GB Elves

[Scytale]

So, just an idea i was pondering. Elves was good during Lorwyn standard, so should at least be reasonable now - did it have a good matchup against fairies? I'm assuming ther combination of colossus + disruption + instant speed ways of dealing with clique + mass token removal + aggressive cheap guys means that it's got a decent enough game. Also means i can play 12goyf (goyf, leech, vanquisher). So the cards i am looking at to possibly include (and a load of these are probably sideboard only) - obviously if i've missed anything or have any thoughts on the deck please do say (Dan, i'm looking at you ):

Tarmogoyf
Putrid Leech
Wren's Run Vanquisher
Llanowar Elves
Scattershot Archer
Kitchen Finks
Civic Wayfinder
Elvish Archdruid
Imperious Perfect
Great Sable Stag
Wilt-Leaf Liege
Chameleon Colossus
Shriekmaw
Tombstalker
Cloudthresher

Thoughtsieze
Inquisition of Kozilek
Duress
Maelstrom Pulse
Nameless Inversion
Eyeblight's Ending
Doom Blade
Infest
Damnation
Profane Command
Primal Command
Bitterblossom
Slaughter Pact
Garruk

Treetop Village
Mutavault
Verdant Catacombs
Gilt-Leaf Palace
Twilight Mire
Llanowar Wastes
Pendelhaven

So this is a first draft of a list:

4 Tarmogoyf
4 Putrid Leech
4 Wren's Run Vanquisher
4 Llanowar Elves
3 Kitchen Finks
2 Wilt-Leaf Liege
2 Chameleon Colossus

3 Thoughtsieze
3 Maelstrom Pulse
2 Nameless Inversion
3 Eyeblight's Ending
2 Profane Command

24 Land

Sideboard:
1 Thoughtsieze
1 Kitchen Finks
1-2 Profane Command
2-3 Damnation
4 Great Sable Stag
X Other Stuff

Including the vanquishers, this has 17 Elves in - is that enough for vanquisher and the palace?

[Blood Angel]

The only thing that I'm convinced by is only playing 2 Leige.. I'd be inclined to play 4 or at least replace Colossus with Vengvine or the new 4/4 gain 4 life guy.

[Scytale]

Don't think Vengevine is the right fit in this deck. You're very rarely going to be playing 2 dudes a turn to be recurring them. Think colossus and liege are both better 4 drops - and they are both elves, which is important. And i think the baloth is probably fine for standard, but really, it's no finks. Also, colossus is awesome. And swings past fairie tokens all day long. Maybe there is too much removal, so i can drop some inversions/endings for more lieges/colossi.

[Blood Angel]

Fair enough. I'd probably drop the Inversions to add either 2 more leige or 1 eachof leige and Cols. Have you thought about Primal Command somewhere in deck/board?

I see that it is in your list of cards to be considered, but the ability to gain 7 or search and shuffle would be something that I'd definately look to include in the deck...

[eisenhorn]

So, just an idea i was pondering. Elves was good during Lorwyn standard, so should at least be reasonable now - did it have a good matchup against fairies?

Pre board Colossus is really powerful, though its not the holy grail. Post board Stag will go along way to killing them. Id have 3 colossus maindeck and id board some primal command's to kill off my Red deck match. I think the match-up is close, depends how many power cards like colossus and stag you draw compared to there draw.

[Scytale]

So, just an idea i was pondering. Elves was good during Lorwyn standard, so should at least be reasonable now - did it have a good matchup against fairies?

Pre board Colossus is really powerful, though its not the holy grail. Post board Stag will go along way to killing them. Id have 3 colossus maindeck and id board some primal command's to kill off my Red deck match. I think the match-up is close, depends how many power cards like colossus and stag you draw compared to there draw.

So as usual with B/G Elves, a 50/50 matchup that'll be decided by playskill and draws. Thats good enough for me.

[Hellequin]

Do you really need 4 stags AND 2 collosi against faeries?

[eisenhorn]

Do you really need 4 stags AND 2 collosi against faeries?

Hmm, true, I think he needs another colossus maindeck.

[Blood Angel]

Do you really need 4 stags AND 2 collosi against faeries?

Don't forget that the Stags have pro Blue as well so they stop bouncing shennigans from Cryptic Command so you can always have a beater on the board.

[eisenhorn]

Just a note though, faeries does have an answer to stag in Razormane Masticore, which could be an interesting sideboard choice.

[Scytale]

Seems a trifle slow. I think fae would rather splash red for firespout, no?

[eisenhorn]

I remembered PVDDR once played it in TS-L standard and boarded it in against decks such as elves so its not out of the question, its also a 5/5, which is not bad.

[Zanshin]

Elves was heavily about the man lands IIRC.

You defintely want Muta Vaults, and maybe.

Perfect is the best lord in a vaccuum, but sucks vs red. Archdruid is better if you are playing elf ball (or elf/command). Champion only really good vs green decks that do not have hardly any elves. The Liege was great in standard as well.

Creature wise

Llanowar
Vanquisher
Tarmogoyf

Are 4 ofs, everything else is all about the metagame. Colossus/Finks/Stag/Wayfinder/Putrid Leach were standard staples and stag made fairies a match in your favour. The It might be worth splashing red for Bloodbraid/Blightning/Lightning Bolt. Thoughtseize was crucial in control but sucked vs red.

16 elves are needed to make the Vanquisher work with some consistency (plus Gilt leaf palace). Sometimes you will hold back a llanowar and make treetop turn 1 so you can play the turn 2 Vanquisher

Inversion probably better than eyeblights ending most of the time.

Another option is Doran/elf beatdown. Is there still a blood moon in the new extended?