I've been posting for the last few months, but I'm just now getting around to posting some decklists (at the behest of friends that want my lists). I've been playing various iterations of Animar since last November. All of my decks are geared towards a casual multiplayer meta with no infinite combos. Feedback is greatly appreciated! Now, onto the deck:
I made this all-creature Animar deck as casual fun, that's similar to your's....it ended up being surprisingly degenerate and (non-infinite) combo crazy....so I scrapped it, and rebuilt my Sapling list, but here it is for reference:
I made this all-creature Animar deck as casual fun, that's similar to your's....it ended up being surprisingly degenerate and (non-infinite) combo crazy....so I scrapped it, and rebuilt my Sapling list, but here it is for reference:
I hear ya'. Even when not including Kiki-Jiki shenanigans, Animar tends to get degenerate. Animar is the deck I pull out when I know I'm playing against the more cutthroat people in the shop.
I just got back from vacation (visiting my folks), and I was able to do some heavy-duty playtesting with my brother. First things first - I was able to pick up 3 of 4 Planechase 2 decks before I left (sans Savage Auras). I tested a version of Animar incorporating the four in-color cascade cards - Shardless Agent, Bloodbraid Elf, Etherium-Horn Sorcerer, and Maelstrom Wanderer. I really didn't like it. I'm sure in the right build they could be potent, but I found myself hitting garbage like Sylvan Ranger too much in the late game. After testing several games, I'm deciding against their inclusion.
Now for some untested inclusions:
Anger - I had initially considered Wonder here, but Deepchannel Mentor seems better in my build. However, one problem I have is recovering from late-game wraths. Often, I can get some decent power on the board immediately, but by that point the other player has stabilized enough to answer my new threats. Anger helps to offset this, plus I think he's good at helping Trygon Predator get in there at least once.
The Sakashima duo - I need moar clones. Phantasmal Image is probably going to replace Coiling Oracle once I can get a hold of him as well.
I've played with Whirlpool Drake for a long time, but I feel like I need to try something else. Raven Familiar has taken his place.
Lastly, since this is my oldest and favorite EDH deck, I'm going to start posting notes as I pimp out the deck. Note that I'm very picky about foils (I CAN'T STAND CURLING), so easy things to foil (like basic lands) haven't been done yet because I like to visually inspect foils before I trade/buy for them.
All very good suggestions. I know I have a Deadwood Treefolk truckin' around in a box somewhere, so I'll have to evaluate if there's something in the 6-cc slot worth cutting for him. I really like what Foster does. Post wrath it draws you gas and gets rid of land topdecks.
Sun Quan I straight up forgot existed. I definitely agree, as being not as fragile is more important than UU in the cost. Going on the wishlist alongside Vesuvan Shapeshifter (which I also forgot existed :embarrass:).
I've been on the serious lookout for an Ulamog for several months now. I'm just fairly resistant to paying too much for him. He should've have been on the wishlist when I wrote the OP.
EDIT: @DTrain - Ha, I actually picked up a foil Genesis Wave before vacation. Didn't necessarily need it, but the guy really wanted to round out a trade. Guess this gives me a reason to include it. I've been debating cutting Fabricate, as it only has 4 targets. 75% of the time I use it to find Duplicant, which I can also fetch through Worldly Tutor, Fauna Shaman, or Fierce Empath.
DOUBLE EDIT: I changed the formatting of the decklist in the OP to be a little more readable. The creature section is now broken out into subsections by purpose.
Just ordered some cards, so I made some more changes. Most changes are for replacing things with superior choices (e.g., Sun Quan, Lord of Wu for Deepchannel Mentor. I'm only going to mention a few of the more controversial choices.
Avenger of Zendikar is out, Myr Battlesphere is in. I love Avenger. Don't get me wrong. However, every time I play him he wins the game single-handedly, which is a bit too cutthroat for my meta. The Battlesphere was mentioned before, and I feel it's a suitable replacement. Free to cast late-game, beats face, and is friendly with bouncing.
Coiling Oracle is out. I needed to make room for Phantasmal Image, and I've been debating this cut for awhile. Although good CA, he just doesn't get a discount (which sucks).
Yavimaya Granger is in for Wood Elves. I need me some shocklands for Wood Elves to be better. Until then, Granger gets the slot.
Genesis is out for Deadwood Treefolk. Genesis has saved my butt more than once, but the 2G every upkeep is more than you think. On top of that, he's hard as hell to get into the 'yard with this deck. The Treefolk on the other hand provides instant gratification, not to mention the broken-ness with Deadeye Navigator (notice Treefolk triggers on leaving play, not dying).
Rampaging Baloths and Contested Cliffs are out. I was never really able to abuse this engine anywhere near as effectively in my Kresh deck. I'm taking the deck in a more reactive direction utilizing some more morph guys. Vesuvan Shapeshifter and Willbender are in. Note that I'm deliberately leaving the Pickles lock out (unless the Sen Triplets guy in my playgroup gets more out of hand).
Also, Cloudstone Curio is pretty awesome with Animar and artifacts. You can get infinite counters on him pretty fast, but it's understandable if you think infinite combos are degenerate haha
Also, Cloudstone Curio is pretty awesome with Animar and artifacts. You can get infinite counters on him pretty fast, but it's understandable if you think infinite combos are degenerate haha
Hi, thanks for stopping in! Although I realize Animar interacts well with artifacts, I'm really after abusing creatures with good ETB abilities. Most of the creatures you listed are either cheap (Memnite) or just beat face (Wurmcoil Engine). I'm after a more casual multiplayer game, so those options don't really appeal to me. Memnites are cool and all, but I want more value out of guys besides just throwing down counters on Animar.
I'm aware that Animar decreases X costs. Again, most the listed options are just Timmy-esque cards that don't really really have much value beyond beating face.
I already have Cloudstone Curio in the list, but you need to re-read the rules text. It only triggers on non-artifact permanents entering the battlefield, so it doesn't do anything with artifacts.
I had Palinchron is an early incarnation of the list, but I cut it as infinite comobs are discouraged in my meta. TBH, I don't really need him as this deck terrorizes the slower decks in my play group enough as is.
Ha, I've had one in my EDH binder for the last year but never sleeved it up. Since I'm trying to keep the creature count so high, I'm extremely picky about what goes in the 10 noncreature slots.
I just added the Genesis Wave not too long ago and haven't actually drawn it yet. If I feel it's too degenerate, I may give Guided Passage a whirl.
Ha, I've had one in my EDH binder for the last year but never sleeved it up. Since I'm trying to keep the creature count so high, I'm extremely picky about what goes in the 10 noncreature slots.
I just added the Genesis Wave not too long ago and haven't actually drawn it yet. If I feel it's too degenerate, I may give Guided Passage a whirl.
My version of this Animar deck originally had exactly two non-creature spells: Guided Passage and Food Chain. This proved too degenerate, but right now, Guided Passage is a tutor for an opponent's choice of Greater Good, Birthing Pod, or Praetor's Council.
Any of those would be solid inclusions in your deck, by the way.
What do you think about adding BoP or Llanowar Elves to help ramp and get Animar out faster? I was thinking about doing so in my deck. I would love to see T2 Animar.
But what happens after Animar is out? In my opinion Llanowar Elves just becomes kind of a bum card. I realize this deck, and maybe you run a similar build, doesn't rely on bouncing and EtB effects like a lot Animar builds, but, even still, Llanowar Elves feels a little underwhelming. Also the fact that it would only assist in a T2 play in circumstances when you got the other proper land drops off the bat seems kind of chancy... Birds of Paradise or Lotus Cobra would do the same job better.
What do you think about adding BoP or Llanowar Elves to help ramp and get Animar out faster? I was thinking about doing so in my deck. I would love to see T2 Animar.
But what happens after Animar is out? In my opinion Llanowar Elves just becomes kind of a bum card. I realize this deck, and maybe you run a similar build, doesn't rely on bouncing and EtB effects like a lot Animar builds, but, even still, Llanowar Elves feels a little underwhelming. Also the fact that it would only assist in a T2 play in circumstances when you got the other proper land drops off the bat seems kind of chancy... Birds of Paradise or Lotus Cobra would do the same job better.
Pretty much what inane said. If this was geared towards a strictly 1v1 French list, maybe I'd consider them. As is, they just don't make the cut as it's not often necessary to have a turn two Animar, and they don't have much synergy with anything else in the deck.
This is a great thread regarding Animar from the 1v1 section; Imperial Animar. There is a wealth of knowledge in there and a lot of the info applies to MP EDH.
A general Animar question build for all: has anyone tried/had any success running the three Onnas available (Yuki-Onna, Kiri-Onna, and Haru-Onna)? I am thinking of playing all three--currently run Haru in my build because I've managed to misplace my spare copy of Elvish Visionary--as they have some incredibly synergy and the bouncing works great, in theory, with Animar. Am nervous that their high cmc is going to be a real issue though.
I'm assuming creature combat is your main win condition (Warstorm Surge back up), but you don't seem to have any effects to give your team haste. I suppose it depends on the meta, but in mine creatures rarely live a turn around the table
A general Animar question build for all: has anyone tried/had any success running the three Onnas available (Yuki-Onna, Kiri-Onna, and Haru-Onna)? I am thinking of playing all three--currently run Haru in my build because I've managed to misplace my spare copy of Elvish Visionary--as they have some incredibly synergy and the bouncing works great, in theory, with Animar. Am nervous that their high cmc is going to be a real issue though.
I haven't tried them, but it's something that I've considered also. Yuki-Onna probably isn't worth it. The other two are good given that they self bounce (sort of) but you could try adding extra spirits to improve their utility.
For my Animar build, I am trying to make it a fun, budget-style deck of sorts with weird additions like Vizzerdrix. Tell me. Who doesn't want to win with a giant, demented, evil bunny?
This is a great thread regarding Animar from the 1v1 section; Imperial Animar. There is a wealth of knowledge in there and a lot of the info applies to MP EDH.
I also love this thread as well. I used it initially to build a 1v1 Animar deck, but realized it was too brutal (my playgroup would hate me :D). I'm glad you linked it, though, for those who are curious of Animar's full potential, but don't know of this thread.
I haven't tried them, but it's something that I've considered also. Yuki-Onna probably isn't worth it. The other two are good given that they self bounce (sort of) but you could try adding extra spirits to improve their utility.
Yeah, Yuki is the one I have real reservations about what with the EtB being mandatory and putting you in possible scenarios in which you couldn't play her because you'd have to blow up your own artifacts.
I do run a few spirits but not enough to really capitalize on the bounce ability. It provides for some cute interactions but that's it really. I am thinking of running Wild Pair and that may allow me a different means of cheating them out and using them in a more efficient manner.
For my Animar build, I am trying to make it a fun, budget-style deck of sorts with weird additions like Vizzerdrix. Tell me. Who doesn't want to win with a giant, demented, evil bunny?
Dear god that is a foul looking creature. Such a great inclusion!
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I've been posting for the last few months, but I'm just now getting around to posting some decklists (at the behest of friends that want my lists). I've been playing various iterations of Animar since last November. All of my decks are geared towards a casual multiplayer meta with no infinite combos. Feedback is greatly appreciated! Now, onto the deck:
1 Animar, Soul of Elements
Creatures (broken down by usage):
Bounce -
1 Shrieking Drake
1 Aether Adept
1 Man-o'-War
1 Venser, Shaper Savant
Ramp -
1 Gatecreeper Vine
1 Sakura-Tribe Elder
1 Sylvan Ranger (WPN/Gateway)
1 Farhaven Elf
1 Wood Elves
1 Oracle of Mul Daya
Card advantage -
1 Coiling Oracle
1 Elvish Visionary
1 Wall of Blossoms
1 Eternal Witness
1 Raven Familiar
1 Sea Gate Oracle
1 Mad Prophet
1 Magus of the Future
1 Mulldrifter
1 Soul of the Harvest
1 Garruk's Horde (Russian)
Removal (of all kinds) -
1 Ulvenwald Tracker (foil)
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Trygon Predator
1 Flametongue Kavu
1 Wickerbough Elder
1 Acidic Slime (foil)
1 Duplicant (Commander's Arsenal)
1 Phyrexian Ingester
1 Terastodon (PDS: Graveborn)
1 Spellskite
1 Glen Elendra Archmage
1 Mystic Snake
1 Voidmage Husher
1 Deadeye Navigator
1 Draining Whelk
Tutors -
1 Fauna Shaman (Russian)
1 Fierce Empath (foil)
Clones -
1 Phantasmal Image
1 Phyrexian Metamorph
1 Vesuvan Shapeshifter
Random utility -
1 Squee, Goblin Nabob
1 Anger
1 Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir (FTV: Legends)
1 Thragtusk
1 Zealous Conscripts (foil)
1 Deadwood Treefolk
1 Maelstrom Wanderer (Commander's Arsenal)
Finishers -
1 Artisan of Kozilek (FNM)
1 Kozilek, Butcher of Truth
1 Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre (FTV: Legends)
Support cards & spot removal:
1 Beast Within
1 Birthing Pod
1 Ceta Sanctuary
1 Chaos Warp
1 Cloudstone Curio
1 Crystal Shard
1 Cyclonic Rift
1 Equilibrium
1 Fabricate
1 Survival of the Fittest
1 Cascade Bluffs
1 Fire-Lit Thicket
1 Flooded Grove
1 Misty Rainforest
1 Scalding Tarn
1 Ancient Ziggurat (PDS: Slivers)
1 Command Tower
1 Primal Beyond
1 Reflecting Pool
1 Raging Ravine
1 Hinterland Harbor
1 Rootbound Crag (PDS: Slivers)
1 Sulfur Falls
1 Shivan Reef
1 Yavimaya Coast
1 Copperline Gorge
1 Steam Vents
1 Alchemist's Refuge
1 Desolate Lighthouse
1 Kessig Wolf Run
1 Llanowar Reborn (foil)
1 Oran-Rief, the Vastwood
7 Forest
1 Minamo, School at Water's Edge
1 Tolaria West
6 Island
1 Mountain (foil)
Deck themes & a couple specific card choices:
Changelog:
IN: Anger, Sakashima's Student, Sakashima the Impostor, Raven Familiar, Genesis Wave
6/28/12 - OUT: Bogardan Hellkite, Avenger of Zendikar, Wood Elves, Contested Cliffs, Genesis, Deepchannel Mentor, Anger, Coiling Oracle, Raven Familiar, Rampaging Baloths
IN: Maelstrom Wanderer, Myr Battlesphere, Yavimaya Granger, Primal Beyond, Deadwood Treefolk, Sun Quan, Lord of Wu, Urabrask the Hidden, Phantasmal Image, Vesuvan Shapeshifter, Willbender
10/3/12 - A whole bunch of changes throughout the summer and early fall. I promise to do a better job of the change log in the future :suckup:.
10/15/12 - OUT: Dream Stalker, Mindclaw Shaman, Birthing Pod, Reckless Charge, Rite of Replication
IN: Squee, Goblin Nabob, Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre, Survival of the Fittest, Ring of Valkas, Fabricate
1/6/13 - OUT: Sun Quan, Lord of Wu, Sakashima the Impostor, Sakashima's Student, Woodfall Primus, Tidespout Tyrant, Lotus Cobra, Warstorm Surge, Ring of Valkas
IN: Coiling Oracle, Kozilek, Butcher of Truth, Mad Prophet, Terastodon, Maelstrom Wanderer, Thragtusk, Ceta Sanctuary, Birthing Pod
Wishlist:
Shocklands
Noted exclusions:
Avenger of Zendikar
Brine Elemental
stuff
1 Animar, Soul of Elements
Creatures
1 Elvish Visionary
1 Sea Gate Oracle
1 Llanowar Empath
1 Fathom Seer
1 Garruk's Packleader
1 Heartwood Storyteller
1 Masked Admirers
1 Mulldrifter
1 Primordial Sage
1 Regal Force
1 Sages of the Anima
1 Slithermuse
1 Sphinx of Uthuun
1 Garruk's Horde
1 Tomorrow, Azami's Familiar
1 Whirlpool Warrior
1 Oracle of Mul Daya
1 Solemn Simulacrum
1 Sakura-Tribe Elder
1 Farhaven Elf
1 Wood Elves
1 Elvish Aberration
1 Primeval Titan
1 Pilgrim's Eye
1 Sylvan Ranger
1 Acidic Slime
1 Indrik Stomphowler
1 Bogardan Hellkite
1 Mold Shambler
1 Ingot Chewer
1 Sylvok Replica
1 Duplicant
1 Steel Hellkite
1 Phyrexian Ingester
1 Brutalizer Exarch
1 Terastodon
1 Eternal Witness
1 Clone
1 Phyrexian Metamorph
1 Shivan Wurm
1 Bloodbraid Elf
1 Nullstone Gargoyle
1 Voidmage Husher
1 Draining Whelk
1 Mystic Snake
1 Venser, Shaper Savant
1 Willbender
1 Akroma, Angel of Fury
1 Glen Elendra Archmage
1 Deadwood Treefolk
1 Fauna Shaman
1 Forgotten Ancient
1 Fierce Empath
1 Caller of the Claw
1 Shrieking Drake
1 Trygon Predator
1 Wurmcoil Engine
1 Chromeshell Crab
1 Urabrask the Hidden
1 Æthersnipe
1 Artisan of Kozilek
1 Vigor
1 Homeward Path
1 Tropical Island
1 Volcanic Island
1 Taiga
1 Stomping Ground
1 Breeding Pool
1 Steam Vents
1 Misty Rainforest
1 Wooded Foothills
1 Scalding Tarn
1 Command Tower
1 Hinterland Harbor
1 Sulfur Falls
1 Rootbound Crag
1 Gaea's Cradle
1 Ancient Ziggurat
1 Reliquary Tower
1 Zoetic Cavern
1 Tranquil Thicket
1 Lonely Sandbar
1 Forgotten Cave
9 Forest
2 Mountain
5 Island
Tomorrow, Azami's Familiar, Garruk's Packleader, Slithermuse, and Sages of the Anima were especially powerful and kept my hand full at all times.
Morph creatures are really cool with Animar too
I hear ya'. Even when not including Kiki-Jiki shenanigans, Animar tends to get degenerate. Animar is the deck I pull out when I know I'm playing against the more cutthroat people in the shop.
stuff
Now for some untested inclusions:
Anger - I had initially considered Wonder here, but Deepchannel Mentor seems better in my build. However, one problem I have is recovering from late-game wraths. Often, I can get some decent power on the board immediately, but by that point the other player has stabilized enough to answer my new threats. Anger helps to offset this, plus I think he's good at helping Trygon Predator get in there at least once.
The Sakashima duo - I need moar clones. Phantasmal Image is probably going to replace Coiling Oracle once I can get a hold of him as well.
I've played with Whirlpool Drake for a long time, but I feel like I need to try something else. Raven Familiar has taken his place.
Lastly, since this is my oldest and favorite EDH deck, I'm going to start posting notes as I pimp out the deck. Note that I'm very picky about foils (I CAN'T STAND CURLING), so easy things to foil (like basic lands) haven't been done yet because I like to visually inspect foils before I trade/buy for them.
stuff
- If you're worried about board wipes, look in to Kessig Cagebreakers. Also, Body Double and Deadwood Treefolk keep you restocked. I've also had good experiences with Foster as a Wrath deterrent.
- I like Sun Quan, Lord of Wu much more than Deepchannel Mentor.
- Vesuvan Shapeshifter is a Clone that's usually free to play.
- No Eldrazi monsters to ramp in to? Not even Artisan of Kozilek? At the very least, Myr Battlesphere needs to be in here. That guy is great, especially when copied or bounced.
Hope this helps!
GUB [Retired Primer] The Mimeoplasm BUG
Modern: UR Storm RU
Cube: WUBRG Pauper Cube GRBUW
Credit for the banner goes to DarkNightCavalier at Heroes of the Plane Studios
All very good suggestions. I know I have a Deadwood Treefolk truckin' around in a box somewhere, so I'll have to evaluate if there's something in the 6-cc slot worth cutting for him. I really like what Foster does. Post wrath it draws you gas and gets rid of land topdecks.
Sun Quan I straight up forgot existed. I definitely agree, as being not as fragile is more important than UU in the cost. Going on the wishlist alongside Vesuvan Shapeshifter (which I also forgot existed :embarrass:).
I've been on the serious lookout for an Ulamog for several months now. I'm just fairly resistant to paying too much for him. He should've have been on the wishlist when I wrote the OP.
EDIT: @DTrain - Ha, I actually picked up a foil Genesis Wave before vacation. Didn't necessarily need it, but the guy really wanted to round out a trade. Guess this gives me a reason to include it. I've been debating cutting Fabricate, as it only has 4 targets. 75% of the time I use it to find Duplicant, which I can also fetch through Worldly Tutor, Fauna Shaman, or Fierce Empath.
DOUBLE EDIT: I changed the formatting of the decklist in the OP to be a little more readable. The creature section is now broken out into subsections by purpose.
stuff
Just go win the game with Primal Surge instead. Make sure Urabrask the Hidden or Fires of Yavimaya are somewhere in your deck and you're set.
Avenger of Zendikar is out, Myr Battlesphere is in. I love Avenger. Don't get me wrong. However, every time I play him he wins the game single-handedly, which is a bit too cutthroat for my meta. The Battlesphere was mentioned before, and I feel it's a suitable replacement. Free to cast late-game, beats face, and is friendly with bouncing.
Coiling Oracle is out. I needed to make room for Phantasmal Image, and I've been debating this cut for awhile. Although good CA, he just doesn't get a discount (which sucks).
Yavimaya Granger is in for Wood Elves. I need me some shocklands for Wood Elves to be better. Until then, Granger gets the slot.
Genesis is out for Deadwood Treefolk. Genesis has saved my butt more than once, but the 2G every upkeep is more than you think. On top of that, he's hard as hell to get into the 'yard with this deck. The Treefolk on the other hand provides instant gratification, not to mention the broken-ness with Deadeye Navigator (notice Treefolk triggers on leaving play, not dying).
Rampaging Baloths and Contested Cliffs are out. I was never really able to abuse this engine anywhere near as effectively in my Kresh deck. I'm taking the deck in a more reactive direction utilizing some more morph guys. Vesuvan Shapeshifter and Willbender are in. Note that I'm deliberately leaving the Pickles lock out (unless the Sen Triplets guy in my playgroup gets more out of hand).
stuff
The other thing I'm not seeing in your deck is creatures with X in their mana cost. Did you know that Animar counts for that too? If you didn't (or just didn't consider it) here's some suggestions: Apocalypse Hydra, Feral Hydra, Ivy Elemental, Krakilin, Lightning Serpent, Primordial Hydra, and Protean Hydra.
Also, Cloudstone Curio is pretty awesome with Animar and artifacts. You can get infinite counters on him pretty fast, but it's understandable if you think infinite combos are degenerate haha
Hi, thanks for stopping in! Although I realize Animar interacts well with artifacts, I'm really after abusing creatures with good ETB abilities. Most of the creatures you listed are either cheap (Memnite) or just beat face (Wurmcoil Engine). I'm after a more casual multiplayer game, so those options don't really appeal to me. Memnites are cool and all, but I want more value out of guys besides just throwing down counters on Animar.
I'm aware that Animar decreases X costs. Again, most the listed options are just Timmy-esque cards that don't really really have much value beyond beating face.
I already have Cloudstone Curio in the list, but you need to re-read the rules text. It only triggers on non-artifact permanents entering the battlefield, so it doesn't do anything with artifacts.
I had Palinchron is an early incarnation of the list, but I cut it as infinite comobs are discouraged in my meta. TBH, I don't really need him as this deck terrorizes the slower decks in my play group enough as is.
stuff
Ha, I've had one in my EDH binder for the last year but never sleeved it up. Since I'm trying to keep the creature count so high, I'm extremely picky about what goes in the 10 noncreature slots.
I just added the Genesis Wave not too long ago and haven't actually drawn it yet. If I feel it's too degenerate, I may give Guided Passage a whirl.
stuff
My version of this Animar deck originally had exactly two non-creature spells: Guided Passage and Food Chain. This proved too degenerate, but right now, Guided Passage is a tutor for an opponent's choice of Greater Good, Birthing Pod, or Praetor's Council.
Any of those would be solid inclusions in your deck, by the way.
cause torpor orb is a thing and its getting popular
URThe Joy of Painting with Nin, the Pain Artist!UR
Jeez, never even really thought how Topor Orb absolutely shuts down any Animar deck... That is scury.
Pretty much what inane said. If this was geared towards a strictly 1v1 French list, maybe I'd consider them. As is, they just don't make the cut as it's not often necessary to have a turn two Animar, and they don't have much synergy with anything else in the deck.
*cough* *cough* Chaos Warp *cough* Beast Within *cough*
I need to update this list. I've switched out Indrik Stomphowler for Wickerbough Elder, which also helps.
stuff
1v1 Headquarters
Sliver Overlord (MP, Retired)
Talrand, Sky Summoner (1v1, Budget)
Sygg, River Cutthroat (1v1, Competitive)
I'm assuming creature combat is your main win condition (Warstorm Surge back up), but you don't seem to have any effects to give your team haste. I suppose it depends on the meta, but in mine creatures rarely live a turn around the table
Into the Web of War, Fires of Yavimaya, Maelstrom Wanderer, Anger (in graveyard) and Urabrask the Hidden are all great haste enablers. If you're seeking the voltron win condition, Swiftfoot Boots and Lightning Greaves tend to be solid choices.
I haven't tried them, but it's something that I've considered also. Yuki-Onna probably isn't worth it. The other two are good given that they self bounce (sort of) but you could try adding extra spirits to improve their utility.
Edit: A list of all the red, green and blue spirits: http://magiccards.info/query?q=t%3A%22spirit%22+t%3A%22creature%22+f%3Acommander+ci%3Aurg&v=card&s=cname
@gelf, I love your thread, yo.
I also love this thread as well. I used it initially to build a 1v1 Animar deck, but realized it was too brutal (my playgroup would hate me :D). I'm glad you linked it, though, for those who are curious of Animar's full potential, but don't know of this thread.
Yeah, Yuki is the one I have real reservations about what with the EtB being mandatory and putting you in possible scenarios in which you couldn't play her because you'd have to blow up your own artifacts.
I do run a few spirits but not enough to really capitalize on the bounce ability. It provides for some cute interactions but that's it really. I am thinking of running Wild Pair and that may allow me a different means of cheating them out and using them in a more efficient manner.
Dear god that is a foul looking creature. Such a great inclusion!