Starter Budget: Elf

by NorthernWarlord on 01 May 2014

Main Deck (60 cards)

Sideboard (0 cards)

No sideboard found.

The owner of this deck hasn't added a sideboard, they probably should...

Submit a list of cards below to bulk import them all into your sideboard. Post one card per line using a format like "4x Birds of Paradise" or "1 Blaze", you can even enter just the card name by itself like "Wrath of God" for single cards.


Deck Description

Starter Budget -series is variation of my famous(?) Budget Decks -series.
In this series, I attempt to create decks that go great for starters:
They do not have extremely valuable or complicated cards. Most of them are simple commons and uncommons.
Though, this doesn't mean that these decks aren't threat. In right hands (and some practice, of course,) they can overwhelm very tough opponents.
These decks are meant for those who have just dived into the mysterious depths of Magic: The Gathering, or for those people who like simple and cheap decks. Or, to just anyone!
Budget is meant to be low! (Less than 15 bucks.)

(Remember: If you are new player, do not be afraid to ask if you have questions. Northy has always time for newbies!)

How to Play

Who said that Elf decks are always priceful? Not this one!
Stomp your opponents underfoot with great mob of elves.

Overrun often finishes off your opponent. Voice of the Woods and Wildheart Invokers can also be used as a winning strategy.

Deck Tags

  • For Starters
  • Elf
  • Budget
  • Cheap

Deck at a Glance

Social Stats

38
Likes

This deck has been viewed 6,179 times.

Mana Curve

Mana Symbol Occurrence

000055

Card Legality

  • Not Legal in Standard
  • Not Legal in Modern
  • Legal in Vintage
  • Legal in Legacy

Deck discussion for Starter Budget: Elf

Nice elf deck! Since the curve is pretty low, I think you can go down safely to 21 lands for 2 additional cards.

Some cards to consider are:
1. Elf token generators (Hunting Triad, for instance)
2. If the budget allows it, Ezuri the Renegade Leader (a overrun a turn?)
3. Wirewood Herald (essentially a tutor for elves)

Great deck for great value though :)

0
Posted 01 May 2014 at 13:21

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Wirewood Herald sounds good though...

1
Posted 01 May 2014 at 14:00

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I would say add Joraga Warcaller, simply because it makes it everything huge, plus you can use Elvish Mystic and Llanowar Elves, along with Elvish Archdruid to put counters on it, and every elf you have.

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Posted 02 May 2014 at 01:08

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Id put in another nissa's chosen and then put in 2 Nissa Revane plainswalker but thatd increase the cost above a started deck. i really like the thornweald archers i might add them to mine. but you may want to look at jagged scar archers and heedless one. viridian shaman might be better off in your sideboard although i took mine out completely in one of my elf decks. wildheart invoker is a bit spendy mana wise. since your running svereal 1/1 creatures look into pendelhaven elder.

http://www.mtgvault.com/variable/decks/elves-overrun/

for my sideboard dont bother worrying about them those are just cards im looking into.

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Posted 02 May 2014 at 04:29

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http://www.mtgvault.com/variable/decks/elf-deck/

thats my first elf deck that i build over 10 years ago when i first started playing lol

0
Posted 02 May 2014 at 04:32

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Copperhorn Scout teams up well with Voice of the woods. Thoughts on Elvish Guidance With Arbor Elf? It's a bit more expensive, but maybe Ezuri, Renegade Leader for all of the overrun ever?

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Posted 01 May 2014 at 15:13

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One Ezuri for one Overrun. Fair trade. No-one's gonna die.

1
Posted 01 May 2014 at 15:18

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Plus he has overrun as an activated ability that you can cast as many times as you want.

0
Posted 01 May 2014 at 15:19

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So simple and brutal. The subtle mana ramp with llanowar, elvish mystic, and the archdruid pump this deck out at lightning speeds!

I feel like rancor needs to make an appearance here. Dropping that on the wirewood herald ensures you'll get the desired block and kill that he requires to tutor. Even if only one, it'd be a great introduction for newbies to auras while staying in the price range. Plus it's a reuasable spell in a deck that will easily run out of cards in hand by turn 5.

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Posted 01 May 2014 at 21:35

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Okay. Single Rancor going in.

1
Posted 01 May 2014 at 22:03

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What are your thoughts on Heedless One? The more elves you have the fatter it gets.

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Posted 01 May 2014 at 21:45

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In a mid-range deck, he's a must. A */* with trample will scare anyone straight. At under $15, though, it's hard to get him in here. Not sure what he would replace either.

1
Posted 01 May 2014 at 21:59

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Thank you eljefe.

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Posted 01 May 2014 at 22:04

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No problem. Hey, I'm dabbling in EDH as of late and just built a Jhoira deck. Mind checking it out and giving me some feedback when you get time?
http://www.mtgvault.com/eljefe/decks/jhoira-edh/

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Posted 01 May 2014 at 22:09

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copperhorn scout?

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Posted 01 May 2014 at 23:31

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I really like how this deck is designed, but I am old fashioned and I would personally be running with 4 elvish champions as well.
but well done!

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Posted 01 May 2014 at 23:41

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eye made u a deck :3
http://www.mtgvault.com/phyrexianpossum/decks/budget-decks-rat-discard/

-2
Posted 02 May 2014 at 01:19

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You made something... For me?

1
Posted 02 May 2014 at 07:35

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Northern I hope you know people really appreciate the budget decks you make. Although they don't get nearly as much likes as "2 TURN WIN THE BEST DECK EVER" decks, who's really going to pull $300 dollars out for 60 cards? This earns a +1!

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Posted 02 May 2014 at 05:03

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Agreed. Northern, this is one awesome elf deck for the price.

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Posted 02 May 2014 at 05:40

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You would be surprised. It's a pay to play hobby. And it's a hobby that you can easily make your money back if you ever want to quit, so investing in some legacy staples isn't the worst thing you could do. I mean, wasteland was a card everyone thought was a waste of space, now they're 100 bucks.
Also, there are very few decks that win on turn two, at least any tournament legal decks.

0
Posted 02 May 2014 at 05:41

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Thank you friends. You make me feel important and useful in this cold and dark world.
I'm gonna keep going as long as there can be found friendly commenters and truly friends.
You all are heroes of my life. I do these thanks to you, and everyone else here in community who keep checking out my decks and saying nice comments like: "Cool deck!" or "Awesome work, bro!"

Okay, how many Budget Decks I'm gonna create today? How about 5?

2
Posted 02 May 2014 at 07:12

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You're scaring me. Just know that MTG vault loves you.

0
Posted 02 May 2014 at 16:18

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Whoops. Don't know why this piece of crap phone did copy that message so many times.
I'm so sorry...
This is awkward.

1
Posted 02 May 2014 at 17:04

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Well, I think that phones abhor this site.

1
Posted 02 May 2014 at 20:30

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I agree. I think that they do.

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Posted 03 May 2014 at 00:42

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Probably the best budget deck I've seen yet. Consider me inspired to make this for my buddies who are just starting to play!

As for a suggestion for an alternate card to anyone who might see this, I prefer Lys Alana Huntmaster over Wildheart Invoker. I picked up a couple of those in my early Magic days and ran them in my elves deck. Not so coincidentally, that's about the time my friends stopped letting me play my elves deck :P But I get why the Invoker is there, Archdruid alone can usually pay off his ability fairly quickly. Just a preference thing really.

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Posted 02 May 2014 at 06:46

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Huntmaster is very cool, but the Invoker is powerful weapon in this deck, as you noticed by yourself. If you have any idea which card I should remove, let me know and I'll throw some Huntmasters in.
Thank you so much for suggestion. Even though if I wouldn't add cards, I respect those who spend some time trying to help.
If you create this deck for your newbie-bubbies, I hope they get the best start a player can have.
Tell them greetings from Northy.

3
Posted 02 May 2014 at 07:05

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Well, I spy with my little eye a few Huntmasters now in the decklist :D Haha. That's cool, I think it makes a much more immediate impact to the board anyway so it's not a bad trade off. You're welcome, man, always happy to help. I shall pass the message on to them!

0
Posted 03 May 2014 at 00:16

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Here is the inspired version of this deck I mentioned yesterday that I'd make. If anyone wants a bit of an alternate take on this type of elves deck, please feel free to comment or leave suggestions on this deck and any of my decks!

http://www.mtgvault.com/twolinecinephile/decks/starter-deck-elves/

Wouldn't want to shamelessly advertise without thanking you for the inspiration, Northy! Might be the first time I've commented on one of your decks but I peruse them all the time. As I've seen it proposed numerous times by other admirers, you are definitely a Magic hero, man!

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Posted 03 May 2014 at 02:37

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I would not include Wildheart Invoker and cut him for more utility. His ability is almost never used (especially in a budget deck without Gaea's Cradle). Instead I would max our the Thornweald Archers (they are so good against many otherwise problematic creatures) and add a Taunting Elf. That is a very underrated guy - he basically makes all your other dudes unblockable.

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Posted 02 May 2014 at 15:14

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Well, since you are second person who has asked that, I can remove Invokers.

1
Posted 02 May 2014 at 19:19

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I built a version of this deck with my own flair, if you would be so kind as to take a look and offer any advice it would be appreciated.
http://www.mtgvault.com/couch312/decks/budgetish-elves/

1
Posted 02 May 2014 at 15:26

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This looks like an excellent intro to one of the staple creature types of any magic collection, I have had so much fun with Elf decks in the past and this one looks like a good addition to anyone's deck list

0
Posted 02 May 2014 at 19:00

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Thanks.
: )

1
Posted 02 May 2014 at 19:19

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Hey guys could you plz check out my blood suckers deck
ThAnks

-1
Posted 03 May 2014 at 05:11

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Always top notch north maybe one day one of my decks will make the hot list! Can you look at my new standard deck overwhelming wave? Think it might have some potential

What would be a non budget version of elves have you made one of those? I love tribal decks and elves can be overwhelming

0
Posted 03 May 2014 at 16:48

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Since you asked, I'll check out your deck.
...and I've made single non-budget Elf-deck. It is called: "Waller Rapist: Vintage Elves".

1
Posted 03 May 2014 at 16:53

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http://www.mtgvault.com/vaan104/decks/elven-overrun/ my old elf deck its only slightly over the $20 cut off but it relies more on pumping up hard to block elves like elven riders and treetop rangers u might find some improvements there like wellwishers or timberwatch elves

0
Posted 04 May 2014 at 05:54

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and instead of bramblebush id use creepingmold it kills more for same mana

0
Posted 04 May 2014 at 05:56

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But Bramblecrush is better...

1
Posted 04 May 2014 at 09:06

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yeah, I would say that bramblecrush is the better card here. Creeping Mold says destroy target artifact, land, or enchantment. but Bramblecrush says destroy target noncreature permanent, which also covers planeswalkers... admittedly creeping mold can target a some creatures, (enchantment creatures, artifact creatures) but overall I think that bramblecrush is the better card. :)

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Posted 04 May 2014 at 17:15

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ya I thought about that after I posted that it could get planeswalkers

0
Posted 04 May 2014 at 17:58

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I really appreciated your suggestion vaan, but you know, that nothing beats the feeling when your opponent plays something like 25 dollar Planeswalker and then you destroy it on your turn with deck that's total value is 15 dollars... That is just incredible feeling, man...

1
Posted 04 May 2014 at 20:52

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yep I can see that

0
Posted 04 May 2014 at 22:04

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Northy, could I challenge you to make mono colour, budget decks using only cards from m10 - m14 core sets? im trying this, and would appreciate having something to compare to. you da best!

0
Posted 06 May 2014 at 07:23

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Mono-colored budget deck, that has only cards from the core sets? (Of course excluding the earlier ones, such as Tenth Edition etc.)
Challenge accepted!

1
Posted 06 May 2014 at 14:57

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oohhh, this sounds fun! I've invited myself to this game as well.

1
Posted 06 May 2014 at 15:37

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yeah these decks always end up looking awesome and being fun to play!

0
Posted 06 May 2014 at 20:45

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I couldn't help myself, thragtusk forced his way in:
http://www.mtgvault.com/eljefe/decks/roaring-elder-overruns-slime/
let me know what you guys think!

1
Posted 06 May 2014 at 21:18

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i think you should put in a nissa revane, the deck will go up to 20 bucks, but thats still budget in my opinion. and take out the wirewood herald, to make it modern legal

0
Posted 07 May 2014 at 11:22

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This deck is not meant to compete with other decks in tournaments. Also Planeswalkers will not go in, since they aren't so easy for newbies to understand while they are still priceful.
If you aren't sure why I make these, please read the Deck Description above.

Thank you for suggestion though.

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Posted 07 May 2014 at 13:27

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Well, you have a point there, however I don't think nissa is all that complicated. On the subject of the heralds, i still think they should be left out, so whoever is playing this deck can get there first experience at the local FNM.

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Posted 07 May 2014 at 14:29

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You think the planeswalker isn't complicated, until you start playing and the abilities are all activated at sorcery speed and people start responding to that with instants on the stack, and burn decks start redirecting damage to the planeswalker and then start attacking it seperately from you and other stuff. Nothing is complicated once you know how it's done, but newbies good sir. Newbies.

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Posted 07 May 2014 at 14:37

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Yeah, I agree. Noobs especially have problems with Planeswalkers. Unlike creature abilities, there is no reminder text on the basic/advanced operation of Planeswalkers.

In fact, they have the most problems with blue counter decks - the "stack" takes a while to understand, and even longer to manipulate. Even veteran players can make mistakes regarding the response to spells and theorder of resolution. How much harder is it for noobs?

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Posted 07 May 2014 at 15:22

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You could get this modern by replacing wirewood herald with an elvish harbinger and voice of the woods with drove of elves. this would probably put it slightly above the budget price you are trying for, though I feel if some of these cards were shuffled around it could be done. like for example, gilt-leaf ambush is two 1/1 elf warriors that can have death touch till end of turn (if you win a clash) and is only 16 cents on tcgplayer.

1
Posted 07 May 2014 at 15:30

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Nice deck. Some of those cards will fit right into my own elf deck ??

1
Posted 13 May 2014 at 17:22

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Nice to hear so, friend. Nice to hear so.
: )

2
Posted 13 May 2014 at 17:33

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Looks like posting on this site from my mobile makes all '!!' change into '??'...
Weird

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Posted 15 May 2014 at 10:01

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yeah, the vault HATES phones. kinda sucks...

0
Posted 15 May 2014 at 10:25

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Oh well ... at least they bothered to make it work for phones =).

I'm not an optimist or a pessimist. I'm a realist, i.e. Captain Obvious. The glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

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Posted 15 May 2014 at 16:52

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Lies, the glass is always full.

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Posted 15 May 2014 at 16:59

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Lies and propaganda!

In soviet Russia, glass half fills the water!

1
Posted 15 May 2014 at 22:55

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There glass is %100 too large for the amount of water inside it.

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Posted 16 May 2014 at 02:16

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Wait .. now we have glass to hold water? That's a lot of kapusta!

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Posted 16 May 2014 at 04:48

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New to the game but what about Elvish House Party and or Wirewood Pride?

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Posted 10 June 2014 at 16:20

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Elvish house party isn't legal to [play- it's a joke card. :)

-1
Posted 10 June 2014 at 16:53

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Thanks. Still learning the game.

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Posted 10 June 2014 at 17:06

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That's alright. Everybody must start in order to proceed. Starters can't know everything about everything.
...and Wirewood Pride... Must consider it...

1
Posted 10 June 2014 at 18:23

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Okay... I MUST add Wirewood Pride now. It is good card, yes... But that art picture... That's just so... That picture makes me happy. That guy there looks like that he has been chosen to be queen of the Gay Pride Parade.

1
Posted 10 June 2014 at 18:27

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Lol, why are elves always hated on for being gay? You see those girls? Bramblewood Paragon and Advocate of the Beast for example.

Who would not feel nervous asking one of them out on a date? James Bond?

0
Posted 10 June 2014 at 18:37

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Ready for viewing: one hardcore burn deck. Comments, suggestions, and likes welcome.

http://www.mtgvault.com/knightofthehokeypokey/decks/firepower/

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Posted 10 June 2014 at 18:40

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I don't hate elves for being gay. There's nothing wrong with being gay. One of my best friends is gay, and he is awesome dude.

By the way... You say that Advocate of the Beast is a girl? I'm afraid that the Advocate is a guy...

2
Posted 10 June 2014 at 18:41

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Sorry about that ... darn phone graphics.

I meant Sylvan Ranger.

And I apologize for insinuating your hatred of gays based on no extant evidence. I responded to a more extreme version of a statement of your opinion rather than what you actually said, committing the logical fallacy commonly known as the "straw man" argument.

In plain english: sorry for saying that you hated gays. It was a poor word choice on my part. I should have said "it is no surprise that elves are sometimes associated with being gay. Look at those girls! Who would be brave enough to ask a Slyvan Ranger out on a date? James Bond? "

No, I do not want to be a lawyer, only an engineer.

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Posted 10 June 2014 at 18:49

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You are an engineer? That's cool! Like Isaac Clarke all over again.

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Posted 11 June 2014 at 19:32

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No, I am studying to be. Just leaving for college in fact.

Then I will retire early and make a sh*tload of money injection modeling forge world models for warhammer 40K.

I appreciate the reference to Clark, but I'm more of a team fortress man. Turret Up!

And that just gave me a deck idea, so thanks!

0
Posted 11 June 2014 at 19:42

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So took out Elvish House Party . I had thrown in Wirewood Pride as a filler because I didn't' have all the cards, Also added: 1 Mul Daya Shaman, 2Joraga Treespeaker and 1 Taunting Elf.

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Posted 11 June 2014 at 15:01

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just as long as u r not an auto engineer lol im an auto mechanic and auto mechs dislike most engineers that design cars

0
Posted 12 June 2014 at 03:24

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Well, it's a well known fact that most engineers that design cars (or their superiors) put looks, high tech computer technology, and bells and whistles (which are too often a b**** to fix) ahead of designing a car that drives well and is easy to maintain. Sigh. I constantly hear your legitimate complaints from the fire department mechanics.

0
Posted 12 June 2014 at 03:31

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And get this - taking production and repairs into account, a smart car will take several decades to break even with a hummer.

0
Posted 12 June 2014 at 03:34

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my big problem is I live in MN cold winters and they put lots of salt on the roads breeds lots of rust/corrosion and its worse when the put aluminum parts next to iron/steel parts

1
Posted 12 June 2014 at 03:42

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Why on earth would they do that. Steel has a load of flexibility, while aluminum is brittle and stiff. Combining the two in cold weather is a catastrophically bad idea.

The gasoline with alcohol (and therefore water that hitches a ride with it) that virtually all gas stations sell doesn't help.

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Posted 12 June 2014 at 05:16

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nice deck North, elves in my area are a bit costy though =/

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Posted 05 July 2016 at 23:15

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Hey North, could you take a moment to look at my deck? Any help would be nice

http://www.mtgvault.com/johnbyakko/decks/the-quiver/

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Posted 05 July 2016 at 23:16

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