One of the most exciting cards spoiled in awhile was M14's Young Pyromancer. I've fiddled around with him a lot in Modern, but his applications in the Eternalest of formats interest me the most. Been playtesting heavily and finally found a decent starting list, tweaked with some help from Pacifist:
Grim Lavamancer
A U/R Fish classic if there ever was one, Lavamancer isn't also an all-star in TMWA and other Vintage strategies for nothing. He deals with problem cards like Thalia, Guardian of Thraben, Dark Confidant and Vendilion Clique better than just about anything in the 75. Not stellar against decks with few creatures or MUD, so just 3.
Young Pyromancer
The deck's namesake, I believe this M14 uncommon has what it takes to merit his own spotlight in Vintage tempo. Once you drop him he cranks out clampable beaters at virtually no cost - mere 1/1s aren't anything to laugh at in this format. He's a quick clock on a relatively empty board, and more permanents always rocks against MUD. 4-of.
Snapcaster Mage
We all know how powerful Snapcaster Mage can be alongside Lightning Bolt, Ancestral Recall and Time Walk. Just 3 to maximize relevance, but he's super flexible and even gets you a guy with Pyromancer out.
Trinket Mage
To get the most out of Young Pyromancer, Instants and Sorceries are at a premium. That unfortunately means less room in the main for luxurious Trinket flexibility, but this little dude still goes in to win. He'll usually fetch up a Skullclamp (making him a sticky clock) but can net you a Top if you need to dig, a Lotus for mana, or even Engineered Explosives for emergencies. More options in the side. 2-of.
Skullclamp
What an insane card! In matchups where you don't really need the Lavamancer, Skullclamp turns him into cards. When you drop a Trinket Mage, Skullclamp turns him into a grounded Clique... that turns into cards. And obviously the equipment's applications with Pyromancer (who can himself be clamped in a pinch) make Skullclamp far more sensible than any Null Rod strategy in our tempo shell. 2-of.
Sensei's Divining Top
A little unsure about this slot, but Top makes a good Trinket target and it never hurts to know what's coming next.
Lightning Bolt
Absolutely nuts. Gets rid of creatures or delivers extra blows to opponents. 4-of.
Ancient Grudge
Nice to have some maindeck artifact hate. Like everything else here, fetchable with Mystical Tutor if you need it. Just 1 in the main, and a pair in the board.
Preordain
Additional Ponders. Can set up the early game, but also pretty exceptional when it makes you an Elemental at the same time. 3-of.
Gitaxian Probe
I wasn't sure about these at first, but they're pretty nice. Besides potentially getting you a free guy, Probe helps you get the most out of your counterspells.
Mental Misstep
So so good. Countering spells for free is worth even more when it increases your board presence and lets you tap out for powerful shenanigans. 3-of.
Daze
Like Misstep, Daze can set up some really nice (and free!) blowouts. I opted for Misstep and Daze over Force of Will so we don't have to throw cards away or rely on extra blue spells in hand; the most relevant cards that aren't dealt with by these two can usually be hit with Bolt and Lavamancer.
Fire/Ice
Versatile and powerful, Fire/Ice is rarely a dead draw.
Land
Wasteland/Strip Mine
Our manabase can handle it, but many can't cope with uncounterable land destruction effects. Also great with Daze.
Sideboard
Grafdigger's Cage
Played around with one in the main, but by the time you can Trinket for it in the relevant matchups it's usually too late. It's also an Artifact and kills Snapcaster Mage synergy. You want this card early where it counts, and it will just win you games. 4-of.
Ancient Grudge, Nature's Claim
Even more MUD hate, but also good against a nice portion of the field. Thought about dropping one for Artifact Mutation, which turns heads with Skullclamp, but Grudge is very hard to beat. Nature's Claim can also handle threatening enchantments like Oath of Druids, and you can find either card with Mystical Tutor.
Flusterstorm, Red Elemental Blast
Nicer against control and storm than Lavamancers, unless the control in question capitalizes on Confidants. Highly flexible slots.
Before anyone says anything, I'm also working on a version with Gush (although that'll surely be a totally different deck, even if the colors stay constant). For now I want to focus on the tempo plan running more fair cards, as this type of deck has always been my favorite in Vintage. Comments and ideas welcome!
the card itself really isn't worth the card board its printed on...does it serve a purpose? Sure its a blue 1 drop that might not be a 1/1. I would not put it in a list and expect to win a PTQ or GP though.
3 Grim Lavamancer
4 Young Pyromancer
3 Snapcaster Mage
2 Trinket Mage
Artifacts (8)
1 Mox Emerald
1 Mox Ruby
1 Mox Sapphire
1 Black Lotus
1 Engineered Explosives
2 Skullclamp
1 Sensei's Divining Top
Instants/Sorceries (22)
4 Lightning Bolt
3 Mental Misstep
3 Preordain
2 Gitaxian Probe
1 Fire/Ice
1 Mystical Tutor
1 Ponder
1 Ancestral Recall
1 Brainstorm
3 Daze
1 Ancient Grudge
1 Time Walk
3 Wasteland
1 Strip Mine
4 Scalding Tarn
3 Misty Rainforest
3 Volcanic Island
2 Tropical Island
1 Taiga
2 Island
Onto the card choices.
Creatures
Grim Lavamancer
A U/R Fish classic if there ever was one, Lavamancer isn't also an all-star in TMWA and other Vintage strategies for nothing. He deals with problem cards like Thalia, Guardian of Thraben, Dark Confidant and Vendilion Clique better than just about anything in the 75. Not stellar against decks with few creatures or MUD, so just 3.
Young Pyromancer
The deck's namesake, I believe this M14 uncommon has what it takes to merit his own spotlight in Vintage tempo. Once you drop him he cranks out clampable beaters at virtually no cost - mere 1/1s aren't anything to laugh at in this format. He's a quick clock on a relatively empty board, and more permanents always rocks against MUD. 4-of.
Snapcaster Mage
We all know how powerful Snapcaster Mage can be alongside Lightning Bolt, Ancestral Recall and Time Walk. Just 3 to maximize relevance, but he's super flexible and even gets you a guy with Pyromancer out.
Trinket Mage
To get the most out of Young Pyromancer, Instants and Sorceries are at a premium. That unfortunately means less room in the main for luxurious Trinket flexibility, but this little dude still goes in to win. He'll usually fetch up a Skullclamp (making him a sticky clock) but can net you a Top if you need to dig, a Lotus for mana, or even Engineered Explosives for emergencies. More options in the side. 2-of.
Artifacts
Black Lotus, Mox Sapphire, Mox Ruby, Mox Emerald
Fast mana. We just want on-color moxen to make room for Instants and Sorceries. Originally had a Lotus Petal in here too but cut it for a second Probe.
Skullclamp
What an insane card! In matchups where you don't really need the Lavamancer, Skullclamp turns him into cards. When you drop a Trinket Mage, Skullclamp turns him into a grounded Clique... that turns into cards. And obviously the equipment's applications with Pyromancer (who can himself be clamped in a pinch) make Skullclamp far more sensible than any Null Rod strategy in our tempo shell. 2-of.
Sensei's Divining Top
A little unsure about this slot, but Top makes a good Trinket target and it never hurts to know what's coming next.
Instants/Sorceries
Ancestral Recall, Time Walk, Brainstorm, Ponder, Mystical Tutor
I won't bother explaining these.
Lightning Bolt
Absolutely nuts. Gets rid of creatures or delivers extra blows to opponents. 4-of.
Ancient Grudge
Nice to have some maindeck artifact hate. Like everything else here, fetchable with Mystical Tutor if you need it. Just 1 in the main, and a pair in the board.
Preordain
Additional Ponders. Can set up the early game, but also pretty exceptional when it makes you an Elemental at the same time. 3-of.
Gitaxian Probe
I wasn't sure about these at first, but they're pretty nice. Besides potentially getting you a free guy, Probe helps you get the most out of your counterspells.
Mental Misstep
So so good. Countering spells for free is worth even more when it increases your board presence and lets you tap out for powerful shenanigans. 3-of.
Daze
Like Misstep, Daze can set up some really nice (and free!) blowouts. I opted for Misstep and Daze over Force of Will so we don't have to throw cards away or rely on extra blue spells in hand; the most relevant cards that aren't dealt with by these two can usually be hit with Bolt and Lavamancer.
Fire/Ice
Versatile and powerful, Fire/Ice is rarely a dead draw.
Land
Wasteland/Strip Mine
Our manabase can handle it, but many can't cope with uncounterable land destruction effects. Also great with Daze.
Sideboard
Grafdigger's Cage
Played around with one in the main, but by the time you can Trinket for it in the relevant matchups it's usually too late. It's also an Artifact and kills Snapcaster Mage synergy. You want this card early where it counts, and it will just win you games. 4-of.
Pithing Needle, Tormod's Crypt
Self-explanatory Trinket targets.
Trygon Predator
Thought about including a couple of these MD, but the Trinket effects seem better at this point. A beating against MUD.
Energy Flux
More MUD hate. Very hard for them to win through this, especially if Wasteland handles Tolarian Academy.
Ancient Grudge, Nature's Claim
Even more MUD hate, but also good against a nice portion of the field. Thought about dropping one for Artifact Mutation, which turns heads with Skullclamp, but Grudge is very hard to beat. Nature's Claim can also handle threatening enchantments like Oath of Druids, and you can find either card with Mystical Tutor.
Flusterstorm, Red Elemental Blast
Nicer against control and storm than Lavamancers, unless the control in question capitalizes on Confidants. Highly flexible slots.
Before anyone says anything, I'm also working on a version with Gush (although that'll surely be a totally different deck, even if the colors stay constant). For now I want to focus on the tempo plan running more fair cards, as this type of deck has always been my favorite in Vintage. Comments and ideas welcome!
Counter-Cat
Colorless Eldrazi Stompy