This is a fairly vague question, but I'm wondering if anyone has any insight as to whether Peek or Censor is a better card? I'm looking at it this way:
With Peek, you have one option. You look at the opponent's hand, and draw your card. You can't do anything else, but you get added value rather than just drawing a card.
With Censor, you have two options. Tax a spell for one mana (countering it in any situation you would use it for this effect), and lose a card. If this option doesn't look pleasing, you can simply pay your one mana and draw a card, with no value. So you have more options with censor, but you don't get the same value you would with Peek by choosing one of the effects.
Which one would you put in your deck, if you wanted to fill this type of slot?
If this question can only be answered with a situation in mind, here is my deck: http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/a-miraculous-combo/
It's going through an overhaul after playtesting and seeing some FNM play. I feel like I need this slot filled with a card like this to be able to Miracle on an opponent's turn, which doesn't happen as often now that I'm cutting down to 3 miracles. This makes me inclined to run Censor, so I have the additional option of countering a spell in situations I need that. However, I am trying to resolve a combo that is broken by some fairly common cards in the format, so having the opportunity to look at what I'm dealing with sounds enticing.
Peek is better imho, knowing when it is safe to go for the combo can be very important.
Remand is better than both as it buys you time and draws you a card.
I don't think that Terminus is worth playing in a Saheeli combo deck (along with weak cantrips like Telling Time over the more mana-efficient Serum Visions).
Like stated above, Remand is THE counter for combo decks. However, if you really need to decide between the too, I'd go for Censor. I've tried it and its been nice, you can really catch some spells in the early game and unlike Remand, they will go away. You need early game presence in modern and Censor can do that while not being an awful topdeck.
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Thank you both for your input, it seems we have two sides to the discussion!
How I justify Terminus and Telling Time is by looking at my manabase. It's gradually improving for me, but I often had times when I began building my deck to have untapped mana turn 1. And since this deck is combo focused, if I can get the manabase to work with me before turn 2, I would love to run Serum Visions.
As for Remand, I'm probably not valuing it enough. I find myself taking this deck to the long game a lot with the setup I have, and delaying a card can't do me much unless I can dig for the combo. I keep telling myself that unless I can remand and snap remand the next turn, I'd rather just be countering the spell. Or am I incorrect in the aggressive meta of today?
In regards to the original question, points have been proven but I still don't know if I want Censor or Peek. I guess it will just be personal preference and if I end up finding myself in situations to know if I should worry about opposing untapped mana.
You have a combo that wins the game, delaying your oponent's spells while drawing a card is exactly what you want to do. You don't care if eventually that Tarmogoyf if going to resolve, once you combo out the game is over. Also Remand is great against Living end (remember to counter the Living end itself not the spell with cascade), Tasigur, the golden fang, Gurmag angler, Ancestral vision, Lingering souls and many other modern staples. Basically it can stop really well delve, suspend, flashback spells and many combos.
As for the Censor vs Peek discussion, imagine this scenario: your'e playing against affy, burn or whatever super aggro deck that is in modern right now, and you have a bad matchup, what would you prefer to see in your opening hand? a Censor or a Peek?. Both can be cycled turn one if you're desperate to find removal, but one has the ability to make a relevant play, the other just allows you to see your oponent's hand, wich will only make you realize how screw you are
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Tl;Dr- it comes down to your preferred playstyle. I prefer Censor, but if you'd rather play it safe (say a control-heavy meta), Peek is more your speed.
Peek is better in two situations:
-One, where you're going into an unknown field (say a GP), and do not have a good read on what your opponents will have.
-Two, when casting spells actively matters. Ex: Storm. Peek is really good for this deck, as it cantrips and informs you if you're good to go (say you have Warrens and they have a Supreme Verdict, it's a no-go).
Censor, on the other hand is good when:
-One, you know your meta, and are not particularly worried about their hand or would rather force them to have it, anyways. But hey, another Censor may be that counter you dig into or have already to back up your combo anyways to their answer.
-Two, You're looking to better your odds on decks that aim to curve out, so countering their Turn 2/3 drops (or T4 on game one) is a major swing in your favor.
Very fringe cases care about the fact that Censor cycles, but Peek is cast. Besides the aforementioned Storm, against an Eidolon of the Great Revel, Censor will safely dig for outs, but Peek will hurt. The werewolf transform mechanic really doesn't matter in current metas, but if you really wanna spite someone trying to run it without dedicating sideboard slots, Peek will keep em humans more often than Censor.
With Peek, you have one option. You look at the opponent's hand, and draw your card. You can't do anything else, but you get added value rather than just drawing a card.
With Censor, you have two options. Tax a spell for one mana (countering it in any situation you would use it for this effect), and lose a card. If this option doesn't look pleasing, you can simply pay your one mana and draw a card, with no value. So you have more options with censor, but you don't get the same value you would with Peek by choosing one of the effects.
Which one would you put in your deck, if you wanted to fill this type of slot?
If this question can only be answered with a situation in mind, here is my deck: http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/a-miraculous-combo/
It's going through an overhaul after playtesting and seeing some FNM play. I feel like I need this slot filled with a card like this to be able to Miracle on an opponent's turn, which doesn't happen as often now that I'm cutting down to 3 miracles. This makes me inclined to run Censor, so I have the additional option of countering a spell in situations I need that. However, I am trying to resolve a combo that is broken by some fairly common cards in the format, so having the opportunity to look at what I'm dealing with sounds enticing.
Remand is better than both as it buys you time and draws you a card.
I don't think that Terminus is worth playing in a Saheeli combo deck (along with weak cantrips like Telling Time over the more mana-efficient Serum Visions).
How I justify Terminus and Telling Time is by looking at my manabase. It's gradually improving for me, but I often had times when I began building my deck to have untapped mana turn 1. And since this deck is combo focused, if I can get the manabase to work with me before turn 2, I would love to run Serum Visions.
As for Remand, I'm probably not valuing it enough. I find myself taking this deck to the long game a lot with the setup I have, and delaying a card can't do me much unless I can dig for the combo. I keep telling myself that unless I can remand and snap remand the next turn, I'd rather just be countering the spell. Or am I incorrect in the aggressive meta of today?
In regards to the original question, points have been proven but I still don't know if I want Censor or Peek. I guess it will just be personal preference and if I end up finding myself in situations to know if I should worry about opposing untapped mana.
As for the Censor vs Peek discussion, imagine this scenario: your'e playing against affy, burn or whatever super aggro deck that is in modern right now, and you have a bad matchup, what would you prefer to see in your opening hand? a Censor or a Peek?. Both can be cycled turn one if you're desperate to find removal, but one has the ability to make a relevant play, the other just allows you to see your oponent's hand, wich will only make you realize how screw you are
Between Peek and Censor, I would play Censor because the counter mode seems more relevant than seeing their hand
Peek is better in two situations:
-One, where you're going into an unknown field (say a GP), and do not have a good read on what your opponents will have.
-Two, when casting spells actively matters. Ex: Storm. Peek is really good for this deck, as it cantrips and informs you if you're good to go (say you have Warrens and they have a Supreme Verdict, it's a no-go).
Censor, on the other hand is good when:
-One, you know your meta, and are not particularly worried about their hand or would rather force them to have it, anyways. But hey, another Censor may be that counter you dig into or have already to back up your combo anyways to their answer.
-Two, You're looking to better your odds on decks that aim to curve out, so countering their Turn 2/3 drops (or T4 on game one) is a major swing in your favor.
Very fringe cases care about the fact that Censor cycles, but Peek is cast. Besides the aforementioned Storm, against an Eidolon of the Great Revel, Censor will safely dig for outs, but Peek will hurt. The werewolf transform mechanic really doesn't matter in current metas, but if you really wanna spite someone trying to run it without dedicating sideboard slots, Peek will keep em humans more often than Censor.
Hope this helps!