Copied and heavily modified from @Letham

Can't afford minions? Not to worry! Your avatar is your minion now, like a single mom working two jobs.

Buff them up, move them out. Fine Courser will help with that. Vampire Bats and Daperyll Vampire might even keep you alive long enough to draw a couple cards.

Coy Nixie and Guile Sirens move your enemies in for the kill, or just put them to Sleep so you don't take damage on the attack.

Apprentice Wizard draws cards and can cast Shrink, Sleep, and Magic Missiles. Helpful Hob is an expensive untap to get your Avatar swinging again. Order of the Sacred Oak is very situational, keeping you safe from Raze and Hamlets Ablaze. At least it has 3 power.

Whirling Blades is the classic finisher.

You'll find just about every Exceptional over a $1 in here, so it's gotta be good, right? Just keep putting lipstick on that pig and you'll be the prettiest Battlemage at the prom.