Absolutely agree with you about Baffling End and Nezahal. Both those cards have been FANTASTIC for me. That's an interesting strategy of leaving in 1/2 approaches vs black-based deck. I'll try that and report how it goes for me.
I've played Bant Approach on MTGO and I haven't been super impressed. It definitely puts as as more favored vs Grixis Midrange/ UBx Control, but I feel like those matchups are already good enough. Spring // Mind in particular is pretty poor vs Aggro decks. I've run into some problems with Mono-B aggro, so I added more 2-mana answers (Up to 4 end, . Even with them it's hard to deal with their one drops. Pretty much everything they do t1 has 2 power or effectively 2 power (attack for 1, drain for 1).
Bant approach is certainly quite a bit better in the mirror and vs Cycling.
The control mirror is going to be huge in the coming weeks. I'm considering moving towards bant. The ramp spells certainly give us a good deal of equity in the mirror.
also, don't tell xaltair, but yes.. I will be playing thaumatic compass...
Imo, I don't think it's a choice between Baffling End and Cast Out. I think regardless of what removal you have at the 2-mana slot Cast Out is necessary for Scarab God, Hazoret, Chandra ToD, Vraska, etc.
Still hoping for Attune to go. I want Energy to go back to straight Temur since Duress is really annoying.
Try playing some leagues online or going to a GP. I think you'll find that the Ramunap Red players there don't play into Settle the Wreckage like the RR players you play against do. You need a dearth of cheap 1-for-1s as well as Wrath/Settle effects in order to beat RR.
Honestly I see UW being worth it with baffling end. We already have enough 2-mana answers, but the biggest gain for me from red was Magma Spray as the only effective way to deal with Earthshaker Khenra. The better mana is reason enough imo to go back to UW. Of course this is all theoretical since I haven't played with these cards yet, so I'll get back to y'all once I get a better idea of what I'm doing.
I definitely agree with you about settle - I've actually been boarding it out vs Temur. They can play around it so easily by holding back creatures (and still clocking you pretty significantly) and Having to cast it during their turn just puts us more vulnerable to counterspells. I think that you need a mix of Efficient answers (Meltdown, Essence Scatter, whatnot) and Wrath effects (Fumigate, Settle) but waiting for a good settle or for 5 mana for fumigate isn't a good enough answer on its own. Ultimately I prefer Baffling End to fatal push as you can't reliably turn on revolt (whereas End will always hit Ferocidon, Ahn-Crop Crasher, Virtuoso) without fetches and exiling vs killing is relevant vs Earthshaker Khenra (which is one of the biggest problem cards imo from RR). Just my 2 cents (and I don't play esper, so I might be entirely miss-evaluating push entirely). Moment of Craving certainly seems nice vs Red, almost like an Essence Extraction with less stringent colour requirements. Have you been playing Extraction, and if so, have you experienced any difficulties with the BB casting cost?
I play 2 Baral in my Sideboard. Against both Control and postboard Temur Energy, it allows you to get ahead in counterwars and gain tempo (which is the biggest factor against energy g2-3).
As for Nimble Obstructionist and Champion of Wits, they aren't bad but the problem is that we can't take advantage of the bodies on the field very well. Champion of wits doesn't trade favorably with most creatures (and if you're tapping out, it should be for an approach rather than a 4/4) and Obstructionist comes down a turn too late to realistically deal with Longtusk cub. Both cards have their uses, but I feel that they're too narrow. I do think that Obstructionist is quite a bit better in the Drake Haven deck.
As for Ritual of Rejuvenation, It simply isn't very good. In the Matchups where the 4 life is going to be relevant, it's far too slow to impact the game.
Yeah, I've found that against Ramunap and Energy you need to have a combination of 2-mana answers and wrath effects to really win. If you're relying on a fumigate or settle to keep you alive usually those decks can get under that or play around settle. I'm currently using a mix of essence scatter, harnessed lightning (I'm on Jeskai, I think that Aether Meltdownp would be just as effective) and Censor.
The card that I'm most interested in is Slaughter the Strong. It might be too janky vs energy but the prospect of taking out hazoret is appealing.
I'm on Jeskai, so I might play Blood Sun in the board for Ramunap since I generally board out Azcantas anyway against them. Tapping out t3 is rough though so I might only want it in the 'bigger red' decks with Sand Stranglers/etc.
Silent gravestone seems like a better option than Crook of Condemnation or Sentinel Totem vs Gift. I personally haven't experienced needing those cards, but if Gift is big in your meta then it's a consideration.
Thanks,
the cow
Name calling is not allowed.
Infraction issued.
-- Lugger
your current list doesnt do anything lul
Bant approach is certainly quite a bit better in the mirror and vs Cycling.
also, don't tell xaltair, but yes.. I will be playing thaumatic compass...
Still hoping for Attune to go. I want Energy to go back to straight Temur since Duress is really annoying.
As for Nimble Obstructionist and Champion of Wits, they aren't bad but the problem is that we can't take advantage of the bodies on the field very well. Champion of wits doesn't trade favorably with most creatures (and if you're tapping out, it should be for an approach rather than a 4/4) and Obstructionist comes down a turn too late to realistically deal with Longtusk cub. Both cards have their uses, but I feel that they're too narrow. I do think that Obstructionist is quite a bit better in the Drake Haven deck.
As for Ritual of Rejuvenation, It simply isn't very good. In the Matchups where the 4 life is going to be relevant, it's far too slow to impact the game.
I'm on Jeskai, so I might play Blood Sun in the board for Ramunap since I generally board out Azcantas anyway against them. Tapping out t3 is rough though so I might only want it in the 'bigger red' decks with Sand Stranglers/etc.