<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Galadriel, Gift-Giver" href="#" target="_blank">Galadriel, Gift-Giver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/artwork/m8m6O9">Alexander Mokhov</a>)</h6>
<p>Hey friends, Beth, Queen of Cardboard here with a new series, <em>Kindred Spirits</em>. If you haven't figured it out from the title, this series is all about Kindred or Typal creatures. Since we've recently been introduced to EDH powerhouse, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Voja, Jaws of the Conclave" href="#" target="_blank">Voja, Jaws of the Conclave</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, I thought we'd start with one of the oldest types in <em>Magic: The Gathering: </em>Elves. While Elf as a type was first introduced in <em>Alpha</em>, it wasn't until Onslaught that they showed the potential of their type. While it could be argued the Eladamri, Lord of Leaves was and still is a powerful card in an Elf typal deck, cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Birchlore Rangers" href="#" target="_blank">Birchlore Rangers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodline Shaman" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodline Shaman</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elvish Pathcutter" href="#" target="_blank">Elvish Pathcutter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> showed us a glimmer of what Elves could do. Now, in 2024, Elves remains one of the most popular creature types. With new elves coming in almost every set, that doesn't seem to be stopping any time soon. So whether you're a lifelong lover of Elves or you're new to them, I'm here to help you pick elves for your deck - but be warned, they might not be ones you've thought of.</p>
<h3>Top Commander</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Galadriel, Light of Valinor"></div></div>
<p>No matter your feelings on the <em>Universes Beyond</em> sets, it's clear that <em>The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth</em> brought us a ton of support for Elves. When I'm picking a commander, I'm looking for something that can do a lot where I don't feel boxed in. Galadriel is Bant giving us the much-needed green, as most Elves are green, access to White for protection or a potential blink package and blue for control. We are notably missing access to Black, so our Golgari elves will have to take a seat in a deck with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Galadriel, Light of Valinor" href="#" target="_blank">Galadriel, Light of Valinor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> at the helm. Much like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gala Greeters" href="#" target="_blank">Gala Greeters</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, Galadriel triggers when a creature enters under your control, up to 3 times. Unless of course, you blink her, something white has plenty of access to. The reason I'm picking her specifically despite her higher mana cost is her triggered ability, which gives you ramp, pump, and card draw all on one card.</p>
<h4>Honorable Mentions</h4>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Selvala, Explorer Returned"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lathril, Blade of the Elves"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nissa, Resurgent Animist"></div></div>
<h3>Top Noncreature Elf Spell</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Prowess of the Fair"></div></div>
<p>One of my favorite types of spells are Kindred spells or, spells that really shine when you're playing typal decks. While we may never see typal noncreature spells again, though secretly I wish we would, spells like Prowess of the Fair give you a huge advantage when playing Elves. Not only does this permanent give you the ability to recover after most board wipes, but it counts as an elf when cast. If you have cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lys Alana Bowmaster" href="#" target="_blank">Lys Alana Bowmaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tyvar Kell" href="#" target="_blank">Tyvar Kell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s emblem, this spell will trigger them. As long as your opponent doesn't use <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Farewell" href="#" target="_blank">Farewell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on you, you're golden.</p>
<h4>Honorable Mentions</h4>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elderfang Venom"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elvish Promenade"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kindred Dominance"></div></div>
<h3>Top Planeswalker</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nissa Revane"></div></div>
<p>There are many iterations of Nissa that are good fits in green decks, but none so perfect for Elves as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nissa Revane" href="#" target="_blank">Nissa Revane</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While Nissa's Chosen isn't the best elf out there by any means, there is no denying that gaining 2 life for each Elf you control is amazing. You also wouldn't be remiss for using the ultimate to bring every Elf in your deck to the battlefield.</p>
<h4>Honorable Mentions</h4>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tyvar Kell"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Freyalise, Llanowar&#039;s Fury"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vivien, Monsters&#039; Advocate"></div></div>
<h3>Top Common Elf</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lys Alana Huntmaster"></div></div>
<p>This was a really hard choice with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Priest of Titania" href="#" target="_blank">Priest of Titania</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and our mana dork Elves as options. The reason <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lys Alana Huntmaster" href="#" target="_blank">Lys Alana Huntmaster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the best elf is simply because of what most Elf decks are trying to do, and that's put more elves on to the battlefield. While this card costs a little more than your average Elf, its also a little bigger than your average Elf at 3/3. Additionally it's triggered ability is priceless. For each Elf spell you cast, you'll get another Elf in play. There's no limit here, play an Elf, get an Elf.</p>
<h4>Honorable Mentions</h4>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ivy Lane Denizen"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wellwisher"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Priest of Titania"></div></div>
<h3>Top Uncommon Elf</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Numa, Joraga Chieftain"></div></div>
<p>One of the biggest complaints I have about several types in Magic is that they're so small! Even when you've got 30 of them, it's not always enough damage to overcome 3 other players. Enter Numa. Numa allows you to pay XX to put X +1/+1 counters on any number of Elves whether you control them or not. I'm not sure why you want to put counters on your opponents elves but if you want to, you can. Elf decks usually don't need much for mana, looking at you mana dorks, so putting a bit away into pumping your board is great and you don't even have to tap this card to use the ability so you can still swing in with Numa if you'd like.</p>
<h4>Honorable Mentions</h4>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tireless Provisioner"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rishkar, Peema Renegade"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Primeval Herald"></div></div>
<h3>Top Rare Elf</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sages of the Anima"></div></div>
<p>Why is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sages of the Anima" href="#" target="_blank">Sages of the Anima</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> so good for an Elf deck? Think of this card as an advanced scry, getting to the meat and potatoes of your deck. Instead of drawing one card, you'll get to reveal the top 3 of your library and then put all creatures revealed that way into your hand. In a deck that is 1/3 creatures, as many Elf decks tend to be, you can't miss (forgive me if the RNG gods frown upon you). The cards not put in your hand this way go to the bottom so you don't need to worry about getting them out of your graveyard. You lose nothing. At 5 mana, you have plenty of lands for most Elf decks to function so no worries about shuffling the rest to the bottom.</p>
<h4>Honorable Mentions</h4>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Beast Whisperer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mirkwood Channeler"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gaea&#039;s Herald"></div></div>
<h3>Top Mythic</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Allosaurus Shepherd"></div></div>
<p>There are only 4 Mythic non-legendary Elves playable in standard, and I'm not including the one Llanowar Elves Mythic printing. Even so, nothing holds a candle to Allosaurus Shepherd, featured in over 50,000 decks here on EDHREC. This Elf is cheap yet powerful, being uncounterable and making all your green spells uncounterable. With this on board you can tell those blue mages where they can stick it as you cast all your Green spells with glee. If that weren't good enough, he ramps your board, making each Elf a 5/5 Dinosaur in addition to it's other types. I don't want to think too hard on that transformation and just thank him for his hard work.</p>
<h4>Honorable Mentions</h4>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Master Biomancer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rootpath Purifier"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Underrealm Lich"></div></div>
<h3>Most Underrated Elves</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skyrider Patrol"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Norwood Priestess"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Swarm Guildmage"></div></div>
<h3>Best Not Elf</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skyshroud Poacher"></div></div>
<p>So you're probably throwing your device right now in rage that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Voja, Jaws of the Conclave" href="#" target="_blank">Voja, Jaws of the Conclave</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> isn't listed here, but when you pick it back up, I'd like to explain. Voja is good, almost too good even, but Voja doesn't work if you can't go to combat, Voja doesn't work if it gets wiped off the board as soon as it enters, Voja doesn't work if your opponents are too incensed to let you play the game. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skyshroud Poacher" href="#" target="_blank">Skyshroud Poacher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> allows you to get any Elf in your library and put it into play. With a little untap action, you can do this a lot, retrieving as many Elves as you want before your opponents give in to your shenanigans. Simply put, you have a much better chance of landing Skyshroud Poacher and using it to great advantage than you do Voja.</p>
<h4>Honorable Mentions</h4>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kithkin Mourncaller"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mirkwood Elk"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wirewood Symbiote"></div></div>
<h3>Best Non-Green Elf</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Delina, Wild Mage"></div></div>
<p>It's no secret that most Elves are at home in the forest, but Delina excels in chaos. Delina makes this top ten list because despite being in a color we expect from Elves, creating tokens is a base function for an Elf typal deck and none do it with as much fun as Delina. While you may not see Delina in a lot of Elf decks, there are enough Red Elves that if you were committed you'd be able work something out if you splash another color like one of my honorable mentions, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grand Warlord Radha" href="#" target="_blank">Grand Warlord Radha</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h4>Honorable Mentions</h4>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nadier&#039;s Nightblade"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grand Warlord Radha"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ruthless Winnower"></div></div>
<h2>In Conclusion</h2>
<p>While Voja didn't make this cut for this article, there are a ton of Elves to pick from in both the top 10 and honorable mentions. Were there any Elves you felt were left off the list? Any Elves you didn't think of but are now considering slotting in? Let me know in the comments below and stay tuned for ranking more creature types in Commander!</p>
<hr />
<h3>Read more:</h3>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="iZ1R3HXCdi"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/build-a-powerful-elves-deck-with-voja-jaws-of-the-conclave/">Build a Powerful Elves Deck with Voja, Jaws of the Conclave</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Build a Powerful Elves Deck with Voja, Jaws of the Conclave&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/build-a-powerful-elves-deck-with-voja-jaws-of-the-conclave/embed/#?secret=ilo9V44cEk#?secret=iZ1R3HXCdi" data-secret="iZ1R3HXCdi" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="Ir85ykwIcH"><p><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/recross-the-paths-nashi-moons-legacy/">Recross the Paths - Nashi, Moon's Legacy</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Recross the Paths - Nashi, Moon&#039;s Legacy&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/recross-the-paths-nashi-moons-legacy/embed/#?secret=iUm9yBAROU#?secret=Ir85ykwIcH" data-secret="Ir85ykwIcH" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p>
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skyshroud poacher

Kindred Spirits - Choosing Elf Cards for Commander