Phil Brews on a Budget: Mono Green Elks in Modern

It seems like the prices of decks has started to sky rocket recently. That being the case, I want to try to find some alternative and maybe fun decks to play that don't cost a whole lot. These decks will not be the most productive, and they will not win you any tournaments. However, they will allow you to play Modern games without throwing down a huge amount of money. All prices for cards are taken from TCGPlayer: http://www.tcgplayer.com/

Budget Modern Mono Green Elk

Creatures: 23
4x Dawntreader Elk  (4 x 0.10)
4x Golden Hind  (4 x 0.02)    
4x Highland Game  (4 x 0.02)
4x Burnished Hart  (4 x 0.15)
4x Stampeding Elk Herd  (4 x 0.02)
3x Axebane Stag  (3 x 0.03)


Spells: 15
4x Aspect of Hydra  (4 x 0.09)
1x Become Immense  (1 x 0.23) 
2x Giant Growth  (2 x 0.12)
2x Font of Fertility  (2 x 0.02)
4x Commune with Nature  (4 x 0.03)
2x Ranger's Guile  (4 x 0.03)


Lands:22
22x Forest



Sideboard: 15
2x Aerial Volley  (2 x 0.02)
2x Autumn's Veil  (2 x 0.08)
3x Fog  (3 x 0.09)
2x Reclaim  (2 x 0.02)
1x Vineweft  (1 x 0.02)
3x Naturalize  (3 x 0.02)
2x Feed the Clan  (2 x 0.09)



Total: $3.13



Elks:
Dawntreader Elk: Two for a 2/2 is not too bad. Also, this guy helps us ramp up to Axebane Stag.

Golden Hind: Two for a 2/1 is not horrible, but I would like it have two toughness. The tap to add Green is pretty good for ramping up to Axebane Stag just like Dawntreader Elk.

Highland Game: At the same cost and power and toughness as Golden Hind, Highland Game is fine, but I wish it was a little better. When it dies, you gain 2 life so that will come in handy for staying alive for the late game.

Burnished Hart: Three for a 2/2 is not up to par, but the ability to pay three and sacrifice it to put two lands into play tapped makes up for it a little. Thinning out our deck and helping ramp up to Axebane Stag is awesome.

Stampeding Elk Herd: Five for a 5/5 makes a great stepping point past Burnished Hart. The Formidable ability to give all creatures you control trample until the end of turn makes this guy worth it.

Axebane Stag: Seven casting 6/7 is fine. Casting this guy after a Stampeding Elk Herd guarantees the Formidable ability is triggered. The 6 power makes this a creature to deal with fast or the opponent will be gone.




This might not be best deck, but I think it is fun and might be cool to play sometime.

Thank you,
Philip
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Image Source: http://www.artofmtg.com/art/stampeding-elk-herd/