That said, I feel like I still like it better than Despark when I remember that equipment, combo pieces, and sac outlets all dodge it. Given that I'm going to be running Swords to Plowshares and Anguished Unmaking regardless, I think I'm more willing to run Disenchant variant / Seal of Cleansing than spot removal that costs 4, but it does really come down to what else the deck has going on.
My biggest issue with Utter End versus Despark is 4 versus 2 mana, and CMC 4 or greater. If I'm in a competitive environment, 4 mana might be too much just for spot removal that doesn't exile, doesn't offer card advantage, and doesn't hit a lot of targets (lands, a lot of cheap utility creatures and combo pieces). At the same time, I'm almost certain to see permanents with CMC 4 or greater even in competitive environments just because Titans exist, Gearhulks exist, Primordials exist, Felidar Sovereign exists, Steel Hellkite exists, a lot of removal or card draw with a body creatures exist. Beyond that, it does get rid of Cathars' Crusade, which is a combo piece for a few things.
I like Vindicate, but keep in mind, I'm not dumb enough to only play sorcery-speed removal. It's there, but I'm not relying on it to kill combo pieces or things like Coat of Arms and Beastmaster Ascension which kill you the turn they drop.
Private Mod Note
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Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Card advantage is not the same thing as card draw. Something for 2B cannot be strictly worse than something for BBB or 3BB. If you're taking out Swords to Plowshares for Plummet, you're a fool. Stop doing these things!
My biggest issue with Utter End versus Despark is 4 versus 2 mana, and CMC 4 or greater. If I'm in a competitive environment, 4 mana might be too much just for spot removal that doesn't exile, doesn't offer card advantage, and doesn't hit a lot of targets (lands, a lot of cheap utility creatures and combo pieces). At the same time, I'm almost certain to see permanents with CMC 4 or greater even in competitive environments just because Titans exist, Gearhulks exist, Primordials exist, Felidar Sovereign exists, Steel Hellkite exists, a lot of removal or card draw with a body creatures exist. Beyond that, it does get rid of Cathars' Crusade, which is a combo piece for a few things.
I like Vindicate, but keep in mind, I'm not dumb enough to only play sorcery-speed removal. It's there, but I'm not relying on it to kill combo pieces or things like Coat of Arms and Beastmaster Ascension which kill you the turn they drop.
On phasing: