do a video on what is modern, standard, legacy, vintage ect. If you do not already have one posted up? Would be a great help so I can understand more about magic. Great videos by the way!

[@ThePopppCorn]

Love these deck techs! Much love from Norway

[@raecelta9766]

I've been working with a Junk version of this for the upcoming Origins Spoiler; Shaman of The Pack. White is there primarily for sideboard, but I have a singleton Gavony Township in the mainboard so that white is not completely dead. My build is mostly the 100% list but I can't afford the set of Cavern of Souls.

[@Mtonazzi]

Wow, I made a mono green elves deck when, year and a half ago, the Heritage Druids costed me less than $3 each. Mine is less of a toolbox, but run Monument of the Eldrazi and Awakening Zones to feed it, making my elves indestructibles and fliers, which is always a nice extra. And since I ramp like there's no tomorrow (and again, I go the full aggro rather than the toolbox version) I also run three Genesis Waves, that can put into play an Ezuri, Monument of the Eldrazi, Craterhoof or even an Emrakul (who will not give the extra turn, but it's still a beast on the table). Two Nissa Revanes give me life gain, which helps eeping me alive while I build a critical mass of elves; a reusable chumpblocker; and a potentially devastating ultimate (which I never got to actually use, since I tend to win or lose before that happens)

[@chrisveach8715]

Hey professor I have have some of your budget decks and really love them I want to give you some credit for getting into magic growing up I have known about the game but never got into the game until this Christmas my friend started me with some hydra's he had and we build my first deck from there but you have shown me a lot of easy build decks and now I have 5 decks lol thanks you have made the game very fun for me and love when the deck build videos come out thanks I will always watch your videos thanks alot for sharing the game with me

[@14dcook]

I've been running mono blue illusions in Modern and it does pretty well

[@Eredean]

This looks like a bunch of fun, when I finally get into modern, I'll definitely have to try it!

[@CyberSpeek]

Wow, I was just about to look for an elf budget deck too xD Thanks Professor (:

[@Meowmeow.age.6]

Plow under is what the old extended mono green tempo decks ran. It is super amazing.

[@1GamerMega]

Tolarian Community College Hey! You are my #1 go to guy for magic the gathering everything and for that I thank you alot! You helped me make my first of many to come im sure of it! Yesterday June 12, 2015 i bought a deck builder's toolkit from my local game store and built a red blue deck with it and tried a few games with my friends who are more experienced than I for sure, although i lost every time it was very fun! I was just wondering if you could do a 2015 deck builder's toolkit deck teck or what kinds of cards to look for when buying upgrades for a intro pack for the new players who just bought that item to start off with Once again, THANK YOU so much for the advice throughout your videos and i'm looking forward to more as they come out!

[@yerfdog1935]

Holy crap, I was just looking for a modern elves deck list last night!

[@deimos_the_fearful7081]

Another budget decklist? I looooove your budget decks!

[@synnrsaent2050]

Wow, I like how I recently began researching to make a budget modern elf tribal deck, made my final decisions and have thus far bought half of it and then this comes out, the coincidence is strong here... But even better is how drastically different this one is from mine, wonder how they stack up...

[@darkdude077]

Good evening. It would be awesome to see a Grixis Delver Modern deck tech.

[@carloss3499]

oh thank for putting the deck list in the description

[@gsimon123]

4x Arbor Elf, 4x Voyaging Satyr, 4x Overgrowth, and 4x Utopia Sprawl and you will have some pretty serious ramp regardless of anything else in your deck. Modern legal. The trick is you make your lands give more mana every time they tap and then you untap them with the arbor elf and satyrs to double their output. These are all really cheap and you can get some big monsters in very fast. I built a deck around this to bring in big wurms for $50. Solid base and less $$$

[@bavarianwolf3806]

decklist?

[@demonzero677]

Hey professor. thoughts on using a handful of Wood Elves in combination with the new Canopy Vista to do a white splash build? Wood Elf can grab the Vista since it's a forest plains and the vistas aren't too horribly priced from what I know. Also, considering making the deck myself, and slipping in one or maybe two Blightsteal Colossus because I love artifacts, and with all the crazy mana you can pump into Chord, throwing one out at the end of your opponent's turn isn't hard, and leads too....pain. lots of pain.

[@ichias16]

Cool list and nice to see elves out there I build an elf deck for my sister once but it runs a playset of Joraga Warcallers and two Immaculate Magistrate. Also three Jagged-Scar Archers and some Lys-Alana Bowmasters against flyers. I know there are way too many ways to build a deck but how about including these?

[@80HDad]

Another clever option is to splash Blue for Intruder Alarm, and Imperious Prefect... it lets you make infinite 2/2 Elf tokens.... so long as you have a mana dork laying around

[@QUAD9s]

Elves FTW!!!! I personally have to play a Hoof when I play Elves. Great video.

[@ch4520]

More modern deck techs please :) love them

[@photosinensis]

And now I know what I'm building next. I need a Modern deck to jam my collection of green rampers. What would you say to splashing White for Anafenza, Kin-Tree Spirit?

[@Canadian_Princess]

I've vaguely considered splashing black for this deck since it gives you access to stuff like abrupt decay.

[@Travis7060312]

T Kent I would think thought seize or inquisition

[@Canadian_Princess]

Travis7060312 Thoughseize or IoK are also plausible choices along with 1-2 abrupt decay. I mean at that point we're diluting the list a little, especially since the deck relies on so many redundant parts, but I might try it out to see how it works.

[@Surfkatt3216]

T Kent Black is very good. I was testing it online and I got to this list: tappedout.net/mtg-decks/06-06-15-gb-collected-elves/

[@falandrion2870]

Travis7060312 Though I have no experience with the deck, I doubt Inquisition of Thoughseize would fit in smoothly. Don't you want to play mana dudes during the first two turns? If you play hand disruption you're taking one card out of your opponent's hand but simultaneously giving them another turn without pressure. Due to its reactive nature, Abrupt Decay or even Maelstrom Pulse are different and could potentially work in this deck... but do you actually need them? As all elves only produce green mana, you would need to run quite a bit of black colour sources in your land slots - which could screw up starting hands without green lands. It might still be worth it if you need the versatility / uncounterability but without testing it, Beast Within just seems better

[@Travis7060312]

unless you want to race a potential turn 4 splinter twin or a storm deck.. I would suggest finding room for some thoughtseizes or inqs.. also you would be running plenty of fetch lands to find an overgrown tomb oh yeah and elves of deep shadow is a card but I wouldnt play it

[@Firevine]

This looks like a lot of fun. You sold me on it when you compared it to Merfolk. It is DEFINITELY more customizable than Merfolk though. Too many Fish that are core cards, but with Elves, I just pulled some other things like Hexproof Elf and Other Hexproof Elf. Going to be fun to tinker with.

[@infinitypro12]

Yay, more budget decks. Thanks!

[@Dreznin]

You can save some money by running Gaea's Herald over Cavern of Souls in order to stop counters, but it does have the problem of easily being removed from the field. Still, $1/ea is a hell of a lot cheaper than Cavern.

[@l_scanu8645]

I love how just after this video was posted, Magic Origins came out and changed this deck to g/b thanks to Shaman of the Pack, it hasn't made it much more expensive but what would you take out for the Shamans?

[@dsitt7]

Just built this deck as soon as I heard that it was a thing! You really know how to speak my Elvish language :)

[@Crowfalll]

Love your guides and deck techs! Keep it coming ! :)

[@NobleSlay3r]

Can you do Modern U/R Storm/ Pyromancer Ascension?

[@SerpentineDivine]

NobleSlay3r Thing is, it's pretty hard to switch out a lot of the cards for U/R Storm. It's kinda cheap on the most part, the only big ones are your Scalding Tarns, other fetchlands to thin the mana, the Probes and the Serum Visions.

[@t0lar]

When collected company was first spoiled, I knew right then that it would be the perfect card for an elf trible deck. I built one in mtgo, it is slightly different as I don't run cord of calling, instead I run fauna shaman and masked admirer for fetching, I also run singles, like yeva, and that other elf that gives your guys hexproof when tapped

[@Razsiel]

For someone just getting back into magic after 15+ years should I consider modern? Or should I build a standard deck? Where should I look for info to get a FNM deck/build together?

[@TheKillZtreak]

"Might not win you the pro tour" well, if you go full ham about it, I think it might actually be able to win the pro tour, if the deck is of course mastered. It's a really good deck, and it is very underestimated by the community, in my eyes.

[@roosterchains]

Lee Sin, the Blind Monk It is still tier 3, you might be able to top 8 at a ptq but, right now sideboards are prepared against collected company decks. Plus this deck has a tough match up against twin and r/g tron.

[@Tada123123]

While a mono green deck almost surely won't the WG Build is definitely better.

[@TheKillZtreak]

roosterchains I see how it losses to Tron but it should have a fine matchup against Twin. Essence Warden is a green elf with CMC 1. Easy to fetch with Chord, can even be included main board as a 1 of. Spellskite too.

[@Tada123123]

Lee Sin, the Blind Monk it has a poor match up with anything in red which is it's main problem. Any board wipe wrecks it which is why splashing white for dromokas command is great. I do have to disagree with the professor in that pendelhaven can really help protect our elves against shocks and bolts.

[@Tatsumi81]

Lee Sin, the Blind Monk it just took first in a grand prix... I think this deck is about to get stupid expensive...

[@DerDavenWarrior]

All this about modern vs standard. It really depends on your local meta how expensive your deck is. The store I play at is very casual. Sure there's a few players playing top tier decks but most everybody else plays what they want. Last week I played a $50 temur dragons deck, went 2-2 and just had a ton of fun playing win or lose.

[@benclark6841]

Heritage Druid went way up and even Nettle Sentinel grew. Wish this deck was as cheap as the video says. Shaman of the Pack is a must have for Elves. Kicked ass at last nights FNM.

[@ncuco]

I have a hardened scales elves :D combo by turn 4, drawing out all deck and winning with tapped elves and an artifact that deals 1 damage per tapped creature. Joraga is the alternative win con

[@GoatOfTheMountains]

I have 3 different elf decks. One pure green, pure tribal. One Golgari. And one that just uses elves to ramp into big beasts like Primalcrux (especially Primalcrux) and Oversoul of Dusk. Instead of Spellskite, I prefer to use spells like Vines of Vastwood and Ranger's Guile. A little more versatile for the purpose it serves, even though I guess you can't turn someone's removal back at them.

[@jackmanleblanc2518]

I want to see if I can make my first modern deck and have decided it will be an elf deck. I'm new to the game and don't like the idea of throwing away my money to keep up in standard so this seems like it might be the best option. Also elves. I like elves. I was wondering something though Professor. Would you say any of the Magic Origins cards would be worth using? Maybe adding Dwynen to give all those grounded elves reach? Heck with all those elves maybe splashing for black to add Shaman of the Pack or Gnarlroot Trooper wouldn't be a terrible idea (also I have a playset of Shaman of the Pack so... I want to use them). Woodland Bellower technically works as another tutor I think but it's probably not worth it huh?

[@bmxfreak1991]

splash black for shaman of the pack for some awesomeness :)

[@LaserfaceJones]

My friend just won GP Charlotte with Elves. The deck has real potential.

[@DeltyBoy]

Hey loved your vidoe im a big elf fan but i was wondering are there any budget alternative for collected company Chord of Calling and Heritage Druid? im really intrested in this deck and i really love the concept of elves so any alternatives for those cards? thanks

[@GuyIncognito14]

I've been playing a pretty decent brewed G/B elves deck for standard. I wonder if I could convert with some of these cards into a decent Modern deck. I don't need tier 1 or anything. Just something to play and have fun.

[@mysticalpotato447]

Hi Professor! Sorry I couldn't make it to class in time, hope I can still enjoy the lesson! Hehe great video again :)

[@WhatsTheDifferenceTV]

Heh picked up this whole deck for 35$ a month ago :)

[@TheNutCase657]

Hi Professor. Could you please have a look at doing a Dredgevine video for this series?

[@ecolvill]

Wow, I had no idea my Heritage Druids were worth that much now... well, since I played GW Elf Ball back during Lorwyn standard, I still have most of the pieces, so this might be a possibility. Would need 3 more Caverns and 2 More Shrines, but yeah, definitely doable. Thanks!

[@Azninjazn]

for modern my friend likes to use gilt-leaf archdruid or splash in blue for nullmage shepherd + enchanted evening as possible win-cons. and he has 2 genesis wave to fetch everything

[@AnotherSquirrel]

What are your thoughts on a Green, Splash Blue Elf Token deck utilizing Intruder Alarm and Presence of Gond?

[@josharnold6546]

I ran a monsterous elf deck once with a splash of blue for master biomancer and zamek guildmage biomancer would keep my creatures huge while zamek kept my hand full it could be some great alternatives to some of these expensive Choice of cards

[@mylittlemusic1937]

Will you make a modern mill deck tech? I find mill decks fascinating but I still have not found a good deck for.

[@nitrodog96]

Woo, I could build this! Elves are fun!

[@Starshorts1234]

Hey Professor! now with origins, which cards would you change? :)

[@david1978pdx]

Love the synths!

[@imnoexpert1926]

I've played against this deck and its pretty solid, what about a couple aether vial mainboard? Looks like it would help shoot out elves early on

[@Sadgrind]

What exactly would Manamorphose do in an Elf deck? I used to run a playset in my old Red Deck Wins build (for cards like Shrine of Burning Rage and Guttersnipe, just to cast a red instant), but i don't see an application in a tribal deck... I must be missing something.

[@xtransparente]

Is devotion black vampires is possible to be a budget deck and a win? In my study I learned that you can use demons and skeletons even zombie to do a good combo peace Plus all under 40 or 30 $

[@genesislucero3268]

Nice guide. As of now, I play Abzan Elves for modern. :)

[@shopia15]

Prof can you do a review for this? I love Elves!

[@LongHairedTeen]

I oddly appreciated your usage of pound coins :)

[@kassrx]

Looks great! I've played monogreen elves when I started playing mtg. Too bad I can't spend 300$+ just to relive that experience again. At least, I now have an idea what modern elves deck looks like.

[@elmoisamac]

You should can build this pretty "cheap" right now. I just put it together with a budget sideboard and land-base and it only cost me about $150. It isn't cheap, but it is really fun to play and should be around for a while.

[@Wolfenmedic65d]

what set is that mountain from on your second drop? wonderful artwork

[@YeahShowtime]

I love your presentation on these vids~

[@kotabilbo711]

Another fun budget modern deck is Living End. It's kind of linear but still pretty cool :)

[@Robotoken-299]

When are we going to see more advanced studies in modern? I would love to see a deck tech on eggs or splinter twin.

[@carlthekatt]

FYI, the list as you posted it in the description is 61 cards. Since you said it was 19 forests for the budget version, it's logical to assume you meant to put 11 forests in the list instead of 12 for a non-budget land total of 19, but just in case...

[@Jantonio2912]

Would you consider Sylvan Advocate?? Is it viable? Please let me know.

[@moonlitegram]

Off the top of my head, I might consider adding in at least 2 gladecover scouts. This deck has ways to deal with removal in the form of destruction, but not in the form of exile. Would help against path to exile etc

[@xexilez99x]

Are there any new cards that would make a modern infect deck more effective since you made your last video?

[@Juaneswini]

So good! More budget modern!

[@KazeOo]

Not sure what you mean by "Big Magic", but Chord did not spike, it's all from organic demand. Heritage Druid is another story, but then again, it's played in Legacy Elves too, and only has one printing so supply should have dried up very quickly making a spike easier, but it was definitely also speculators. Also Elves just made a Modern Top 8 so it could actually win you a pro-tour. Don't underestimate Elfkind!

[@FusterIsBased]

KazeOo Ezuri spiked from 1.50 to 11.00.

[@snowcoveredplainswalker442]

I'd love to play my mono blue merfolk against this, I adore tribal decks :)

[@johnathonsmithard7938]

SnowCoveredPlainswalker Chalice Merfolk is a pretty solid Legacy deck, and costs less to build than all of the Modern decks listed at the beginning of this video, so if you love Tribal decks, Legacy might actually be the place to go. (Again, a lot of competitive Legacy is actually becoming cheaper than a lot of competitive Modern given the Modern price inflation, and Legacy has also long been home to the Tribal strategies being _actually competitive_)

[@di993rtd]

Tolarian Community College Hello Professor. You mention t-shirts and playmats, would you consider other items such as deck boxes etc? Maybe approach Legion to do a special version of their iconic range. That would be cool

[@TolarianCommunityCollege]

di993rtd I will look into it, but first I need to see how the shirt and playmat sales go. Its not print on demand, so I spend the money up front and only make it back if the items sell.

[@MaNU7908]

Tolarian Community College Are you shipping to Europe?¿ I suppose youre not, because of the cost of the package maybe too high for us. Anyway, great video. I have all the pieces of this deck but not Heritage or Cavern of souls :S And thats going to cost me a lot T.T

[@BeyondCocytus]

What's that really nice flute music you put in there? Link to it?

[@cardlackey2527]

Awesome as always. Such quality content.

[@aham2903]

I've been running Collected Elves lately and I seem to dominate Merfolk, which is odd. It seems like fish should dumpster me, with their semi-control creature-aggro style. Not even the spreading seas affect me much, since I'm usually using my mana dorks to continually power out dudes. Maybe I'm lucky, but I always seem to draw a Collected Company or Chord right when I need it to toolbox for whatever answer I need. Before you know it, my board is swarming with buffed, pointy-eared menaces overrunning the lines and I generally seal the game around turn 5, sometimes 6. Now if only we could get a really competitive soldier deck in modern...

[@loganace3719]

There's lots of ramp But where does the ramp go to- You can't ramp that much to pump ezuri because you're tapping the things that benefit from it So what do you ramp to-

[@marten7715]

Early on, cast lots of spells each turn. Late game, they're all 3/3s and 4/4s, who cares about mana?

[@ReApErZ51]

If I was building mono elves and wanted to go all out, Gaeas cradle would be a tremendous inclusion, adding a green mana per creature you control

[@johnathonsmithard7938]

When the top Modern decks cost more than a lot of Legacy decks, shouldn't we consider a new structure for how the we distribute the cards for Modern? I mean, the primary reason for its creation was as an alternative to Legacy that was easier for new players to get into, right? If it's actually the format whose gameplay you prefer, more power to you, but most people I know who look to Modern look to it as a compromise because they didn't want to pay the price to buy into Legacy, and it feels like it's not fulfilling this role very well for the people who look to it as such. Seriously, $1,600 and $1,700? We've well crossed into Legacy prices, and I feel like the entire point of Modern is being forgotten here - accessibility. I've always understood that to be it's hook. I understand Standard's hook, the cards are actually designed for this very thoughtfully crafted format. I understand Legacy's hook, playing with the giant non-rotating card pool is super fun. I feel like I'm losing sight of Modern's (rigorous ban-listing to keep the game in midrange creature combat?), and that strikes me as a little sad. Is this inevitable with a non-rotating format? I appreciate the professor giving out budget deck ideas, but it still strikes me as a stop gap at best (it'll either be a little on the cute side, or if it is at all successful, it won't be budget for long - you can't "just reprint all the important cards" when the important cards change anyways, and any 1 piece can then become the new bottleneck). Not trying to be doom and gloom, I wish Modern all the best and I'm confident WotC will keep pushing it, but yeesh, this is a problem.

[@lilchappy223]

Johnathon Smithard Thank you, glad I am not the only 1 who feels this way. $1100+ for a competitive deck in the format that was created to"replace Legacy"? That is absurd! Not to mention WotC is about as reliable as a wet paper bag. "We see you just spent a boat load of money on the most accesible eternal format, so how about we ban the card that makes your deck work, rendering your deck useless and cutting the value of your cards in half." So do I dump another $1100 on the next best deck, only to get something else banned and be back at square 1? Nothing quite like building consumer confidance.

[@johnathonsmithard7938]

lilchappy223 Honestly, if you're going to spend over a $1,000 on a deck, just play actual Legacy. A lot of solid decks are less than some of these Modern decks, it really is a super fun format, and most importantly, your deck WON'T GET BANNED just to set the environment to what Wizards insists it should be so that Timmy can hard-cast the Siege Rhino he just opened and safely attack with it. I am getting to the point where I feel like you can have magic where you can build a reasonable deck on the cheap, or you can have non-rotating magic, but trying to have both at the same time is a fool errand in the long run, just because of how non-rotating formats develop. Kudos to people who got into Modern on the ground floor, but if I'm going to spend this much for an actually competitive deck, I might as well play with the whole cardpool.

[@lilchappy223]

Waaaaaay ahead on doing that. Legacy is my prefered format, for all these reasons and more. Not to mention I feel better buying things in Legacy because I know the cards will maintain their value because they won't be reprinted into oblivion. I built legacy dredge for less than what some of these modern decks are going for.

[@MaNU7908]

Johnathon Smithard The problem here is the huge speculation the people is doing on modern cards, and not only people. Companies like SCG are destroying the game by rising the prices of everything until ridiculous levels. They buy tons of cards here in Europe, masive buys, then they keep them rising the price on its webpage... saying that they sold out every copy of a card but the actually have thousands of it that they are going to be releasing bit by bit. The fuuuucking speculation is the problem of this game, the problem of Magic. Too many people want to live thanks to this game, and while others have to work on their actual jobs, some people earn money from the players

[@LordErebusBloodmoon]

Johnathon Smithard hell all i do for magic is play budget standard. spend 20-80 tops for a good not too expensive deck. my mono red only true value card was stoke and zurgo

[@tornadojoe87]

is there a specific reason to have a playset of legendary lands besides possible destruction or draw chance? you can only have one out at a time right?

[@philldeschene]

Once magic origins comes out do you think you will make a golgari (B/G) elf deck.