This is a Sultai control build based off of Gerard Fabiano's SCG Open Baltimore-winning deck.
-Inquisition of Kozilek and Thoughtseize let us tear our opponent's hand apart early and often.
-Serum Visions is solid, cheap card draw that allows us to try and set up future draws.
-Abrupt Decay is cheap removal that hits a vast majority of Modern staples. We're taking a couple small cues from Jund in this deck, and this is one of them.
-Snapcaster Mage oh, Mr. Snippysnappy. What would a blue deck ever do without you?
-Mana Leak either shuts down a crucial spell or taxes the opponent hard.
-Cryptic Command is another solid counterspell that replaces itself. The other two modes are situationally useful but as usual we'll usually choose counter-draw.
-Maelstrom Pulse is a good way to sweep things the opponent might run multiples of. Destroying two Siege Rhinos or whatnot for 3 mana is solid.
-Damnation is here to reset the board on turn 4 and possibly again later in the game if things get out of hand. Its value is easily underestimated by the opponent if you're willing to use it aggressively.
-Thragtusk is a beater that gains us a bit of life and gives us a token when it dies. This is a carryover from Fabiano's list so suggestions are welcome.
-Bring to Light is an new addition of mine. The blue-black-green manabase can search up most things we might want: Inquisition, Pulse, Command, etc. We also run two Hallowed Fountain for a fetchable fourth color so we can Bring a Damnation in case of emergency. I'm considering switching one Thragtusk out for something we can fetch with BtL so I welcome any ideas.
-Jace, Architect of Thought is another carryover from Fabiano's list that I'm not sure about. His +1 seems useful to protect ourselves and the -1 seems decent as a mini Fact or Fiction. I may consider cutting this as some videos I watched of Fabiano didn't show this card doing much.
-Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver can net us an opponent's Tarmogoyf, Dark Confidant, etc. by turn 4. A good way to invest early for some boardstate a little later.
-Tasigur, the Golden Fang is a 4/5 beater we can get out for one mana in mid-late game. Delving strategically and then using his ability can also force opponents to put something you want back in your hand.
-Silumgar, the Drifting Death is here as a one-of because I feel like it can be useful in many matchups but not all. Anything that relies on 1-toughness creatures (Bob, Lingering Souls) can get destroyed by Silumgar. The 3/7 hexproof body also works as a beater that the opponent will find hard to rid themselves of.
I need help with simply tuning the deck and selecting sideboard options. Help, suggestions, praise, criticism, and everything else is welcome!
