I don't think we really need Nephalia Academy unless the meta starts leaning heavily towards discard decks, and maybe not even then. It'd be a 1-2 of at most meaning you wouldn't have it consistently enough one turn 1/2 for it to be relevant. Also, during turns 1/2 I'd rather be playing green sources for Noble Hierarchs or Eldrazi Temples so that the cards they'd take with discard would just be in play. For the decks it'd be useful against (GBx, Grixis, Death's Shadow) I'd rather have Sea Gate Wreckage or just moreGhost Quarter to make the tron match more winnable.
So I'm buying into Bant Eldrazi and am currently a few cards short. Before I buy 2, I'd like to know the common opinion on Chalice's. Are there just better sideboard cards for the decks they beat?
I had considered Bygone Bishop for a time, but there are 2 big issues with him for me.
1. He triggers off cast, which is counterproductive with the AEther Vial plan.
2. CMC 3 means I would have emptied my hand of a decent chunk of its spirits before I get to him.
As for cutting Geist, while 3 copies may not be the right amount, I'd never cut him completely. Geist and the 6 power he represents ends games for me. As for Favorable Winds, I'll have to test that out. It looks like it'd be amazing.
With two new goodies coming in Eldritch Moon in the form of Mausoleum Wanderer and Spell Queller, I had the brew up a Spirits list and see how it goes. The fact that Mausoleum Wanderer is a strictly better Cursecatcher in almost all situations and the tempo plays Rattlechains and Spell Queller allow gave me the idea of going down the same path of Merfolk. The biggest issue with the deck for me is the lack of its very own Silvergill Adept. It needs some form of CA to keep the creature train going. Another issue is that Mutavault often sits back, doing nothing because of its lack of evasion.
Game 1: Jeskai Prowess? 1-2 Used Stormchaser Mage and Monastery Swiftspear along with all the good stuff you'd see from a Delver deck. Didn't draw into Missionaries or threats game 1 and 3. Game 2, made the interesting play of "Both Emeria triggers on the stack, Ghost Quarter my Ghost Quarter and Ghost Quarter my Emeria, get 2 more Plains for 7 total, return Emeria and Flickerwisp." Sideboaded in Missionary, Thalia, and Canonist. Should of brought Meddling Mage and Spellskite as well in hindsight. Took out Ojutai and some Spheres.
Game 2: UB Eldrazi Mill? 2-0 It was a standard deck, wasn't even a fair game. Not much to say.
Game 3: Colourless Eldrazi 2-0 Probably the best game of my life. Game one was Missionary after Missionary, keeping me up and untouchable. When Ulamog came to town, Resto Angel and Flickerwisp worked to keep him far, far away until I could tuck him into a Sphere. Eventually won via fliers. Sideboarding, brought in 2 Meddling Mage, 1 Missionary, 3 Spreading Seas, Sphere, and Verdict and took out Ojutai, 4 Familiars, both of the Hussars, and a Wall. Went very much the same as before. They brought in gravehate but slowly and surely I kill them off.
I'm curious, why not Vendilion Clique? Its within the range of CMC 3 and helps to control the earlier game. Late game, it makes it even harder for your opponent to get an answer.
If you could fit them in, I'd recommend Thought Scour. Sure, they don't provide the Scry like Serum Visions but I really like the mill. It can really screw your opponent over if they choose to keep a card on top. It also works beautifully with Snapcaster Mage and anything with Delve or Flashback.
I had considered Bygone Bishop for a time, but there are 2 big issues with him for me.
1. He triggers off cast, which is counterproductive with the AEther Vial plan.
2. CMC 3 means I would have emptied my hand of a decent chunk of its spirits before I get to him.
As for cutting Geist, while 3 copies may not be the right amount, I'd never cut him completely. Geist and the 6 power he represents ends games for me. As for Favorable Winds, I'll have to test that out. It looks like it'd be amazing.
2 Cavern of Souls
4 Flooded Strand
4 Hallowed Fountain
2 Island
4 Mutavault
1 Oboro, Palace in the Clouds
2 Plains
1 Sea Gate Wreckage
Artifacts
4 AEther Vial
3 Anafenza, Kin-Tree Spirit
4 Drogskol Captain
3 Geist of Saint Traft
3 Kira, Great Glass-Spinner
4 Mausoleum Wanderer
4 Rattlechains
4 Spell Queller
3 Topplegeist
Instants
4 Path to Exile
4 Remand
2 Chalice of the Void
2 Grafdigger's Cage
2 Leyline of Sanctity
3 Echoing Truth
3 Hurkyl's Recall
3 Spell Pierce
With two new goodies coming in Eldritch Moon in the form of Mausoleum Wanderer and Spell Queller, I had the brew up a Spirits list and see how it goes. The fact that Mausoleum Wanderer is a strictly better Cursecatcher in almost all situations and the tempo plays Rattlechains and Spell Queller allow gave me the idea of going down the same path of Merfolk. The biggest issue with the deck for me is the lack of its very own Silvergill Adept. It needs some form of CA to keep the creature train going. Another issue is that Mutavault often sits back, doing nothing because of its lack of evasion.
Cards being Considered
Figure of Destiny
Moorland Haunt
Serum Visions
4 Ghost Quarter
4 Hallowed Fountain
3 Emeria, the Sky Ruin
3 Flooded Strand
2 Prairie Stream
5 Plains
2 Island
Creatures
2 Court Hussar
4 Wall of Omens
1 Dragonlord Ojutai
4 Judge's Familiar
3 Sun Titan
4 Flickerwisp
2 Restoration Angel
3 Lone Missionary
4 Pilgrim's Eye
3 Supreme Verdict
4 Path to Exile
3 Detention Sphere
2 Pithing Needle
2 Stony Silence
1 Spellskite
1 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
1 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Supreme Verdict
3 Spreading Seas
2 Meddling Mage
1 Lone Missionary
1 Detention Sphere
Game 1: Jeskai Prowess? 1-2 Used Stormchaser Mage and Monastery Swiftspear along with all the good stuff you'd see from a Delver deck. Didn't draw into Missionaries or threats game 1 and 3. Game 2, made the interesting play of "Both Emeria triggers on the stack, Ghost Quarter my Ghost Quarter and Ghost Quarter my Emeria, get 2 more Plains for 7 total, return Emeria and Flickerwisp." Sideboaded in Missionary, Thalia, and Canonist. Should of brought Meddling Mage and Spellskite as well in hindsight. Took out Ojutai and some Spheres.
Game 2: UB Eldrazi Mill? 2-0 It was a standard deck, wasn't even a fair game. Not much to say.
Game 3: Colourless Eldrazi 2-0 Probably the best game of my life. Game one was Missionary after Missionary, keeping me up and untouchable. When Ulamog came to town, Resto Angel and Flickerwisp worked to keep him far, far away until I could tuck him into a Sphere. Eventually won via fliers. Sideboarding, brought in 2 Meddling Mage, 1 Missionary, 3 Spreading Seas, Sphere, and Verdict and took out Ojutai, 4 Familiars, both of the Hussars, and a Wall. Went very much the same as before. They brought in gravehate but slowly and surely I kill them off.