First of all, great analysis. I've long held similar thoughts regarding the intricacies of political decks and how to not play them as group hug, which is another animal entirely. I generally don't run symmetrical effects like Collective Voyage, but I've always been conflicted about Tempt with Discovery. What are your thoughts on it? Does it go against the profiling aspect of #3 (resources)? Do people opt out of the offer and leave you with an inefficient ramp spell? Are lands just simply resources that should not be given out, given that they're more difficult to control than life or creatures? Starting to realize I'm answering my own questions...
Is Illusionist's Gambit too cute to be an inclusion in a similar list? To clarify, you're list is far more tuned than any of my half-baked political deck theories ever will be, but even in a casual setting I've had doubts, although it is one of my pet cards.
As addendum, having previously read several of your posts and never before noticing, I give you pop culture points for your "too many decks on the dance floor".
Pillowfort cards (Ghostly Prison), punishment for hurting you (Karmic Justice), Rattlesnake Effects (Spurnmage Advocate - note this can be used on creatures attacking opponents as well), general control cards... Ironically, Mercenaries would be terrible card for this deck (though it is flavorful).
Woah, this couldn't be better timed - I was just perusing the forums for esper control ideas.
Personally, I'd probably keep Baleful Strix. I don't want to subscribe to the 'it's good, put it in everything', but well... it's good, put it in everything. You could probably replace it with something generally more synergistic, or cut it if you're up against a lot of token decks, but there's so much value packed into that little guy.
Notion Thief is essentially an instant that occasionally leaves behind a chump blocker (it's a 3/1 without inherent protection). I've mixed feelings about it too, it clogs up my hand in the early game, but later it can lead to some crazy blowouts... I don't really know.
I could see cutting Narset, she doesn't synergize optimally and you'll probably rarely hit her ult (although she does start at six). On the other hand, Rebounding a Bribery sounds amazing.
Overwhelming Intellect is often the first counterspell I cut from my control decks. The effect can be great, but I generally end up holding up six mana to counter a 3 mana combo piece. It's good, but I often wish I just had a Counterspell or Dissolve. Also, not the best for protecting something I played on my turn and want to stick around.
Fated Retribution feels like the most cuttable wrath (unless you're seeing a lot of superfriends decks). Black Sun's Zenith hits indestructible creatures and Akroma's Vengeance is pretty versatile, but Retribution is 7 mana, requires 3 white (less of problem with your mana base than mine, but hey), hits fewer card types, and has a great upside... provided you tap out on your turn. Just my opinion, though.
This is the antithesis of what you asked for, but if you end up keeping Ojutai, I'd throw in Thassa as well. She allows for better Ojutai options, secures your draws, and ensures Ojutai and Dakkon always get through.
I don't hate playing against Group Hug decks, but I don't really understand the philosophy. I mean, I love to play politics, but Group Hug just supercharges everyone, not just the people who need it. Thus, the most tuned decks just get faster draw/ramp/dudes so that they win faster, while the more casual decks accomplish what they wanted do but ultimately lag behind as the tuned decks get their pieces faster. Pretty much what darrenhabib said. In order to stop this, a deck could try and stop the hug deck, but they will lag behind as well, as they're spending their resources beating up the hug deck, while other players kill them in order to continue getting an advantage off of the hug deck or hold back and kill the them after they finish off the hug deck. Not killing the hug deck results in either the most powerful deck winning or the hug deck comboing off, as symmetrical hug effects often favor the controller. The only real way for the game to be fair is for all opponents to gang up on the hug deck, which means the hug player doesn't get to play Magic - they gave everyone some stuff and then got beaten up by three people. I guess some people play hug like some people play chaos, they just want to see what crazy things happen, but it really screws with the game for the others. I mean, I can get a good laugh off the occasional Knowledge Pool or Warp World, but in the end I want to play Magic and have my deck do what I designed it to do (if you haven't guessed, I'm a pretty casual Johnny). So I don't mind playing against Group Hug on occasion, but I don't love it either.
If you're looking for a more competitive deck, Kresh or Tasigur are great options, but I'd like to propose an often overlooked option - Pharika, God of Affliction. I know what you're thinking, but she does provide politics, player interaction, variance, and a graveyard focus. You could run dredge cards, Dread Summons, or just sit back and enjoy the carnage. You're an arms dealer with Pharika and Skullwinder, a giant sac engine with Viscera Seer and Skullclamp, and a token maker with Creakwood Liege and Worm Harvest. Recursion? Reap, Ill-Gotten Gains, Seasons Past. Politics? Pernicious Deed. Exile their threats and your unwnted weenies and Ill-Gotten Gains, Living Death, or Reanimate some fatties. Or just swarm them with tokens. Probably not what you're looking for, but it's an option. Cheers!
Going more U/B/x control with Dralnu, Lich Lord or Tasigur, the Golden Fang can also be interesting in multiplayer: Oh, that's a threat to your board? What if I took care of that for you? Curse of the Cabal, if you like Archenemy. Hope this helps!
Hey there, welcome to paper modern (I'm currently going in the opposite direction and finally trying out duels)!
U/W control and Eminent Domain are likely the more competitive of the three, though I would love to be wrong about mill here.
Eminent Domain, however, might not be super popular with your friends if you're doing fun tourneys. I'd say it's the most competitive of the three on a budget though, so here are some links I hope will be helpful if you haven't already seen them.
I want mill to work, I really do. I've played mill for a year straight against my friends, and it feels amazing when it works. Unfortunately, you need enough powerful mill to win, while keeping some slots free for a second win-con, in case that doesn't work. If you want to do this I recommend Hedron Crab, Breaking // Entering (budget Glimpse the Unthinkable), Jace's Erasure, Mind Funeral, and Shelldock Isle.
Nice list, I'm currently working on a more midrange-y version now. Here are my suggestions, because I'm angry and on the internet:
Mizzium Meddler: I admit, I was excited for this card. I personally feel it's underpowered in modern, but I haven't really had much experience with it. I could be wrong, maybe this is the new budget Spellskite, but I'd replace it.
Spell Burst: Again, not much experience here, but is this good outside of tron? My problem is that by the time you can buyback it your opponent can probably pay for the cost, unless they're tapping out each turn.
How consistent is your manabase, and how easily can you fill your yard? I'm still not sure whether Dismember is better than Murderous Cut, or vise versa.
Otherwise the deck looks pretty sweet, I've always wanted esper to be good in modern. Let me know how you do.
Snapcaster and Lili will most likely be reprinted in the next Modern Masters and not in a standard-legal expansion (I could obviously be proven wrong here, but I wouldn't get my hopes up).
DFCs are pretty much guaranteed, right? They were integral to Innistrad; Wizards experimented with a new, cleaned-up transform mechanic wording in Origins that they could use in SOI; many people want a legendary werewolf; and there's lots of design space, as seen with Civilized Scholar and Garruk Relentless.
I'm personally hoping for the return of flashback and/ or that SOI will be a tribal set. Flashback is one of my favourite mechanics, and WOTC hasn't done a real tribal block since Lorwyn-Shadowmoor.
Innistrad was my first block, and one of my all-time favorites, so I'll take the time to spew hate like everyone else on the internet:
I'm as much of a Lovecraft fan as the next guy, but I personally don't really want the Eldrazi on Innistrad. I know Emrakul and Kozilek are theoretically chomping on other planes, but I'd prefer to leave Innistrad out of this. It would just feel like another BFZ: the previously conflicted factions are now united against an unspeakable evil. We just did that. It's fine if some elements of the story, especially in the form of walkers and walker related cards, are dropped in, but I think SOI should explore a different avenue. Dark Avacyn, cool. New Sorin, cool (I kinda want to see a mono-b Avacyn and a mono-w Sorin, but that won't happen). Cards for unrepresented characters like Tovolar and Edgar, cool. Rant over, sorry about that.
Is Illusionist's Gambit too cute to be an inclusion in a similar list? To clarify, you're list is far more tuned than any of my half-baked political deck theories ever will be, but even in a casual setting I've had doubts, although it is one of my pet cards.
By the way, you have Comeuppance listed twice
As addendum, having previously read several of your posts and never before noticing, I give you pop culture points for your "too many decks on the dance floor".
Crackling Doom hits all of the largest targets.
Pillowfort cards (Ghostly Prison), punishment for hurting you (Karmic Justice), Rattlesnake Effects (Spurnmage Advocate - note this can be used on creatures attacking opponents as well), general control cards... Ironically, Mercenaries would be terrible card for this deck (though it is flavorful).
Going into other colors gets you: Tasigur, the Golden Fang, Pharika, God of Affliction, Plague Boiler, Guided Passage, Misfortune, and Fact or Fiction variants. Not saying you should, but just telling you some options.
That's all I have for now. This seems pretty interesting, curious to see where it goes. Good luck!
Personally, I'd probably keep Baleful Strix. I don't want to subscribe to the 'it's good, put it in everything', but well... it's good, put it in everything. You could probably replace it with something generally more synergistic, or cut it if you're up against a lot of token decks, but there's so much value packed into that little guy.
Notion Thief is essentially an instant that occasionally leaves behind a chump blocker (it's a 3/1 without inherent protection). I've mixed feelings about it too, it clogs up my hand in the early game, but later it can lead to some crazy blowouts... I don't really know.
I could see cutting Narset, she doesn't synergize optimally and you'll probably rarely hit her ult (although she does start at six). On the other hand, Rebounding a Bribery sounds amazing.
Overwhelming Intellect is often the first counterspell I cut from my control decks. The effect can be great, but I generally end up holding up six mana to counter a 3 mana combo piece. It's good, but I often wish I just had a Counterspell or Dissolve. Also, not the best for protecting something I played on my turn and want to stick around.
Fated Retribution feels like the most cuttable wrath (unless you're seeing a lot of superfriends decks). Black Sun's Zenith hits indestructible creatures and Akroma's Vengeance is pretty versatile, but Retribution is 7 mana, requires 3 white (less of problem with your mana base than mine, but hey), hits fewer card types, and has a great upside... provided you tap out on your turn. Just my opinion, though.
This is the antithesis of what you asked for, but if you end up keeping Ojutai, I'd throw in Thassa as well. She allows for better Ojutai options, secures your draws, and ensures Ojutai and Dakkon always get through.
Hope this helped, love the deck. Cheers!
TL;DR: Symmetrical effects aren't symmetrical.
Not a commander, but Death Pits of Rath and Shriveling Rot could be fun as well. Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief likes big mana decks, like this seems to want to be. Bubbling Muck, mana doublers like Crypt Ghast (also heals some lost life) and Nirkana Revenant, and sac outlets like Ashnod's Altar can get you there. Death Cloud and Exsanguinate could be devastating finishers. Pestilence Demon and Sepulchral Primordial look really good. Whip of Erebos as well, now that I think about it. I like Erebos or Ob Nix as commander, as mentioned before.
Stepping out of mono blue, Noyan Dar, Roil Shaper is a bigger Talrand, although you may end up using card slots on the land matters aspect instead of control or multiplayer shenanigans. Isperia, Supreme Judge and Gwafa Hazid, Profiteer are fun. U/W opens up goodies like Council's Judgment, Soul Snare, Armistice, and Act of Authority.
Going more U/B/x control with Dralnu, Lich Lord or Tasigur, the Golden Fang can also be interesting in multiplayer: Oh, that's a threat to your board? What if I took care of that for you? Curse of the Cabal, if you like Archenemy. Hope this helps!
U/W control and Eminent Domain are likely the more competitive of the three, though I would love to be wrong about mill here.
Eminent Domain, however, might not be super popular with your friends if you're doing fun tourneys. I'd say it's the most competitive of the three on a budget though, so here are some links I hope will be helpful if you haven't already seen them.
You can probably expand on U/W control the most, if you're thinking long term.
Budget options: Mana Leak, Logic Knot, condescend, [/card]temple of enlightenment[/card], Glacial Fortress, Flickerwisp, Fiend Hunter, Think Twice, Jace, Architect of Thought, Repeal, Mulldrifter.
Mid-to-High Budget: Path to Exile, Remand, Kitchen Finks, Supreme Verdict, Hallowed Fountain, Wall of Omens, Restoration Angel, Serum Visions
No Budget: Cryptic Command, Snapcaster Mage, Celestial Colonnade, Flooded Strand.
U/W scales well, the expensive cards are used in several other decks, and it's generally fun to play.
I want mill to work, I really do. I've played mill for a year straight against my friends, and it feels amazing when it works. Unfortunately, you need enough powerful mill to win, while keeping some slots free for a second win-con, in case that doesn't work. If you want to do this I recommend Hedron Crab, Breaking // Entering (budget Glimpse the Unthinkable), Jace's Erasure, Mind Funeral, and Shelldock Isle.
If you want to combine U/W with mill you could play turbofog - I'm assuming you like player interaction and grindy matches. Fog, Dawn Charm, Howling Mine, Jace's Erasure, Holy Day, Luminarch Ascension.
Hope this helps!
Mizzium Meddler: I admit, I was excited for this card. I personally feel it's underpowered in modern, but I haven't really had much experience with it. I could be wrong, maybe this is the new budget Spellskite, but I'd replace it.
Spell Burst: Again, not much experience here, but is this good outside of tron? My problem is that by the time you can buyback it your opponent can probably pay for the cost, unless they're tapping out each turn.
How consistent is your manabase, and how easily can you fill your yard? I'm still not sure whether Dismember is better than Murderous Cut, or vise versa.
Otherwise the deck looks pretty sweet, I've always wanted esper to be good in modern. Let me know how you do.
DFCs are pretty much guaranteed, right? They were integral to Innistrad; Wizards experimented with a new, cleaned-up transform mechanic wording in Origins that they could use in SOI; many people want a legendary werewolf; and there's lots of design space, as seen with Civilized Scholar and Garruk Relentless.
I'm personally hoping for the return of flashback and/ or that SOI will be a tribal set. Flashback is one of my favourite mechanics, and WOTC hasn't done a real tribal block since Lorwyn-Shadowmoor.
Innistrad was my first block, and one of my all-time favorites, so I'll take the time to spew hate like everyone else on the internet:
I'm as much of a Lovecraft fan as the next guy, but I personally don't really want the Eldrazi on Innistrad. I know Emrakul and Kozilek are theoretically chomping on other planes, but I'd prefer to leave Innistrad out of this. It would just feel like another BFZ: the previously conflicted factions are now united against an unspeakable evil. We just did that. It's fine if some elements of the story, especially in the form of walkers and walker related cards, are dropped in, but I think SOI should explore a different avenue. Dark Avacyn, cool. New Sorin, cool (I kinda want to see a mono-b Avacyn and a mono-w Sorin, but that won't happen). Cards for unrepresented characters like Tovolar and Edgar, cool. Rant over, sorry about that.
I'm hoping to make it back to fnm soon, it's been a while. Will report then.