Since they've been out for quite some time already what is the concensus about Cryptic Serpent and Enigma Drake ?
Can they be effective curve-toppers for a "Jeskai Delver" deck ?
I don't really get the Steppe Lynx over Monastery Swiftspear here (or Soul-Scar Mage if you want to burn fatties).
It forces the deck to play way too many lands that take away slots from cantrips (Serum Visions has to be in the deck in my opinion).
As a lategame card Bedlam Reveler seems better than Hazoret in a Delver list as you don't really want to be out of cards.
I'm going to try out Riddleform as it seems to have potential.
I'm not sure where Countervailing Winds can fit, as a 3-mana counterspell it gets outclassed by all the Cancel variants
(most notably Disallow/Counterflux).
I'm not sure if the cycling makes it playable (especially for 2 mana) compared to something like Logic Knot,
as Censor hasn't exactly proved itself useful (though it is probably slightly better).
It is rather difficult to claim that "Jeskai Delver" is favored against the field when there are no tournament results to back it up
(I haven't seen anything on "mtggoldfish" and "mtgtop8" for 6 months, since the Probe ban).
If it was the case more players would've probably picked up the deck.
The deck i certainly fun and very customizable as is evident with the "Cloudshift+Akroma" approach which is cute but would also backfire from time to time when have a bunch of dead cards in hand.
But the deck isn't probably the best option to consistently 5-0 leagues online or go far in tournaments.
^^
Not to be too negative here but it is basically a (strictly) worse version of "Burn".
You run too many not mana efficient spells here: Exquisite Firecraft, Jeskai Charm and Lightning Angel (I'd never consider playing it without some sort of ramp).
Also Magma Jet seems pretty bad in a Blue deck which can do much better with card selection/cantripping.
Cryptic Serpent can potentially replace Geist as a fast clock (and getting it down to 3 mana isn't that hard) that isn't stonewalled as easily.
Both cards work very well with Thought Scour and also other cheap cantrips (Serum, Sleight or Slip).
Can they be effective curve-toppers for a "Jeskai Delver" deck ?
It is more of a control oriented version with 4x Cryptics and 3x Logic Knot.
It forces the deck to play way too many lands that take away slots from cantrips (Serum Visions has to be in the deck in my opinion).
Lightning Angel is probably not efficient enough either, maindeck Vendilion Clique or even a Geist would be better instead imho.
The deck looks pretty unfocused with Steppe Lynx and Cryptic Command in the same deck.
I'm going to try out Riddleform as it seems to have potential.
I'm not sure where Countervailing Winds can fit, as a 3-mana counterspell it gets outclassed by all the Cancel variants
(most notably Disallow/Counterflux).
I'm not sure if the cycling makes it playable (especially for 2 mana) compared to something like Logic Knot,
as Censor hasn't exactly proved itself useful (though it is probably slightly better).
Is Riddleform just a worse Myth Realized ?
It is like an easier to trigger Halcyon Glaze/Angel's Tomb/Glint Hawk Idol.
(I haven't seen anything on "mtggoldfish" and "mtgtop8" for 6 months, since the Probe ban).
If it was the case more players would've probably picked up the deck.
The deck i certainly fun and very customizable as is evident with the "Cloudshift+Akroma" approach which is cute but would also backfire from time to time when have a bunch of dead cards in hand.
But the deck isn't probably the best option to consistently 5-0 leagues online or go far in tournaments.
Also, Has anyone tested Curator of Mysteries in their deck ?
The ability to cycle it early or have a 4/4 flyer later in the game seems pretty good.
Not to be too negative here but it is basically a (strictly) worse version of "Burn".
You run too many not mana efficient spells here: Exquisite Firecraft, Jeskai Charm and Lightning Angel (I'd never consider playing it without some sort of ramp).
Also Magma Jet seems pretty bad in a Blue deck which can do much better with card selection/cantripping.
(and Inquisition of Kozilek).
Cryptic Serpent also plays much better with counterspells than Bedlam Reveler since you don't have to discard your hand when you cast it.
Clout of the Dominus is a pretty bad card (unless you play only hybrid u/r creatures and don't want to target them).
It pairs pretty well with Nivmagus Elemental (very good with Mutagenic Growth) and Nivix Cyclops (Wee Dragonauts).