Have you considered Strategic Planning as an alternative?  It is still two mana and a sorcery, but does have the advantage of being blue.  Also it give you another alternative to fill your graveyard with big artifacts.

Is the move back to a URb mana base worth going to a card that is +0 instead of +1 card advantage?

From Saucemaster:


Steve, I'm curious why your 2 "extra" fetchlands are Flooded Strand instead of Bloodstained Mire based on the above quote. Did you ever have the Strand when you really needed your one lone basic swamp?

I'd like to cast my vote for a SB primer.  I've done fairly well with this deck vs random scrub, but the last time I went up against a serious control player I lost in 3 because I killed myself sideboarding.

Thanks for the props Francisco!  You would think with the abundance of control around I'd do a better job playing vs Keeper, or slaver.

I'd also like to invite anyone in Phoenix who would like to play T1 to come to  Gamer's Edge Thursdays from 6 to close.  Normally 4-5 people playing for fun.

Here's the reply I sent to Keith when he asked me offline, specfically he asked vs FCG (which I play):

Starstorm is the winner in my mind, but thinking about it I see arguments for both.

Speed - Starstorm
Starstorm - Instant.  You can use it on an opponent's turn.  When you absolutely need something dead it cost 2 + damage.

Masticore - Creature.  Only use on your turn plus killing ONLY A SINGLE ONE TOUGHNESS CREATURE costs 7 when you really need it done.   Or if you tinker/weld it out you're still looking at 2/4 to kill a single creature you
really want dead.

"Deadness" - Tie
Starstorm - cycle if they did a transformational sideboard on you
Masticore - I've heard swinging for 5 is good

Tutorability - Starstorm (only because you can get it game 1)

Hate - Starstorm
Starstorm - In response what does FCG do other than die?
Masticore - Sharpshooter, Incinerator, RnR, Shattering pulse, Artifact Mutation, do I need to go on?

Negative impact to your gameplan - ???
Starstorm - Ooops your welders/pentavites die
Masticore - Don't you want to be tinkering/welding a mindslaver?

Hope that helps, I've changed my mind on this a number of times while crafting a resposne.

Zach