I have not considered it, but now will do so. Thank you for the suggestion.

Right now, I am trying to lower the overall curve of the deck. While this doesn't help with that, I can possibly cut Gyruda or Guilt Feeder for it (both cards that have relatively underperformed for different reasons).

I like it. Very similar to my build.

A couple of quick thoughts: Aphetto Alchemist at worst untaps your biggest toughness guy for a second Phenax activation. He can also be pseudo-ramp if you have artifact mana. At best, he goes infinite with Illusionist's Bracers by targeting himself with the copied triggers.

As you have Undead Alchemist already, you get a similar effect from Zellix, Sanity Flayer. Both of these work spectacularly with Altar of the Brood. The Altar is one of my favorite cards in my version.

As you have Grindstone, have you considered The Water Crystal? The crystal makes it so it looks at more cards, and if any 2 of the 6 match, the process repeats (refer to the updated wording on grindstone with the newer printing). The Crystal also works well with any effects that just mill an opponent for a single card, turning simple effects into quick clocks (Mesmeric Orb shines here).

Elrond, Moon-Reader is a card that I am waiting to get my hands on to add to my paper deck. It seems like quite consistent card draw.

Best of luck and happy brewing!

I'm sorry to hear about your friend. But I am glad you are able to carry on his deck!

My deck is called "Tappy Mill 2.1 (Phenax EDH)" (unsure if tappedout likes links, so I will just put the name in here, and you should be able to find it quick).

Less of a focus on huge toughness in my build (though there are certainly a few dudes with huge toughness in there to get things started) - I like to think of the creature quality for a mill strategy, and be able to mill with tapping the creatures as a bonus.

I think I forgot to mention in my previous comment - Your deck has quite a high mana curve. I would consider more ramp and ways to deal with opponents' problematic creatures. Grisly Spectacle, Dimir Signet, Arcane Signet, Hostage Taker, Hero's Downfall, and Drown in the Loch are all decent on a budget.

Phenax is my favorite commander! Glad to see others still brewing. It looks like you're going for a budget build, so I will try to keep my suggestions money-friendly.

Duskmantle Guildmage OR Syr Konrad, the Grim + Mindcrank OR The Master of Lake-town = murder, as long as they lose a life or a part is put in their graveyard. Mindcrank is a bit expensive at the moment, but the others aren't bad.

Eater of the Dead + Phenax, God of Deception = mill everyone as long as you can keep hitting creatures.

Undead Alchemist + Intruder Alarm + Phenax, God of Deception = mill everyone as long as you hit creatures.

King Macar, the Gold-Cursed + Phenax, God of Deception + Intruder Alarm = exile your opponents creatures and ramp yourself whenever they enter the battlefield.

Other great value cards: Charix, the Raging Isle, Consuming Aberration, Disciple of Deceit, Drift of Phantasms, Fallowsage, Cruel Somnophage, Didn't Say Please, Into the Story, Deepmuck Desperado & Singularity Rupture. The possibilities are endless.

Feel free to check out my list as well if you would like to see more.

Best of luck, and happy brewing!