At the moment I'm starting to find that I can often only attack with one Ally per turn, so Ankle Shanker might be tricky to get the best out of.

I'm also trying to end up with as many Allies as possible, to make the most of Munda, Ambush Leader.

I would also need to remove Allies that are giving buffs to make way for Ankle Shanker.

It's an interesting suggestion, but I don't feel it quite fits this deck. It would go well with a "Rrrrrraaaaawwwwwrrrrr Goblin Rabblemaster Goblins CHAAAAARGE" kind of set up.

I'll take another look at Firemantle Mage, although I am VERY reluctant to give up my Lifelink.

It lets me absorb damage and if my Opponent is attacking there are less blockers for me to contend with next turn.

I do take your point about aggro, though.

OK this has convinced me to sub Firemantle Mage for Lantern Scout: "The best thing for a deck like this is evasion and protecting your field"

I like that reasoning. Let's see how it tests. Damn I wish there were some Eldrazi decks being thrown up at the moment that I could test head-to-head with.

If anyone one sees one, please link me.

Argeaux, both Firemantle Mage and Lantern Scout are good allies. You should run them both. I would main deck Firemantle as he more powerful and sideboard Scout. Bring Scout in vs aggro matchups such as Mono Red where lifelink is a very important to have. You don't necessarily need Scout in all matchups where as Firemantle is just always good as long as you have other creatures on the battlefield.

Lol it was already in the sideboard.

Ah no, I stuck Lantern Scout in the Sideboard when I moved Firemantle Mage in.

I do that sometimes when I'm not sure about where to make a final cut.

Removed Valorous Stance from the Sideboard for Lantern Scout.

A little bit nervous about that decision as Valorous Stance was there to take care of big Eldrazi, or protect a key Ally.

Would there have been a better card to swap out?

Argeaux, Valorous Stance is too good of a removal spell to be cut.

Cheap instant removal is at a premium now and Stance is both of these. Stance is probably better than Feat of Resistance in this deck because it can both protect your creatures and/or be a 2 mana removal spell for big dudes clogging the battlefield like Siege Rhino and Woodland Wanderer.

Here's what I've now decided.

I'm going to try both those Allies in the Mainboard, swapping Lantern Scout for Resolute Blademaster (who will be waiting in the Sideboard wings for the moment).

That will get a lower curve happening and make things a bit more aggressive, while still allowing me some defense.

I can then also return Valorous Stance to the Sideboard.

There's no way I'm taking Feat of Resistance out of this deck.

It's crucial to give me the option to ease damage through for a final whack, or to trigger Sword of the Animist while potentially saving my Creature.

I think we posted about it at almost the same time, to be fair.

Argeaux, I definitely agree with you, keeping your curve low is the way to go. In fact, I wouldn't play anything higher than a 4 casting cost other than 1 or 2 March from the Tomb which means having both Gideon, Ally of Zendikar and Retreat to Emeria as your high end.

Keeping your curve low and maxing out on all 1 drops, 2 drops allies with both Drana, Liberator of Malakir and Firemantle Mage as your three drops allows you to play many more allies which in turn makes Firemantle's ability much better.

My local meta is stuffed full of Ugin, the Spirit Dragon.

I also have no draw in this deck, and don't wish to take out any non-creature spells to add it.

For that reason the big Colourless Eldrazi, and other larger Creatures I have, will remain.

You'd be surprised how fast this deck ramps with Sword of the Animist in play.

Argeaux, why are you choosing to play Sword of the Animist in this deck? I get that it helps the Landfall of Retreat to Emeria, but that is all it does. If you don't have a Retreat on the battlefield how is Sword good in this deck? I could see playing 3x Sword if you were combining cheap Landfall creatures with allies, but even that seems like a bad plan. Why are you trying to add ramp with allies? It really isn't needed. If you really want to add ramp it would be better to just play green and play allies that can create mana for you and also trigger ally abilities at the same time like Beastcaller Savant.

At no stage did I say that I wish to play an aggro deck. I don't. Frankly, I'm tired of them.

This is definitely a mid range deck.

Land acceleration is not essential for it to win, but it does bring some nice bonuses.

Thanks for your comments. I will keep them under consideration, but I think I have this from here.

I was brainstorming this exact same colors for allies after I saw green was very mediocre a few days ago. Your list brought me many good ideas, and echos my ideas like Sword of the Animist being a really great card this set. That being said, I will continue to watch your progress and upload mine when tapped out decides to enter in all the cards.

man if you could find a way to slip Ankle Shanker in there, your opponents reaction with it and Hero of Goma Fada's effect.. put out an ally swing with shanker and everything else..

Agromagnus, Ankle Shanker could go in place place of Bane of Bala Ged. Someone else has suggested it.

I'll do some testing to see how things go. I may have discounted its effect too easily. My worry is the cards that board wipe, but with something like Zulaport Cutthroat in the mix that is less of an issue.

I am finding Sword of the Animist invaluable. Not just for its land-fetching ability, but even the extra +1/+1. The only downside is being forced to play basic lands, but those are helping the deck to speed up, anyway. It also helps a Mardu deck not to get colour-screwed.

Just about all the cards are uploaded now, oXero, so you should throw your deck together. Let me know when you do.

I agree, the Green Allies are fairly shit. There are some decent Blue ones, so Jeskai could be another colour combo that works.

I am extremely happy with the mana base of this deck.

I have not been mana-screwed or colour-screwed once.

I know most people hate running 25 Land, but I love it for this style of deck.