NOTE: This deck could be built a good deal more cheaply with a different land base, no Blood Moons, and with a less expensive counterspell package in the sideboard.
This type of deck is sometimes referred to as "Utopia Storm," or "Twiddle Storm," and was originated by Chris Fennel, and publicized by Seth Mansfield: Here's that original recipe Twiddle deck. I've always liked this concept, and Storm archetypes generally. This is a somewhat different brew, that relies more heavily on tutors instead of cantrips, and therefore has room for counterspells to protect the combo. I don't reckon this will win any tournaments, but I hope to pull off some surprising wins.
How it works:
First, drop enchant lands, ideally 2 or more on the same land. This is the deck's mana engine, which turns your
Twiddle
s into Dark Rituals or better for . Then, cast Gifts Ungiven, ideally on the opponent's turn, and get some combo pieces -
Twiddle
,
Dream's Grip
, Hidden Strings, and Past in Flames. Now it doesn't really matter what your opponent lets you keep, as you'll be able to play the
Twiddle
effects on your engine to make a bunch of mana, resolve Past in Flames (or do this in the opposite order depending on your hand), then play spells from your graveyard to build a storm count. Then re-cast Gifts Ungiven for your finishers. This can be done pretty reliably by turn 4, and frequently on turn 3 (a turn 2 win is possible, but not very likely).
Of course, it's not all that easy. Staples like Thoughtseize are very good against this deck (only if it's well-timed - a T1 discard spell is often the wrong play against this deck). The deck plays around soft counters, but often has no answer for hard counters. It can also get hosed by land destruction and graveyard hate after sideboarding.
Thoughts on particular cards:
Rewind - This is my favorite addition to the deck. Since we can make a lot of mana very quickly, it's not too expensive, and can behave as a "free" counterspell, or even net you mana. It can be played on the opponent's turn if they tap out for something, and let you resolve Gifts Ungiven on the same turn. Otherwise, you can use it to protect your combo during your own turn.
Merchant Scroll - Since we don't have tons of deck manipulation, we need reliable tutoring. This can go find Gifts Ungiven and/or Rewind. It's even more useful if you drop in some bounce spells from the sideboard.
Banefire - As I've playtested this deck, I've often had a bunch of leftover mana on the turn where I combo off - so why not do something useful with it? It has the added benefits of being un-counterable and letting you go off even if you don't think you can quite get to a lethal storm count.
Young Pyromancer - In combination with Empty the Warrens, it can transform the deck into a creature-strategy deck that can produce waves of tokens over multiple turns. This strategy allows you play defense, get around some damage prevention cards, and rely less on Past in Flames and your graveyard.
Any comments or suggestions welcome, as are +1s.
I'd like to improve my sideboard strategy. Specifically, it would be nice to make better use of Hidden Strings's cipher ability if I use the alternate win con, and to have more to do with excess mana. Also, I'm very curious to hear opinions on this list versus the original recipe Twiddle deck.
