Ever since Alpha debuted with Llanowar Elves and Birds of Paradise, we've been spoiled for choice on 1-drops that tap for that sweet, sweet mana. We've had tons of great options with a huge impact on Standard, like ramping out Fires of Yavimaya on the second turn, and they've proven themselves as Casual, Commander and 5-Color all-stars. I know many folks in modern Magic would prefer Ramp spells and Mana Rocks since they won't be removed by board wipes like Day of Judgment, but Mana Dorks are still good for making that mana! Plus, they can chump block, attack on their own, or even pick up a piece of Equipment! Let's look at some of my favorite Mana Dorks for Casual and Commander play.

Honorable Mention

2-Drops that Tap for Any Color

There are tons of these 2-drops that tap for any color of mana. The first was Utopia Tree in from Invasion, but the first good one was probably Sylvan Caryatid with hexproof that made it difficult to interact with. Modern Magic is full of 2-drop mana dorks with upside, like Paradise Druid that has hexproof until it taps, and Nightshade Dryad with Deathtouch that keeps attackers away. You've even got options with Reach and Deathtouch like Poison Dart Frog! You can even find options outside of Green, like Ornithopter of Paradise. Don't count these options out!

Sanctum Weaver

This is the first of many Mana Dorks that give you more than one mana from a single source! Sanctum Weaver gives you one color of mana equal to your total number of enchantments! That's a lot of mana from just one creature!

Bloom Tender AND Faeburrow Elder

These are your classic multicolor mana dorks. Each reads: "For each color among permanents you control, add one mana of that color." Faeburrow Elder also has Power and Toughness equal to the number of colors on permanents you control and has vigilance, so you can swing in for an attack and then tap for mana later!

And now we're on to the heavy hitters in the Top Five!

#5. All One-Drop Mana Elves!

Because they drop for just a single mana and tap for one Green (or colorless, or black, or... you get the idea), every 1-drop Mana Elf goes into my #5 spot and are my lowest ranking 1-drops. They are awesome, dependable, and you love them too!

#4. Delighted Halfling

Delighted Halfling sits a bit bigger than your average elf at a 1/2 size, and taps for colorless mana you can use for anything, or one mana of any color to spend on legendary spells (and then that spell can't be countered!). Whether helping cast planeswalkers or artifacts like The One Ring, enchantments like Honden of Seeing Winds, or dorks in the 99 and Commanders, this halfling is more than capable of pulling its weight.

#3. Ignoble AND Noble Hierarch

This 1-drop duo has Exalted and an unassuming 0/1 body that actually swings as a 1/2 if attacking alone. They can tap for three different colors, one in Bant () and the other in Jund (). Noble Hierarch debuted in Shards of Alara to help with mana-fixing in a heavily multicolor environment. Just remember, you just need all 3 mana-symbols in your color identity to run these in your Commander deck!

#2. Birds of Paradise

Birds of Paradise is a classic among classics and taps for all of the colors. It's my top scoring 1-drop Mana Dork. It defines mana-making and flexibility, has flying, and can chump block and eat Lightning Bolts with the best of them.

#1. Elvish Archdruid, Priest of Titania AND Circle of Dreams Druid

This set of three showcases the value of going wide with dorks by rewarding you for doing so with more and more mana. Printed as a common way back in Urza's Saga, Priest of Titania taps for a Green mana for each Elf you control! This was in the same set as Gaea's Cradle! Elvish Archdruid also taps for mana equal to your elves, and pumps them all up as a Lord effect, so he's here too. Circle of Dreams Druids doesn't just care about Elves, tapping for mana equal to the number of creatures you control (just like Gaea's Cradle). For the sheer amount of mana they can produce, these have to be right on top!

And a special shout-out to Devoted Druid which needs the right brew but can combo off, the colorless mana-tapping Myr that can smooth your mana base in decks without Green, and many more! What do you think? Which Mana Dorks do you think deserve to make the Top Five?