Here are my thoughts on all of the main cards that mono green players consider. I don't really have to get into the obvious cards, do I? So let me skip those:
Arbor Colossus
- You HAVE to at least have it in your sideboard to deal with Stormbreath Dragon,
Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
, Wingmate Roc and stuff like that. I just recently kicked out 2 Hydra Broodmasters to main deck 2 of these instead. It had to be done. It only costs 5, gives 3 devotion and the monstrous ability is great. You can easily play it 4th turn.
Genesis Hydra
- I love it, but to me it's not a 4 of card. I did just recently bump it from 2 to 3 though, because it's obviously amazing.
Hooded Hydra - I knew it was good, but I just fell in love with it this weekend. It forces your opponent to exile it, otherwise, well, they're in trouble. I just added 2 of these into my main deck.
Hornet Nest - I love this card and I felt that I needed just 1 in my main. It can stop opponents dead in their tracks. Surprising someone by Chording for it during the declare blockers phase is a great trick. You can easily sideboard it out if you don't need it too.
Paragon of Eternal Wilds
- My friend convinced me of the worth of this guy a couple of days ago. He just makes Sylvan Caryatid and Courser of Kruphix even more capable blockers. Especially Courser because he can then deal with Siege Rhino. Trust me. You want to be ready for Siege Rhino. And sometimes all you need to do is give one creature Trample to get through and own your opponent or kill a Planeswalker.
Chord of Calling - This is one of those "obvious cards" I referred to, but I still wanted to mention it to say that it's not a 4 of card in my eyes. It's excellent of course, but I felt I was holding two of them in my hand early on in games way too often.
Mistcutter Hydra - He's helped me win quite a few games. The haste is a REAL killer, let me tell you. I recently had 3 (!) in my main deck, but remember how I said I added 1
Genesis Hydra
and 2 Hooded Hydras earlier? Well removing this guy is how I made room for them. The other 2 Hydras are generally more useful. Of course I'm still going to have at least 3 Mistcutter Hydras in my sideboard. I'll never forget him. ;)
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Sideboard:
Hornet Nest - You need it against aggro decks, duh. It stops them dead in their tracks and buys you time.
Kalonian Twingrove
- I thought this card sucked at first, but now I'm wondering why everyone doesn't love it. My biggest fear is having my whole board wiped out via End Hostilities and its various brethren. But playing this next turn and having (at worst) 2 5/5s for your opponent to deal with sounds pretty damn nice to me.
Mistcutter Hydra - No explanation needed, right?
Nylea's Disciple - I didn't think I'd EVER consider using this card anywhere in my 75, but the same friend that put me on to
Paragon of Eternal Wilds
put me on to this. It's nice against aggro decks. It gains you life and it gives you another body to block with. And those are just the two things you need to weather the storm for a couple of turns against aggro to stabilize yourself and turn the tables on them.
Phyrexian Revoker - It's excellent against Planeswalkers. This past week I froze someone with it by naming Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver and I even attacked with it for a least a total of 10 damage. At worst, your opponent will have to waste a removal card for it. That's a pretty good one-for-one trade to me.
Reclamation Sage - F*** you, Banishing Light!
Scuttling Doom Engine - It's an absolute MUST for dealing with Elspeth and other Planeswalkers and removal in general.
Soul of New Phyrexia - Great against sweepers and even works well in your graveyard. I can't wait to use this card. He really forces your opponent to deal with him ASAP.
Worst Fears
- Having this card in my sideboard really goes against my nature. I'm usually very pragmatic, but the idea of using it is too fun. Let's be honest though: It's not TERRIBLE. I could easily play it on like my 6th turn. This card ALMOST could read "You win the game."
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Cards that I just don't think are good enough to use:
Hydra Broodmaster - I LOVE this card, but it HAD to get the boot. Yes, your opponent has to deal with it immediately before you monstrous it, but by the time that time comes, you should already be in a strong position.
Heroes' Bane - It's a great place to dump ALL of your extra mana, but who cares if it becomes a 128/128. It can easily be chump blocked or removed. There are better cards to help you.
Reverent Hunter
- I have no idea why anyone uses this card. It's beyond overrated. It's nothing special at all and there are many other cards that are more deserving of a spot in your deck.
Terra Stomper
- Another guy that I love. I've played him 5th turn before and beat the CRAP out of people. AND he gives you 3 devotion. But he's a bit too cumbersome.
