I've always been a huge fan of this type of deck too, since back when i first started playing magic I made a bad blue red deck that basically just countered or burnt everything the other guy tried to play.  While URphid is obviously a bit more developed than that I've always thought it still has that feel to it, which is something I find fun.

This deck definitely needs the artifact mana since part of it's strategy seems to be having counter mana up as soon as possible to deal with all those threats it can't just burn out.

When you can manage to get the phid engine running, it's fun card draw, but more often than not that probably won't happen.  Factories can block (and survive fire/ice), combo can get going before you get that engine started, and most other control can deal with a phid well enough.

On another note, if the scepter angle doesn't work out well have you considered engineered explosives?  It seems like most of the time you would want to blow it (or a powder keg) for 0, 1, or 2 anyways.  Off-color moxen can make 3 reachable in some emergency situation, like a b2b or other enchantment bothering you.