Narnam Renegade has a lot of synergy with Ezuri, Renegade Leader (fitting names, huh?) Deathtouch plus trample allows you to assign only one point of damage to any creature (regardless of toughness) and trample the rest. This severely limits your opponent's options to block Narnam Renegade.
This is the list I'm going to be trying with the release of Aether Revolt. It seems super greedy to me with almost no mainboard responses, but I'm not sure what I need main after the new bannings. I don't usually play a fourth Shaman, but I'm going to try it out.
Anybody have some good insight into the upcoming meta?
Any questions or comments or advice for this list?
Correct me if I am wrong here but, what elves do we have in our deck lists that come in with +1/+1 counters? To me this would just be a 2/1 elf for 2 mana. As the text says "enters the battlefield with an additional +1/+1 counter" not enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter. So by that account it really wouldn't do anything for us.
0+1 counter = 1 counter, each elf would get a +1/+1 counter.
I think it's still in the "cute" category, but there are starting to be more options for counters based elves.
I've only been on Elves for a month or so now, so I don't really have much (anything) to add to the primer, but I really like the direction you guys are taking it. I've switched between a few modern decks since I started playing the format, and I've bounced around various primers, and this one without a doubt has the best and most welcoming atmosphere.
There was some debate a few pages back about having Thoughtseize in the board. The Chord versions of the deck have the option of running Tidehollow Sculler, and while it's not as good as Thoughtseize as your opponent can get their card back, it's still a good tempo play, and if we do it the turn before we go off, it would still likely be enough to get the win. There are some situations in which it will be worse, yes, but the ability to Chord for it in your opponent's draw step is a special kind of hilarious. It's all theory crafting at the minute as I've not tested it yet, but I'll be testing it for the next couple of FNMs, I think. I'll report the results here.
I've also thought about using sculler but the thing is, you don't want to Chord for it. If I have a Chord I'd rather grab an ezuri or Shaman. Something that wins me the game on the spot. If I need protection from a wrath I'd rather chord for Selfless.
The other thing is its mana cost. Thoughtseize is better since it's less of an investement.
It's only advantage is being able to be chorded for but like I said I'd rather chord for pretty much anything else and either win the game next turn or chord for a better hate card. (Eidolon, Censor or Revoker for combo or Burrenton and Spirit for wraths).
I agree with this sentiment. I'd rather have a hatecard for what they would play and a body, than muddle my first few turns trying to play a Thoughtseize.
Quote from Larriepogi
Has anyone tested Stony Silence and RIP for sideboard cards? Do the cons of not getting hit by Coco/Chord outweigh the win pct that much? I'm kinda hitting a brick wall of which variety to play. :/
I think if you meta game is really heavy on Dredge or Affinity then go for it. Although you're relying on drawing it or having it in your opening hand, the effect it provides can shut them down just long enough for you to put your own game plan in motion. These effects stapled on creatures simply increase our chances of seeing them in post-SB games so from mathematical point of view they're better than non-creature spells.
If you really want to play the white enchantments I'd stick to a GW build. Stony Silence is a wider card that hits Tron, Ad Nauseum, and Lantern while slowing Affinity. Kataki, War's Wage will kill Affinity or Lantern unless they can immediately kill it.
This is how I break down my color choices:
G - All out aggro with Lead the Stampede
GB - Aggro with Shaman, split of Chord + Lead (worst sideboard options)
GW - Utility with Chords; has enchantments, silver bullets, and Path to Exile
Gwb - Proactive with Chords, able to respond with best list of silver bullet creatures. Plays no non-green non-creature spells because the mana base usually can't support it.
Everyone can edit so whoever contributes, please add your nickname in the comment on the document so you can be properly credited once posted
We could probably get a version, which covers the basics, posted by the end of the week and then fill out the detailed explanations as we go along. I believe Primers should be an ever evolving piece of information that grows with us and will do my best to keep it updated
I've made some edits (in orange highlight). Mostly it's a brief outline of mono green, GW, and Gwb elves. Feel free to flesh them out more, I just figured I'd get them started.
I'd like to share my experience with your list on several tournaments.
It feels awesome having bullets in the mainboard but the absolute all-star was Selfless Spirit in the main. On some occasions, I was forced to hardcast it. During those times, they were forced to kill it and hope I don't have enough to kill them.
Shaman of the Pack was also awesome. Most of my wins came from this one since I faced a lot of Ghostly Prison and Ensnaring Bridge decks.
Reclamation Sage was sometimes the perfect answer or a dead card.
I didn't side in Aven Mindcensor in any of my match-ups except for Scapeshift which I won without getting it on board anyway.
Spellskite literally did not do anything except block some creatures game 1. This was probably due to the lack of infect and burn in my meta.
Thanks for the update!
I've been loving mainboard Selfless Spirit too! A question I've been asking myself a lot lately is if Reclamation Sage and Scavenging Ooze deserve a mainboard spot. Both come out in over half of the possible matchups. Most situations where I wouldn't have Rec Sage like Ensnaring Bridge can still be solved with Shaman of the Pack. Without ScOoze, Dredge becomes harder but I usually feel good about the matchup as long as they can't hit an early Conflagrate.
Aven Mindcensor is along the same lines as Eidolon and Melira. We can win the games without them, but they can certainly make them easier. I've beaten plenty of Abzan Company decks by flashing in or Chording in Aven in response to their Chord or Evolution. Spellskite isn't always the best card, but it's easy to cast and can make infect a lot easier or eat a kill spell against GBx.
Someone has been telling me on another forum that they added an Elves of Deep Shadow instead of an Essence Warden and took out Rec Sage for a 4th Shaman. I might take out ScOoze and Rec Sage for EoDS and Shaman and see how much it affects me.
Also, what do you think your win rate is with Shaman vs Ezuri? Mine seems to be about 50/50.
so i have been running your deck online but I changed your manabase up some. Sort of a budget choice the other was I just don't see that many control decks so having cavern wasnt needed for me. The manabase (pictured below) has been working out rather well for me. I really do enjoy your list. First time playing elves. I picked it up as a fun deck on modo because i had most of the stuff and was just bored of playing knightfall and endless GB mirrors in t2. I have to say this deck is super fun and powerful
Glad you're enjoying it! The mana base looks just fine. Caverns I've just had since before the twin banning when Remand was a problem and haven't seen a reason to swap them out. The main reason I don't run Fetches is so I don't shuffle the deck as often and reset the knowledge I have of what is on the bottom of my library from CoCo. This is of course undone by Chords, but when the Leads come in I usually make some note on the backside of my life page of what I bottom.
Any notable experiences? Good or poor matchups? Missing or unnecessary mainboard or sideboard cards? Any all-stars? Mana screw/flooding? Not enough dorks (could try an Elves of Deep Shadow)?
It's so hard to get hold of RIP. Is it worth it to use 2 Scavenging Ooze in my SB instead? I feel like it's too slow for Dredge. :/
I'm testing Loaming Shaman and it does some work against Dredge. In response to Narcomoeba triggers I can Chord for Loaming and return their graveyard back to their library.
So I sleeved up your version and it is quiet strong. I just cut 1 Essence Warden and added 1 Elves of Deep Shadow Can you help me finalize my boarding- and game-plan sheet below?
Infect:
Gameplan: race them
side out: 3 Essence Warden, 1 Reclamation Sage
side in: 1 Melira, 2 Dismember, 1 Eidolon of Rhetoric
Affinity:
Gameplan: race them
side out: 1 Scavenging Ooze, 1 Shaman of the Pack, 1 Elves of Deep Shadow, 1???
side in: 1 Kataki, War's Wage, 2 Dismember, 1 Phyrexian Revoker
Jund:
Gameplan: don't overload
side out: 4 Chord of Calling, 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Shaman of the Pack, 2 Dwynen's Elite
side in: 1 Chameleon, 1 Elvish Champion, 2 Dismember, 2 Lead the Stampede, 2 Rest in Peace
Junk:
Gameplan: don't overload
side out: 4 Chord of Calling, 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Shaman of the Pack, 2 Dwynen's Elite
side in: 1 Chameleon, 1 Elvish Champion, 2 Dismember, 2 Lead the Stampede, 2 Rest in Peace
Grixis Control:
Gameplan: don't overload
side out: 4 Chord of Calling, 1 Reclamation Sage, 2 Dwynen's Elite
side in: 1 Chameleon, 2 Lead the Stampede, 2 Rest in Peace, 2 Mark of Asylum
Elves:
Gameplan: race
side out: 1 Spellskite, 1 Selfless Spirit, 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Scavenging Ooze, Shaman of the Pack
side in: 1 Aven Mindcensor, 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 2 Dismember, 1 Elvish Champion
(Elvish Champion might be a 1 sided Sword, but I can play it when i have lethal on board)
Burn:
Gameplan: race
side out: 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Scavenging Ooze, 1 Elves of Deep Shadow
side in: 2 Mark of Asylum, 1 Elvish Champion (for Naya burn)
Dredge:
Gameplan: race
side out: 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Spellskite, 1 Shaman of the Pack, 1 Chord of Calling
side in: 2 Rest in Peace, 2 Dismember
(do i want Mark of Asylum here?)
Bant Eldrazi:
Gameplan: race
side out: 1 Spellskite, 1 Scavenging Ooze, 1 Selfless Spirit, 1 Shaman of the Pack
side in: 2 Dismember, 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 1 Elvish Champion
Skred:
Gameplan: dont overcommit
side out: 4 Chord of Calling, 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Scavenging Ooze, 1 Shaman of the Pack
side in: 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 2 Dismember, 2 Mark of Asylum, 2 Lead the Stampede
Moon:
Gameplan: race
side out: 4 Chord of Calling, 1 Scavenging Ooze, 2 Shaman of the Pack
side in: 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 2 Dismember, 2 Mark of Asylum, 2 Lead the Stampede
DnT:
Gameplan: race
side out: 1 Selfless Spirit, 1 Chord of Calling
side in: 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 1 Katakis Wars Wage
Scapeshift:
Gameplan: don't overcommit
side out: 2 Chord of Calling, 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Scavenging Ooze
side in: 2 Mark of Asylum, 2 Lead the Stampede
Tron:
Gameplan: race
side out: 1 Spellskite, 1 Scavenging Ooze, 1 Essence Warden
side in: 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 2 Mark of Asylum
Ad Nauseam:
Gameplan: race
side out: 1 Spellskite, 1 Scavenging Ooze, 1 Selfless Spirit
side in: 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 1 Aven Mindcensor, 1 Eidolon of Rethoric
Abzan Company:
Gameplan: race
side out: 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Selfless Spirit, 1 Spellskite, 1 Shaman of the Pack, 1 Ezuri, Renegade Leader
side in: 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 2 Dismember, 2 Rest in Peace
Did I miss any important match ups? If so, feel free to add them
This is awesome! Very good guide and there are only a few changes I'd make.
Infect I don't bother boarding in Eidolon because I feel like they can Dismember it and kill me the next turn. I also leave in Rec Sage for the chance of hitting it off CoCo or Chording for it to blow up Inkmoth Nexus.
Gameplan: Race
Out: -3 Essence Warden
In: Melira, Sylvok Outcast, 2 Dismember
Affinity I don't board in Dismember because with the life loss I might as well leave the creature.
Out: Scavenging Ooze, Dwynen's Elite
In: Kataki, War's Wage, Phyrexian Revoker
Jund/Jund seems good
Out: 4 Chord of Calling, 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Shaman of the Pack, 2 Dwynen's Elite
In: 1 Chameleon Colossus, 1 Elvish Champion, 2 Dismember, 2 Lead the Stampede, 2 Rest in Peace
Grixis seems good
Out: 4 Chord of Calling, 1 Reclamation Sage, 2 Dwynen's Elite
In: 1 Chameleon Colossus, 2 Lead the Stampede, 2 Rest in Peace, 2 Mark of Asylum
Elves seems good; if they're playing Leads instead of Chord or Evolution then leave in Shaman and leave out Aven.
Out: 1 Spellskite, 1 Selfless Spirit, 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Scavenging Ooze, 1 Shaman of the Pack
In: 1 Aven Mindcensor, 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 2 Dismember, 1 Elvish Champion
Burn I take out a Dwynen's Elite since I don't run Elves of Deep Shadow
Out: 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Scavenging Ooze, 1 Elves of Deep Shadow/Dwynen's Elite (for Naya)
In: 2 Mark of Asylum, 1 Elvish Champion (for Naya)
Dredge I definitely bring in Mark of Asylum. Without Conflagrate and Lightning Axe the only way to stop you is Darkblast which slows them down a lot. Life is usually very tight, and I can deal with the creatures as long as I can keep a board so I don't bring in Dismember. Chameleon Colossus kills Amalgam and Bloodghast and makes a very fast clock.
Out: 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Spellskite, 2 Dwynen's Elite, 1 Shaman of the Pack
In: 2 Mark of Asylum, 2 Rest in Peace, Chameleon Colossus
Bant Eldrazi I want Spellskite to redirect Displacer's ability.
Out: 1 Dwynen's Elite, 1 Scavenging Ooze, 1 Shaman of the Pack, 1 Selfless Spirit
In: 2 Dismember, 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 1 Elvish Champion
Skred Red I would leave in Chords for Selfless Spirit
Out: Reclamation Sage, Scavenging Ooze, 1 Dwynen's Elite
In: 2 Mark of Asylum, 1 Phyrexian Revoker
Moon I like to leave in Chords and bring in Revoker depending on what I what I see game 1. There are also many variations so it depends on what kind it is.
Out: 1 Scavenging Ooze, 1 Shaman of the Pack
In: 2 Mark of Asylum
DnT I'd leave in to block a Flickerwisp if nothing else. There is also little need for Chord and Aven + Leonin Arbiter make it worse. Thalia, Heretic Cathar, Eldrazi Displacer, and Blade Splicer can also be troublesome so I like Dismember here.
Out: 1 Scavenging Ooze 4 Chord of Calling
In: 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 2 Dismember, 2 Lead the Stampede
Scapeshift Aven Mindcensor is a MUST! Mark of Asylum with Aven means the game is over. I also want Chords to get Aven or Selfless Spirit whenever possible.
Out: Scavenging Ooze, Reclamation Sage, 1 Dwynen's Elite
In: 2 Mark of Asylum, 1 Aven Mindcensor
Tron you want Aven Mindcensor for Expedition Map
Out: 1 Spellskite, 1 Scavenging Ooze, 2 Essence Warden
In: 2 Mark of Asylum, 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 1 Aven Mindcensor
Ad Nauseum I like running Kataki, War's Wage to slow them down. I know they can go off in response to the trigger. I would definitely keep in Spellskite and Selfless Spirit to protect Eidolon of Rhetoric from Slaughter Pact.
Out: 1 Scavenging Ooze, 1 Essence Warden, 2 Dwynen's Elite
In: 1 Eidolon of Rhetoric, 1 Aven Mindcensor, 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 1 Kataki, War's Wage
Abzan Company has Aven Mindcensor as another must have for their Chord of Calling. Spellskite protects our hate cards from Abrupt Decay.
Out: 4 Essence Warden, 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Shaman of the Pack
In: 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 1 Aven Mindcensor, 2 Rest in Peace, 2 Dismember
Jeskai Nahiri
Out: 4 Chord of Calling, 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Shaman of the Pack, 1 Dwynen's Elite
In: 1 Aven Mindcensor, 2 Mark of Asylum, 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 1 Eidolon of Rhetoric (Snapcaster, and tough to kill), 2 Lead the Stampede
Merfolk is a good matchup, but killing Master of Waves feels so good.
Out: Scavenging Ooze, Selfless Spirit, Dwynen's Elite
In: 2 Dismember, Phyrexian Revoker
There is a GPT this sunday and I am thinking of using your list or my own (4 CoCo and 3 Lead mainboard and 3 Eldritch Evolution and 12 Silverbullets sideboard). So do you have an updated list? Maybe some changes because of the expected Blood oon meta or did you finally get the Selfless Spirit into the list and what did you cut?
I moved Elvish Champion to the board for Selfless Spirit main. I'm pretty confident in the mainboard. I am experimenting with several cards, but haven't had enough playtesting to really cement a sideboard. However if I went to an event today this is what I'd run.
I was thinking about using this as my mana base for Abzan. What do you guys think (I'm kinda on the budget and I can't run more than one Cavern or any of the Horizons):
It seems like it should be fine for most cases, but it is hard to judge any manabase without a decklist, and a deck without a manabase. They must be built together (including the sideboard) to get a good picture. In general, Caverns can be substituted with Blooming Marsh (assuming you have 4 Gilt-Leaf) and Horizon Canopy with Brushland.
How many white sources I need to cast the white cards from sideboard ?
That is honestly a lot more complicated of a question than it seems. It depends on how many sideboard cards, what kinds of cards, how consistently you want to cast them from hand, and starting on what turn.
For example, if you play 1-2 white creatures in your board and you bring them with the Chord package, then you don't need many white sources because the chances of drawing them are low and you will usually just Chord for them when you need them.
If however, you are playing several RiP and you want to consistently draw and play them turn 2, then you will need significantly more white sources.
I feel that if I answered that question without more information it could be detrimental to your decks consistency. In order to determine how many white sources you need, build your board and post it here and I, or someone else, may be able to give you a better answer to that question.
Personally, I really like these in-depth analysis of yours. Makes follow-up questions almost unnecessary. I'm really interested in taking your list out for a spin but I only have 2 Essence Warden right now and I don't have Horizon Canopy. Maybe I'll try to borrow some or use a mix of Winswept Heaths and Temple Gardens. Any tips for competing in huge tournaments?
Assume you can win every match, and you're just playing until you do it. Build that confidence that there are easy matches and tough matches, but there is no such thing as an unwinnable match. Goldfish and playtest with others to where you know the sequencing so well you don't have to think hard about it, and can focus on more complex gameplay.
Once the match has started, identify what they're playing as soon as possible. The sooner you identify what your opponent is doing, the sooner you can decide on your game plan. If your opponent plays breeding pool they're most likely on infect, Inquistion means BGx, and Temple of Deceit means Ad Nauseum. Develop a gameplan for each of these matchups. Some decks you race, others you grind, others you have to stop them from killing you first. Once you understand which role you need to play you can be much more effective.
If you have access to fetches it shouldn't be difficult to run Sunpetal Grove. Maybe 2 Sunpetal Grove, 2 Temple Garden, 4 Razorverge Thicket, 6 Green Fetches, and 4 forests. I haven't tested it in any way, but it's an idea.
4 Elvish Mystic
4 Llanowar Elves
4 Heritage Druid
1 Elves of Deep Shadow
3 Essence Warden
2 Narnam Renegade
4 Dwynen's Elite
1 Selfless Spirit
4 Elvish Archdruid
4 Shaman of the Pack
3 Ezuri, Renegade Leader
4 Collected Company
4 Chord of Calling
Lands (18)
4 Horizon Canopy
4 Gilt-Leaf Palace
4 Cavern of Souls
2 Razorverge Thicket
1 Blooming Marsh
1 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
2 Forest
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Spellskite
1 Kataki, War's Wage
1 Melira, Sylvok Outcast
1 Phyrexian Revoker
1 Elvish Champion
1 Reclamation Sage
1 Eidolon of Rhetoric
1 Aven Mindcensor
1 Chameleon Colossus
3 Lead the Stampede
2 Dismember
This is the list I'm going to be trying with the release of Aether Revolt. It seems super greedy to me with almost no mainboard responses, but I'm not sure what I need main after the new bannings. I don't usually play a fourth Shaman, but I'm going to try it out.
Anybody have some good insight into the upcoming meta?
Any questions or comments or advice for this list?
P.S. The new primer turned out well.
0+1 counter = 1 counter, each elf would get a +1/+1 counter.
I think it's still in the "cute" category, but there are starting to be more options for counters based elves.
I agree with this sentiment. I'd rather have a hatecard for what they would play and a body, than muddle my first few turns trying to play a Thoughtseize.
If you really want to play the white enchantments I'd stick to a GW build. Stony Silence is a wider card that hits Tron, Ad Nauseum, and Lantern while slowing Affinity. Kataki, War's Wage will kill Affinity or Lantern unless they can immediately kill it.
This is how I break down my color choices:
G - All out aggro with Lead the Stampede
GB - Aggro with Shaman, split of Chord + Lead (worst sideboard options)
GW - Utility with Chords; has enchantments, silver bullets, and Path to Exile
Gwb - Proactive with Chords, able to respond with best list of silver bullet creatures. Plays no non-green non-creature spells because the mana base usually can't support it.
I've made some edits (in orange highlight). Mostly it's a brief outline of mono green, GW, and Gwb elves. Feel free to flesh them out more, I just figured I'd get them started.
Thanks for the update!
I've been loving mainboard Selfless Spirit too! A question I've been asking myself a lot lately is if Reclamation Sage and Scavenging Ooze deserve a mainboard spot. Both come out in over half of the possible matchups. Most situations where I wouldn't have Rec Sage like Ensnaring Bridge can still be solved with Shaman of the Pack. Without ScOoze, Dredge becomes harder but I usually feel good about the matchup as long as they can't hit an early Conflagrate.
Aven Mindcensor is along the same lines as Eidolon and Melira. We can win the games without them, but they can certainly make them easier. I've beaten plenty of Abzan Company decks by flashing in or Chording in Aven in response to their Chord or Evolution. Spellskite isn't always the best card, but it's easy to cast and can make infect a lot easier or eat a kill spell against GBx.
Someone has been telling me on another forum that they added an Elves of Deep Shadow instead of an Essence Warden and took out Rec Sage for a 4th Shaman. I might take out ScOoze and Rec Sage for EoDS and Shaman and see how much it affects me.
Also, what do you think your win rate is with Shaman vs Ezuri? Mine seems to be about 50/50.
Glad you're enjoying it! The mana base looks just fine. Caverns I've just had since before the twin banning when Remand was a problem and haven't seen a reason to swap them out. The main reason I don't run Fetches is so I don't shuffle the deck as often and reset the knowledge I have of what is on the bottom of my library from CoCo. This is of course undone by Chords, but when the Leads come in I usually make some note on the backside of my life page of what I bottom.
Any notable experiences? Good or poor matchups? Missing or unnecessary mainboard or sideboard cards? Any all-stars? Mana screw/flooding? Not enough dorks (could try an Elves of Deep Shadow)?
I'm testing Loaming Shaman and it does some work against Dredge. In response to Narcomoeba triggers I can Chord for Loaming and return their graveyard back to their library.
This is awesome! Very good guide and there are only a few changes I'd make.
Infect I don't bother boarding in Eidolon because I feel like they can Dismember it and kill me the next turn. I also leave in Rec Sage for the chance of hitting it off CoCo or Chording for it to blow up Inkmoth Nexus.
Gameplan: Race
Out: -3 Essence Warden
In: Melira, Sylvok Outcast, 2 Dismember
Affinity I don't board in Dismember because with the life loss I might as well leave the creature.
Out: Scavenging Ooze, Dwynen's Elite
In: Kataki, War's Wage, Phyrexian Revoker
Jund/Jund seems good
Out: 4 Chord of Calling, 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Shaman of the Pack, 2 Dwynen's Elite
In: 1 Chameleon Colossus, 1 Elvish Champion, 2 Dismember, 2 Lead the Stampede, 2 Rest in Peace
Grixis seems good
Out: 4 Chord of Calling, 1 Reclamation Sage, 2 Dwynen's Elite
In: 1 Chameleon Colossus, 2 Lead the Stampede, 2 Rest in Peace, 2 Mark of Asylum
Elves seems good; if they're playing Leads instead of Chord or Evolution then leave in Shaman and leave out Aven.
Out: 1 Spellskite, 1 Selfless Spirit, 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Scavenging Ooze, 1 Shaman of the Pack
In: 1 Aven Mindcensor, 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 2 Dismember, 1 Elvish Champion
Burn I take out a Dwynen's Elite since I don't run Elves of Deep Shadow
Out: 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Scavenging Ooze, 1 Elves of Deep Shadow/Dwynen's Elite (for Naya)
In: 2 Mark of Asylum, 1 Elvish Champion (for Naya)
Dredge I definitely bring in Mark of Asylum. Without Conflagrate and Lightning Axe the only way to stop you is Darkblast which slows them down a lot. Life is usually very tight, and I can deal with the creatures as long as I can keep a board so I don't bring in Dismember. Chameleon Colossus kills Amalgam and Bloodghast and makes a very fast clock.
Out: 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Spellskite, 2 Dwynen's Elite, 1 Shaman of the Pack
In: 2 Mark of Asylum, 2 Rest in Peace, Chameleon Colossus
Bant Eldrazi I want Spellskite to redirect Displacer's ability.
Out: 1 Dwynen's Elite, 1 Scavenging Ooze, 1 Shaman of the Pack, 1 Selfless Spirit
In: 2 Dismember, 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 1 Elvish Champion
Skred Red I would leave in Chords for Selfless Spirit
Out: Reclamation Sage, Scavenging Ooze, 1 Dwynen's Elite
In: 2 Mark of Asylum, 1 Phyrexian Revoker
Moon I like to leave in Chords and bring in Revoker depending on what I what I see game 1. There are also many variations so it depends on what kind it is.
Out: 1 Scavenging Ooze, 1 Shaman of the Pack
In: 2 Mark of Asylum
DnT I'd leave in to block a Flickerwisp if nothing else. There is also little need for Chord and Aven + Leonin Arbiter make it worse. Thalia, Heretic Cathar, Eldrazi Displacer, and Blade Splicer can also be troublesome so I like Dismember here.
Out: 1 Scavenging Ooze 4 Chord of Calling
In: 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 2 Dismember, 2 Lead the Stampede
Scapeshift Aven Mindcensor is a MUST! Mark of Asylum with Aven means the game is over. I also want Chords to get Aven or Selfless Spirit whenever possible.
Out: Scavenging Ooze, Reclamation Sage, 1 Dwynen's Elite
In: 2 Mark of Asylum, 1 Aven Mindcensor
Tron you want Aven Mindcensor for Expedition Map
Out: 1 Spellskite, 1 Scavenging Ooze, 2 Essence Warden
In: 2 Mark of Asylum, 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 1 Aven Mindcensor
Ad Nauseum I like running Kataki, War's Wage to slow them down. I know they can go off in response to the trigger. I would definitely keep in Spellskite and Selfless Spirit to protect Eidolon of Rhetoric from Slaughter Pact.
Out: 1 Scavenging Ooze, 1 Essence Warden, 2 Dwynen's Elite
In: 1 Eidolon of Rhetoric, 1 Aven Mindcensor, 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 1 Kataki, War's Wage
Death's Shadow seems good
Out: 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Scavenging Ooze, 1 Selfless Spirit
In: 2 Dismember, 1 Chameleon Colossus
Abzan Company has Aven Mindcensor as another must have for their Chord of Calling. Spellskite protects our hate cards from Abrupt Decay.
Out: 4 Essence Warden, 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Shaman of the Pack
In: 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 1 Aven Mindcensor, 2 Rest in Peace, 2 Dismember
Other matchups
Kiki Chord
Out: 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Scavenging Ooze, 2 Essence Warden, 1 Dwynen's Elite
In: 1 Aven Mindcensor, 1 Elvish Champion, 2 Dismember, 1 Phyrexian Revoker
Jeskai Nahiri
Out: 4 Chord of Calling, 1 Reclamation Sage, 1 Shaman of the Pack, 1 Dwynen's Elite
In: 1 Aven Mindcensor, 2 Mark of Asylum, 1 Phyrexian Revoker, 1 Eidolon of Rhetoric (Snapcaster, and tough to kill), 2 Lead the Stampede
Merfolk is a good matchup, but killing Master of Waves feels so good.
Out: Scavenging Ooze, Selfless Spirit, Dwynen's Elite
In: 2 Dismember, Phyrexian Revoker
Naya Zoo
Out: 1 Scavenging Ooze, 1 Reclamation Sage
In: 1 Elvish Champion, 1 Chameleon Colossus
4 Elvish Mystic
4 Llanowar Elves
4 Heritage Druid
4 Essence Warden
4 Dwynen's Elite
4 Elvish Archdruid
3 Ezuri, Renegade Leader
3 Shaman of the Pack
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Spellsksite
1 Selfless Spirit
1 Reclamation Sage
4 Collected Company
4 Chord of Calling
Lands (18):
4 Cavern of Souls
4 Horizon Canopy
4 Razorverge Thicket
3 Gilt-Leaf Palace
2 Forest
1 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
1 Aven Mindcensor
1 Chameleon Colossus
1 Eidolon of Rhetoric
1 Elvish Champion
1 Kataki, War's Wage
1 Melira, Sylvok Outcast
1 Phyrexian Revoker
2 Dismember
2 Mark of Asylum
2 Rest in Peace
2 Lead the Stampede
If you're curious this is some of what I'm experimenting with:
1 Aven Mindcensor
1 Chameleon Colossus
1 Eidolon of Rhetoric
1 Elvish Champion
1 Kataki, War's Wage
1 Melira, Sylvok Outcast
1 Phyrexian Revoker
2 Dismember
2 Rest in Peace
1 Loaming Shaman
2 Stony Silence
1 Thalia, Heretic Cathar
2 Lead the Stampede
2 Mark of Asylum
1 Spirit of the Labyrinth
1 Qasali Pridemage
It seems like it should be fine for most cases, but it is hard to judge any manabase without a decklist, and a deck without a manabase. They must be built together (including the sideboard) to get a good picture. In general, Caverns can be substituted with Blooming Marsh (assuming you have 4 Gilt-Leaf) and Horizon Canopy with Brushland.
That is honestly a lot more complicated of a question than it seems. It depends on how many sideboard cards, what kinds of cards, how consistently you want to cast them from hand, and starting on what turn.
For example, if you play 1-2 white creatures in your board and you bring them with the Chord package, then you don't need many white sources because the chances of drawing them are low and you will usually just Chord for them when you need them.
If however, you are playing several RiP and you want to consistently draw and play them turn 2, then you will need significantly more white sources.
I feel that if I answered that question without more information it could be detrimental to your decks consistency. In order to determine how many white sources you need, build your board and post it here and I, or someone else, may be able to give you a better answer to that question.
Brushland can be used instead of Horizon Canopy. The downside is it can't draw you a card, but it can tap for painless mana.
Assume you can win every match, and you're just playing until you do it. Build that confidence that there are easy matches and tough matches, but there is no such thing as an unwinnable match. Goldfish and playtest with others to where you know the sequencing so well you don't have to think hard about it, and can focus on more complex gameplay.
Once the match has started, identify what they're playing as soon as possible. The sooner you identify what your opponent is doing, the sooner you can decide on your game plan. If your opponent plays breeding pool they're most likely on infect, Inquistion means BGx, and Temple of Deceit means Ad Nauseum. Develop a gameplan for each of these matchups. Some decks you race, others you grind, others you have to stop them from killing you first. Once you understand which role you need to play you can be much more effective.
If you have access to fetches it shouldn't be difficult to run Sunpetal Grove. Maybe 2 Sunpetal Grove, 2 Temple Garden, 4 Razorverge Thicket, 6 Green Fetches, and 4 forests. I haven't tested it in any way, but it's an idea.