Lathril, Blade of the Elves needs elves that buff each other or create tokens to suffice her last ability causing each opponent to lose ten life. Combat damage is the first win condition in her strategy, while her last ability can finish stubborn opponents. This list is best for token-generating decks as these are the most optimal ways to play Lathril to win you more games.
In a Rush? Here’s the Top 6 Elves
Best Mana Ramping Elves
The Elven Mana
Mana Ramp In Any Elf Deck
Mana ramp is the second most important aspect of any Commander deck (next to card draw); in the luscious forests, elves align themselves with the forest to grow and deepen their roots to create the most valuable resource known to elves (green mana). Elves travel in groups to ensure all ground is covered, thus making it crucial that you have enough mana to cast them all at any given time during the game.
Why These Cards Synergize With Lathril
Priest of Titania
Priest of Titania this card is a powerhouse in a Lathril token deck because it generates a significant amount of mana relative to the number of elves on the battlefield. Since token decks typically aim to produce many creatures, the Priest of Titania can provide the necessary mana to cast high-cost spells or activate powerful abilities, enabling explosive turns where you can deploy even more elves or finish the game with impactful spells.
Marwyn, the Nurturer
Marwyn, the Nurturer can get massive in a Lathril token deck, as each elf entering the battlefield puts a +1/+1 counter on her. The ability to tap for an amount of mana equal to her power means that the more tokens you create, the more mana she can generate. This creates a positive feedback loop where generating tokens allows you to generate more mana, which then can be used to cast more elves or use abilities that create more tokens
Elvish Archdruid
Elvish Archdruid, is an elf that not only is an elven lord buffing all of your elves by +1/+1 but also adds green mana for every elf you control (including itself). This is how you get ahead of your opponents in the early-mid game, as the Archdruid will generate 3-4 mana on average every turn.
Sample Hands
Best Card Draw for Elves
Enchanted Etchings
Card Draw In Any Elf Deck
Card draw is one of the most important aspects of any Commander deck, in the verdant world of an elf deck, where everything costs less than three mana you will be casting three to four elves every turn. To ensure that your hand stays full of elves awaiting to be deployed onto the battlefield are the elves that help you draw.
Beast Whisperer
Beast Whisperer, is one of the best forms of card draw in creature-based decks. You will be refilling your hand for every elf you play. With the added benefit of being an elf, it can benefit from any elven buff spells or even be used for Lathril’s last ability.
Skemfar Avenger
Skemfar Avenger, is here for the inevitable board wipes or single removal your opponents will be dishing out onto your elves. It will draw you cards for every non-token elf that is on the battle as the board wipe resolves. For example, if you have four other elves out as Wrath of God resolves, you will draw five cards and lose five life.
Leaf-Crowned Visionary
Leaf-Crowned Visionary, is an asset to any elf deck as it is a cheap elf only costing two mana, and provides a +1/+1 buff to other elves. Additionally, it offers card draw, which is crucial for maintaining card advantage early and cycling through the deck for key cards each time an elf spell is cast.
Sample Hands
Best Token Generating Elves
Forest Legions
Token Generation in any Elf Deck
In a Lathril deck where her last ability is to tap ten elves, token generation is the only feasible way to get to such a high number of creatures. Elves love to have their companions on the battlefield and benefit each other by having their kin with them. These are the lowest-cost elves that can generate enough tokens to overwhelm your opponents and have enough elves to use Lathril’s ultimate ability.
Elvish Warmaster
Elvish Warmaster, talk about POWER CREEP! This two-drop elf does everything you need from a two drop in a Lathril deck, from creating elf tokens to having a game-ender. This card is strong in both the early game and late game.
Lys Alana Huntmaster
Lys Alana Huntmaster, this elf is another token generator, creating a 1/1 green Elf Warrior creature token whenever you cast an Elf spell. This can lead to a snowball effect, where casting elf spells creates tokens, which in turn enhances the effects of other elf-synergistic cards in your deck, potentially allowing for overwhelming board state.
Galadhrim Brigade
Galadhrim Brigade, is a relatively new card released from the Lord of the Ring set. This belongs in any elven strategy as it gives you a mana sink from your mana-generating elves, such as Elvish Archdruid and Marwyn, the Nurturer. It can easily be a win condition card as you will be swinging with elves that, on average, will get to +5/+5 just from squadding up a few times.
Sample Hands
Best Elf Lords
Elven Eminence
Lords In Any Elf Deck
In the verdant depths of an Elf deck, where mana hums like sunlight through leaves, elf lords reign supreme. For a mere handful of mana, these become potent symbols of elven might, empowering your leafy legion in ways both subtle and explosive. Remember, Elf Lords are more than just stat upgrades; they’re the symphonic conductors of your elven orchestra. They harmonize your forces, amplify their strengths, and weave a melody of emerald victory.
Imperious Perfect
Imperious Perfect, like Elvish Archdruid, is another elven lord buffing your elves by +1/+1. However, she also has the added benefit of creating an elf token. She can quickly assist you in getting to Lathril’s required ten elves. Additionally, With the added benefit of being easy to cast, she is one of the best elves to run in the deck.
Ezuri, Renegade Leader
Ezuri, Renegade Leader, is a powerhouse of inclusion in any elf deck as it can provide a significant amount of utility through being able to regenerate targeted elves to protect key elves from being destroyed to being a late-game finisher through his last ability. You can keep using his last ability repeatedly if you have the available mana to pay.
Canopy Tactician
Canopy Tactician, like Imperious Perfect, this card also acts as a lord, boosting your other elves by +1/+1. In addition to strengthening your tokens, it serves as a mana accelerator, allowing you to tap it for three green mana. This can be pivotal for casting more elves or activating key abilities, including those of other cards like Ezuri, Renegade Leader.
Sample Hands
Elves that Round off the Deck
Versatile Vines
You should try these cards in your Lathril decks as they provide so much utility, such as card draw, game finishers, and protection to counter magic to win you more games. I recommend trying out some of these if you haven’t already.
Conclusion
Lathril, Blade of the Elves deck stands as a testament to the exhilarating and strategic depth that elf-themed decks can offer. The joy of playing this deck comes from its ability to rapidly populate the board with a multitude of elves, each enhancing the other, creating an unstoppable force that not only overwhelms opponents but also immerses the player in the rich lore and intricate synergies of elvish magic.