Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek
Modern forum
Posted on April 22, 2016, 11:02 a.m. by dan8080
Given recent bannings and the current meta what does everyone think is the better option for targeted discard effects if you can only choose one. The deck this is for in question for me at least is a grixis control list if that sort of context matters.
I'm aiming to run a 3/3 split in my list (once I get more IoK...). The decision is pretty meta-dependent, so it really comes down to what you're playing against. Aggro/burn hate IoK but against midrange you can whiff so 'seize is better. The majority of removal is < 3 CMC, so that's something to consider as well - since you're running control you don't care as much about ripping out threats to your creatures. Another thing to note is that cards with 
in the cost don't count towards the CMC while in hand (on the stack it counts whatever is paid for X) so Nourishing Shoal, for example, can get hit by IoK.
April 22, 2016 11:34 a.m.
I've seen most people run a 3/3 split although I can understand a 4IoK/2Seize split given the prevalence of aggro. IoK will also catch many parts of the thopter sword deck that you'll inevitably run into in about 10 different forms for the next month.
April 22, 2016 11:43 a.m.
APPLE01DOJ says... #5
I prefer Thoughtseize, in the match ups where discard matters Thoughtseize is just better. Inquisition of Kozilek misses the major things you want to hit. Scapeshift, Keranos, God of Storms, Ugin, the Spirit Dragon, Spectral Procession Collected Company, Tooth and Nail, etc.
April 22, 2016 12:18 p.m. Edited.
I agree with APPLE01DOJ. Burn is just such an awful matchup that using IoK doesn't really help that much, and there are many cards you need thoughtseize to hit. I'd do a 4/2 split, or maybe 3/2.
April 22, 2016 12:24 p.m.
KillDatBUG says... #7
I think that Thoughtseize is a better sideboard card these days. You mostly want it against combo decks, and not so much against the aggressive decks. I think that having some Inquisitions and no Seizes would be okay. Also, Grixis Control takes a lot of damage from its lands most of the time.
April 22, 2016 12:53 p.m.
I am a huge fan of Blackmail because you can also make your opponents discard lands. In modern I prefer inquisition because a lot of early game bombs are unaffected by the restriction and you will lose a lot of life to shocks and other cards anyways so Thoughtseize is weaker
April 22, 2016 12:58 p.m.
Hallowed_Titan says... #9
I'm also a fan of Blackmail but also agree with a split of both IoK and TS, whatever you can afford really.
April 22, 2016 1:15 p.m.
3/3 split of seize and Inquisition. You're going to be playing against Scapeshift, Jund, and Grixis Control. Running Inquisition and no Seize is irresponsible.
Also Thoughtseize isnt terrible against burn because you usually take 2 damage to prevent 3, which is a net gain of 1. Not as good as it could be but it is better than, you know, just being hit by a bolt. That shouldn't be a huge consideration though because Burn is a fantastic matchup for BGx if you play carefully.
Basically though, against a lot of the cards that BGx dies to Seize is the answer and Inquisition misses. That is not to say IOK is a bad card - it's not. Seize will literally stop you losing games. IOK is more likely to just accrue value.
April 22, 2016 6:11 p.m.
Oh i thought you were playing BGx. Advice still stands but I take back the bit about a good matchup against Burn. You have a terrible matchup against burn.
April 22, 2016 6:12 p.m.
Hahaha thanks everyone sorry about the delay got caught up in other things.
April 23, 2016 12:09 p.m.
UpperDeckerTaco says... #13
Both cards are great, but it depends on the meta you play in and what deck you are running. If you have a painful mana base, Inquisition is a better choice as it can save your life, literally. If your meta is rather slow and you're planning a controlling, grindy deck like Jund, run both but the vast majority like more Inquisition in the deck. If you're running say, W/B tokens, I'd say you may be able to afford to play both.
rothgar13 says... #2
Inquisition of Kozilek doesn't get you killed against Burn, so I'd go with that. But you can and should be running a mix of both (just with more IoKs).
April 22, 2016 11:11 a.m.