Best Cantrip for Izzet Combo Deck?
Deck Help forum
Posted on Jan. 26, 2015, 4 p.m. by WT
Hi, I want to post my deck and get feedback, but before I do that I have an important question:
BrainstormVs.Serum VisionsVs.Gitaxian ProbeVs.Izzet Charm
Now before you just go ahead and tell me that these cards aren't really comparable or that one is clearly the best, I should mention that the deck revolves around Izzet Guildmage combos, specifically the infinites Desperate Ritual + Izzet Guildmage + Lava Spike and Izzet Guildmage + Manamorphose + Training Grounds , cantripping my way into those cards, and controlling my opponent until I have the cards.
So for me, BS is an instant, and draws 3 cards, but forces you to put undesirables sitting on the top of the library. SV lets me scry meaning I can put the undesirables on the bottom but is a sorcery, GP only gets you 1 card but can be paid with life if you don't want to or can't pay the mana, and while IC is by far the worst cantrip, it can also counter and deal damage if that's what i need instead, and so it fits in well. I have room for 1 of these currently.
What format? Because Brainstorm is not modern legal.
January 26, 2015 4:14 p.m.
Brainstorm is only good if your deck has a decent amount of shuffle effects (maybe a minimum of 8, but closer to 12 is preferable) -- you draw 3, put your worst 2 back, then shuffle them away. In such a context, Brainstorm is far and away the best of the cards you listed. In a deck with zero shuffle effects, Serum Visions will perform far better than Brainstorm, and will incrementally decrease in value if you add shuffle effects. Gitaxian Probe is great if you aren't very good at reading your opponent's plays (or are playing in an undefined metagame). Izzet Charm is pretty bad if you are just looking for looting (in which case you should be playing Faithless Looting instead, but the value of izzet charm is in its flexibility.
January 26, 2015 4:17 p.m.
lemmingllama says... #5
Typically Brainstorm is better. I would also look at Ponder if you want Serum Visions value, or even Preordain.
If you are playing in Modern, Serum Visions is the best since the others I mentioned are all banned.
January 26, 2015 4:41 p.m.
I would consider keeping some Remands close at hand, if you want to both control your opponent and cantrip, it delivers all of that in one neat package. I'll have to agree with graft and llama, if you're playing modern, Serum Visions will essentially dig for three cards per use. Value right there for digging.
January 26, 2015 5:11 p.m.
Think Twice, Faithless Looting, Electrolyze, Remand all come to mind.
January 26, 2015 5:38 p.m.
I already have remands, and the format is modern. So brainstorm is out I guess. It's down to charm, probe or visions.
Kcin says... #2
I know Izzet Charm is bad... but it has the most versatility.... so that is my answer.
January 26, 2015 4:14 p.m.