Hi, I am new to forums (first post) but have been playing "semi-seriously" with my friends for the last couple months. I have "inherited" an incomplete control deck from some friends that recently quit the game and picked it up for a decent price. This deck is for modern. I've played against people that have played for years and destroyed them with this deck but also have been destroyed by novices myself, too. I am looking to make the deck more consistent and would appreciate any and all critique. I'll try to add in why I play the cards that I do so you guys can help me in the future by helping me understand deck building better. Well, here it is.
Land (24)
I already know I need more dual lands to make the mana more consistent but I haven't been to a card shop in a while and prefer to support the locals than buy online.
swamp-10x
island-10x
halimar depths-3x (I like this because it allows me to semi control my draw for the next couple turns but it can be a dead draw later because it enters tapped)
dismal backwater-1x
creatures (14)
typhoid rats-1x (I like this little guy because he's a cheap death touch and use him as a rattlesnake to ward big creatures off until i come online)
jace's phantasm-1x (I like this card because it can be relevant at the beginning of the game and the end shifting from a 1/1 to a 5/5 flyer)
frost lynx-1x (a little stall to help the control stall to come online)
stratus dancer-1x (add more countering to the deck)
sea gate oracle-1x (nice to create some card advantage)
dragonlord silumgar-x2 (nice late game creature that completely turns the game upside-down)
lord of the void-1x (nice flyer with nice effect)
kalitas, blood chief of ghet-1x (nice creature with some late game control while adding creatures on your side of the field)
silumgar, the drifting death-1x (insurance against token decks, a lot of my friends i regularly play with spam tokens so this is almost a must for me)
thing in ice-1x (really cool card, if it pulls of the transform it clears the field and your left with a 7/8)
icefall regent-1x (like the control while flying too)
sheoldred, whispering one-1x (this card just seems op to me, had to trade off like five mythics from my friend since it was a promo)
sorceries, enchantments, and instants
thoughtseize 2x
illusory gains 1x (taking their creatures)
claustrophobia 1x (removal)
encrust 1x (removal)
spelltwine 1x (allows me to play one of my best spells and one of theirs too)
crux of fate 1x (since the deck is mostly late game dragons, I may add more for more board sweepers)
mind rot 1x (creates card advantage by causing discard 2)
startled awake 1x (might get rid of their biggest threat before it even is one by milling 13 with possible reuses)
anticipate 1x (card advantage)
dissipate 1x (wish i had more of this instead of cancel, but I'm new so what are you going to do lol)
polymorphist's jest 1x (reduce threats and abilities to nothing for a turn, very nice imo)
ultimate price 1x (nice removal)
summoner's bane 1x (counter while adding a token to my field for blocking and stalling for late game)
silumgar's control 2x
thought scour x2 (card advantage)
cancel x2
so this is the deck so far. I think my number one problem is not having dual lands and i think that slows the deck down early. I also think i may or may not have to many "finishers" and might need a few more counter spells. I haven't gotten around to making a side board yet but eventually will when i get more cards. My goal for this deck is to be very competitive at my local Friday night magic modern tournaments. What I am trying to go for is stall with control for cards that are basically game winners and win that way when they have no cards in their hand to answer with (Like i said I'm new so if this isn't how control is normally run, please teach me). For card suggestions please try to stay under $20 each, but if the card is that good go ahead and list it anyways and I will consider it, trying to keep the deck budget (I know there is a lot of expensive cards in the deck (by my standards) but then again i got most cheap from friends). And for card suggestions: tell me the card to switch out, the new, and why. Like i said i really want to learn how to be good at magic. I just don't want to be told use this, tell me why so i can grow and not be reliant on others. Like I said any help at all is appreciated and since this is my first post, if i made any community errors (such as posting in the wrong place, et cetra) please tell me.
Land (24)
I already know I need more dual lands to make the mana more consistent but I haven't been to a card shop in a while and prefer to support the locals than buy online.
swamp-10x
island-10x
halimar depths-3x (I like this because it allows me to semi control my draw for the next couple turns but it can be a dead draw later because it enters tapped)
dismal backwater-1x
creatures (14)
typhoid rats-1x (I like this little guy because he's a cheap death touch and use him as a rattlesnake to ward big creatures off until i come online)
jace's phantasm-1x (I like this card because it can be relevant at the beginning of the game and the end shifting from a 1/1 to a 5/5 flyer)
frost lynx-1x (a little stall to help the control stall to come online)
stratus dancer-1x (add more countering to the deck)
sea gate oracle-1x (nice to create some card advantage)
dragonlord silumgar-x2 (nice late game creature that completely turns the game upside-down)
lord of the void-1x (nice flyer with nice effect)
kalitas, blood chief of ghet-1x (nice creature with some late game control while adding creatures on your side of the field)
silumgar, the drifting death-1x (insurance against token decks, a lot of my friends i regularly play with spam tokens so this is almost a must for me)
thing in ice-1x (really cool card, if it pulls of the transform it clears the field and your left with a 7/8)
icefall regent-1x (like the control while flying too)
sheoldred, whispering one-1x (this card just seems op to me, had to trade off like five mythics from my friend since it was a promo)
planes walkers (1)
ugin, the spirit dragon 1x (very powerful card)
sorceries, enchantments, and instants
thoughtseize 2x
illusory gains 1x (taking their creatures)
claustrophobia 1x (removal)
encrust 1x (removal)
spelltwine 1x (allows me to play one of my best spells and one of theirs too)
crux of fate 1x (since the deck is mostly late game dragons, I may add more for more board sweepers)
mind rot 1x (creates card advantage by causing discard 2)
startled awake 1x (might get rid of their biggest threat before it even is one by milling 13 with possible reuses)
anticipate 1x (card advantage)
dissipate 1x (wish i had more of this instead of cancel, but I'm new so what are you going to do lol)
polymorphist's jest 1x (reduce threats and abilities to nothing for a turn, very nice imo)
ultimate price 1x (nice removal)
summoner's bane 1x (counter while adding a token to my field for blocking and stalling for late game)
silumgar's control 2x
thought scour x2 (card advantage)
cancel x2
so this is the deck so far. I think my number one problem is not having dual lands and i think that slows the deck down early. I also think i may or may not have to many "finishers" and might need a few more counter spells. I haven't gotten around to making a side board yet but eventually will when i get more cards. My goal for this deck is to be very competitive at my local Friday night magic modern tournaments. What I am trying to go for is stall with control for cards that are basically game winners and win that way when they have no cards in their hand to answer with (Like i said I'm new so if this isn't how control is normally run, please teach me). For card suggestions please try to stay under $20 each, but if the card is that good go ahead and list it anyways and I will consider it, trying to keep the deck budget (I know there is a lot of expensive cards in the deck (by my standards) but then again i got most cheap from friends). And for card suggestions: tell me the card to switch out, the new, and why. Like i said i really want to learn how to be good at magic. I just don't want to be told use this, tell me why so i can grow and not be reliant on others. Like I said any help at all is appreciated and since this is my first post, if i made any community errors (such as posting in the wrong place, et cetra) please tell me.