That's a bit harsh. How much damage do you expect it to deal? I can't really see it dealing more than 6 or so damage over the course of an entire game. I mean, that's good, but not insane. And that's when you drop it turn one. After turn 4, how often will it do anything?
Even if black vise was as weak as you percieve, 6 damage is insane for 1 colorless mana.
The OP didn't really give a description of the type of deck he was using. Firespout might be better for him if he's using... I don't know... Goblin Balloon Brigade.
Stoneforge-Jace is not overpowered in Modern. Those who say they are obviously haven't played Modern. Blue is NOT overpowered in modern. The best blue cards are not legal in Modern IE Brainstorm and Force of will which are auto 4 offs in legacy. Actually having to pay 4 mana to brainstorm (Jace) and fix your hand matters alot. I feel that blue is actually pretty balanced from my testing. I absolutely cannot beat zoo with my UW blade deck. Between pridemages, tons of burn and Grim Lavamancer/punishing fire, it is just impossible. You don't even need to run ancient grudge/ maestrome pulse.
The tier 1 in modern is Hypergen, Elves and 12 post apparently. Hypergen has to be axed, Glimpse probably has to go as well. 12 post can be beaten, every deck just has to main 4 tectonic edges/ghost quarter. I think they have to axe Vesuva, 12 post is just insane. The problem with blue in that it lacks a catchall answer which was FOW in legacy. Misstep doesn't pitch to Force/ get brainstormed away anymore, so it's not as good. But you still need to run it to have any chance of beating elves. Mana leak sucks against the majority of the field because it's too clunky, but you have to run it because of hypergen/12post. Personally I run 4 Misstep, 3 Mana leak, 3 Spell Snare in my SFM deck.
Combo is really really dominant in this format. It makes SFM decks look crappy in comparison. The Spellstutter SFM lists rape hypergen/elves but lose to zoo/any decent aggro deck. The SFM-Misstep lists are not as good against Hypergen but are better against zoo/aggro. It's balanced because you have to keep switching between builds to adapt to the meta. I like this format right now actually, though I agree that degenerate combos like Hypergen/glimpse/vesuva have to go.
No sideboard yet. I like having the Punishing Fire combo in the deck as well as the Shrine and Braid Of Fire. Not sure if I'm getting my money's worth out of the Braid because there isn't that many high cost spells, but if I can land a Titan a few turns early or end the game with Banefire it seems worth it. I'm sure RDW will find a place in Modern. What about Goblins, though, as long as we're in Red?
Braid won't help very much casting creatures or banefires.
Even if black vise was as weak as you percieve, 6 damage is insane for 1 colorless mana.
We all know balloon brigade is far more likely
Why mana leak over remand?
Braid won't help very much casting creatures or banefires.