You talked a little about switching commanders but I guess I'm surprised your running Newlamog at all as the commander and not using Kozilek all the time. Sure, Newlamog's cast trigger is very strong but I think having draw 4 cards in the command zone is even stronger. Plus you have plenty of ways to tutor up Newlamog if you need him.
You mention adding Strip Mine because you were running into trouble from a Maze of Ith. Any thoughts about adding a Maze of your own to the deck? It seems like it would be a good fit since you talk about needing help against creature based strategies so I'm sort of surprised you haven't mentioned it yet.
I don't know if you've tested it yet, but I think Metallurgic Summonings has a lot of potential in this deck. You mention sometimes having trouble with creature-heavy strategies, so at the very least Metallurgic gives you blockers. You're also casting so many spells that it also just becomes a win-con once you make enough constructs.
Tempt with Discovery. It's not that I dislike the card, per se. It's that whenever someone plays it, all the other players say "oh cool, I get a free land" and then the owner of Tempt gets like 3 lands and proceeds to wreck the whole game.
39 lands seems like a lot. Has that number worked out for you? I know you don't have a ton of ramp, since you're playing black, but I feel like with all your card draw, you could cut back on the number of lands.
I feel like giving all of your creatures haste is important in this deck. Maybe Urabrask the Hidden? Not only does he give haste, he also taps down your opponents creatures so it's easy for them to connect.
Do you think the deck could benefit from some way of becoming the monarch, for extra card draw? Maybe Marchesa's Decree as a way to protect yourself, too?
Are you still testing Curious Homunculus? It seems pretty cool, getting a mana-dork in blue (even if it's only for instants and sorceries). Even if you're going for not a lot of creatures, I think he'd be a great fit.
That makes sense. Looking over your list, you're right, there definitely isn't anything worth cutting for the Armor. Maybe try to find room for Expedition Map, since those two lands are so important.
Also, it looks like Ancient Excavation made it to the main list?
Karmic Justice also specifies non-creature permanents, so anything that takes out creatures won't trigger it.
Never take the offer, people.
Careful with that, though. The satyr gives all creatures forestwalk. Even your opponents.