Beautiful, beautiful list. Just thought of something of the sort after watching the most recent Friday Nights episode, and it turns out you've already done it perfectly, Sadistic Sacraments, pillow fort control and all. Not much for me to contribute here, just wanted to express my admiration for your build.
Don't know where you're located, but you can pick up an English Vampiric Tutor on MagicCardMarket for 12-13 euro plus shipping.
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Have you ever thought about Lantern of Insight?
So you can actively keep opponents off of good draws or key disruption?
The card is crucial in the fateseal strategy that attempts to control your opponents every draw.
Beautiful, beautiful list. Just thought of something of the sort after watching the most recent Friday Nights episode, and it turns out you've already done it perfectly, Sadistic Sacraments, pillow fort control and all. Not much for me to contribute here, just wanted to express my admiration for your build.
Don't know where you're located, but you can pick up an English Vampiric Tutor on MagicCardMarket for 12-13 euro plus shipping.
Wow, thanks so much for the praise, I'm glad you like the deck. Is there some place I can find this episode?
I'm in the U.S. If I can still get it cheaper there, I'll grab one.
Have you ever thought about Lantern of Insight?
So you can actively keep opponents off of good draws or key disruption?
The card is crucial in the fateseal strategy that attempts to control your opponents every draw.
Thanks for the suggestion, I love it! I don't think I've ever seen the card before, but I immediately saw the potential for the deck. That's definitely one I'll be considering.
And now for an update on the deck. I've made the following changes: Liliana Vess >> Drift of Phantasms Liliana was really in the deck as a tutor, and she was pretty bad at it. Even though the drift can grab less, it can grab things like win cons, and it's just a great, versatile card in this deck. Commander's Sphere >> Springleaf Drum The problem with 3 cmc rocks in this deck is that they tend to be so disruptive to the tempo. The drum is a lot easier to sneak in, and it has fantastic synergy with some of the deck's utility creatures.
It's not a definite, but I'm also feeling more confident that Stitcher Geralf is going to earn its spot.
Both are mill decks and you guys have a large intersection of cards.
Honestly, it's an apples to oranges comparison. This deck is a straight up mill deck with a heavy pillowfort theme. The cards in this deck are designed to support that, and there's even a few backup ways to win besides straight milling. The deck you linked is far more aggressive, and there's a strong use of mill as a toolbox, including self-mill. Also, while this is a very tight list, that deck is a little more competitive while mine is a little more thematic.
Looking at that list, I'm going to add Crumbling Sanctuary to the list of cards I'm considering.
Morphling mills because of Phenax. The ability to untap over and over makes Morphling disgustingly good.
Basically. It's the combination of being able to pump its toughness and being able to untap it. Plus it dodges targeted removal, and being able to pump its toughness and give it flying means it's also valuable as a pillowfort card.
Now that's an interesting challenge. Part of that is simply tightening up the list. In that regards, I'm always working towards it with my testing. This deck is kind of unexplored territory, and the diversity of the deck means there's a lot of different aspects to balance.
Off the top of my head, some changes that would probably help: Foul Renewal >> Rend Flesh I feel like Foul Renewal does more for the deck, but Rend Flesh is more consistent at what it does. Drift of Phantasms >> Vampiric Tutor Drift is such a fun and robust card. That being said, for raw efficiency purposes, the deck can do with one less pillowfort/mill card in exchange for the consistency brought about by a cheap tutor. Creeping Tar Pit >> Underground Sea Exchange the flavor for better fixing. Counterspell >> Mana Drain This is a direct upgrade, pretty self-explanatory. Life's Finale >> Damnation Paying 2 less in exchange for not getting a small mill is well worth it. Fact or Fiction would probably be a big help too. Probably swap it in for either Surgespanner or one of the mill sorceries. Lightning Greaves would also be something to strongly consider.
And find a spot for one of the eldrazi titans and a Mesmeric Orb. The orb is one of the best mill cards around, but it's dangerous in multiplayer games for a deck designed around tap/untap mechanics. The titan eliminates that risk. Personally I haven't done this already because I didn't want to build the deck with one card specifically meant to not be played.
Thanks for the suggestions. Before my last change, Trinket Mage wasn't worth it. If I end up putting in Profane Momento, it'll definitely be one to consider. Slagwurm Armor has been on my radar from the beginning, but I don't feel like it does enough to be worth a slot over other cards in the deck. And if you look at the changelog, I did actually run Nemesis of Reason and Guiltfeeder. The Nemesis doesn't do enough to warrant a spot in a pillowfort deck. Guiltfeeder I just didn't have enough support for. It was pretty easy for it to just end up sitting around because it couldn't get through.
Alright, it's time for a review of the relevant cards from BFZ
Guardian of Tazeem The tap mechanics are powerful, but I'm not really swayed without being able to untap.
Retreat to Coralhelm Both of the landfall options are pretty useful for this deck, but I don't feel like I'll be getting enough triggers after i get it out for it to really be worth a spot.
Ruinous Path I want to love this so much. Sadly, being sorcery speed just makes it so much less useful.
Dampening Pulse It's pillowfort, but -1/-0 is really underwhelming.
Oracle of Dust I'd consider this one if the deck exiled more. This would spend too many games not doing anything.
Tide Drifter If this just applied its buff to everyone, it'd be auto-include. As it is, there's no one for it to pump.
Spell Shrivel The deck already has way better countermagic, and there are better options out there if I want more.
Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger Who'd have though Ulamog would go from being a strong anti-mill card to a milling champ? Sadly, I don't think it's a good fit for the deck. At the rate it's milling, it's not really worth the cost. I could include Rise of the Dark Realms and I feel like the deck would get more out of it for less cost (and even that's too expensive in my mind).
Scour from Existence This card is insanely powerful and the deck definitely has a use for it, but not with a cmc of 7.
Fathom Feeder I want to like this guy so bad, but I just can't. The weak pillowfort it offers doesn't make up for the price that it's ability is way too expensive to draw a single card, and the exile add-on is laughable at best.
Sire of Stagnation I love this card so much. It's powerful draw with two solid on-flavor perks (mill as we draw, a decent butt) all for a solid price. As soon as I figure out where to put it, it's going in for immediate testing.
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
I would suggest running dread over no mercy. While it dies to more things, it has the upside of being a miller, beater, and shuffling itself. chainer, master of dementia is another beast. He won me a game with my opponents lethal on the field by chaining a Kiki to give my eater of the dead haste, effectively.
Oh! And Bloodline Keeper makes infinite tokens thanks to Intruder Alarm. So, you can basically tap it along with those creatures you're tapping to mill, you get a vampire token, you untap everything, then repeat.
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
My YouTube Channel: The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
So, wallabe, I have a question for you. First, I really like the deck. I've always loved unconventional ways of winning such as mill. I recently played Phenex in standard using inspired guys and Triton Tactics to mill for 40 at once and would love to translate that to EDH. So my question is, if you had infinite money how would you build the deck? I did see your what you want section, but not necessarily counting that how would the deck go? Better counters, better mana, what? I would love to make a super competitive version of this deck and I'd love your input as to how that would look.
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Please put the colors of your suggestion in mana symbols prior to your suggestion in color-wheel order. To do this, put any of W, U, B, R, G, and/or C, whatever is applicable, with the word 'mana' inside [square bracets] before and the word '/mana' inside [square bracets] after the mana.
Love the deck! You appear to have a fair number of triggered abilities - have you given any thought to Strionic Resonator? Seems like it could be fun with any of the Inspired effects, and if you ever did include Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger...well, that would be fun too.
Hey guys,
Sorry I'm just now replying to all of these. I try to check in fairly frequently, but somehow I missed all of this. Hopefully soon I'll be able to get some games in and make some tweaks.
How about Oblivion Sower? You'll need to run more graveyard exile but you should anyway as you give your opponents a lot of stuff to reanimate. One Nihil Spellbomb won't hurt and Sower can ramp pretty well. It has a big butt too.
I have considered Oblivion Sower. Right now, I feel like the deck has the right amount of gy hate. Without the explicit need for more, I'm not sure there's anything I could add that would be more useful than the spot it takes. And therefore I don't really have enough to justify the sower..
Leyline of the Void isn't in the deck because it's a nonbo with so much of the deck. It shuts down the vast majority of mill engines in this deck. I'm thinking of making a section for cards that should be in a Phenax deck for specific metas, and if I do that'll go in for one that needs more gy-hate.
I would suggest running dread over no mercy. While it dies to more things, it has the upside of being a miller, beater, and shuffling itself. chainer, master of dementia is another beast. He won me a game with my opponents lethal on the field by chaining a Kiki to give my eater of the dead haste, effectively.
Dread is fun, but I don't think it does enough for the deck. Being a 6/6 is way too small of a beater for this deck. If I'm swinging, it's because I expect to kill an opponent with it within a turn or two. Being able to mill is nice, but it comes at the cost of being easier to remove (as you noted), but there's also the cost. Not only does it have a higher cmc, but requiring three swamps could be a little more prohibitive. The little things kind of add up against it.
Chainer, Dementia Master is a really interesting one, and I might end up testing him. I think the main reason he isn't already in is because i was worried about life. Spending life can be rough in a deck that gets the hate of a mill deck. The deck is in a better place in regards to that than it used to be though, so I'll keep him in mind.
Oh! And Bloodline Keeper makes infinite tokens thanks to Intruder Alarm. So, you can basically tap it along with those creatures you're tapping to mill, you get a vampire token, you untap everything, then repeat.
I personally love Withered Wretch but I don't really need the gy hate right now. Plus there might be one or two other things I'd take first if I needed it.
Spellbomb and/or Crypt should be enough to do that while Wretch can only exile couple of cards and the rest will get shuffled in from eldrazi's trigger anyway.
I also don't think Intruder Alarm valids usage of Bloodline Keeper as the latter does close to nothing without it. IA is one of the strongest combo elements here and you should easily win with it anyway, vampire or not.
I plan to cook Phenax mill for myself so I browsed through my card collection and found Sword of the Paruns and Tradewind Rider. The former boost our whole milling team and allows untap shenanigans while the latter can be strong on a control side not to mention supporting inspired stuff if Phenax is not out. What do you think? Wallabe, are you there?
I disagree a little with the wretch, but wholeheartedly agree on Bloodline Keeper. A single combo is never enough to make a card worth it for me.
Sword of the Paruns has been in the back of my mind for a while. There's a few really good pay to untap cards, I just haven't found a spot where I think they'd shine above something else. Tradewind Rider is a new one on me. Definitely gonna have to keep him in mind.
A super broken card I forgot to mention: Guiltfeeder.
Been toying around with this guy in my budget miller and it's been all killer no filler!
If you look at my changelog, you'll see I actually pulled Guiltfeeder out. It doesn't mill much by itself to build up a big target, and even with fear the deck doesn't really have enough support to punch it through.
So, wallabe, I have a question for you. First, I really like the deck. I've always loved unconventional ways of winning such as mill. I recently played Phenex in standard using inspired guys and Triton Tactics to mill for 40 at once and would love to translate that to EDH. So my question is, if you had infinite money how would you build the deck? I did see your what you want section, but not necessarily counting that how would the deck go? Better counters, better mana, what? I would love to make a super competitive version of this deck and I'd love your input as to how that would look.
Here are my thoughts on a more competitive deck
Foul Renewal >> Rend Flesh I feel like Foul Renewal does more for the deck, but Rend Flesh is more consistent at what it does. Drift of Phantasms >> Vampiric Tutor Drift is such a fun and robust card. That being said, for raw efficiency purposes, the deck can do with one less pillowfort/mill card in exchange for the consistency brought about by a cheap tutor. Creeping Tar Pit >> Underground Sea Exchange the flavor for better fixing. Counterspell >> Mana Drain This is a direct upgrade, pretty self-explanatory. Life's Finale >> Damnation Paying 2 less in exchange for not getting a small mill is well worth it. Fact or Fiction would probably be a big help too. Probably swap it in for either Surgespanner or one of the mill sorceries. Lightning Greaves would also be something to strongly consider. Mana Crypt is so damn powerful that it could go in for either Springleaf Drum or Chromatic Lantern Lantern of Insight really needs a spot. I feel like it's too oppressive for my playstyle, but damn can it do some strong things.
And find a spot for one of the eldrazi titans and a Mesmeric Orb. The orb is one of the best mill cards around, but it's dangerous in multiplayer games for a deck designed around tap/untap mechanics. The titan eliminates that risk. Personally I haven't done this already because I didn't want to build the deck with one card specifically meant to not be played.
Love the deck! You appear to have a fair number of triggered abilities - have you given any thought to Strionic Resonator? Seems like it could be fun with any of the Inspired effects, and if you ever did include Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger...well, that would be fun too.
At the time I didn't seem to have enough use for it, but looking at it again, it's got some potential.
Thanks as always for the kind words and feedback guys!
I just got in a great game that allowed me to do some great testing. I'm swapping:
Bloodchief Ascension >> Profane Momento As much as I loooove the Ascension, this deck really isn't equipped to set if off. And, I don't have anyone in my meta who does enough non-targeted damage to set it off for me. The Momento on the other hand provides a solid safety net, and can even be a decent tutor target.
I also got to use Set Adrift for the first time as enchantment removal. I'm not totally sold, but I'm very happy with its first game.
Also, I'll be testing Swamp >> Hall of the Bandit Lord. The deck could do with the haste enabler, and I'm not really losing much from the card slot in exchange for this one.
Hey Wallabe! I love this list even though it is a bit older. I was wondering as to why Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver wasn't in the deck. I feel like he has a nice spot in this deck. Please tell me what you think!
Hey Wallabe! I love this list even though it is a bit older. I was wondering as to why Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver wasn't in the deck. I feel like he has a nice spot in this deck. Please tell me what you think!
Glad you like the list. As for the list being older, I'm still testing new cards for the deck when I'm able. I'll actually be posting some changes tomorrow when I have a little more time. I'm still evaluating new sets (will include a discussion on C15 tomorrow) and can't wait for OGW.
As for your question, Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver is just too slow for this deck. A lot of conventional mill cards are just left in the dust by the milling speed of random, out of nowhere cards like Eater of the Dead. That's one thing I love about Phenax, he really embodies the cobbled together spirit of the format. Thanks for the suggestion though.
Don't know where you're located, but you can pick up an English Vampiric Tutor on MagicCardMarket for 12-13 euro plus shipping.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
So you can actively keep opponents off of good draws or key disruption?
The card is crucial in the fateseal strategy that attempts to control your opponents every draw.
Wow, thanks so much for the praise, I'm glad you like the deck. Is there some place I can find this episode?
I'm in the U.S. If I can still get it cheaper there, I'll grab one.
Honestly, I'm not sure why. The 4 blue mana symbols are a bit off-putting, but I'll definitely add it to the list of cards to consider. Thanks!
Thanks for the suggestion, I love it! I don't think I've ever seen the card before, but I immediately saw the potential for the deck. That's definitely one I'll be considering.
And now for an update on the deck. I've made the following changes:
Liliana Vess >> Drift of Phantasms Liliana was really in the deck as a tutor, and she was pretty bad at it. Even though the drift can grab less, it can grab things like win cons, and it's just a great, versatile card in this deck.
Commander's Sphere >> Springleaf Drum The problem with 3 cmc rocks in this deck is that they tend to be so disruptive to the tempo. The drum is a lot easier to sneak in, and it has fantastic synergy with some of the deck's utility creatures.
It's not a definite, but I'm also feeling more confident that Stitcher Geralf is going to earn its spot.
I'm also testing the following changes:
Bloodchief Ascension >> Profane Momento (As a meta-specific change)
Avatar of Woe >> Set Adrift
Also how does this deck compare to the deck here?
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/commander-edh/multiplayer-commander-decklists/216749-wrexial-mesmer-of-the-deep-fate-reforged-set#c1
Both are mill decks and you guys have a large intersection of cards.
Honestly, it's an apples to oranges comparison. This deck is a straight up mill deck with a heavy pillowfort theme. The cards in this deck are designed to support that, and there's even a few backup ways to win besides straight milling. The deck you linked is far more aggressive, and there's a strong use of mill as a toolbox, including self-mill. Also, while this is a very tight list, that deck is a little more competitive while mine is a little more thematic.
Looking at that list, I'm going to add Crumbling Sanctuary to the list of cards I'm considering.
Basically. It's the combination of being able to pump its toughness and being able to untap it. Plus it dodges targeted removal, and being able to pump its toughness and give it flying means it's also valuable as a pillowfort card.
Off the top of my head, some changes that would probably help:
Foul Renewal >> Rend Flesh I feel like Foul Renewal does more for the deck, but Rend Flesh is more consistent at what it does.
Drift of Phantasms >> Vampiric Tutor Drift is such a fun and robust card. That being said, for raw efficiency purposes, the deck can do with one less pillowfort/mill card in exchange for the consistency brought about by a cheap tutor.
Creeping Tar Pit >> Underground Sea Exchange the flavor for better fixing.
Counterspell >> Mana Drain This is a direct upgrade, pretty self-explanatory.
Life's Finale >> Damnation Paying 2 less in exchange for not getting a small mill is well worth it.
Fact or Fiction would probably be a big help too. Probably swap it in for either Surgespanner or one of the mill sorceries.
Lightning Greaves would also be something to strongly consider.
And find a spot for one of the eldrazi titans and a Mesmeric Orb. The orb is one of the best mill cards around, but it's dangerous in multiplayer games for a deck designed around tap/untap mechanics. The titan eliminates that risk. Personally I haven't done this already because I didn't want to build the deck with one card specifically meant to not be played.
Hope that helps!
I have considered it. I won't totally rule it out, but the mana cost is fairly prohibitive.
Thanks for the suggestions. Before my last change, Trinket Mage wasn't worth it. If I end up putting in Profane Momento, it'll definitely be one to consider. Slagwurm Armor has been on my radar from the beginning, but I don't feel like it does enough to be worth a slot over other cards in the deck. And if you look at the changelog, I did actually run Nemesis of Reason and Guiltfeeder. The Nemesis doesn't do enough to warrant a spot in a pillowfort deck. Guiltfeeder I just didn't have enough support for. It was pretty easy for it to just end up sitting around because it couldn't get through.
Guardian of Tazeem The tap mechanics are powerful, but I'm not really swayed without being able to untap.
Retreat to Coralhelm Both of the landfall options are pretty useful for this deck, but I don't feel like I'll be getting enough triggers after i get it out for it to really be worth a spot.
Ruinous Path I want to love this so much. Sadly, being sorcery speed just makes it so much less useful.
Dampening Pulse It's pillowfort, but -1/-0 is really underwhelming.
Oracle of Dust I'd consider this one if the deck exiled more. This would spend too many games not doing anything.
Tide Drifter If this just applied its buff to everyone, it'd be auto-include. As it is, there's no one for it to pump.
Spell Shrivel The deck already has way better countermagic, and there are better options out there if I want more.
Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger Who'd have though Ulamog would go from being a strong anti-mill card to a milling champ? Sadly, I don't think it's a good fit for the deck. At the rate it's milling, it's not really worth the cost. I could include Rise of the Dark Realms and I feel like the deck would get more out of it for less cost (and even that's too expensive in my mind).
Scour from Existence This card is insanely powerful and the deck definitely has a use for it, but not with a cmc of 7.
Fathom Feeder I want to like this guy so bad, but I just can't. The weak pillowfort it offers doesn't make up for the price that it's ability is way too expensive to draw a single card, and the exile add-on is laughable at best.
Sire of Stagnation I love this card so much. It's powerful draw with two solid on-flavor perks (mill as we draw, a decent butt) all for a solid price. As soon as I figure out where to put it, it's going in for immediate testing.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Oh! And Bloodline Keeper makes infinite tokens thanks to Intruder Alarm. So, you can basically tap it along with those creatures you're tapping to mill, you get a vampire token, you untap everything, then repeat.
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Been toying around with this guy in my budget miller and it's been all killer no filler!
BGU [Primer] Sidisi, Brood Tyrant BGU | BG [Primer] Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest BG | G [Primer] Polukranos, World Eater G
My YouTube Channel:
The Commander Tavern - a channel I just started where I'll post deck techs and gameplays. Please support by checking it out. Maybe you'll like its content and subscribe! Thanks!
Please put the colors of your suggestion in mana symbols prior to your suggestion in color-wheel order. To do this, put any of W, U, B, R, G, and/or C, whatever is applicable, with the word 'mana' inside [square bracets] before and the word '/mana' inside [square bracets] after the mana.
Freezing Point EDH series #1 (click through the other articles too!)
Sorry I'm just now replying to all of these. I try to check in fairly frequently, but somehow I missed all of this. Hopefully soon I'll be able to get some games in and make some tweaks.
I have considered Oblivion Sower. Right now, I feel like the deck has the right amount of gy hate. Without the explicit need for more, I'm not sure there's anything I could add that would be more useful than the spot it takes. And therefore I don't really have enough to justify the sower..
Leyline of the Void isn't in the deck because it's a nonbo with so much of the deck. It shuts down the vast majority of mill engines in this deck. I'm thinking of making a section for cards that should be in a Phenax deck for specific metas, and if I do that'll go in for one that needs more gy-hate.
Dread is fun, but I don't think it does enough for the deck. Being a 6/6 is way too small of a beater for this deck. If I'm swinging, it's because I expect to kill an opponent with it within a turn or two. Being able to mill is nice, but it comes at the cost of being easier to remove (as you noted), but there's also the cost. Not only does it have a higher cmc, but requiring three swamps could be a little more prohibitive. The little things kind of add up against it.
Chainer, Dementia Master is a really interesting one, and I might end up testing him. I think the main reason he isn't already in is because i was worried about life. Spending life can be rough in a deck that gets the hate of a mill deck. The deck is in a better place in regards to that than it used to be though, so I'll keep him in mind.
I personally love Withered Wretch but I don't really need the gy hate right now. Plus there might be one or two other things I'd take first if I needed it.
I disagree a little with the wretch, but wholeheartedly agree on Bloodline Keeper. A single combo is never enough to make a card worth it for me.
Sword of the Paruns has been in the back of my mind for a while. There's a few really good pay to untap cards, I just haven't found a spot where I think they'd shine above something else. Tradewind Rider is a new one on me. Definitely gonna have to keep him in mind.
If you look at my changelog, you'll see I actually pulled Guiltfeeder out. It doesn't mill much by itself to build up a big target, and even with fear the deck doesn't really have enough support to punch it through.
Here are my thoughts on a more competitive deck
Foul Renewal >> Rend Flesh I feel like Foul Renewal does more for the deck, but Rend Flesh is more consistent at what it does.
Drift of Phantasms >> Vampiric Tutor Drift is such a fun and robust card. That being said, for raw efficiency purposes, the deck can do with one less pillowfort/mill card in exchange for the consistency brought about by a cheap tutor.
Creeping Tar Pit >> Underground Sea Exchange the flavor for better fixing.
Counterspell >> Mana Drain This is a direct upgrade, pretty self-explanatory.
Life's Finale >> Damnation Paying 2 less in exchange for not getting a small mill is well worth it.
Fact or Fiction would probably be a big help too. Probably swap it in for either Surgespanner or one of the mill sorceries.
Lightning Greaves would also be something to strongly consider.
Mana Crypt is so damn powerful that it could go in for either Springleaf Drum or Chromatic Lantern
Lantern of Insight really needs a spot. I feel like it's too oppressive for my playstyle, but damn can it do some strong things.
And find a spot for one of the eldrazi titans and a Mesmeric Orb. The orb is one of the best mill cards around, but it's dangerous in multiplayer games for a deck designed around tap/untap mechanics. The titan eliminates that risk. Personally I haven't done this already because I didn't want to build the deck with one card specifically meant to not be played.
I hope this helps!
At the time I didn't seem to have enough use for it, but looking at it again, it's got some potential.
Thanks as always for the kind words and feedback guys!
Bloodchief Ascension >> Profane Momento As much as I loooove the Ascension, this deck really isn't equipped to set if off. And, I don't have anyone in my meta who does enough non-targeted damage to set it off for me. The Momento on the other hand provides a solid safety net, and can even be a decent tutor target.
I also got to use Set Adrift for the first time as enchantment removal. I'm not totally sold, but I'm very happy with its first game.
Also, I'll be testing Swamp >> Hall of the Bandit Lord. The deck could do with the haste enabler, and I'm not really losing much from the card slot in exchange for this one.
Glad you like the list. As for the list being older, I'm still testing new cards for the deck when I'm able. I'll actually be posting some changes tomorrow when I have a little more time. I'm still evaluating new sets (will include a discussion on C15 tomorrow) and can't wait for OGW.
As for your question, Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver is just too slow for this deck. A lot of conventional mill cards are just left in the dust by the milling speed of random, out of nowhere cards like Eater of the Dead. That's one thing I love about Phenax, he really embodies the cobbled together spirit of the format. Thanks for the suggestion though.