Trinket Mage in the new format

[hitman]

I'm sure everyone's read about the changes to the restricted list by this point.  I'm starting this thread to talk about a spell I think will be particularly potent in the format, Trinket Mage.  With Thirst for Knowledge gone there will be a void in Drain-based deck's draw engine slot.  After so many restrictions it's becoming clear that blue engines don't have a long shelf life in Vintage. 

In an attempt to find a suitable engine to handle the new metagame that shouldn't find itself restricted in the future, I've settled on Trinket Mage.  Among some of Trinket Mage's positive attributes are his ability to find Sensei's Divining Top.  The format seems to be moving away from card advantage and toward card selection or tutoring.  Sensei's Divining Top is strong at finding needed cards with Fetchlands.  Fetchlands will also be strong against the new Crop Rotation lists as they're good against Wasteland and Strip Mine.  Trinket Mage is also good against Ichorid because it finds cards like Tormod's Crypt and Engineered Explosives.  Sideboards may not require so many Ichorid slots with the tutoring power of Trinket Mage available for cards like Tormod's Crypt or Relic of Progenitus.  After the unrestrictions are effective, I believe Tormod's Crypt will see a great deal of play as it foils Crucible shenanigans as well as halting Entomb's explosiveness. 

Trinket Mage is easily played in Tezzeret decks and Bomberman decks.  After the restrictions come into effect, tutoring will be one of the more reliable ways to execute your gameplan.  Trinket Mage is played in Bomberman decks with Aven Mindcensor and will be able to attack this weakness.  Bomberman will be able to hit the newly unrestricted cards with Tormod's Crypt and the like as well as all the other tutors common to the format while retaining a strong engine that's able to adapt to the new metagame with its flexibility. 

As long as blue-based decks can handle Null Rod, Trinket Mage should be a strong option as it's easily ported into several Drain decks and is very relevant in relationship to the changes in the restricted list.  Any thoughts about Trinket Mage and his strengths and weaknesses are welcome in this thread as we try to find an adequate solution to the loss of another blue draw engine. 

[vassago]

I have always been a fan of trinket mage.  He obviously is good at getting random one of's for the tool box function, but I love how he allows you to mana ramp against shop decks.  Unfortunately, you are equally hated by null rod.  Also, this may seem a little loose, but I love getting in the red zone, especially if you are playing drains.   

[hitman]

I think a problem with Trinket Mage is his casting cost.  Without Brainstorm, how are we digging for counterspells early on?  Impulse may have to be played with Trinket Mage as a quasi-tutor to get to the point where Trinket Mage is castable.  Impulse is a turn one play for Force of Will.  Maybe a configuration of one Brainstorm, two Tops, one Ponder, two Impulse and four Trinket Mage will work well. 

Regarding Null Rod, white is good at removing problematic artifacts.  I think Bomberman could be a good option.  You could run a mainboard Seal of Cleansing or Disenchant with another one or two in the board. 

[Phele]

I agree, that Bomberman is a good option in the new metagame, as Mindcensor should be a bomb then and the rest of the deck always has been solid. I would definately run a full package of Repeals. Together with Sensei's Top there are also provid a pretty good way of drawing cards.

[bluemage55]

Without Brainstorm, how are we digging for counterspells early on?  Impulse may have to be played with Trinket Mage as a quasi-tutor to get to the point where Trinket Mage is castable.  Impulse is a turn one play for Force of Will.  Maybe a configuration of one Brainstorm, two Tops, one Ponder, two Impulse and four Trinket Mage will work well.

I personally prefer Strategic Planning over Impulse.  The fact that it thins out your deck and fills you graveyard for Yawg, Crucible, Welder, Salvagers, etc. makes up for the fact that it digs 1 card less.