Hmm, I feel like a single Shaper's Sanctuary isn't enough. It's useful in the early stages of the game so you'd want to draw into it as early as possible. Maybe cut the lead? Or cut the Sanctuary and go with Leads instead.
You are overpreparing vs artifacts.take Affinity for example, you would want 2 Stony, 2 Rec Sage, Paths and Kataki. You never want to sideboard that much. You can cut a Stony since Kataki works just as well and is Chordable. 2 Rec Sage is a bit much for me. If you do this, you get two extra sideboard slots. This can go to Ooze or Finks for your lifegain.
If you still go with Ooze mainboard, one RIP is enough I think. The other slot can go to a big beater like Sigarda or Chameleon Colossus.
You would really want Ezuri vs Mirror Entity. I get that they are essentially the same but the trample does matter a lot when going off.
Lastly, I really don't feel Aven Mindcensor to be good in the match-ups that it's brought in. Maybe I'm not playing it right?
How many Caverns would you guys recommend? I see some lists run 2, some run 3, and others run 4. I suppose the deck is still playable without the Caverns, but would be at a huge disadvantage vs blue?
Blue-based decks aren't really the problem since they would most likely save their counters for Cocos and Chords. Caverns are for Chalice, especially those with SSG. Without Caverns, turn 1 chalice for 1 is backbreaking for us.
Question regarding Lantern MU since I have ZERO experience vs that deck: why would we board out Archdruids?
@ralstn
Checked out your sideboard guide. Seems like everything checks out. I recommend looking into Sigarda, Host of Herons rather than Tajuru Preserver. Although it is easier to Chord for and is Coco-able, Sigarda seems a lot better against a variety of decks. BGx, UWx, Tron, fringe decks that can attack through the air. It's also an awesome beater against fair or go-wide decks.
I currently run Spellskite and Scavenging Ooze mainboard. Thinking of just cutting the Ooze all together but my sideboard is pretty fine-tuned already with it on the main. It's GY hate, life gain, and threat all in one. Absolute nuts against a lot of decks. Spellskite protects the combo if need be. I've had a lot of free wins just because of this guy. I wouldn't worry about it too much though. That's what our flex spots are for.
Not a fan of the mainboard Revoker. I can see it being great in some match-ups but there are times that it's a dead card.
Going with Leylines instead of Paths is a meta call IMO. If you have lots of Storm, BGx, and Burn decks in your meta then sure but Paths are good against Death's Shadow, Eldrazi, DnT, CoCo decks, Merfolk, and a whole lot of other decks so you should take that into account.
I'm having second thoughts on Shaper's Sanctuary mainly because I haven't really tested it that much. I really think it is better than Lead the Stampede given the chance. Though I feel like Leads are better topdecks and can help us recover from a well-timed board wipe or hands with lots of tempo cards like electrolyzes and bolts.
I need your thoughts on my sideboard. Stock GW lists with Ooze and Spellskite MD, fairly regular meta. Expecting lots of Storm, GDS, ETron and fair/grindy/value decks.
playing Elves now for about a year, i am glad to share my experience with you.
I think the pure G/W List is too prone against removal. If they disrupt your Combo you are just out of cards, if you play with chord.
Playing GB with Shaman and Lead for the last couple of Tournaments it felt just better in grind out your opponents and have another good wincon alongside Ezuri. I rly dont wanna Cut Shaman entirely, even in the combo List.
Shaper´s Sanctury is defefinitly a great Sideboard Card and a must have i think!
I agree on the GW version being prone to removal. However, it fights on two different axes. One is trying to assemble the combo and the second is by traditional beatdown. The deck is designed to outrace other linear decks while still having enough gas to survive a grindy match-up. Plus, you're forgetting how great the sideboard can be when you're on white. I do still think GB is strong and I think it's a better deck when you're fighting through a meta full of control/midrange decks. I think the two decks are very competitive right now, it's just a matter of how you read the meta.
Shaper's Sanctuary is definitely a house and makes your opponents wanna pull their hair out. Kill my dork? Sure, but not before I draw another.
Mind sharing your current list?
I'm also in the process of foiling my deck but it's a slow and painful process as I'm still a student. How do you keep your deck from warping? Especially the Gateway Promo Llanowar Elves.
What do we think of cutting a land from 18 lands to 17 lands and going up to 12 mana dorks?
My reasoning for this is that having 1 or 2 mana dorks in opener is absolutely CRUCIAL to having a keepable hand.
Mana dorks 9-12 can be any number of Boreal Druids / Elves of Deep Shadow (I want to try a 2/2 split to mitigate hurting myself too often)
Thoughts?
What would you take out in place of the 3 dorks you're adding? I think it's interesting but it's very difficult to cut some stuff especially with our deck having 50 or more cards that are crucial.
In GB builds, what do you guys think about swapping out the 4 Chord of Callings for 2 Lead the Stampede, 1 Throne of the God Pharoh and 1 Growing Rites of Itlimoc?
Game 1 I think you should be as fast as you can and Leads, Thrones and Itlimoc does not help. I highly suggest running 3-4 Chords and 1-2 Leads or Rites/Throne. If you really want to run 3 Chords 1 Lead and 1 Itlimoc or Throne
You are overpreparing vs artifacts.take Affinity for example, you would want 2 Stony, 2 Rec Sage, Paths and Kataki. You never want to sideboard that much. You can cut a Stony since Kataki works just as well and is Chordable. 2 Rec Sage is a bit much for me. If you do this, you get two extra sideboard slots. This can go to Ooze or Finks for your lifegain.
If you still go with Ooze mainboard, one RIP is enough I think. The other slot can go to a big beater like Sigarda or Chameleon Colossus.
You would really want Ezuri vs Mirror Entity. I get that they are essentially the same but the trample does matter a lot when going off.
Lastly, I really don't feel Aven Mindcensor to be good in the match-ups that it's brought in. Maybe I'm not playing it right?
Blue-based decks aren't really the problem since they would most likely save their counters for Cocos and Chords. Caverns are for Chalice, especially those with SSG. Without Caverns, turn 1 chalice for 1 is backbreaking for us.
Haven't touched this for a while. Here's what I am currently working with:
Shaper's may be changed to Leads and number of Paths is flexible.
@ralstn
Checked out your sideboard guide. Seems like everything checks out. I recommend looking into Sigarda, Host of Herons rather than Tajuru Preserver. Although it is easier to Chord for and is Coco-able, Sigarda seems a lot better against a variety of decks. BGx, UWx, Tron, fringe decks that can attack through the air. It's also an awesome beater against fair or go-wide decks.
I currently run Spellskite and Scavenging Ooze mainboard. Thinking of just cutting the Ooze all together but my sideboard is pretty fine-tuned already with it on the main. It's GY hate, life gain, and threat all in one. Absolute nuts against a lot of decks. Spellskite protects the combo if need be. I've had a lot of free wins just because of this guy. I wouldn't worry about it too much though. That's what our flex spots are for.
Not a fan of the mainboard Revoker. I can see it being great in some match-ups but there are times that it's a dead card.
Going with Leylines instead of Paths is a meta call IMO. If you have lots of Storm, BGx, and Burn decks in your meta then sure but Paths are good against Death's Shadow, Eldrazi, DnT, CoCo decks, Merfolk, and a whole lot of other decks so you should take that into account.
I'm having second thoughts on Shaper's Sanctuary mainly because I haven't really tested it that much. I really think it is better than Lead the Stampede given the chance. Though I feel like Leads are better topdecks and can help us recover from a well-timed board wipe or hands with lots of tempo cards like electrolyzes and bolts.
Good luck and please post your results on here.
http://mtgtop8.com/event?e=17288&d=306898&f=MO
EDIT: Forgot the link
Thinking of putting in a single Sigarda, Host of Herons in place of BFT or Mindcensor.
EDIT: I think 2 Sanctuaries are enough. They suck when you're topdecking. Maybe take them out for Kitchen Finks?
I agree on the GW version being prone to removal. However, it fights on two different axes. One is trying to assemble the combo and the second is by traditional beatdown. The deck is designed to outrace other linear decks while still having enough gas to survive a grindy match-up. Plus, you're forgetting how great the sideboard can be when you're on white. I do still think GB is strong and I think it's a better deck when you're fighting through a meta full of control/midrange decks. I think the two decks are very competitive right now, it's just a matter of how you read the meta.
Shaper's Sanctuary is definitely a house and makes your opponents wanna pull their hair out. Kill my dork? Sure, but not before I draw another.
Congratulations! I see you still prefer Essence Wardens over Nettle Sentinels. How has the double Vizier performed for you?
Mind sharing your current list?
I'm also in the process of foiling my deck but it's a slow and painful process as I'm still a student. How do you keep your deck from warping? Especially the Gateway Promo Llanowar Elves.
What would you take out in place of the 3 dorks you're adding? I think it's interesting but it's very difficult to cut some stuff especially with our deck having 50 or more cards that are crucial.
Game 1 I think you should be as fast as you can and Leads, Thrones and Itlimoc does not help. I highly suggest running 3-4 Chords and 1-2 Leads or Rites/Throne. If you really want to run 3 Chords 1 Lead and 1 Itlimoc or Throne
Edited. It was 3 Nettle Sentinel and 4 Heritage Druid. 34 creatures, 8 spells and 18 lands. Thanks!