In the original core sets of Alpha , Beta , and Unlimited , Elves existed in two specific incarnations: Elvish Archers, a 1/2 for two mana that has First Strike (which is, while fitting for an Elf in a roundabout way, stands against green's side of "color pie theory"), and Llanowar Elves, a 1/1 for one green mana which could, in turn, be tapped for green mana itself
Using their sacrifice ability can scale them rather quickly and then you can kill them off too for widespread damage
No matter what cards you settle on playing, you'll want to pick your two best colors
Indestructible and recursion are not rare anymore
Whereas Pokemon ex follow the TCG's stage-based system of evolution chains, Pokemon EX do not