Just went 3-0-1 tonight using 2x Puzzle Box and 4x Narset.
Matchups:
UW vs UW = Draw
UW vs UW = 2-0 Win
UW vs BG Midrange = 2-1 Win
UW vs Waste Not Brew = 2-1 Win
Overall Puzzle box was great, even on its own it digs towards the combo and allows for filtering. We also play a lot of instant speed maindeck so we can respond to the trigger. Being able to curve out Narset into puzzle box on an empty board can virtually win the game on the spot, its a really nice thing to have access to in UW. Sanitarium was amazing all night, highly recommend this with 4x Narset.
Question : do you guys will play Generous Gift in the 75 ?
I'll definitely be testing it in UW midrange control. I've already stated I think its being heaving undervalued. With Wall + Jace + Teferi + Sweepers + Kitchen Finks I have no issues dealing with the token in my maindeck.
My thoughts on Generous Gift is that you often are letting creatures resolve and using countermagic for noncreature permanents in order to maximize returns on wrath effects. So while you can just bounce the token with Teferi, Time Raveler, I think you are better off just ignoring this card. It appears to do what you want it to do, but it does not really feed into how games usually play out. I may be wrong, but I doubt it. Decks that played Beast Within played it out of necessity and the lack of ways to interact with the opponent otherwise.
For Archmage's Charm, it seems pretty powerful. The UUU is relevant, mainly if you ware wanting to use it on curve with a high level of frequency. But I don't think this card would ever be a 4-of, and not because of the casting cost, but because we have better things to do on turn 3 now days. As something like a 2-of, the mana cost becomes less important because the fewer you put in the deck, the less you are wanting to have it in an opening to cast on curve anyways. I will say that as powerful as Fact or Fiction can be... I like Archmage's Charm more. Personally, I use Gideon of the Trials, so I won't likely be using this card and will default to Fact or Fiction. But I will certainly test charm out in a different shell.
I have to disagree completely on your assessment of Generous Gift, I think its exactly what UW needed. Being able to kill a resolved threat at instant speed while also proving a myriad of other tricks you can do with it lend to the far more likely side of seeing mainboard play. I will take this card over Archmage's Charm and Detention Sphere in my 3CMC spot and I'm personally going to play 2 copies main.
My UW midrange deck is going to add 2 of these main. Adds to the Field of Ruins / Path to exile plan and can often lead to strip mining, this accelerates that plan even more while allowing me to play to the board.
It actually is an amazing addition to this archetype and will slot nicely into my UW midrange variant. This straight up replaces Detention Sphere for me and allows for A LOT of tricks and adds a lot more versatility than D Sphere. The only time I see D sphere being better is VS token strategies, which aren't very prevalent in modern.
In my deck in particular I play 3mc Teferi, Jace and Wall which all deal with the elephant on the opponents side. This allow us to instantly remove resolved non creature permanents, untap and verdict to clear up most board states that were traditionally very hard to overcome.
Haven't used either new Teferi or Narset however I am using 2x Ashiok (sideboard) and Veto in my UW midrange list. I feel like 3 of new Teferi or Narset is both way to much for this archetype as they simply don't do enough on their own to create impact. Perhaps a 1 of each in CA spots wouldn't hurt.
I would be running probably 2 more Surgicals in the sideboard over the Rest in Peace but i cant afford them atm. Also I would probably run 1 more Snapcaster in lieu of a Wall of Omens.
I've moved to a UW midrange style control or the classic UW style of control from the original lists way back. Been having great success with it recently. I also love that it can close games much faster than Teferi versions. currently 6-0-2 over the last 2 events.
Dovin's veto will add small % points to our control matchups and combo matchups that play Pact of Negation. Also the new Narset is amazing sideboard tech. New Teferi could definitely see play as well.
How does everyone feel about Watcher for Tomorrow in the midrange control version as a way of replacing Wall of Omens?
Matchups:
UW vs UW = Draw
UW vs UW = 2-0 Win
UW vs BG Midrange = 2-1 Win
UW vs Waste Not Brew = 2-1 Win
Overall Puzzle box was great, even on its own it digs towards the combo and allows for filtering. We also play a lot of instant speed maindeck so we can respond to the trigger. Being able to curve out Narset into puzzle box on an empty board can virtually win the game on the spot, its a really nice thing to have access to in UW. Sanitarium was amazing all night, highly recommend this with 4x Narset.
I'll definitely be testing it in UW midrange control. I've already stated I think its being heaving undervalued. With Wall + Jace + Teferi + Sweepers + Kitchen Finks I have no issues dealing with the token in my maindeck.
I have to disagree completely on your assessment of Generous Gift, I think its exactly what UW needed. Being able to kill a resolved threat at instant speed while also proving a myriad of other tricks you can do with it lend to the far more likely side of seeing mainboard play. I will take this card over Archmage's Charm and Detention Sphere in my 3CMC spot and I'm personally going to play 2 copies main.
Source?
Generous Gift
It actually is an amazing addition to this archetype and will slot nicely into my UW midrange variant. This straight up replaces Detention Sphere for me and allows for A LOT of tricks and adds a lot more versatility than D Sphere. The only time I see D sphere being better is VS token strategies, which aren't very prevalent in modern.
In my deck in particular I play 3mc Teferi, Jace and Wall which all deal with the elephant on the opponents side. This allow us to instantly remove resolved non creature permanents, untap and verdict to clear up most board states that were traditionally very hard to overcome.
Best card revealed for us so far IMO.
Ya here you go:
3x Restoration Angel
2x Snapcaster Mage
4x Wall of Omens
2x Kitchen Finks
2x Vendilion Clique
Planeswalkers
2x Jace, The Mind Sculptor
2x Gideon of the Trials
Spells
1x Surgical Extraction
4x Opt
4x Path to Exile
1x Spell Snare
1x Dovin's Veto
3x Supreme Verdict
3x Cryptic Command
1x Absorb
4x Celestial Colonnade
4x Flooded Strand
4x Field of Rune
1x Ghost Quarter
2x Hallowed Fountain
1x Mystic Gate
6x Island
3x Plains
2x Rest in Peace
2x Stony Silence
2x Damping Sphere
1x Dovin's Veto
1x Spell Snare
1x Dispel
1x Lyra Dawnbringer
1x Wrath of God
2x Celestial Purge
2x Disdainful Stroke
I would be running probably 2 more Surgicals in the sideboard over the Rest in Peace but i cant afford them atm. Also I would probably run 1 more Snapcaster in lieu of a Wall of Omens.