My fourth and possibly final entry in my "starter deck" series of about four decks because four friends I played a massive Magic game with recently decided it wasn't just for nerds after all (go figure) and really enjoyed it so I'm scrapping together some starter decks for them with cards I have lying around (came into Magic when M12 dropped, hence why everything is relatively new in all these starter decks) so I can teach them strategy, deck building, themes, etc. This deck was inspired by NothernWarlord's "Starter Budget: Elf" deck, with a few personal adjustments. Very similar to my first elves deck (which was an absolute beast, ask all of my friends), this is probably the most powerful of the starter decks I've made yet, which is why I was happy to be inspired to make this my last starter deck!
The first turn is solely reserved for Llanowar Elves and his clone, Elvish Mystic. Get that mana ramp going because that's what elves do best. Turn two can bring on your three-drops if you get one of those mana-ramping one-droppers (and in the case that happens and you have the ability to play him, play Elvish Archdruid turn two for crying out loud!). In the event you don't get one of those dudes, though, you have four options: Elvish Visionary, Nissa's Chosen, Thornweald Archer, and Wirewood Herald. The Visionary is the best for early-game, allowing you to draw an extra card and add another elf to your arsenal. I would then say the Herald is next in the order, letting you tutor up the elf of your choice (can anyone say Archdruid or Ezuri?!) if you don't already have one of the two best cards in the deck, mentioned in the parentheses. Thornweald Archer is the king blocker in the deck, combining two show-stopping abilities in deathtouch and reach, letting you deal with plenty of threats with ease. Nissa's Chosen is a good attacker and chump blocker that recycles himself, which is definitely useful when you'll be throwing him on the front line.
New paragraph for the best creature cards in the deck, because they're THAT good. And I absolutely know first hand, they were the kings of my aforementioned old elf deck. First, the Archdruid. A thing of beauty that not only pumps your elves up but lets you storm the field with elvish army incredibly quickly. I mean, you have an Archdruid by turn two, you will win by turn three or four probably half the time. No shit. Ezuri is an elf king, allowing you to regenerate your dudes and overrun with your elves. Multiple times if you have the Archdruid. Believe me yet that the Archdruid is fucking awesome?! Finally, Lys Alana Huntmaster, a card I love that doubles your army of elves. Just so beautiful it brings a tear to my eye.
The non-creature spells in this deck are all about your creatures. Because when you expect to win as fast as elves expect to win, that's important. Rancor is a neat little enchantment that beefs up a guy of your choice, gives him trample, and then returns to your hand when he dies, all for just one measely mana. Gotta love it. Next is Vines of Vastwood, which I've always preferred to green pump cards like it. Not only can it save your key elf from dying early on (because trust me, they're after your Archdruids like your Lucky Charms) but it can also pump your guy up to titanic proportions! (A-thank you to all who get that Magic joke). Overrun wins games. I don't think that one needs much explanation. The only other card in this deck is a bit of a useful wild card, Bramblecrush, letting you deal with any board hatred your opponent is brewing up to stop your elvish horde from winning (it's probably futile on their part anyway but hey, better safe than sorry!).
When constructing a green deck you want to focus on creatures and mana ramping. Mana ramping allows you to get ahead of the game, which is always a good thing (unless all you get is mana ramp, but that rarely happens). Green is really all about creatures, though. Elves are to green what goblins are to red: the staple creature. Elves are a tribe that love to help each other out and win as fast, and more often-than-not faster, than any other Magic creature tribe. Just play the deck and watch what happens, you may win so fast your ass won't even be warm on your seat yet.
Hope this inspires some new Magic players! Any comments/suggestions are welcome!