MTG Salvation

I have a strong casual (75%) big mana deck with Vial Smasher the Fierce/Thrasios, Triton Hero at the helm that is tons of fun to play. It's loosely based on JLK's version and I love it to bits.

The general idea of the deck is to ramp hard and cast as many big spells as possible, preferably at instant speed or by means of flash, and win with damage from Vial Smasher the Fierce or just play more and bigger stuff than my opponents and outvalue them.
The main engine for card advantage and to put extra lands in play is oviously Thrasios, next to that is has a very healthy ramp package with the usual rocks and ramp spells and ways to manipulate mana with, including Seedborn Muse/Oracle of Mul Daya etc.
The deck also has a lot of spells with high CMC wich can be cast for less to gain bigger triggers of off Vial Smasher the Fierce.
What sets the deck apart and makes it my own, is a "top matters" theme to manipulate and gain as much value as possible of off Thrasios, Triton Hero and otherwise swingy spells like Sunbird's Invocation, Maelstrom Wanderer and Rashmi, Eternities Crafter.
Cards that help with casting extra spells as much as possible, preferably from other player's decks in their turns are also in. Think Mind's Dilation, Etali, Primal Storm and such.

I've been searching for that perfect card to replace Desertion with. It's one of, if not the only real reactive spell in the deck and while it's good and it does fit criteria of being able to use opponents stuff, keeping it up has never really netted me the value i expected from it.
The deck has the tendency to jump curve at 5, so my 5drop count is allready low compared to everything above. I'd rather not go any lower in favor of bigger stuff.

Current options/considerations for me are:
Hostage Taker -> Pro: Ramoval + Way to cast extra spell + The dream T5 Value when taking a Sol Ring and casting that. Con: Not a 5 drop so only 4 damage on T5.
Gush -> Pro: Basically a free 5drop + Draws two cards + Can be used after a Thrasios Activation. Con: Sets me back two lands which is counter productive.

Considered but Non options:
Force of Will -> Not enough blue cards in the deck

What card would you recommend that would fit the criteria of this deck if budget was unresctricted?

Kruphix, God of Horizons maybe? If you’re a big mana deck banking it may be useful. It’s hard to remove and can be a decent beater if you turn it on which seems like it could be pretty easy considering you’ve got 2 devotion in the command zone. The no max hand size thing is just gravy.

That is actually a pretty good option! Thank you for pointing that out.
Pretty sweet as a follow up on Wilderness Reclamation or flash enablers too.

Murderous Cut saves on mana and has reasonable use.

I have been playing with Hostage Taker and it did perform pretty good to be honest. I might keep it in and find something else to cut for a 5 drop, possibly smoothing out the curve a little in the progress. I.e. if i add Kruphix, God of Horizons i can probably cut a 4cmc ramp card instead.

Quote from bobthefunny »

As far as just large beaters go, Spiritmonger is an aggressive size and can regenerate, which lets it survive some wrath types. Vulturous Zombie, while having no defensive abilities, can can large very quickly in a multiplayer game, and the early large flier can get quite a few hits in.

Body Double can be whatever you need it to be.

Cipher Spells can give you free spells for extra triggers. I like Stolen Identity a lot.

Spark Double or Sakashima the Imposter can double up on Vial Smasher.

No need for beaters, as those come in the form of really big spaghettiguys
Spark Double is actually a very nice addition as a way to double up on triggers. Haven't thought about that one, Thanks!

Quote from Beralt »

Murderous Cut saves on mana and has reasonable use.

It certainly does!