Okay, let's skip the comparisons to Stoneforge Mystic, it's obviously not that good. Also, three mana is a crowded field, particularly when you only get a 1/2 body.
That said, let's look at the positive side of this card: it is a Standard-legal tutor! What can it do for us?
Chained to the Rocks: 1RWW to get a 1/2 and exile a creature. Pacifism: 3WW to get a 1/2 and deal with a creature. Dragon Mantle: 2RW to get a 1/2, give firebreathing, and draw a card. Ethereal Armor: I don't know if Pilgrim is fast enough for the hexproof deck, but it's a consideration. Madcap Skills: Another aggressive option found in hexproof and some non-hexproof decks. Gift of Orzhova or Unflinching Courage: Tried-and-true lifegain. Holy Mantle: Obviously situational, but with a tutor we can simply stash one in the SB. Underworld Connections: Probably not, but it is an Aura and an Orzhov deck could possibly use this.
I think this is playable based mainly on one card, Chained to the Rocks. Chained is worth running a 3-4 of anyway in aggressive R/w and is often run in Naya Hexproof. Beyond that, you have access to several other options depending on what you need in a given situation.
I could see a U/W control shell using it to make a toolbox. It already fetches d-sphere, and a 1-of font of fortunes or sphere of safety seems reasonable.
The fact that it is only grabbing Auras, makes this card over priced IMO. Even at 1W I am unsure it would see much play at all, or be capable of playing a role in the meta.
Auras are just not good enough right now and with the abundant removal in the format, it is much worse than it already was if that was not the case. After you calculate the cost to play it and the cost to play the spell it just becomes more expensive than it should be and this is why Diabolic Tutor isn't good enough. When you get into that range, there are more powerful things you can do.
I think this card is doomed to find some fringe space in Commander and that is about it.
Again, I think for this to work, it has to be a situation where you're getting Chained to the Rocks more often than anything else. And obviously that means you need to be running enough mountains. Still, three-mana tutor on a stick. I think it will show up.
Runs at 61 but it doesn't matter. Just played a game with it and the idea seems plausible BUT the main problem I have with this deck idea is that idk if it is better then Junk Walkers. All pf them are great on their own so swapping them for possibly weaker monsters is kinda iffy. Yes, I know this is a different deck but it's just some thoughts.
I also want to try alternating the different colors since some have other aura's that are better then Rays (Domestication and Chained to the rocks, mainly). The main problem with playing Blue is that I'm not sure the other cards are worth it. Domestication, although usable in most matchups, can sometimes fall pretty short which I don't want happening. On the other hand Pinned is pretty solidish. (very exagerated) I feel the same about Red since I'm pretty sure green works too well here and I'd have to cut black. I know I could play 4 color but that is kidna stretching it. (pressence is another option but idk if its worth the risk)
Okay, let's skip the comparisons to Stoneforge Mystic, it's obviously not that good. Also, three mana is a crowded field, particularly when you only get a 1/2 body.
That said, let's look at the positive side of this card: it is a Standard-legal tutor! What can it do for us?
Chained to the Rocks: 1RWW to get a 1/2 and exile a creature.
Pacifism: 3WW to get a 1/2 and deal with a creature.
Dragon Mantle: 2RW to get a 1/2, give firebreathing, and draw a card.
Ethereal Armor: I don't know if Pilgrim is fast enough for the hexproof deck, but it's a consideration.
Madcap Skills: Another aggressive option found in hexproof and some non-hexproof decks.
Gift of Orzhova or Unflinching Courage: Tried-and-true lifegain.
Holy Mantle: Obviously situational, but with a tutor we can simply stash one in the SB.
Underworld Connections: Probably not, but it is an Aura and an Orzhov deck could possibly use this.
I think this is playable based mainly on one card, Chained to the Rocks. Chained is worth running a 3-4 of anyway in aggressive R/w and is often run in Naya Hexproof. Beyond that, you have access to several other options depending on what you need in a given situation.
So, where, if anywhere, will this find a home?
Auras are just not good enough right now and with the abundant removal in the format, it is much worse than it already was if that was not the case. After you calculate the cost to play it and the cost to play the spell it just becomes more expensive than it should be and this is why Diabolic Tutor isn't good enough. When you get into that range, there are more powerful things you can do.
I think this card is doomed to find some fringe space in Commander and that is about it.
special thanks to sentimentgx4 for the sig
Pourquoi?
Tutor the Gift first, then have the Pilgrim on chump blocking duty. Inferno Fists for shocks, and Chained for larger creatures.
However, it's a house in my Bruna, Light of Alabaster EDH deck!
Tatyova | Anje
Alela | Marchesa
Wanderer
No, they are not Aura cards. Pilgrim would be much better if they were.
It is not a great body, so blinking it creates value.
Other BW non-enchantment creatures that enjoy the blink: Obzedat, Gary, Disciple of Phenax, Lifebane Zombie, Luminate/Sepulchral Primordial, Abhorrent Overlord, Ashen Rider. Lesser creatures include Lagonna Band Elder, Evangel of Heliod and Auramancer.
Synergistic/stallers: Brain Maggot, Ajani's Chosen, Blightcaster.
Urborg gets totally sick w/Quag Sickness, Disciple of Phenax, Gary and the Abhorrent Overlord.
Between Quag Sickness, Pacifism, Arrest, Banishing Light, Stab Wound, Nyx Infusion, One Thousand Lashes, etc, there might be a control shell that could survive long enough to cast the fatties. Sweepers would be a problem, but the Auramancer would be able to recycle auras. Return from the Underworld could be interesting to help recover.
Here is a really rough thought:
4 Caves of Koilos
4 Godless Shrine
1 Mutavault
2 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
5 Plains
4 Swamp
4 Temple of Silence
2 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
26 Land
4 Heliod's Pilgrim
1 Ajani's Chosen
3 Disciple of Phenax
1 Triad of Fates
3 Gray Merchant of Asphodel
2 Obzedat, Ghost council
1 Evangel of Heliod or Urbis Protector
1 Abhorrent Overlord
1 Ashen Rider
17 Creatures
2 Spirit Bonds
4 Banishing Light
4 Quag Sickness
1 Stab Wound
3 Underworld Connections
3 Skybind
17 Other spells
Sideboard
1 Auramancer
3 Lifebane Zombie
1 Mogis's Marauder
1 Sin Collector
1 Blightcaster
1 Crypt Ghast
1 Luminate Primordial
1 Sepulchral Primordial
1 Pacifism
1 Arrest
1 Spear of Heliod
1 One Thousand Lashes
1 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
RNA Standard: Grixis Midrange, Jund Deathwhirler, Sultai Vannifar
GRN Standard: Red Midrange, Mono-Blue Tempo, Wr Aggro, Gruul Experimental Dinosaurs, Sultai Midrange, Jeskai Midrange
Modern: Bant Spirits
Forcing a single archetype in all formats: too many colors, bad mana.
4 Courser
4 Caryatid
4 Pilgrim
4 Blossoms
1 Armada Wurm
1 Obzedat
1 Sylvan Primordial
1 Market Festival
1 Underworld Connections
4 Oppressive Rays
4 Skybind
4 Chord of Calling
2 Garruk, Apex Hunter
2 Elspeth
24 Lands (Shocks + Temples)
Runs at 61 but it doesn't matter. Just played a game with it and the idea seems plausible BUT the main problem I have with this deck idea is that idk if it is better then Junk Walkers. All pf them are great on their own so swapping them for possibly weaker monsters is kinda iffy. Yes, I know this is a different deck but it's just some thoughts.
I also want to try alternating the different colors since some have other aura's that are better then Rays (Domestication and Chained to the rocks, mainly). The main problem with playing Blue is that I'm not sure the other cards are worth it. Domestication, although usable in most matchups, can sometimes fall pretty short which I don't want happening. On the other hand Pinned is pretty solidish. (very exagerated) I feel the same about Red since I'm pretty sure green works too well here and I'd have to cut black. I know I could play 4 color but that is kidna stretching it. (pressence is another option but idk if its worth the risk)