WHAT!? Vexing Devil over Monastery Swiftspear!? WHAT!?

I'm just not convinced with Monastery Swiftspear. I know that Vexing Devil is one of those "omg guys it's just Browbeat they're always bad because you let your opponent choose" kind of cards, but I have some very logical reasons for running him.

Vexing devil has 2 possible outcomes, either he deals 4 damage or they have a removal spell and he dies. Thats it. If it's late game and they don't have removal, he's just a 4/3 for R. Either way I'm pretty happy; 4 damage for R is a total win and drawing out a removal spell is acceptable, because it clears the way for Eidolon of the Great Revel.

Monastery Swiftspear will either land and swing, our they have removal and he dies. Although he has the capacity for more than 4 damage, that means I have to commit to pre-combat burn spells, which I don't like. I'm a burn player who appreciates finesse, responses, endsteps, and tapped out opponents. If I start playing Lightning Bolt pre-combat, that both limits my options and leaves me more open to counters, neither of which I like.

Since everyone and their mother has suggested Monastery Swiftspear, I'll try it out, but I'm sticking with Vexing Devil for now.

bolt itself can be played during combat pre damage step.

Still, I prefer to use it when they tap out for Celestial Colonnade, sac everything for Scapeshift, cast Kiki/Splinter Twin, Grapeshot me, or in response to some sort of instant-speed lifegain.

No better way to ensure victory than to kill them when they tap out to win :)

At least test it, vexing devil is just not good.