MTG Salvation

Yeah missing Chaos. Chaos for chaos sake sucks.

In GAAIV I've got a pretty balanced suite. After experimentation the numbers seem to play pretty well while still letting me proactively be working towards a win.

5 counterspells
2 targeted creature only removal
2 Arifact/enchantment removal (huge preference for being able to hit both where possible)
1 remove any permanent
4 wipes (3 creature killers and a Cyclonic Rift)
1 Bounce
1 Control Magic effect

In Ghave the combolicious there is

1 wipe (Pernicious Deed)
2 targeted creature only removal with a third (Abzan Charm) that is versatile for different situations
3 Arifact/enchantment removal (huge preference for being able to hit both where possible)
2 remove any permanent

Ghave is more proactive, has more fast mana, and tries to play the game over a shorter time frame. It also has a Defense Grid and an Imp's Mischief to try and force the combos through early.

The faster I want to go the less the removal I pack.

Now, if the guy was trying to play his lands in front I totally understand.

Wizard tribal with Azami/Mind over Matter combo is hella strong.

But...yes. The dragons are a little on the average side.

Azami is an interesting case. I've found the key driver for success in my pretty competitive meta is to lower the CMC of each card as much as you can.

Ideally the plays for Azami should look something like
Turn 1 - Wizard
Turn 2 - Mana rock
Turn 3 - Wizard
Turn 4 - Azami, draw three cards

I'm also playing a bunch of counterspells, so the deck plays like a tempo deck. Get ahead on the board and then stay ahead by countering relevant threats.
If I tap out I'm open to a sweeper, or spot removal.

It also helps that I am a combo version. I'm actively digging for combo pieces so the plan is to be as proactive as possible. Rather than using cards like Karn to answer threats, I'm presenting the threats and forcing others to answer my plays.

Also all or the cards in the deck synergise. Evacuation from your list definitely does not synergise. You're absolutely a deck that needs specifically creature board presence to execute your primary game plan. Tamiyo will have spots of being not very good. Great if you're already winning, but feels like win more.

Turnabout is again, win more. Definitely versatile, but unless you're full on High Tide Combo I've found yet another wizard worked better for me in the slot. Venser, Shaper Savant

That's a pretty cool thing to do

Dude...You're still on about this?

Let it go already.

Yes, I would reitterate the point above.

The power of Tasigur is in the late game. He gives you something to do with your mana if you have nothing better to do with it.

It can also be great to reuse his delve ability to remove the chaff you do not want returned with his ability.

Also consider mana rocks and Paradox Engine as an engine. Seems like it might have some potential if you can keep the average mana cost of the spells down.

On that note, try and keep the costs down. One mana spells will be the best, Nature's Claim, Dispel, Murderous Cut

Maybe some low cost creature removal?
Fleshbag Marauder

I'm not playing any, I must say.

Although some of them are terrible, there are a couple of other factors that leave them out in the cold.

Our meta is very fast, and quite powerful. Often you won't get time to use both halves. Also, there is a small additional casting cost you pay for the additional flexibility of casting both halves. My decks have a very strong preference for low casting cost spell.

The other is that they compete for slots with other proven cards. Overall they are worse than comparable options.

If you're thinking of aura control, think about a Bant coloured deck with an enchantress theme as a sub-game draw engine. It can pretty fun.

In my experience, there is no reliable way to power up Mayael. She's going to be durdly no matter what.

You could either make your peace with her power level or give up on her.

I gave up on her.

The only reasonable powerful Naya commander I've seen is Marath.

In bant Consecrated Sphinx is THE bomb.

Heartache and disappointment mostly.

But, it's ok! I bring enough to share.

As far as I can tell EDH rec give you the most popular choices for commanders as built by others.

I don't find it very useful, personally, but for those with less experience it's a great tool.

They argument that more information stifles creativity is insane to me. There are so many other factors at play it's unlikely to be every deck is the same.

Personal preference, unique group dynamics, the dreaded "spirit of the game" type decisions. Even what kind of cards I own are more likely to be mitigating factors rather than a recommendation that 50% of people put card X into a deck headed by commander Y.

Sounds like someone lost one too many games and needs a scapegoat that avoids critical self examination of play pattern and deck construction.