Have you thought of putting Sphinx's Tutelage in here. It's a really good mill card and pretty reliable

nice! I thought Dismal Backwater is not standard land?

[Poschmann.Richard], OMG how on sweet mother earth did I not consider this card! thats a beautiful idea thank you heaps. I will put in!

[sevennightwing], I forgot to put this as a modern deck, but chances are some other cards aren't legal either. Thanks for reminding me

QuantumSkies, I use Wight of Precinct Six and Jace's Phantasm as defense whilst my plan hatches, or if i really need to they can be my attacking force. I have been considering all morning to put Liliana Vess into my sideboard and the issue of deck size has also been one playing on my mind, but I can't decide which cards to remove (extensive help wanted). Psychic Strike was a replacement for Counterspell which is illegal in modern. I chose Psychic Strike as a replacement because it fits right in with the typical 3 mana counter any spell and provides a little extra ability which works with my cause. I use Temple of Deceit to help me choose which cards I need from whats coming up, and Dismal Backwater helps me to stay on top of the game in terms of life, even if it is just 4 additional life. I am INCREDIBLY disliking of cards that make me pay life, I don't know why, but I dont like having to sacrifice my own health. I will definitely consider Mesmeric Orb, whereas with the slightly lower mana curve of my deck along with being able to somewhat decide which cards I get, Ensnaring Bridge loses its appeal, as I would intend to have emptied my hand by the time I get to 3 or 4 mana, with exceptions to my counter spells.