I think to some extent this deck misunderstands what Tempo is about, since only Remand/Mana Leak are real tempo cards. The rest are targeted removal and rarely setup 2-for-1 situations, as is the goal of most tempo-based decks. Remand is only partially a true tempo card as well, since delaying without preventing is only about halfway there unless delaying for a turn leads to a game win (which it will sometimes, but often stalling is just stalling, rather than creating an advantageous game state).
You can't really run both Snapcaster and Lavamancer effectively. You need to pick one and run with it, and nine times out of ten, if you're running a removal plan, Lavamancer is not as effecient as flashing back a few bolts on their turn, especially since Lavamancer's a body that can be easily dealt with. Vendilion Clique is a threat both because of its incremental card advantage and perfect information, but also because it provides a flying attacker in a format with not a lot of flyers. This is significant when playing against decks like Zoo. It's also an effect power blocker when necessity dictates. The only other creature that I might consider in Vendilion Clique's spot might be Restoration Angel, for reasons that should hopefully be obvious.
I feel that it's more personal taste than even a meta call, as I much prefer hard counters in a format that is predominantly tempo based, sometimes that true counter can win you the game. Other times, it won't matter and should be sideboarded out, but it shouldn't be underestimated.
Mm... I feel the daggers need more testing, but you're right that replacing them with creatures straight up isn't bad. Still, a dagger shortens your clock by a turn typically and that can be significant. Still uncertain about its viability though since the current format is so removal heavy. Won many games by simply bolting players to death, and then recurring said bolts.
Experimenting with this at the moment. Trying to minimize risk/reward while providing some interesting tricks and timing plays. Might drop a Clique for another Snapcaster.
Seems janky as a one of, especially since there's no way to reliably get it on the board.
3 Burst Lightning
4 Serum Visions
4 Geist of Saint Traft
4 Path to Exile
3 Vendilion Clique
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Lightning Helix
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Snapcaster Mage
4 Mana Leak
4 Seachrome Coast
3 Arid Mesa
2 Hallowed Fountain
3 Misty Rainforest
1 Island
2 Mutavault
2 Sacred Foundry
3 Scalding Tarn
2 Steam Vents
2 Surgical Extraction
4 Spell Pierce
2 Kor Firewalker
2 Azorius Charm
3 Disenchant
2 Dispel
Modified it to be more Tempo-y and focused on aggressive Snapcaster plays.
2 Silver-Inlaid Dagger
4 Serum Visions
3 Geist of Saint Traft
4 Path to Exile
3 Vendilion Clique
4 Delver of Secrets
3 Steppe Lynx
4 Lightning Helix
4 Lightning Bolt
3 Snapcaster Mage
4 Mana Leak
4 Seachrome Coast
3 Arid Mesa
2 Hallowed Fountain
3 Misty Rainforest
1 Island
2 Mutavault
2 Sacred Foundry
3 Scalding Tarn
2 Steam Vents
2 Surgical Extraction
4 Spell Pierce
2 Kor Firewalker
2 Azorius Charm
3 Disenchant
2 Dispel
Experimenting with this at the moment. Trying to minimize risk/reward while providing some interesting tricks and timing plays. Might drop a Clique for another Snapcaster.