MH3 Elves

Modern forum

Posted on May 24, 2024, 11:42 p.m. by Icbrgr

I am curious is anyone brewing or have a good blueprint for playing Elves in Modern 2024? With Modern now having access to:

I have an OLD elf deck that centered around Elvish Archdruid and Joraga Warcaller... But I just think there is better things the deck can do now with these retroactively made legal cards... is good ol' Craterhoof Behemoth or Tooth and Nail still sounding like good options?

wallisface says... #2

From what I've seen the wincon for elves will largely be Shaman of the Pack... there's not a lot of point bothering to go big when you can just nuke the opponent from orbit.

There is a Youtuber who made a video playing with a concept for a new elf deck post-mh3 a while ago (he'd caught-wind of some of the leaks). The video is here. His decklist is listed in the videos description. I imagine there will be a bunch of changes for optimizing this list, but it feels pretty-close to the finished product. He is however using Realmwalker in that list whereas I believe Eladamri, Korvecdal is just strictly better now.

May 25, 2024 6:17 a.m. Edited.

Icbrgr says... #3

I definitely underestimated Wirewood Symbiote and the value of ETB effects in elves. In my playtesting I have been leaning harder into Quirion Ranger and pursuing Tooth and Nail for my win condition. that Eladamri, Korvecdal absolutly seems amazing because it doesnt lock you into a creature type... I personally have been using Aether Vial to chuck out creatures from hand thinking that felt strong but the casting from the top of the library can just be absolutely busted i love it.

after watching the video I've come to these conclusions:

  • Shaman of the Pack will win the game via high Elf population; and that's pretty much all there is to it. Seems far and above to be the most consistent way for Elves to win.

  • Tooth and Nail needs a high elf population, a mana boon elf Priest of Titania/Elvish Archdruid that can as well as having targets for tooth and nail that are otherwise bricks/dead in your hand like Tyrant of Discord and Realm Razer (there are certainly better targets I just was having fun)

  • Craterhoof Behemoth is similar to tooth and nail for the requirements but can feel awkward because somtimes you can elves for mana and then suddenly not have enough attackers for lethal damage.

all in all im just kinda excited for elves in the upcoming near future... I think I wanna give them an honest try.

May 25, 2024 10:03 a.m.

SpammyV says... #4

You may be getting enough mana it might be worth it to borrow the tech from Legacy Elves and include a few Fiend Artisans to fetch your wincons.

May 25, 2024 7:39 p.m.

shadow63 says... #5

wallisface always good to see another enjoyer of aids

May 26, 2024 8:02 a.m.

Icbrgr says... #6

does anyone have an opinion for what the best tutor would be for this kind of deck? (or should i avoid tutors altogether?)

Those are the first two that come to mind and I'm leaning towards calling being the better option; or is the new modern horizons 3 Birthing ritual (which is kinda like Evolutionary Leap) seem best?

May 28, 2024 11:26 a.m. Edited.

shadow63 says... #7

I think it depends on if you go all in on the Shaman of the Pack win con. If the goal is to swarm the table them play the shaman I think pack is the way to go. But if you want to be able to more tool boxy approach I'd go with chord. First impression is you probably don't need either tho

May 28, 2024 12:51 p.m.

Icbrgr says... #8

I think i am playing more of a "tool boxy" approach with a main focus on swarming the field and getting big mana for a Tooth and Nail win con but im still splashing for Shaman of the Pack and running Wirewood Symbiote.

So far my playtesting has been in a vacuum with no interaction/disruption from an opponent... the deck is really able to pop off fast (can kill Turn 4 pretty consistently) but sometimes I end up at turn 6 with a legion of mana dorks without a full-combo payoff; and that's what got me thinking maybe I need a tutor.

May 28, 2024 2:15 p.m.

wallisface says... #9

Aspiring Spike made a strong looking Elf build for MH3

Video here

June 15, 2024 6:29 a.m.

Icbrgr says... #10

i found this youtube short that just made me laugh... felt i had to post it here

infinite squirrels are always interesting lol

June 22, 2024 3:26 p.m. Edited.

sylvannos says... #11

@Icbrgr: Summoner's Pact because you can often win the turn you would want to cast it. I'd also back it up with 3~4 Lead the Stampede. I've found Collected Company and other stuff that dumps elves into play just not worth it when you're only getting 1 and 2 CMC dorks.

I've played elves in Modern before:


U/G C-c-c-combo Elves!

Modern sylvannos

SCORE: 15 | 8 COMMENTS | 4263 VIEWS | IN 4 FOLDERS


My conclusion wasn't speed or consistency, but just how badly you lose to any deck with red in it. Lightning Bolt on Elvish Archdruid on turn two ends the game. Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer flipping a mana dork for them to cast ends the game. Wrenn and Six sniping a creature each turn ends the game. And God have mercy on you if your opponent casts a Pyroclasm or Anger of the Gods or Kozilek's Return.

The good news is Fury was banned. The bad news is not much else has changed. Priest of Titania is still going to die to burn spells and there's nothing to be done about it.

tl;dr--only play elves if your meta has no red decks.

July 25, 2024 6:55 p.m.

Icbrgr says... #12

Yeah the dies to removal when playing elves is all too real... I think they are plenty consistent and potent but especially when people know the "kill on sight" creatures or how the combo of choice works it just get blown out big time for me, particularly in best of 3.

July 25, 2024 11:34 p.m.

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