<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Freyalise, Llanowar&#039;s Fury|C14|43" href="#" target="_blank">Freyalise, Llanowar&#039;s Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.adampaquettemtg.com/">Adam Paquette</a></em></p>
<h2>Time to Eat Some Greens!</h2>
<p>...Yes, that's some advice for everyone. Eat your veggies.</p>
<p>Anyway, welcome back to <em>Precon Remastered</em>, where we take preconstructed Commander decks from ancient days and give them a modern makeover. Today, we're going to round out our coverage of <em>Commander 2014</em> with the final deck, diving into mono-green. Who, though, happens to be our commander?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Freyalise, Llanowar&#039;s Fury"></div></div>
<p>Our commander's fairly straightforward. Her +2 ability gives us an equivalent of a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Llanowar Elves" href="#" target="_blank">Llanowar Elves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (as if there weren't enough functional reprints of it already), ramping us for five mana. Wheee! Her -2 will blow up a troublesome artifact or enchantment, should we need it. Lastly, her ultimate is effectively <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Regal Force" href="#" target="_blank">Regal Force</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a staple in Elf decks from a bygone era (and yes, I now feel older than dirt).</p>
<h3>Preparing an Elvish Salad</h3>
<p>As always, here are our rules for remastering precons:</p>
<ol>
<li>The value of the deck cannot exceed $120. This will apply to the reprints only, which gets to my first personal quirk.</li>
<li>Every card unique to the original precon stays in the deck. All those new cards that get released with precons remain in the list.</li>
<li>The land package should closely reflect what we get in precons these days (and, in my humble opinion, they're actually pretty good).</li>
<li>At least until 2020, we're not tied to a particular set, so we're free to choose whatever we want. You can be assured I have ideas for 2020 and beyond, though.</li>
<li>Universes Beyond cards are not added. No exceptions, unless they have an in-universe variant. Granted, this will change when we get there.</li>
</ol>
<p>With that out of the way, let's take a good look at what the precon looked like originally.</p>
<h3>The Original List</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Guided by Nature - Commander 2014" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Freyalise, Llanowar&#039;s Fury
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Creeperhulk
*1 Drove of Elves
*1 Elvish Archdruid
*1 Elvish Mystic
*1 Elvish Skysweeper
*1 Elvish Visionary
*1 Essence Warden
*1 Ezuri, Renegade Leader
*1 Farhaven Elf
*1 Grave Sifter
*1 Immaculate Magistrate
*1 Imperious Perfect
*1 Joraga Warcaller
*1 Lifeblood Hydra
*1 Llanowar Elves
*1 Lys Alana Huntmaster
*1 Masked Admirers
*1 Priest of Titania
*1 Primordial Sage
*1 Rampaging Baloths
*1 Reclamation Sage
*1 Siege Behemoth
*1 Silklash Spider
*1 Soul of the Harvest
*1 Sylvan Ranger
*1 Sylvan Safekeeper
*1 Terastodon
*1 Thornweald Archer
*1 Thunderfoot Baloth
*1 Timberwatch Elf
*1 Titania&#039;s Chosen
*1 Titania, Protector of Argoth
*1 Tornado Elemental
*1 Wellwisher
*1 Wolfbriar Elemental
*1 Wood Elves
*1 Wren&#039;s Run Packmaster
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Fresh Meat
*1 Harrow
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Collective Unconscious
*1 Desert Twister
*1 Grim Flowering
*1 Hunting Triad
*1 Overrun
*1 Overwhelming Stampede
*1 Praetor&#039;s Counsel
*1 Sylvan Offering
*1 Wave of Vitriol
*1 Whirlwind
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Assault Suit
*1 Commander&#039;s Sphere
*1 Emerald Medallion
*1 Loreseeker&#039;s Stone
*1 Moss Diamond
*1 Predator, Flagship
*1 Seer&#039;s Sundial
*1 Skullclamp
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Beastmaster Ascension
*1 Song of the Dryads
*1 Wolfcaller&#039;s Howl
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Crystal Vein
*1 Evolving Wilds
*25 Forest
*1 Gargoyle Castle
*1 Ghost Quarter
*1 Haunted Fengraf
*1 Havenwood Battleground
*1 Jungle Basin
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Oran-Rief, the Vastwood
*1 Slippery Karst
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Tranquil Thicket
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h3>Two Shades of Broccoli</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Titania, Protector of Argoth"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ezuri, Renegade Leader"></div></div>
<p>Frequent readers of this series will find an issue that sounds very familiar. In an unexpected (but unsurprising) callback to the <em>Commander 2013</em> precons, we have a deck with a split identity in our hands. The contenders? <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/elves">Elves</a> and <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/lands-matter">Lands</a>. The difference is that our commander's so generic that she could technically be better served in the 99.</p>
<p>That said, I am obligated to run her at the helm here. In doing this, we effectively called the shot. We have a smattering of Elf kindred cards here like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ezuri, Renegade Leader" href="#" target="_blank">Ezuri, Renegade Leader</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elvish Archdruid" href="#" target="_blank">Elvish Archdruid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, both staples of the archetype.</p>
<p>On the other hand, we have a Lands deck of a kind, spearheaded by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Titania, Protector of Argoth" href="#" target="_blank">Titania, Protector of Argoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Anyone familiar with the likes of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hearthhull, the Worldseed" href="#" target="_blank">Hearthhull, the Worldseed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will see that she's better off there than here. Unfortunately, we are bound by the rules, so she dodges the bullet for now. I imagine, after throwing out the rules, she'd be the first cut.</p>
<p>Oh, wait. I gave my scheme away. We're doing Elves! Again!</p>
<h3>Weeding Out the Weak (and/or Pricey)</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Joraga Warcaller"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Beastmaster Ascension"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Praetor&#039;s Counsel"></div></div>
<p>At the time of writing, the precon is about $15 over our limit, which isn't bad. The problem, however, is that our most expensive cards are either new to the precon (and thus can't be cut) or are very married to one of the two themes above. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Joraga Warcaller" href="#" target="_blank">Joraga Warcaller</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> exemplifies this as its price tag is off the back of countless Elf decks out there.</p>
<p>Other big value cards include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beastmaster Ascension" href="#" target="_blank">Beastmaster Ascension</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which is nice if we're going wide. Again, the new cards carry a lot of value. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grave Sifter" href="#" target="_blank">Grave Sifter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Song of the Dryads" href="#" target="_blank">Song of the Dryads</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> find homes in decks beyond the precon. In fact, Sifter's price spiked because of a precon from this year.</p>
<p>However, all this chat about card prices raises another issue: regardless of the direction we take this precon, the prices of the upgrades won't come cheaply, and to hit the $120 range, we have to cut a number of the expensive cards to ensure we can fit them in.</p>
<p>That leaves us with one recourse: a makeover.</p>
<h3><em>Guided by Nature</em> Remastered</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Guided by Nature Remastered" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Freyalise, Llanowar&#039;s Fury
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Benevolent Hydra
*1 Creeperhulk
*1 Elvish Mystic
*1 Eternal Witness
*1 Farhaven Elf
*1 Gargos, Vicious Watcher
*1 Goldvein Hydra
*1 Grave Sifter
*1 Heroes&#039; Bane
*1 Hooded Hydra
*1 Hydra Broodmaster
*1 Hydra Omnivore
*1 Ironscale Hydra
*1 Lifeblood Hydra
*1 Llanowar Elves
*1 Managorger Hydra
*1 Mistcutter Hydra
*1 Nessian Wilds Ravager
*1 Nyxborn Hydra
*1 Oran-Rief Hydra
*1 Polukranos, World Eater
*1 Primordial Hydra
*1 Rampant Rejuvenator
*1 Reclamation Sage
*1 Siege Behemoth
*1 Silklash Spider
*1 Steelbane Hydra
*1 Thunderfoot Baloth
*1 Titania, Protector of Argoth
*1 Ulvenwald Hydra
*1 Warden of the Grove
*1 Whiptongue Hydra
*1 Wood Elves
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Beast Within
*1 Fresh Meat
*1 Harrow
*1 Krosan Grip
*1 Return of the Wildspeaker
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Cultivate
*1 Harmonize
*1 Kodama&#039;s Reach
*1 Nature&#039;s Lore
*1 Overwhelming Stampede
*1 Praetor&#039;s Counsel
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Rishkar&#039;s Expertise
*1 Shamanic Revelation
*1 Sylvan Offering
*1 Wave of Vitriol
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Assault Suit
*1 Commander&#039;s Sphere
*1 Emerald Medallion
*1 Lifecrafter&#039;s Bestiary
*1 Moss Diamond
*1 Sol Ring
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Elemental Bond
*1 Garruk&#039;s Uprising
*1 Kenrith&#039;s Transformation
*1 Rites of Flourishing
*1 Song of the Dryads
*1 Thickest in the Thicket
*1 Wolfcaller&#039;s Howl
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Crystal Vein
*1 Evolving Wilds
*25 Forest
*1 Gargoyle Castle
*1 Ghost Quarter
*1 Haunted Fengraf
*1 Havenwood Battleground
*1 Jungle Basin
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Oran-Rief, the Vastwood
*1 Slippery Karst
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Tranquil Thicket
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h3>Stay Hydra-ted</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Polukranos, World Eater"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gargos, Vicious Watcher"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hydra Omnivore"></div></div>
<p>That's right. Hail HYDRA!</p>
<p>If you went back in time to when this deck list was revealed, you'd see me hoping for some good ramp and big monsters to smash opponents with. And, if you ask me now, this is what the precon should've been (Hydra theme optional). I went with Hydras because of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grave Sifter" href="#" target="_blank">Grave Sifter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and the deck needed to pack an even bigger wallop. We still have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Titania, Protector of Argoth" href="#" target="_blank">Titania, Protector of Argoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but she'd get the boot fast enough.</p>
<p>With <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Freyalise, Llanowar&#039;s Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Freyalise, Llanowar&#039;s Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> at the helm, the ult isn't so important. She's mostly making dorks while sniping the occasional artifact or enchantment. Besides, we have much better card draw than her now. Drop the rules here, too, and she's going to get usurped by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gargos, Vicious Watcher" href="#" target="_blank">Gargos, Vicious Watcher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. That said, she'd be at home in the 99.</p>
<h3>Sunsetting Another Set of Precons</h3>
<p>That about does it for our only set of monocolor precons (barring the Starter ones coming out in October). Now I turn to you, the reader: what would you have done differently, if not Hydras? Were there, in fact, enough cheap cards to make Elves or Lands work? Or was I in the right to avoid both like I did (provided that the rules were followed)?</p>
<p>Anyway, next week, we return to my other series, <em>Commander Makeover</em>, covering what could very well be the first commander we'd consider as an autopilot (something I'll cover then). After that, we begin <em>Commander 2015 </em>in earnest. See you all next time!</p>


commander 2014

Guided by Nature | Precon Remastered