Utility cards in Gifts

[Pitlord]

I think arguing LoA agasint strip mine is pointless. There are many, many more games where drawing an extra card or two is going to matter than there are games where being able to destry 1 random land is.

Anyways, I think we need to get back on topic. Has anyone considered using annul or stifle as  1 or 2 of counter? Annul is great agasint oath and stax, and at least always hits a mox or something. Stifle is randomly busted, but is it too situational to see play in a control deck with a decent counter package already? 

Also, with duress in the main, adding a third underground sea is definitly a good call. Being hit by waste a little more is worth being able to play the awesomeness of duress consistently.

[DuKeLiO]

I didn't test Stifle, but I win a tournamente with the above but -2 Spell Snare +2 Annul. The annul were not very useful, it only are good in your first hand. Only are better than Spell Snare VS Stax. Im the Oath Matchup Spell Snare are a lot better, it couners Oath but if it come latter it also counter the mana leaks for protecting you when you are trying to combo. Spell Snare are also more useful vs a lot of decks: vs Fish it not only counters Null Rod and Standstill, it also counters Meddling Mage, Dark Confidant, Cloud of Faeries or whitered wreetch, depending of the build; vs mirror you can counters Drain and some other good sorcerys like Demonic tutor or time walk.
I have not tested Stifle but I think it is a very conditional card. For me  it are not an option.

[ZeroGs]

All I am saying is that I agree that LOA > Strip Mine if the conditions are right. At both their optimal conditions LOA is of course better by a landslide. In my experience though using/testing both, the conditions will be right "usable" for Strip Mine more often than Library, my Meta consists of GrimOath, 2 Land Belcher, CS, and errayo control. Again my argument will be skewed based on what im playing in my area.

Examples: (Loa = Bad)
They duress you 1st turn.(no 7 cards, no brainstorm to save your key cards)
They waste/strip it. (maybe you kept a hand depending on it)
Slows Drain mana 1 turn.
FoW + Pitch, then wait to have 7 again.
You Top Deck it with less than 7 cards in hand, no immediate use.

My reasons for liking Strip Mine I have already posted previously. Haha can I least get you to say that its not an auto include in all control decks? :shock: