Twinflame seems like a solid "flicker card" for use in here, especially with 4-7 mana up. Again, like most have said, very good way to build to deviate away from being to commander dependent and hearkens back to the Jenara ETB deck which is nice.
I also know you've used Tower of the Magistrate in a lot of your builds for tech against equipment, and Magnetic Theft is another interesting one drop in Feather for that reason.
I like the card and think its a fine alternative to some of the more expensive cards, however its a bit above the curve in terms of either running Blatant Thievery or Time Warp variants which allow you more control over what happens as opposed to opponents offering up the decision for you. That being said I could perhaps see it as being a card worth playtesting as it is quite powerful of an effect. How have your experiences with it been?
Extraplanar Lens I ran for a long time and usually would try to power it out with Tezzeret early on. After sometime I think I just stopped having enough blue sources in favor of some of the many colorless utility lands like Ancient Tomb and Eye of Ugin to get the kind of consistency out of it that I needed. Though its a really fine card if your list supports it as mine once did and I'd recommend it certainly. The ponder, preordain, cards are OK but not really enough IMO and the Moxen again I had difficulty drawing into enough blue cards fro Chrome Mox, especially ones I'd want to exile, and/or enough lands to warrant Mox Diamond.
As for an Ixalan update I'll try to get a formal review up soon but here are the changes being made:
These are tentative and need play testing first but I think the card filtering and extra counter/ramp from the new Ixaland cards will help support the deck a lot!
Would you say Barrin is more competitive? My list for Jhoira is pretty tight and very very reliable in terms of win rate (My meta features Narset Turns, Razaketh Storm, Oloro Stax etc). This thread got me curious as to whether Barrin is the next step in terms of competitiveness, a side grade, or a down grade - I can't tell!
Its tough to say. Jhoira is definitively able to cheat out the major Eldrazi threats much quicker than Barrin and I've never piloted her so I have no experience to make that judgement call thought she seems more competitive. Barrin does offer some reliable means of removal from the command zone however which really does offer lots of support against enemy generals and I just like playing him because when I first began using him he was very underused as a general. The thing with my current list is it relies pretty heavily on cards like Mana Crypt, Vault, and Timetwister for instance so I would maybe playtest the deck on Cockatrice to see where you're at competitively between the two though. I might goldfish your list in Cockatrice sometime and let you know how I feel about the two after a brief comparison.
Extraplanar Lens I ran for a long time and usually would try to power it out with Tezzeret early on. After sometime I think I just stopped having enough blue sources in favor of some of the many colorless utility lands like Ancient Tomb and Eye of Ugin to get the kind of consistency out of it that I needed. Though its a really fine card if your list supports it as mine once did and I'd recommend it certainly. The ponder, preordain, cards are OK but not really enough IMO and the Moxen again I had difficulty drawing into enough blue cards fro Chrome Mox, especially ones I'd want to exile, and/or enough lands to warrant Mox Diamond.
As for an Ixalan update I'll try to get a formal review up soon but here are the changes being made:
These are tentative and need play testing first but I think the card filtering and extra counter/ramp from the new Ixaland cards will help support the deck a lot!
Isn't it odd that Pikachu/Raichu is white when it shoots lightning? Why is it white?
Thunderstone needs a casting cost.
White was underrepresented when I was going through the set skeleton. Fire and Rock types were preoccupying most of Red. Raichu has a red color identity though. While Jolteon and Zapdos got Whitewashed due to Flareon and Moltres being clear red cards.
Just finished up a Pokemon Set featuring Wither and Transform. Here are some select cards. Link to full set + Cockatrice download in the link above.
Pallet Town
Land (R)
Pallet Town enters the battlefield tapped. T: Add W to your mana pool. T: Until end of turn, you may spend white mana as though it were mana of any color.
Red SatoshiRW
Planeswalker - Satoshi (M)
Starting loyalty: 2
You may reveal this card from your opening hand. If you do, search your library for a card named Pikachu, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
/+1\ Return up to one target creature you own to your hand.
\-X/ Put a creature card with converted mana cost X from your hand onto the battlefield. It gains haste. Return it to your hand at the beginning of the end step.
Pikachu1W
Creature - Mouse (U)
Pikachu costs 1 less to cast if its the first creature spell you’ve cast this game.
Double strike WW: Transform Pikachu.
1/1
// Raichu
• Creature - Mouse (U)
Double strike
When this creature transforms into Raichu, tap all other creatures.
2/2
Thunderstone2
Artifac (C) 1, T: Add WW to your mana pool.
As Foretold - Very promising enchantment that lets you cast counterspells for free giiven a turn or two to get going. Likely going to be cutting Mystic Remora for the playtest here.
Censor - Interesting counterspell and the cycling bit is good. I like this card more for 1 v 1 formats however so if you're running MTGO online this might not be a bad sub for Mana Drain. As is however, its too weak for a slot in the multiplayer list.
Commit // Memory - This is another really promising card that does two things we love in this deck. Counter/Bounce like Venser, Shaper Savant as well as Timetwister. Unfortunately being unable to choose when to use the second mode and forced to have it in the yard first makes me hesistant to use, and at 4cmc for the counter spell side, I'm not willing to make any cuts just yet for it. Maybe Surveyor's Scope as thats been the most iffy card I've drawn into most games . . .
Curator of Mysteries - Interesting finisher for 1 v 1 games but not really too overwhelming in multiplayer formats. I'd stick to running this in standard but not too enthusiastic about it for EDH.
Edifice of Authority - This is a cool artifact that I could see being powerful as a Maze of Ith variant. Although Vedalken Shackles currently maintains the slot I would normally put this card, there could be a chance this might see play someday in here. Although for the time being I think its a bit clunky to cut something for at this time.
Glyph Keeper - Another interesting sphinx comparable to Curator of Mysteries. Likely won't see play here for the same reasons.
Kefnet the Mindful - This guy is a bit underwhelming for what he does and strikes me as an overglorified Azure Mage. Maybe strong in 1 v 1 with the 5/5 flyer for 2U stats but I would rather run a lot of other cards before this guy honestly.
Kefnet's Monument - Since most of our high cost creatures are colorless this card isn't as great a pick and the second ability that keeps a creature from untapping isn't potent enough to warrent cutting anything for this card especially with running as few creatures as we do.
Lay Claim - This is kind of a cool mind control effect that could be worth running honestly. Although at 7CMC I think Blatant Thievery fulfills its role just fine.
Luxa River Shrine - This amount of slow lifegain seems more relevant in other formats like limited but isn't really worth a slot for EDH I would say.
New Perspectives - Pretty weak "draw" three with not much else of a payoff given the lack of cycling costs in the deck. So its a no-go for us.
Open into Wonder - This is a somewhat neat card that I think is more viable in a creature/token heavy build and not so much for the "draw-go" style we seek to mainting with our main build here but I'd be interested to see this playout in a list that supports it.
Oracle's Vault - This card could be a powerhouse in this deck although I worry it will just eat removal before reaching three brick counters. Also exiling Eldrazi titans before you have enough mana to cast them can be detrimental to the deck's longevity and win capacity. Maybe worth playtesting but I think it just isn't the right call for the main list.
Pull from Tomorrow - Really powerful Stroke of Genius variant. May want to find a slot for something like this honestly. Again Surveyor's Scope is the most likely candidtate for the chopping block right now so may playtest with Pull from Tomorrow if the draw power seems lacking which sometimes it often does. Also the flavor of time magic comes through in this card which is always a plus.
Pyramid of the Pantheon - Interesting Trinket Mage target. The fact that its a 7Gilded Lotus essentially however seems a bit of a turn-off. Looks decent in builds that can captialize on its curve or that need to fix their mana for multicolor effects but I think its a bit clunky for this build.
Scribe of the Mindful - Really like this as a Archaeomancer variant for decks that run Torpor Orb and reanimation, however since Barrin is able to abuse ETB effects, Archaeomancer is here to stay and this card won't be making the cut anytime soon, though I do like it.
Throne of the God-Pharoah - Strong card for aggressive token strategies but not right for draw-go control.
Trial of Knowledge - Weak draw especially given the lack of Cartouches so its a no-go.
Vizier of Many Faces - Cool clone effect and the "flashback" capacity is strong too but I think this card shines more in reanmiator and graveyard abuse decks than it does here. As is Phyrexian Metamorph and Clever Impersonator just offer more flexibility and so leave no room for the Vizier atm.
Alright awesome, glad to hear. I might make a MTGO-Online specific list then for players there but I'm sure thankful that some of the core cards for this and my other lists are safe. Should be done with the Amonkhet review here shortly as well for those following the thread!!
Yeah its something that I will have to take into consideration. . . I think there may be ways around it, such as sticking with things like Extraplanar Lens and tutoring for it with Tezzeret the Seeker and things of that sort. My playgroup is considering whether or not to adhere to the new banlist update but I will likely be making a list that conforms to the new rules and playtestig with that but this does impact the deck pretty significantly.
Would commit//memory be better than diminishing returns (haven't figured out what to cut for another diminishing returns type effect yet)? I'm specifically looking to tune my deck a bit for my meta, but I'm not sure how to go about it. My meta is mostly infect, arcanis, 5c super friends, scion of the ur-dragon, baral, purphoros.
Also, what should I normally be copying with Phyrexian Metamorph & Clever Impersonater? Feels like I'm running out of gas a lot by mid-game, am I missing card draw? Or perhaps I'm not playing my cards right!
Here's my decklist
Thanks again for the help - looking forward to your set review!
I'm iffy about Diminishing Returns as it has a chance to exile your eldrazi titans which neuters the decks win potential pretty hard. Although it lacks the graveyard hate/reshuffle into your graveyard without an eldrazi titan, Windfall I don't think is a bad substitute for a good hand filler effect. Mystic Remora is a card I was running for a while too to help smooth over draw but believe I am cutting for As Foretold.
I'm not sure where if ever I mentioned Enter the Infinite but I've never actually run that card in this list and you can probably cut that for something like Windfall.
As far as the clones I usually always try to copy some form of Sol Ring or Solemn Simulacrum type effects to help ramp out quickly and if possible net a early game Blatant Thievery off fast mana like Mana Crypt and grab a few lands.
Going to be updating the Original Post here soon too but Drownyard Temple is a card I've overlooked which is a decent 5 bounce interaction with Barrin.
I'm not sure I will be running Commit // Memory simply because I can't activate the draw side of it on command although the counterspell aspect of it is very powerful too and helps the deck with problem permanents like enchantments or artifacts which can't normally be address very easily.
Otherwise the deck is really sensitive to being familiar with how to pilot it. Subtle things like Bribery for extra draw/ramp when you're behind in those areas or using Intuition effectively. I like to grab Sol Ring, Mana Crypt, Ancient Tomb sometimes if I'm hoping to ramp early. Also using Barrin when appropriate to bounce and recast things that can net you value like Archaeomancer or when mana is available either of the Kozileks which I feel is mostly how I refill my hands.
Hey guys - recently built Barrin myself, basically made the "stock" list posted in the primer, though I play extra planar lens in place of timetwister (too $$ for me :)) I'm not sure if this is the correct cut though, as the primer says I should play enter the infinite as a closer. Thoughts on the cut?
Does anyone have an updated list? Anything exciting from the new set worth considering? I'm still learning how to pilot this deck, all tips and tricks are welcome!
Thanks!
Sorry for late reply, but I'm going to be doing a review for some of the newer cards in the set. I think Commit // Memory is a good substitute for Timetwister right now from the new set but Extraplanar Lens is really great too. Just pop any other questions you've got and I can offer some suggestions.
Here are the "colorless" cards not including the artifacts I have yet to begin working on yet. But I think a lot of the lands will provide for colorfixing opportunities for there to be the types of opportunity for decks you described such as CGW.
Blind Beholder4C
Creature — Horror (U)
Flying
When Blind Beholder becomes the target of a spell an opponent controls, counter that spell unless its controller discards a card.
3/3
Clarify5
Sorcery (U)
Exile target creature. “Know your place, mortals.”
— Ob Nixilis, Sultan of Darkness
Claymold3C
Creature — Shapeshifter (R)
You may have Claymold enter the battlefield as a copy of any colorless permanent on the battlefield. (Lands are colorless.)
0/0
Dajeel, Omnipotent Eye9C
Legendary Creature — Eye (M)
Dajeel, Omnipotent Eye can’t be the target of spells or abilities as long as its in a graveyard.
Non-Eye creatures can’t attack.
Gain control of the first spell your opponents cast each turn. You may choose new targets for it. (If that spell becomes a permanent, it enters the battlefield under your control.)
11/11
Elder Spirit Guide2C
Creature — Spirit (C)
Exile Elder Spirit Guide from your hand: Add C to your mana pool.
2/2
Erosion Elemental6
Creature — Elemental (U)
Oblivion (Each C you spend while casting this spell pays for 2 or C.)
When Erosion Elemental dies, create three 1/1 colorless Sand creature tokens.
3/3
Flesh Juggernaut8
Creature — Juggernaut (C)
Flesh Juggernaut attacks each turn if able.
8/8
Glassblower Nephilim5C
Creature — Nephilim (R)
Trample
Whenever Glassblower Nephilim deals combat damage to a player, create that many 1/1 colorless Sand creature tokens.
5/3
Myopic Servant5C
Creature — Homunculus (C)
Myopic Servant must be blocked by exactly one creature if able.
4/4
Pale Beholder4
Creature — Horror (C)
Flying
Oblivion (Each C you spend while casting this spell pays for 2 or C.)
2/2
Sand Golem3
Creature — Golem (C)
When Sand Golem enters the battlefield, if C was spent to cast it, put a +1/+1 counter on it or create a 1/1 colorless Sand creature token.
2/2
Sandstone Colossus6C
Creature — Golem (U)
When Sandstone Colossus enters the battlefield, put four +1/+1 counters on it or create four 1/1 Sand creature tokens.
3/3
Sandstream1C
Sorcery (C)
Choose one —
• Search your library for a Desert card, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
• Create a 1/1 colorless Sand creature token.
Scion of Sands3CC
Creature — Golem (R)
Sand creatures you control get +1/+1.
When Scion of Sands enters the battlefield, create a 1/1 colorless Sand creature token for each colorless creature you control.
2/2
Starvation3C
Enchantment (R)
Spells cost 2 more to cast. “The disbeliever suffers in his apparent poverty while the believer rejoices in fasting from the world.”
— Khidhir, Wayward Sage
StonecoatC
Instant (C)
Target creature gains indestructible until end of turn.
Temple Titan4CC
Creature — Giant (M)
Oblivion (Each C you spend while casting this spell pays for 2 or C.)
Whenever Temple Titan enters the battlefield or attacks, the next spell you cast this turn costs 2 less to cast.
6/6
Angelic Decree2W
Sorcery (R)
Tap all nonwhite creatures. Purity — If one or fewer colors of mana was spent to cast Angelic Decree, create a 4/4 white Angel creature token with flying.
Ansari Shieldmate2W
Creature — Human Warrior (C) W: Ansari Shieldmate gets +0/+1 until end of turn.
1/4
Archon of Judgement4WW
Creature — Archon (R)
Flying
When Archon of Judgement enters the battlefield, each creature deals damage to itself equal to its power.
4/5
Camel Crusader2W
Creature — Human Warrior (C)
Camel Crusader can’t be blocked as long as you control a Desert.
2/2
Courier Camel3W
Creature — Camel (C)
When Courier Camel enters the battlefield, you may search your library for a Desert card, put it onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle your library.
2/2
Daily Prayers1WW
Enchantment (M)
If an unblocked creature would deal combat damage to you, prevent half of that damage rounded up.
Desert Guardians1W
Creature — Human Warrior (C)
3/1
Fearless Sahabi2W
Creature — Human Warrior (U)
Indestructible
2/2
Forbidden Practice1W
Enchantment — Aura (C)
Unholy (You may cast this card from you graveyard by paying life equal to its converted mana cost in addition to paying its other costs.)
Enchanted creature has lifelink.
Gathering Dust2W
Enchantment (U)
Colorless creatures you control get +1/+1.
Lands you control are Deserts in addition to their other types.
Glitter1W
Instant (C)
You gain 4 life. Purity — You gain 8 life instead if one or fewer colors of mana was spent to cast Glitter.
Heaven AsunderXXWWW
Sorcery (M)
Oblivion (Each C you spend while casting this spell pays for 2 or C.)
Create X 4/4 white Angel creature tokens with flying.
Ivory Battalion3W
Creature — Human Soldier (U)
Whenever Ivory Battalion is dealt damage, it deals that much damage to target creature or player.
3/3
Lost in the DesertW
Enchantment — Aura (R)
Enchant Desert you control
When Lost in the Desert enters the battlefield, exile target creature an opponent controls until Lost in the Desert leaves the battlefield.
Make Salty2W
Instant (U)
Exile target creature. Its controller creates a 1/1 colorless Sand creature token.
Rabian Knights1WW
Creature — Human Knight (R)
As Rabian Knights enters the battlefield, choose a color.
Creatures you control get +2/+1 as long as an opponent controls a permanent of the chosen color.
2/2
Resurrection (reprint) 2WW
Sorcery (U)
Return target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield.
Sand Castle2W
Creature — Wall (U)
Defender
Whenever Sand Castle is dealt damage, create that many 1/1 colorless Sand creature tokens.
0/2
Sand Scrying2W
Sorcery (C)
Create two 1/1 colorless Sand creature tokens. Scry 2. (To scry 2, look at the top two cards of your library, then put any number of them on the bottom of your library and the rest on top in any order.)
Sand Sculptor1W
Creature — Human (U) 2C: Create a 1/1 colorless Sand creature token.
2/1
Sand Shepherd1W
Creature — Human Nomad (C) Purity — When Sand Shepherd enters the battlefield, if one or fewer colors of mana was spent to cast it, create a 1/1 colorless Sand creature token.
2/2
Sandspear SentryW
Creature — Human Soldier (C)
Whenever a Desert enters the battlefield under your control, Sandspear Sentry gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
1/1
Seal Away1WW
Sorcery (U)
Exile target artifact or enchantment. You may play that card for as long as it remains exiled, and you may spend mana as though it were mana of any color to cast it.
Smite the Monstrous (reprint) 3W
Instant (C)
Destroy target creature with power 4 or greater.
Trumpeter Angel2WW
Creature — Angel (R)
Flying
When Trumpeter Angel enters the battlefield, if mana was spent to cast it, you may cast a card with converted mana cost 3 or less from your hand without paying its mana cost.
2/4
I also know you've used Tower of the Magistrate in a lot of your builds for tech against equipment, and Magnetic Theft is another interesting one drop in Feather for that reason.
Kher Keep also good here I think.
I like the card and think its a fine alternative to some of the more expensive cards, however its a bit above the curve in terms of either running Blatant Thievery or Time Warp variants which allow you more control over what happens as opposed to opponents offering up the decision for you. That being said I could perhaps see it as being a card worth playtesting as it is quite powerful of an effect. How have your experiences with it been?
Its tough to say. Jhoira is definitively able to cheat out the major Eldrazi threats much quicker than Barrin and I've never piloted her so I have no experience to make that judgement call thought she seems more competitive. Barrin does offer some reliable means of removal from the command zone however which really does offer lots of support against enemy generals and I just like playing him because when I first began using him he was very underused as a general. The thing with my current list is it relies pretty heavily on cards like Mana Crypt, Vault, and Timetwister for instance so I would maybe playtest the deck on Cockatrice to see where you're at competitively between the two though. I might goldfish your list in Cockatrice sometime and let you know how I feel about the two after a brief comparison.
As for an Ixalan update I'll try to get a formal review up soon but here are the changes being made:
- Prophetic Prism
- Surveyor's Scope
+ Search for Azcanta
+ Spell Swindle
These are tentative and need play testing first but I think the card filtering and extra counter/ramp from the new Ixaland cards will help support the deck a lot!
White was underrepresented when I was going through the set skeleton. Fire and Rock types were preoccupying most of Red. Raichu has a red color identity though. While Jolteon and Zapdos got Whitewashed due to Flareon and Moltres being clear red cards.
Just finished up a Pokemon Set featuring Wither and Transform. Here are some select cards. Link to full set + Cockatrice download in the link above.
Pallet Town
Land (R)
Pallet Town enters the battlefield tapped.
T: Add W to your mana pool.
T: Until end of turn, you may spend white mana as though it were mana of any color.
Red Satoshi RW
Planeswalker - Satoshi (M)
Starting loyalty: 2
You may reveal this card from your opening hand. If you do, search your library for a card named Pikachu, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
/+1\ Return up to one target creature you own to your hand.
\-X/ Put a creature card with converted mana cost X from your hand onto the battlefield. It gains haste. Return it to your hand at the beginning of the end step.
Pikachu 1W
Creature - Mouse (U)
Pikachu costs 1 less to cast if its the first creature spell you’ve cast this game.
Double strike
WW: Transform Pikachu.
1/1
//
Raichu
• Creature - Mouse (U)
Double strike
When this creature transforms into Raichu, tap all other creatures.
2/2
Thunderstone 2
Artifac (C)
1, T: Add WW to your mana pool.
As Foretold - Very promising enchantment that lets you cast counterspells for free giiven a turn or two to get going. Likely going to be cutting Mystic Remora for the playtest here.
Censor - Interesting counterspell and the cycling bit is good. I like this card more for 1 v 1 formats however so if you're running MTGO online this might not be a bad sub for Mana Drain. As is however, its too weak for a slot in the multiplayer list.
Commit // Memory - This is another really promising card that does two things we love in this deck. Counter/Bounce like Venser, Shaper Savant as well as Timetwister. Unfortunately being unable to choose when to use the second mode and forced to have it in the yard first makes me hesistant to use, and at 4cmc for the counter spell side, I'm not willing to make any cuts just yet for it. Maybe Surveyor's Scope as thats been the most iffy card I've drawn into most games . . .
Curator of Mysteries - Interesting finisher for 1 v 1 games but not really too overwhelming in multiplayer formats. I'd stick to running this in standard but not too enthusiastic about it for EDH.
Drake Haven - Cool card for Talrand, the Sky Summoner decks but not too much synergy with our build so its a no-go for us.
Edifice of Authority - This is a cool artifact that I could see being powerful as a Maze of Ith variant. Although Vedalken Shackles currently maintains the slot I would normally put this card, there could be a chance this might see play someday in here. Although for the time being I think its a bit clunky to cut something for at this time.
Glyph Keeper - Another interesting sphinx comparable to Curator of Mysteries. Likely won't see play here for the same reasons.
Kefnet the Mindful - This guy is a bit underwhelming for what he does and strikes me as an overglorified Azure Mage. Maybe strong in 1 v 1 with the 5/5 flyer for 2U stats but I would rather run a lot of other cards before this guy honestly.
Kefnet's Monument - Since most of our high cost creatures are colorless this card isn't as great a pick and the second ability that keeps a creature from untapping isn't potent enough to warrent cutting anything for this card especially with running as few creatures as we do.
Lay Claim - This is kind of a cool mind control effect that could be worth running honestly. Although at 7CMC I think Blatant Thievery fulfills its role just fine.
Luxa River Shrine - This amount of slow lifegain seems more relevant in other formats like limited but isn't really worth a slot for EDH I would say.
New Perspectives - Pretty weak "draw" three with not much else of a payoff given the lack of cycling costs in the deck. So its a no-go for us.
Open into Wonder - This is a somewhat neat card that I think is more viable in a creature/token heavy build and not so much for the "draw-go" style we seek to mainting with our main build here but I'd be interested to see this playout in a list that supports it.
Oracle's Vault - This card could be a powerhouse in this deck although I worry it will just eat removal before reaching three brick counters. Also exiling Eldrazi titans before you have enough mana to cast them can be detrimental to the deck's longevity and win capacity. Maybe worth playtesting but I think it just isn't the right call for the main list.
Pull from Tomorrow - Really powerful Stroke of Genius variant. May want to find a slot for something like this honestly. Again Surveyor's Scope is the most likely candidtate for the chopping block right now so may playtest with Pull from Tomorrow if the draw power seems lacking which sometimes it often does. Also the flavor of time magic comes through in this card which is always a plus.
Pyramid of the Pantheon - Interesting Trinket Mage target. The fact that its a 7 Gilded Lotus essentially however seems a bit of a turn-off. Looks decent in builds that can captialize on its curve or that need to fix their mana for multicolor effects but I think its a bit clunky for this build.
Scribe of the Mindful - Really like this as a Archaeomancer variant for decks that run Torpor Orb and reanimation, however since Barrin is able to abuse ETB effects, Archaeomancer is here to stay and this card won't be making the cut anytime soon, though I do like it.
Throne of the God-Pharoah - Strong card for aggressive token strategies but not right for draw-go control.
Trial of Knowledge - Weak draw especially given the lack of Cartouches so its a no-go.
Vizier of Many Faces - Cool clone effect and the "flashback" capacity is strong too but I think this card shines more in reanmiator and graveyard abuse decks than it does here. As is Phyrexian Metamorph and Clever Impersonator just offer more flexibility and so leave no room for the Vizier atm.
Vizier of Tumbling Sands - Slow and clunky ramp of sorts. Not worth any cuts IMO.
Watchers of the Dead - Seems powerful for graveyard hate but if that was a problem I would rather run Tormod's Crypt again or Relic of Progenitus althought the deck usually can handle gravehate through Timetwister and friends.
- Mystic Remora
+ As Foretold
I'm iffy about Diminishing Returns as it has a chance to exile your eldrazi titans which neuters the decks win potential pretty hard. Although it lacks the graveyard hate/reshuffle into your graveyard without an eldrazi titan, Windfall I don't think is a bad substitute for a good hand filler effect. Mystic Remora is a card I was running for a while too to help smooth over draw but believe I am cutting for As Foretold.
I'm not sure where if ever I mentioned Enter the Infinite but I've never actually run that card in this list and you can probably cut that for something like Windfall.
As far as the clones I usually always try to copy some form of Sol Ring or Solemn Simulacrum type effects to help ramp out quickly and if possible net a early game Blatant Thievery off fast mana like Mana Crypt and grab a few lands.
Going to be updating the Original Post here soon too but Drownyard Temple is a card I've overlooked which is a decent 5 bounce interaction with Barrin.
I'm not sure I will be running Commit // Memory simply because I can't activate the draw side of it on command although the counterspell aspect of it is very powerful too and helps the deck with problem permanents like enchantments or artifacts which can't normally be address very easily.
Otherwise the deck is really sensitive to being familiar with how to pilot it. Subtle things like Bribery for extra draw/ramp when you're behind in those areas or using Intuition effectively. I like to grab Sol Ring, Mana Crypt, Ancient Tomb sometimes if I'm hoping to ramp early. Also using Barrin when appropriate to bounce and recast things that can net you value like Archaeomancer or when mana is available either of the Kozileks which I feel is mostly how I refill my hands.
Sorry for late reply, but I'm going to be doing a review for some of the newer cards in the set. I think Commit // Memory is a good substitute for Timetwister right now from the new set but Extraplanar Lens is really great too. Just pop any other questions you've got and I can offer some suggestions.
first set: https://www.reddit.com/r/custommagic/comments/66pmck/return_to_rabiah_v20_249249_full_set/
Blind Beholder 4C
Creature — Horror (U)
Flying
When Blind Beholder becomes the target of a spell an opponent controls, counter that spell unless its controller discards a card.
3/3
Clarify 5
Sorcery (U)
Exile target creature.
“Know your place, mortals.”
— Ob Nixilis, Sultan of Darkness
Claymold 3C
Creature — Shapeshifter (R)
You may have Claymold enter the battlefield as a copy of any colorless permanent on the battlefield. (Lands are colorless.)
0/0
Dajeel, Omnipotent Eye 9C
Legendary Creature — Eye (M)
Dajeel, Omnipotent Eye can’t be the target of spells or abilities as long as its in a graveyard.
Non-Eye creatures can’t attack.
Gain control of the first spell your opponents cast each turn. You may choose new targets for it. (If that spell becomes a permanent, it enters the battlefield under your control.)
11/11
Diamond Dust XCC
Sorcery (U)
Create X 1/1 colorless Sand creature tokens.
Elder Spirit Guide 2C
Creature — Spirit (C)
Exile Elder Spirit Guide from your hand: Add C to your mana pool.
2/2
Erosion Elemental 6
Creature — Elemental (U)
Oblivion (Each C you spend while casting this spell pays for 2 or C.)
When Erosion Elemental dies, create three 1/1 colorless Sand creature tokens.
3/3
Flesh Juggernaut 8
Creature — Juggernaut (C)
Flesh Juggernaut attacks each turn if able.
8/8
Glassblower Nephilim 5C
Creature — Nephilim (R)
Trample
Whenever Glassblower Nephilim deals combat damage to a player, create that many 1/1 colorless Sand creature tokens.
5/3
Myopic Servant 5C
Creature — Homunculus (C)
Myopic Servant must be blocked by exactly one creature if able.
4/4
Pale Beholder 4
Creature — Horror (C)
Flying
Oblivion (Each C you spend while casting this spell pays for 2 or C.)
2/2
Sand Golem 3
Creature — Golem (C)
When Sand Golem enters the battlefield, if C was spent to cast it, put a +1/+1 counter on it or create a 1/1 colorless Sand creature token.
2/2
Sandstone Colossus 6C
Creature — Golem (U)
When Sandstone Colossus enters the battlefield, put four +1/+1 counters on it or create four 1/1 Sand creature tokens.
3/3
Sandstream 1C
Sorcery (C)
Choose one —
• Search your library for a Desert card, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
• Create a 1/1 colorless Sand creature token.
Scion of Sands 3CC
Creature — Golem (R)
Sand creatures you control get +1/+1.
When Scion of Sands enters the battlefield, create a 1/1 colorless Sand creature token for each colorless creature you control.
2/2
Starvation 3C
Enchantment (R)
Spells cost 2 more to cast.
“The disbeliever suffers in his apparent poverty while the believer rejoices in fasting from the world.”
— Khidhir, Wayward Sage
Stonecoat C
Instant (C)
Target creature gains indestructible until end of turn.
Temple Titan 4CC
Creature — Giant (M)
Oblivion (Each C you spend while casting this spell pays for 2 or C.)
Whenever Temple Titan enters the battlefield or attacks, the next spell you cast this turn costs 2 less to cast.
6/6
Sorcery (R)
Tap all nonwhite creatures.
Purity — If one or fewer colors of mana was spent to cast Angelic Decree, create a 4/4 white Angel creature token with flying.
Ansari Shieldmate 2W
Creature — Human Warrior (C)
W: Ansari Shieldmate gets +0/+1 until end of turn.
1/4
Archon of Judgement 4WW
Creature — Archon (R)
Flying
When Archon of Judgement enters the battlefield, each creature deals damage to itself equal to its power.
4/5
Camel Crusader 2W
Creature — Human Warrior (C)
Camel Crusader can’t be blocked as long as you control a Desert.
2/2
Courier Camel 3W
Creature — Camel (C)
When Courier Camel enters the battlefield, you may search your library for a Desert card, put it onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle your library.
2/2
Daily Prayers 1WW
Enchantment (M)
If an unblocked creature would deal combat damage to you, prevent half of that damage rounded up.
Desert Guardians 1W
Creature — Human Warrior (C)
3/1
Fearless Sahabi 2W
Creature — Human Warrior (U)
Indestructible
2/2
Forbidden Practice 1W
Enchantment — Aura (C)
Unholy (You may cast this card from you graveyard by paying life equal to its converted mana cost in addition to paying its other costs.)
Enchanted creature has lifelink.
Gathering Dust 2W
Enchantment (U)
Colorless creatures you control get +1/+1.
Lands you control are Deserts in addition to their other types.
Glitter 1W
Instant (C)
You gain 4 life.
Purity — You gain 8 life instead if one or fewer colors of mana was spent to cast Glitter.
Heaven Asunder XXWWW
Sorcery (M)
Oblivion (Each C you spend while casting this spell pays for 2 or C.)
Create X 4/4 white Angel creature tokens with flying.
Ivory Battalion 3W
Creature — Human Soldier (U)
Whenever Ivory Battalion is dealt damage, it deals that much damage to target creature or player.
3/3
Kick Dirt W
Instant (C)
Create a 1/1 colorless Sand creature token.
Lost in the Desert W
Enchantment — Aura (R)
Enchant Desert you control
When Lost in the Desert enters the battlefield, exile target creature an opponent controls until Lost in the Desert leaves the battlefield.
Make Salty 2W
Instant (U)
Exile target creature. Its controller creates a 1/1 colorless Sand creature token.
Predator Roc 3WW
Creature — Bird (C)
Flying
3/4
Rabian Horse W
Creature — Horse (C)
Rabian Horse can’t attack alone.
2/2
Rabian Knights 1WW
Creature — Human Knight (R)
As Rabian Knights enters the battlefield, choose a color.
Creatures you control get +2/+1 as long as an opponent controls a permanent of the chosen color.
2/2
Resurrection (reprint) 2WW
Sorcery (U)
Return target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield.
Sand Castle 2W
Creature — Wall (U)
Defender
Whenever Sand Castle is dealt damage, create that many 1/1 colorless Sand creature tokens.
0/2
Sand Scrying 2W
Sorcery (C)
Create two 1/1 colorless Sand creature tokens. Scry 2. (To scry 2, look at the top two cards of your library, then put any number of them on the bottom of your library and the rest on top in any order.)
Sand Sculptor 1W
Creature — Human (U)
2C: Create a 1/1 colorless Sand creature token.
2/1
Sand Shepherd 1W
Creature — Human Nomad (C)
Purity — When Sand Shepherd enters the battlefield, if one or fewer colors of mana was spent to cast it, create a 1/1 colorless Sand creature token.
2/2
Sandspear Sentry W
Creature — Human Soldier (C)
Whenever a Desert enters the battlefield under your control, Sandspear Sentry gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
1/1
Seal Away 1WW
Sorcery (U)
Exile target artifact or enchantment. You may play that card for as long as it remains exiled, and you may spend mana as though it were mana of any color to cast it.
Smite the Monstrous (reprint) 3W
Instant (C)
Destroy target creature with power 4 or greater.
Sunlit Angel 3WW
Creature — Angel (U)
Flying, lifelink
3/3
Trumpeter Angel 2WW
Creature — Angel (R)
Flying
When Trumpeter Angel enters the battlefield, if mana was spent to cast it, you may cast a card with converted mana cost 3 or less from your hand without paying its mana cost.
2/4