So, as a firm lover of everything Grixis, it is both difficult and flabbergasting for me to admit that I've become hopelessly enamored with Green Beasts. Therefore, I've begun to build a fabulous EDH with mainly Green Beasts & Elves, splashed here and there with Black for variety. I'm listing below what I've thrown together with what cards I have on hand; and below that list is a list of questions that I'd love input on, as well as the deck itself!
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Commander: Varolz, the Scar-Striped
Planeswalkers: Garruk, Primal Hunter; Vraska the Unseen
Beast Creatures: Garruk's Packleader; Garruk's Companion; Garruk's Horde; Brushstrider; Slaughterhorn; Obstinate Baloth; Spiked Baloth; Glowering Rogon; Krosan Vorine; Feral Throwback; Berserk Murlodont
Elf Creatures: Elvish Visionary; Copperhorn Scout; Ivy Lane Denizen; Elves of Deep Shadow; Yeva, Nature's Herald; Patron of the Wild; Elvish Mystic; Gladecover Scout; Advocate of the Beast; Greenweaver Druid; Totem Speaker
Other Creatures: Scab-Clan Charger; Deadly Recluse; Wolfir Avenger; Sporemound; Timberland Guide; Borderland Ranger; Trusted Forcemage; Thrashing Mossdog; Corpse Hauler; Eternal Witness; Brindle Boar; Vastwood Hydra
Artifacts: Vial of Poison; Staff of the Wild Magus; Swiftfoot Boots
Enchantments: Forced Adaptation; Trollhide; Dark Favor; Triumph of Ferocity; Verdant Haven; Seal of Strength; Into the Wilds
Instants: Windstorm; Fog; Doom Blade; Go for the Throat; Giant Growth; Ranger's Guile; Wildwood Rebirth; Plummet; Predator's Rapport; Altar's Reap; Naturalize
Sorceries: Serene Remembrance; Englarge; Kodama's Reach; Diabolic Tutor; Lay of the Land; Blessings of Nature
Lands: Cavern of Souls; Evolving Wilds; Forest (22); Swamp (12)
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And now.....for the questions.
1. Should I run a Mono Green deck with only Beasts & Elves? And if so, then what are some Beasts/Elves that can successfully deal with Flying Creatures?
2. I've seen a lot of Red and Blue Beast Creatures that I would love to use, but I think it might hurt the good thing I've got going on already. Should I go full Beast and splash with Green, Red, Blue?
3. I like the General I currently have, but I wouldn't mind changing him to something more fitting for my deck (I'm just not as familiar with Green Commanders). Help?
4. Any other suggestions?
For commanders could go {Omnath, Locus of Mana} for mana ramp into big creatures. {Rhys the Exiled} for more elf heavy deck. Or {Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord} to be awsome.
My favorite anti flyer is {Silklash Spider} but {Hornet Queen} is pretty good on a mana ramp.
I love the idea of a beast themed deck!
Let's see... What can I suggest...
If you do decide to stick with mono green, I really love {Yeva, Nature's Herald}. She can really put a twist on your green beasties, letting them flash in at any time and leaving your opponents guessing every turn.
If you want to go with {G}{R}{U}, {Maelstrom Wanderer}, {Riku of Two Reflections}, or {Animar, Soul of Elements} would all be good options for you.
{Uril, the Miststalker} is another option - he is surprisingly the only actual legendary beast, and would allow you to play those red cards you've been eyeing (and white too, if it please you).
As for reach, that's a tough one. I don't think any beasts have reach themselves, and the few elves with reach are'nt going to do much against the 5/5 flying nasties in commander. {Spidersilk Net} could be extremely useful, and {Strandwalker}. As for actual creatures with reach, spiders are probably your best bet. {Silklash Spider} and {Stingerfling Spider} are quite good.
Some fun beasts for you to consider: {Baloth Woodcrasher}, {Chancellor of the Tangle}, {Craterhoof Behemoth}, {Feral Hydra}, {Kalonian Behemoth}, {Krosan Cloudscraper}, {Paleoloth}, {Rampaging Baloths}, {Rhox}, {Skarrg Goliath}, {Spearbreaker Behemoth}, {Terra Stomper}, {Thragtusk}, {Ursapine}
Thank you both so much! I actually has a full Spider EDH at one point that implemented Deathtouch as well. It was pretty nasty.
I'm loving all the suggestions, and I actually have a lot of those cards! I'm adding Elvish Piper ASAP (not sure why I didn't think of her before); and what do you think about Nath of the Gilt-Leaf for a general?
For your question about other colored beasts besides green, I honestly would stick with green beasts because in my opinion they have the best ones. Try to resist the temptation of using too many colors or else you might not get the beasts you need "in-game." Have you considered adding the new elf that on your end step, put a +1/+1 counter on target beast? And def add {thragtusk}. If you are going to stick with the beast theme, if its in your budget, how about {cavern of souls}, or even {door of destinies}? {Garruk, Caller of Beasts} excuse the pun, but would be a BEAST in this deck
EDIT: nevermind about my elf comment, I just noticed you do have {advocate of the beast} included.
Quote from: Gorzo on July 31, 2013, 03:00:05 AM
As for reach, that's a tough one. I don't think any beasts have reach themselves,
{Anurid Swarmsnapper} technically has reach.
I actually already have Cavern of Souls in there, but thank you for the Frog Beast!
Quote from: LadyGrixis on July 31, 2013, 12:55:45 PM
I actually already have Cavern of Souls in there, but thank you for the Frog Beast!
No prob! I still would consider adding the new garruk, mainly for his first - ability
Oh, I sure will :) I'm going to take Vraska out and put in the new Garruk, as well as replace another creature with Thrahtusk. I've got a good Wishlist going thanks to you guys :D
I also agree with you, I LOVE grixis. Next fave would have to be Jund. I know it isn't a beast but a cool grixis card = {thraximundar}
Thraxie was actually my general when I built my FIRST Grixis deck!! Love him :)
So far, these are the changes I've made to my Beast deck:
Varolz, the Scar-Striped -> Nath of the Gilt-Leaf
Vraska the Unseen -> Garruk, Caller of Beasts
Thrashing Mossdog -> Anurid Swarmsnapper
Timberland Guide -> Elvish Piper
Wolfir Avenger -> Paleoloth
Trusted Forcemage -> Baloth Woodcrasher
Brindle Boar -> Thragtusk
Sporemound -> Rampaging Baloths
Vastwood Hydra -> Feral Hydra
Vial of Poison -> Door of Destinies
Awesome, you put in door of destinies! I think that card will really help that deck out especially with trample, also if you can get one, {Kalonian hydra}
I actually have that card, but I'm trying to keep it as close to Beasts & Elves as humanly possible (I had to insert a pun); which is why I replaced my Vastwood Hydra with a Feral Hydra (since it's a 'Beast' Hydra).
For elves why not {ezuri renegade leader} {elvish archdruid} {priest of Titania} {immaculate magistrate}. I use the magistrate to pump the sac in my {jarad golgari lich lord} deck which has proven his brass more than I once. Love the beast deck, always toyed with the idea myself :).........oh oh oh and {elvish harbinger}
Quote from: Yawgmoth85 on July 31, 2013, 04:15:38 PM
For elves why not {ezuri renegade leader} {elvish archdruid} {priest of Titania} {immaculate magistrate}. I use the magistrate to pump the sac in my {jarad golgari lich lord} deck which has proven his brass more than I once. Love the beast deck, always toyed with the idea myself :).........oh oh oh and {elvish harbinger}
Or even {imperious perfect}
Well, I did add a couple of those elves; but I don't want it to turn into Tribal Elf. Here is the finished product (at least for now):
http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/legions-of-beasts/
I noticed you don't have a lot of removal for early game use. Consider {doom blade}?
I have Doom Blade.
Quote from: LadyGrixis on July 31, 2013, 04:37:39 PM
I have Doom Blade.
Oh my bad, I only saw go for the throat
I'm going full Green and making Eladamri, Lord of Leaves my Commander. Help me replace these cards:
Elves of Deep Shadow
Doom Blade
Altar's Reap
Diabolic Tutor
Dark Favor
If you have enough beasts to support it, no one would see {coat of arms} coming with a tribe like beasts
FABULOUS! Adding that now, and my deck will be complete :) Thank you all so much for brainstorming with me.
All the best unleashing a savage primal beat down :)
Thanks so much! I plan on making some boys shed a few tears ;)
I got a 7mth old daughter and can't wait to teach her to play. Nice to have hope she will pick it up and stick with it. Makin boys cry just naked it that much better for ya? Lol I enjoy wadeing through the blood of my enemies, gender has no meaning in war lol. Hail! :)
Your daughter will be a pro! And she'll break lots of gamer hearts :) For a girl, it's always satisfying to build a deck that rocks the male world.
Quote from: Yawgmoth85 on July 31, 2013, 07:49:25 PM
All the best unleashing a savage primal beat down :)
Isn't it a beast down?
Quote from: Aladormax on July 31, 2013, 10:30:39 PM
Quote from: Yawgmoth85 on July 31, 2013, 07:49:25 PM
All the best unleashing a savage primal beat down :)
Isn't it a beast down?
Omg......Bahahahahaha! Love it.
well if u decide to use the {Omnath, Locus of Mana} u should also consider {Feral Hydra} and {Primordial Hydra} becuz u can get them to be very large
My General is {Eladamri, Lord of Leaves}, and I included {Feral Hydra} because its type included the keyword "beast". All other Hydras are out :) but thank you!