Keep in mind guys, that although Runed Halo protects you from Emrakul damage, it doesn't stop the Annihilator trigger from resolving. So, in many cases after sacrificing to the trigger, it's pretty much game.
On the subject of Path to Exile and Swords to plowshares, it is fair to a degree, with life gain or a land being the trade off.
It's fair! Just like drawing 3 cards was as fair as gaining 3 life
I never said drawing three cards was fair, just pointing out how those cards specifically can be considered fair. Also, those were different times ma man... Much different times. I mean "fair," by today's standards. Magic has changed since the days of 1 blue mana, draw 3. come on now!
Fair enough statement, blue should have library manipulation. However, I do not think Splinter Twin or Storm should be banned. Blue will one day have some sort great "fair" cantrip again, when... who knows.
I guess the point I was trying to convey, is that something in the form of the examples I presented are really the only things I can see wizards printing. Indeed, "fair is subjective," and taking a card from someone's hand for 2 life (1 for 1 trade + 2 life), is a bit different then gaining significant card advantage from scrying then drawing a card. Especially with decks like Twin and storm that would greatly benefit from deck manipulation. Are we really gonna jump on the other colors for having something like Path or Bolt, and compare that in this argument? Because this discussion isn't about comparing what colors have or should have, rather what is likely to come in the future for blue in the way of cantrips.
I think the best solution is one of two things... I foresee the following happening for Modern:
1.) U - Legendary Creature 1/2 - At the beginning of your next upkeep, if you cast this creature from your hand, you may reveal the top 3 cards of your library. An opponent chooses 1 of the revealed cards this way, put the other 2 revealed cards into your hand. Put the chosen card along with this creature on the bottom of your library.
This offers the opponent many ways to interact with the spell, rather then just counter it. They can deal with the threat in a variety of ways and at the very least, control what you DO NOT draw! Perhaps wizards can add a Shuffle clause to the end of the text, so the cards don't sit at the bottom of the deck, but I don't feel like that would be right.
2.) U - Sorcery - reveal the top 3 cards of your library. An opponent chooses 1 of the revealed cards this way, put the other 2 revealed cards into your hand. Put the chosen card on the bottom of your library. Your opponent may draw a card at the beginning of the next upkeep.
Wizards is pushing Fair card strategies with the printing of new sets. If anything is going to happen, it's going to be something like the examples above.
Does anyone have a link for the ban list update on April 28th? I wasn't sure where people were going when the update to the modern ban list was announced when deathrite shaman was banned. I don't want to be behind the 8 ball when the announcement is made.
I saw your videos, and all I can say is, "we all make mistakes." I can't say I'm a pro by any standards, as I make plenty of mistakes as well; we all do, that's how we learn. I think the pressure of the clock is bogus! Wizards should re-evaluate the amount of time a match should last. I otherwise like your deck design, and card choices. The reason I think people prefer Restoration Angel over any other card choice, is due to "Flash." Also, it's handy against aggro decks, where you can play a resto as a blocker in response to an attack, then swing the following turn. it blinks snappy and Clique, and allows you to blink your Giest to prevent a fatal blow from combat damage.
With regards to your approach using Elspeth, what are your thoughts on Iroas, God of Victory? Although it doesn't provide the same advantages as Elspeth, it might open up a new strategy.
Lately, I'm coming to find myself in between both the uwr control build, and the tempo version. I don't run Geist in my list, as I prefer kitchenfinx. I find that finx does more work for me against the aggro builds, and blinking finx with resto is just awesome. Currently, I'm running 4x Snapcaster Mage, 3x Vendilion Clique, 2x Restoration Angel, and 2x Kitchen Finx. Right now, I'm looking to replace my electrolize, as I find them to be less handy. I like the idea of using Brimaz in place of 2 electrize, and maybe up my Helix or Path count up to 4, but I'm still looking for something with better synergy than Brimaz. If I'm throwing in a creature I want something that can benefit from Resto, or a cryptic command EOT bounce. Something like Wall of Omens or Blade Splicer. I feel like UWR doesn't have as much cantrips as it should for a midrange control deck.
Engineered Explosives is going to be golden! The majority of creatures in zoo cost of 1 Mana 2 tops. Merfolk mainly around 2 Mana as well. Oh yeah, and it's a great way to dealwith tokens.
Guys, what about a much more simplistic approach. I know this might sound a bit odd, but what about the pauper approach? with Mana being an issue, and blood moon a thing, what if we ran a leaner meaner more aggro build. We can utilize something as simple as bonesplitter instead of the high Manacost sword, which keep you from leaving untapped Mana up. Bonesplitter may not seem like a big deal, but 3dmg in the air non-stop adds up quick. Taking advantage of black for spot removal and discard, and clique as another means for keeping the right cards out of their hand or getting the wrong ones out of ours. We can use snappy for recasting spot removal, and/or discard when necessary. We can even run ninja of the deep hours to recast snappy, and our power faeries over again. Maybe running 2 bone splitter and 1 sword of light and shadow for the late game. Anyone who has played Faeries in Pauper knows what I'm talking about here. Sure we don't have cloud of Faeries or counterspell, but we have dual color power to make up for it!
What about Young Pyromancer as an option to add pressure? I have heard mention of Elspeth providing some steady pressure, and I feel given the amount of instants and sorceries the deck runs, that this could perhaps be yet another route to go for a UWR Draw-Go style version. Please excuse me if this might seem a little outlandish... We could also replace one of the planeswalkers with Elspeth, and Batterskull for more synergy?
I never said drawing three cards was fair, just pointing out how those cards specifically can be considered fair. Also, those were different times ma man... Much different times. I mean "fair," by today's standards. Magic has changed since the days of 1 blue mana, draw 3. come on now!
1.) U - Legendary Creature 1/2 - At the beginning of your next upkeep, if you cast this creature from your hand, you may reveal the top 3 cards of your library. An opponent chooses 1 of the revealed cards this way, put the other 2 revealed cards into your hand. Put the chosen card along with this creature on the bottom of your library.
This offers the opponent many ways to interact with the spell, rather then just counter it. They can deal with the threat in a variety of ways and at the very least, control what you DO NOT draw! Perhaps wizards can add a Shuffle clause to the end of the text, so the cards don't sit at the bottom of the deck, but I don't feel like that would be right.
2.) U - Sorcery - reveal the top 3 cards of your library. An opponent chooses 1 of the revealed cards this way, put the other 2 revealed cards into your hand. Put the chosen card on the bottom of your library. Your opponent may draw a card at the beginning of the next upkeep.
Wizards is pushing Fair card strategies with the printing of new sets. If anything is going to happen, it's going to be something like the examples above.
I saw your videos, and all I can say is, "we all make mistakes." I can't say I'm a pro by any standards, as I make plenty of mistakes as well; we all do, that's how we learn. I think the pressure of the clock is bogus! Wizards should re-evaluate the amount of time a match should last. I otherwise like your deck design, and card choices. The reason I think people prefer Restoration Angel over any other card choice, is due to "Flash." Also, it's handy against aggro decks, where you can play a resto as a blocker in response to an attack, then swing the following turn. it blinks snappy and Clique, and allows you to blink your Giest to prevent a fatal blow from combat damage.
With regards to your approach using Elspeth, what are your thoughts on Iroas, God of Victory? Although it doesn't provide the same advantages as Elspeth, it might open up a new strategy.
Thoughts?