2 weeks ago I went 4-1 and last friday 3-0-1 on fnm with this cards besides the main list:
3 crackling drake
2 pteramander
2 fiery temper instead of gut shots
1 surgical extraction
2 thought scour
I can say that crackling drake always approves itself just by looking at my opponent's face when I cast it, same goes for looting/axe into madness fiery temper.
Playing that way makes me feel I play an midrangy deck with some twist in it. The huge amount of responses (izzet charm, axe, bolt, fiery temper) makes this deck really versatile and having the few more creatures always paid off.
I tried pyromancers ascension but it felt like i was just passing a turn doing nothing. Once it goes off it's bonkers, for me more like a "win more" card in this deck. It's especially good against mirror, but not that great since everybody has graveyard hate prepared more often even in pre board games.
Opt > Sleight of hand
Its often necessary not to tap out, so you actually try to play responsive at some point. I could think of various scenarios. First one coming in mind: turn 1 you actually decide to cast opt eot or bolt a goblin guide responding to the trigger (damn I hate the burn matchup). With opt, you're also not forced to put a good card on the bottom (sleight of hand->drawing for example 2 phoenixes).
The deck in general is full of cards you actually want to draw or you have already a good hand and every card is a good addition to your hand, I actually love the topdecks this deck has.
Faithless Looting:
If a ban happens, what would be the best replacement in this deck? Cathartic reunion, izzet charm or (not) desperate ravings? None of them seem to be a fair replacement looking on the value looting is giving this deck...
And then, the most fair thing would be printing a new card with a 2 cmc looting with flashback...
3 crackling drake
2 pteramander
2 fiery temper instead of gut shots
1 surgical extraction
2 thought scour
I can say that crackling drake always approves itself just by looking at my opponent's face when I cast it, same goes for looting/axe into madness fiery temper.
Playing that way makes me feel I play an midrangy deck with some twist in it. The huge amount of responses (izzet charm, axe, bolt, fiery temper) makes this deck really versatile and having the few more creatures always paid off.
I tried pyromancers ascension but it felt like i was just passing a turn doing nothing. Once it goes off it's bonkers, for me more like a "win more" card in this deck. It's especially good against mirror, but not that great since everybody has graveyard hate prepared more often even in pre board games.
Its often necessary not to tap out, so you actually try to play responsive at some point. I could think of various scenarios. First one coming in mind: turn 1 you actually decide to cast opt eot or bolt a goblin guide responding to the trigger (damn I hate the burn matchup). With opt, you're also not forced to put a good card on the bottom (sleight of hand->drawing for example 2 phoenixes).
The deck in general is full of cards you actually want to draw or you have already a good hand and every card is a good addition to your hand, I actually love the topdecks this deck has.
Faithless Looting:
If a ban happens, what would be the best replacement in this deck? Cathartic reunion, izzet charm or (not) desperate ravings? None of them seem to be a fair replacement looking on the value looting is giving this deck...
And then, the most fair thing would be printing a new card with a 2 cmc looting with flashback...