Elves of Deep Shadow

Use it for black mana early on, then use it to feed something or blocking fodder.

Also, extremely cool art.

it's great in a green black it's cost one green for a 1/1 that gets you swamp when you dont have it. one life isnot much whenyour geting things that cost three on turn 2.

Yes, there are mana converting Elves, and the Urborg Elf has more versatility, but as far as filling a niche as 'tap for black mana', this creature has it in spades. So it does a bit of damage. If you're playing even a splash of black you'll note a lot of self-damaging spells anyway.

Its a 1/1 for 1 green mana that taps for black, but you lose life