After some testing I decided to play the Snapcaster/counters version. Not saying it’s definitely better but I think it has better matchups now that all the decks have adapted into TC , also fits my playstyle better . Still need to experiment with the mix of TC/DTT , probably 3 TC 1 DTT is not the best. Sideboard was also a bit weird since the metagame was a bit different from what I expected.
Game 1: 2-1 vs UWR Delver
Not sure what list he was on , he had delver and pyro but I didn’t get to see any swiftspears or geists. Also had colonnade. Game 1 he flooded , game 2 I got stuck on 1 land , game 3 I landed a turn 1 delver that he had to path which put me quite ahead and I managed to get an early pyro and counter his stuff.
Game 2: 2-0 vs UR Delver
He was on the 4 swiftspear list , didn’t get to see any snapcasters. Game 1 we both played our early threads but I managed to remand his cruise and play mine which just put me ahead. Game 2 he got stuck on 2 island and I managed to protect a turn 1 delver until he was in burn range.
Game 3: 2-1 vs RW Burn w/ Treasure Cruise
His draws were just too good for me to race game 1 , games 2 and 3 Young Pyromancer just took away the game. The card is insane in the matchup if they don't kill them instantly. Also remanding TC is awesome when you're opponent can't do anything about it. Felt very lucky to win as I had no specific sideboard for this , just boarded in a bunch of counterspells.
Game 4: 2-0 vs Scapeshift
Game 1 was the good old turn 1 delver into remand , remand , remand , bolt+snap+bolt. Pretty easy. Sideboarding was +1 Negate +1 Counterflux +2 Spell Pierce +2 Blood Moon , not sure what went out. Game 2 went really slow as I was more interested in being reactive and stopping him , got him down to 7 but he managed to kill my threads and we played draw-go for a while. He ended up misplaying badly , Mana Leak was the only counter in my hand and he had Scapeshift , Izzet Charm and Remand with 10 lands in play. He cast spaceshift , I leaked it (wich is why you never concede in those spots) , he charmed it , I paid the 2 mana , he remanded my leak and I just played it again , with him having only 2 mana left. Not sure why he went with that instead of paying the 3 mana or remanding his own scapeshift or izzet charm. He had no cards left and I managed to find a busrt lightning and a bolt with a DTT. The more controlling version feels better in this matchup as Swiftspear gets chumped by Tribe Elder and Snapcasters and they just win if you don't kill them before they get to 7 lands.
Pretty satisfied with this list , still need more testing though. Also need to get the cards for my sideboard as I just used what I had around. Suggestions that don’t include “just play the aggro version” are welcome.
1
4 Misty Rainforest
4 Steam Vents
4 Island
3 Mountain
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Young Pyromancer
3 Snapcaster Mage
1 Monastery Swiftspear
4 Gitaxian Probe
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Serum Visions
1 Sleight of Hand
3 Treasure Cruise
1 Dig Through Time
2 Forked Bolt
1 Pillar of Flame
1 Burst Lightning
2 Electrolyze
2 Mana Leak
3 Remand
2 Spell Snare
2 Vapor Snag
2 Spell Pierce
2 Combust
2 Smash to Smithereens
1 Counterflux
1 Negate
1 Pillar of Flame
1 Electrickery
1 Izzet Staticaster
1 Twisted Image
1 Spellskite
After some testing I decided to play the Snapcaster/counters version. Not saying it’s definitely better but I think it has better matchups now that all the decks have adapted into TC , also fits my playstyle better . Still need to experiment with the mix of TC/DTT , probably 3 TC 1 DTT is not the best. Sideboard was also a bit weird since the metagame was a bit different from what I expected.
Game 1: 2-1 vs UWR Delver
Not sure what list he was on , he had delver and pyro but I didn’t get to see any swiftspears or geists. Also had colonnade. Game 1 he flooded , game 2 I got stuck on 1 land , game 3 I landed a turn 1 delver that he had to path which put me quite ahead and I managed to get an early pyro and counter his stuff.
Game 2: 2-0 vs UR Delver
He was on the 4 swiftspear list , didn’t get to see any snapcasters. Game 1 we both played our early threads but I managed to remand his cruise and play mine which just put me ahead. Game 2 he got stuck on 2 island and I managed to protect a turn 1 delver until he was in burn range.
Game 3: 2-1 vs RW Burn w/ Treasure Cruise
His draws were just too good for me to race game 1 , games 2 and 3 Young Pyromancer just took away the game. The card is insane in the matchup if they don't kill them instantly. Also remanding TC is awesome when you're opponent can't do anything about it. Felt very lucky to win as I had no specific sideboard for this , just boarded in a bunch of counterspells.
Game 4: 2-0 vs Scapeshift
Game 1 was the good old turn 1 delver into remand , remand , remand , bolt+snap+bolt. Pretty easy. Sideboarding was +1 Negate +1 Counterflux +2 Spell Pierce +2 Blood Moon , not sure what went out. Game 2 went really slow as I was more interested in being reactive and stopping him , got him down to 7 but he managed to kill my threads and we played draw-go for a while. He ended up misplaying badly , Mana Leak was the only counter in my hand and he had Scapeshift , Izzet Charm and Remand with 10 lands in play. He cast spaceshift , I leaked it (wich is why you never concede in those spots) , he charmed it , I paid the 2 mana , he remanded my leak and I just played it again , with him having only 2 mana left. Not sure why he went with that instead of paying the 3 mana or remanding his own scapeshift or izzet charm. He had no cards left and I managed to find a busrt lightning and a bolt with a DTT. The more controlling version feels better in this matchup as Swiftspear gets chumped by Tribe Elder and Snapcasters and they just win if you don't kill them before they get to 7 lands.
Pretty satisfied with this list , still need more testing though. Also need to get the cards for my sideboard as I just used what I had around. Suggestions that don’t include “just play the aggro version” are welcome.