[Deck] My mono-blue control

[Blue_Nightmare]

I've been running this deck for awhile

4x FoW
4x Misdirection
4x Counterspell
4x Mana Drain

4x Impulse
3x Brainstorm
1x Fact of Fiction
1x Merchant Scroll
1x Braingeyser
1x Stroke of Genius

3x Isochron Scepter
4x Vedalken Shackles
2x Control Magic
2x Morphling

1x Sol Ring
21x Island

Let me know what you think or make suggestions as to what cards I should add or take out. Keep in mind I don't own any P9. Thanks.

[chrissss]

I have played mono blue for a while, but it doesnt work as well as I hope. It just cant compete with multicolor decks and combo.

I would definately play wasteland and strip mines, so you have some advantage of running your basic lands. Same goes for Back To Basics. I would run Fetch lands and 4 brainstorms; ( fetch + brainstorm = card advantage, deck thinning and it protects game winners from being discarded)

Since you run the Scepter, I would run Cunning wish, and put split cards in your sideboard, so you can wish them to imprint on the scepter. I wouldnt use braingeiser, and maybe put the SOG in the sideboard as well.
You might want to use bribery or persuation instead of control magic.

[Harlequin]

Vedalken Shackles is good for little guys, but I would try and diversify my stealing/controling power.

-4 Shackles
-2 Control Magic
-3 Island

+2 Domineer
+2 Vedalken Shackles
+2 Old man of the Sea
+3 Maze of Ith

This gives you a short term answer (Maze of Ith) to basically everything, and then some long term answers depending on what your going up against. 
Domineer -- For colosuss, Sundering Titan, and other huge robot.
Vedalken Shackles -- Grows based on gamestate, by late game you can steal angels and whatnot with relative ease.
Old Man of the Sea -- Cheaper on a turn to turn basis than shackles, also doubles as a beatstick if your opponent has no creatures

Running Something like Karakas aint that bad either if your expecting to face oath.

[netherspirit]

Have you got a sideboard? Stifle would be obvious for facing combo, Pithing Needle for Stax, and possibly bounce for most decks in general. Pretty sweet deck though!

[Blue_Nightmare]

Hey bad wolf. I like you're suggestions. I'm definitely going to add a strip mine and 2-4 wastelands.  Adding a cunning wish is a good idea as well when building my sideboard. Are braingeyser and stroke too slow to be competitive? Your fetch+brainstorm idea sounds interesting. Could you explain to me exactly how this works? Thanks guys.

[Illissius]

Your fetch+brainstorm idea sounds interesting. Could you explain to me exactly how this works? Thanks guys.

You Brainstorm away the two cards in your hand you least want, then crack a fetchland (or any other shuffle effect) to shuffle them away from the top of your library. This doesn't increase the number of cards in your hand, but it does increase their quality.

Also, I notice you have one of each Stroke of Genius and Braingeyser -- this may be intentional, but if not, note that they aren't restricted any more.

[Blue_Nightmare]

do you guys think i should remove stroke and braingeyser? also what do you think of adding gush or mystical tutor or another scepter? do I have enough creature removal/control?

[yespuhyren]

Pithing Needle for Stax

Why exactly?

My advice:

+3 Flooded Strand
+3 Polluted Delta
+1 Brainstorm
+4 Ophidian

-6 Island
-4 Impulse
-1 Braingeyser

[Imsomniac101]

B2B is straight up the best card you can play against Stax. Plus it pawns Aggro-Control too. AND it's cheaper than needle 

[netherspirit]

Pithing Needle for Stax

Why exactly?

I was thinking more for stopping Goblin Welder beings blue doesn't have a heck of a lot of answers to him, but Needle is great for sideboard in general.

[chrissss]

the problem of running 4 ophidians, is  that all your opponents creature removal will go onto the ophidians. Morphling is saved from stps because it cant be targeted.

About brainstorm; for example, you have a counterspell and 2 islands in your hand. You draw 3 cards, then for example, you have 2 lands in your hand, a FoF , 2 counterspells and a morphling. you put the 2 islands back on top of your library, use the fetch land to get an island, and you have made card quality advantage. You didnt get any extra cards, but the 2 useless lands ( in the example you had loads of islands in play ) are back into the library, and that brainstorm gave you 3 good cards. Brainstorm is even better in combo decks, or in a deck like oath, where you just shuffle all creatures back into the library.

I would go with 2 Cunning wishes, and leave out the BG and SOG. they are good cards, but there is better card drawing in the current environment. In the sideboard you should try cards like Fire // Ice, Research // Development ( u can use both R&D after imprinting it on the scepter, and getting 3 3/1s or 3 cards for 2 mana is a good deal. Most of the multicolor split cards are very nice Isochron Scepter targets. You can put a SOG in the sideboard as well, in case the game takes ages, and you and opponent are in topdeck mode.

So,

+ 2 Cunning wish
+ 4 brainstorm
+ x wastelands
+ x fetchlands

- 4 impulse ( impulse is a great search card, but not really needed in this deck imo)
- 1 braingeiser
- 1 Stroke of Genius
- x islands ( depending on how many fetch/wastelands you have)

you can change other things, but this is what I would change for sure.

hope this helps

[Implacable]

Bad Wolf, I think that your reasoning about not having 'Phids is flawed.  A deck that plans to drag the game out as long as this one does needs to have a consistant card drawing engine, like 'Phid or Bob, in order to keep up with opposing threats.

[chrissss]

I always had the problems against a lot of decks, that once the ophidian hits, they either remove it with stps, or an edict, or burn. if opponent is playing fish, then he will be very happy to see you play a creature, so that the removal isnt a waste. I prefer having the ophidians in the sideboard, so opponents side out all targeted removal ( they know morphlings cant be targeted) and then you side them in.

plus with the scepters, card drawing in the long run wont be that much of a problem. 

I would go with 4 scepters, and then in game 2, opponents brings in more artifact hate, you take out the scepters, and bring in the ophidians.

[Kelme]

Well firstly I`d like to suggest a look on the mana curve; i see no turn 1 drops besides Brainstorm; which bothers me a little

I suggest that you put in 3x stifle; once I saw Kowals monoblue i immediately got inspired.
Secondly you need to play quick disruption and I suggest 4x chalice of the void. They are awesome for speeding down the play and work to your advantage as you have no p8

I also suggest running lotus petal; it allows a first turn counter.

Quote by;

- 4 impulse ( impulse is a great search card, but not really needed in this deck imo)
- 1 braingeiser
- 1 Stroke of Genius
- x islands ( depending on how many fetch/wastelands you have)

I really like these changes, cunning wish is horrible, what you`d get with it? Bounce? play that main. Alternatively run merchant scrolls when you have advantage it makes sure you have to counters to win.

Now Badwolf; no ophidians in mono blue? You play the ophidians once you have established control and makes sure to push your advantage.. not to walk into edicts or burn. They are one of the single reasons why mono blue "could" be considered viable.

+3 Flooded Strand
+3 Polluted Delta
+1 Brainstorm
+4 Ophidian

These changes are perfect. Fixes the mana base, makes sure you draw threats instead of lands.

The monoblue i`d be running with the cardbase avaible

Disruption
3x stifle; stops the opponent fetching out basics ruining their fragile manabase, stops a welder activation
4x chalice: if the meta you play is not so powered--3 powder keg + 1 merchant scroll
2x back to basics:


Counters 14
4x misidrection
4x force of will
2x counterspell
4x mana drain

Bounce 2
2x echoing truth

Win 6
2x morpling
4x ophidian

Control 2
2x vedaklen schackles

Acceleration 2
1 lotus p
1 sol ring

Draw/fix
1 fof
4x brainstorm

Lands 20
6 fetch
4 wasteland
1 strip mine
9 islands

This is a very stable deck i think.

If you`d like to put in a surprise play a sb which has a good aggro matchup; play

4x oath of druids
1x akroma
1x spirit of the night/razia; depending on whether its fish or burn
1/2 tropical island; could be put in main depending on the meta.

plus obligatory cards

Thatd be all.

Good luck
Kelme

[Blue_Nightmare]

Thanks a lot for the help guys, especially that last post. I am currently trying to acqurie some fetchlands to include in my deck. I'm kinda torn whether to play phids or not because like Mad Wolf said, mine always tend to get killed before they can grant me a card advantage. I'm definitely going to add a fourth brainstorm and remove control magic, stroke, and braingeyser. I am going to keep my scepters tho because they are so awesome with a counterspell on them. You guys really think I shoudl remove impulse? It's done well for me in the past. Well, i'll post my new decklist when it's ready. Any more thoughts? Thanks.

[Egg]

Hi, I've read TMD for so long now I thought it about time to actually post something.

Since I've played unpowered mono-blue for a few years now I thougth I'd share some of my ideas, maybe
they'll be helpful in some way. My list is quite different though.

Chalice of the void is amazing in this deck, especially when playing unpowered in an powered metagame. You can drop it for zeroon the play or at one to seriously damage some much-played decks. It greatly improves storm-matchups, especially with all the disruption you're already packing, and is also good against the rogue aggro decks @ one.

The mana base as it was (with 21 islands and 1 sol ring) could be greatly improved. Like Kelme posted, fetchlands are great to thin your deck and thus improve your draws. Also, since you're mono-blue, 1 strip mine and 4 wastelands don't hurt you're manabase all that much and they are great against almost every deck. Lotus petal is also great to get first turn mana drain online.

For draw, 4 brainstorm is an auto-include, as is 1 fact of fiction. For other draw I currently play 4 Thirst for knowledge, they dig pretty deep and you can discard late game chalices (or colossus), also they are a good drain outlet. My mono blue is more artifact heavy (with 2 crucibles, kegs & more) which make it possible to play tinker+colossus, which is always great (though not as cool as morphling beats).

Back to basics is very metagame dependant I think. In my meta everyone plays at least a few basics which make it a lot less spectacular.
For reference, here is the list I currently play:

4 Chalice of the void
4 Mana leak
4 Mana drain
4 Force of will

4 Brainstorm
4 Thirst for knowledge
1 Fact of fiction

2 Powder keg
2 Crucible of worlds

1 Mystical tutor
1 Echoing truth
1 Rushing river (may become cunning wish)
1 Tinker

1 Morphling
1 Darksteel colossus

1 Lotus petal
1 Sol ring
1 Mana vault
1 Strip mine
4 Wasteland
4 Mishra's factory
3 Flooded strand
9 Island
1 Library of alexandria


//Sideboard
3 Energy flux
3 Arcane laboratory
2 Vedalken shackles
2 Nevinyrral's disk
2 Tormod's crypt
1 Platinum angel (great card for sideboard!)
2 Echoing truth


Hope this helps and good luck with the deck!

[Kelme]

To egg;

a fine list i think but dont you miss ophidan? I know thirst is same cc but nevertheless I feel that ophidian combines pretty well as both wincondition and drawengine

It makes sense to play cow when playing thirst however the b2bs make a more sudden impact; i think that back to basics is the sole reason for playing monoblue, its simple to strong against topdecks; cow is slower. Another line of reasoning in symphony with the cow vs b2b debate is that mono blue suffers from not playing a lot of bombs; Back to basics is a bomb. Especially when running maindeck stifles.

i do agree with running rushing river and mystical tutor. naturally. I totally forgot.

Mana vault is fine too.

I think that our decks differ from how our draw engine is composed and that is also a choice of preference. I do like that ophidian both win games and draw. But of course Tfk has the optimum of drawing cards instantly.

[Implacable]

Thirst really is trashy in any deck but Slaver (sorry, Brassman).  In a deck that can't take advantage of the graveyard, you either pay 3 mana for +1 card advantage or 3 mana for +2 card advantage and loss of valuable mana (whose buildup is the whole point of a control deck in the first place).  Say what you will, but it might be interesting to try out a mix of Ophidian+Deep Analysis.  Ophidian is good for reasons already discussed, and Deep Analysis is definitely one of the best card-draw spells in the format, and can be used easily with Mana Drain.

[Kelme]

Insert Quote
Thirst really is trashy in any deck but Slaver (sorry, Brassman).  In a deck that can't take advantage of the graveyard, you either pay 3 mana for +1 card advantage or 3 mana for +2 card advantage and loss of valuable mana (whose buildup is the whole point of a control deck in the first place).  Say what you will, but it might be interesting to try out a mix of Ophidian+Deep Analysis.  Ophidian is good for reasons already discussed, and Deep Analysis is definitely one of the best card-draw spells in the format, and can be used easily with Mana Drain.

Definitely true, even more so if you go all in and play a draw engine with intuition/ak .. however in the deck we are currently discussing he doesnt have acess to p 9.

[Implacable]

Insert Quote
Thirst really is trashy in any deck but Slaver (sorry, Brassman).  In a deck that can't take advantage of the graveyard, you either pay 3 mana for +1 card advantage or 3 mana for +2 card advantage and loss of valuable mana (whose buildup is the whole point of a control deck in the first place).  Say what you will, but it might be interesting to try out a mix of Ophidian+Deep Analysis.  Ophidian is good for reasons already discussed, and Deep Analysis is definitely one of the best card-draw spells in the format, and can be used easily with Mana Drain.

Definitely true, even more so if you go all in and play a draw engine with intuition/ak .. however in the deck we are currently discussing he doesnt have acess to p 9.

What do the Power 9 have to do with it?  If he has Drains, then both 'Phid and Analysis are good to Drain into.

[Kelme]

Implacable


What do the Power 9 have to do with it?  If he has Drains, then both 'Phid and Analysis are good to Drain into.

Naturally; i do not disagree with this statement. However i think that without moxen reaching 4cc is going to be quite hard, that is unless he wins a drain war.. this i do also realise is the potential of mono blue defending its threats perfectly.

Maybe I didnt disagree that much with your statement; i have supported ophidians in this post, and been agreeing with not running thirst. Actually i think ill make a new build with aks and deeps..

Kelme

[Egg]

Thirst really is trashy in any deck but Slaver (sorry, Brassman).  In a deck that can't take advantage of the graveyard, you either pay 3 mana for +1 card advantage or 3 mana for +2 card advantage and loss of valuable mana (whose buildup is the whole point of a control deck in the first place).  Say what you will, but it might be interesting to try out a mix of Ophidian+Deep Analysis.  Ophidian is good for reasons already discussed, and Deep Analysis is definitely one of the best card-draw spells in the format, and can be used easily with Mana Drain.

The reason I don't play Ophidian is because here in the Netherlands storm combo is extremely popular, and it takes 4 turns to see the same amount of cards with a Phid than with a TfK. Though obviously better in the late game, going against storm the impact TfK has on the game immediately I think beats the long-term effect of an Ophidian. Also, since these decks are unpowered, you rarely ever end up discarding mana, the only time I ever discard lands is if I have enough or I have a crucible out. Also, TfK functions as a means to get DSC back in the library, without having to rely too much on a BS + fetch.

As for Deep analysis, the fact that it's a sorcery really hurts, since you don't want to tap out on your own turn. Meaning you'll only be able to play it after draining something. Also, you don't really have any other way than playing it to get it in your graveyard, so you'd be spending 6 mana an 3 life for +3 card advantage on your own turn. Also, the first time you play DA, it is strictly worse than TfK. All of that and the fact that is is a big drain target for me in enough reason to not include it. If I had to cut TfK's I would rather go for intuition/ak, which I've chosen not to play because it uses more slots and is more mana-hungry.

@ Kelme
I will try and play with B2B, since there were some good points about B2B having impact immediately, but CoW should not be underrated. It functions great with a fetch-land to thin you deck and doubles as a lock with a waste/strip. The only problem I think is that it is quite a bit slower than B2B, so I think I'll test it and see which one I like best.

[Implacable]

Thirst really is trashy in any deck but Slaver (sorry, Brassman).  In a deck that can't take advantage of the graveyard, you either pay 3 mana for +1 card advantage or 3 mana for +2 card advantage and loss of valuable mana (whose buildup is the whole point of a control deck in the first place).  Say what you will, but it might be interesting to try out a mix of Ophidian+Deep Analysis.  Ophidian is good for reasons already discussed, and Deep Analysis is definitely one of the best card-draw spells in the format, and can be used easily with Mana Drain.

The reason I don't play Ophidian is because here in the Netherlands storm combo is extremely popular, and it takes 4 turns to see the same amount of cards with a Phid than with a TfK. Though obviously better in the late game, going against storm the impact TfK has on the game immediately I think beats the long-term effect of an Ophidian. Also, since these decks are unpowered, you rarely ever end up discarding mana, the only time I ever discard lands is if I have enough or I have a crucible out. Also, TfK functions as a means to get DSC back in the library, without having to rely too much on a BS + fetch.

As for Deep analysis, the fact that it's a sorcery really hurts, since you don't want to tap out on your own turn. Meaning you'll only be able to play it after draining something. Also, you don't really have any other way than playing it to get it in your graveyard, so you'd be spending 6 mana an 3 life for +3 card advantage on your own turn. Also, the first time you play DA, it is strictly worse than TfK. All of that and the fact that is is a big drain target for me in enough reason to not include it. If I had to cut TfK's I would rather go for intuition/ak, which I've chosen not to play because it uses more slots and is more mana-hungry.

@ Kelme
I will try and play with B2B, since there were some good points about B2B having impact immediately, but CoW should not be underrated. It functions great with a fetch-land to thin you deck and doubles as a lock with a waste/strip. The only problem I think is that it is quite a bit slower than B2B, so I think I'll test it and see which one I like best.

Mono-blue<Control Slaver
Back to Basics>All of the hate that Slaver could possibly run. 

It's really a pretty simple relationship.  If you choose not to run B2B, then don't run Mono-blue.  Moving on, though, what kind of Storm combo is predominant in the Netherlands?  Over here, it's the Long twins and IT, but is it more TPS over there?  If so, you should have no problems beating that pile.  Arcane Lab is the sauce.

[chrissss]

@ Kelme: if you want to run ophidians, then I think 4 challice is a must. the challice will stop most creature removal, and then the ophidians are better. the Cunning Wish idea was for Isochron scepter. you can have all the best wish targets in the sb. But if he doesnt put in the scepters, I wouldnt use Cunning Wish.



Tfk is good once the challice is on the board, so you can discard cards which are countered to challice.

@Blue_Nightmare, I have the same problem with ophidian, I never ever get a single card. but with 4 misdirections and 4 challice of the voics, it might be really good.

[Harlequin]

I wouldn't be too quick to jump all over Back to Basics.  I used to run that card, and I thought it was really good.  The problem with B2B is that it only beats weak players.  Against players who know how to play thier mana, back to basics is simply not effective enough.  The reason is, the best players fetch basics early and often.  Also they know what spells have priority over others, and know how to use there one-tap on each land correctly.  If you are serious about back to basics to need to go all in and run something like Orb of Dreams or Rootmaze AND DEFINATLY Null Rod.  Otherwise its simply too easy for most decks to win out (assumeing they view thier non-b lands as lotus petals).  Its a weak threat that comes down late game when your opponent already has thier mana developed.

Stifles and Wastelands should be enough to punish non-basics. 

[Kelme]

Hey all

Cunning wish is irrelevant in mono blue as blue simply hasnt got the answers in the sb; you have hurkyls recall and truth, fire/ice. When you resolve a scepter its pretty irrelevant what is imprinted. If it is to be included it must win or impact the game upon resolution otherwise it isnt to be included.

"Stifles and Wastelands should be enough to punish non-basics. "

Stifles are for the fetches that gets basics, wasteland and b2b takes care of the rest. One of the reasons why I always play 2x back to basics is, as I think I already elaborated on, is that mono blue lacks bombs.

This is the deck that I put together yesterday. Sorry Blue_Nightmare this one is powered, just so the others can see what i am thinking

Lands
4x wasteland
1x strip mine
6x island
5x fetches
1x tropical island

Counter
4x mana leak
4x mana drain
4x force of will

Win
1x darksteel collosus
4x ophidian

Fishy tricks
2x stifle

Bombs
2x back to basics
1x time walk
1x ancestral recall

Tutors
1x mystical tutor

Acceleration
1x mana crypt
5x moxen
1x black lotus


Draw engine
4x accumulated knowledge
3x intuition
3x deep analysis

Bounce
1x echoing truth

Sideboard; a bit random
4x oath of druids
1x tropical island
1x akroma
1x razia
2x rebuild
1x echoing truth
2x misdirection
1x blue elemental blast

The oath inclusion in the sb is for aggro which monoblue traditionally fare badly against.

I decided to play it all night on mws; with very few losses. (Actually i either won 2-1 or 2-0 the entire night) Now I do realize that skill level on mws differ significantly, so just to say that im not inducting that this is the perfect deck or anything. Anybody who wishes to test, drop me a line.

Lets look at the pros and cons

Pros
The deck is more explosive that ordinary mono blue.
It has more tutoring.
It has great disruption package; stifle, back to basics, leak, fow, mana drain.
It seemed good in the aggro matches i played because of the oath sb plan.
It has a fine and varied draw engine; which should, ideally improve the control slaver matchup

Cons
It doesnt run brainstorm or thirst which improves the possiblility of drawing dsc and not having any discard outlets.
It doesnt run chalice. This is inspired by Kowal who said that chalice shouldnt be played in monoblue.
 
That`d be all.

[Harlequin]

With the exception of Sulivans Sollution, most decks run dual lands for a splash of certain really powerful cards.  Back to basics doesn't hurt those types of decks (namely slaver, gifts, and oath).  Good players will sit on un-cracked fetchlands until they need to play that critical Welder or Tutor.  If your going to use a mana denial theme 5x Waste/strip, and 4x stifle, and 2-3x Null rod or Powederkeg are your stating points. 

Stifle is extremely powerful because it changes its roll based on where you are in the game.  Early game, mana is important and thus stifle is mana denial,  mid game development is important and thus it can stop some of those threats (jar, welder, tanglewire, etc etc) this is desidely where stifle is at its weakest.  In the late game, you need to ask your stifle "how are you going to win me this game" stifleing critical welds, slaver activations, Storm triggers, and oath of druids more often than not will be the deciding factor in winning or loosing the game.

Back to basics just means non-basics become lotus petals.  Decks will still have all the tools and tricks they need to play around the b2b.  In the early game it is weak because it costs 3 mana.  In the mid game it compeats with wasteland for effectiveness.  And in the late game it can cause some damage if you can keep your opponent off thier splash-colored moxen.  for this reason I wouldn't even bother running wasteland.  It competes dirrectly with wasteland, and its not even like you can tap your wastelands for mana (more than once).  Qhost quarter looks superior to this card. 

Oh and it means you can't run library either.

[Kelme]

Oh and it means you can't run library either.

This is, I feel, not a great loss. And just because you play back to basics, you need not disallow your self playing a library.

I definitely agree with all your points about stilfe. Of course.

5x Waste/strip, and 4x stifle, and 2-3x Null rod or Powederkeg are your stating points.

At this point we differ but its more a question of strategy than understanding. I like decks with tempo that also maintains a lot of control. I think mana denial is fine strategy on its own, maybe one of the strongest in the game; however playing null rod in fully powered and rather slow decks seems like.. wrong to me. Yes, and I do realise that many decks ICBM oath and UBA stax play(ed) it.

I think its very good that you point out that B2B effectiveness must be regarded in the light of the other player. You are definitely right here. However, its not difficult to win counterwars with this deck; when you do, providing that you may stifle a fetch and they play a dual, dropping a b2b will make them play much more tight and puts pressure on their decisions, its not rare to be putting your opponent into this situation. Oh, an by the way; 5cc stax becomes a bye should you resolve this card.

But you got me thinking, you really did, and I think that I will make room for a stifle or two extra.

Powder keg, is a bit utraditionally, placed in the sb in my version, the reason for this is.. i think its a card that works fine against fish, ss, stax, and oath but it is my experience that if you draw enough cards, it is really irrelevant. Against the aforementioned decks i think id rather prefer another bounce. Vintage is all about tempo and card drawing, and sitting around with kegs without impacting the game directly doesnt suit my playing style.

[Egg]

Mono-blue<Control Slaver
Back to Basics>All of the hate that Slaver could possibly run. 

It's really a pretty simple relationship.  If you choose not to run B2B, then don't run Mono-blue.  Moving on, though, what kind of Storm combo is predominant in the Netherlands?  Over here, it's the Long twins and IT, but is it more TPS over there?  If so, you should have no problems beating that pile.  Arcane Lab is the sauce.

Very true, the point about CS, against a good CS player winning is pretty difficult, although putting a chalice @ zero turn 1 seriously screws them over. Still, this is probably the main reason why I'm planning on playing B2B in my sideboard, since it's also obviously great against stax (another matchup I find pretty hard). One of the other reasons I don't put it main is because I play with factories as a win condition, which doesn't really work well with B2B 

And about the storm; Long and IT are pretty much non-existant here. TPS is played a lot (usually about 40% of the top players play it), but builds vary. Next to regular TPS there is also drain TPS and Dark TPS (with maindeck confidants).
This deck has an easy matchup against all of those, because chalice>storm in every way possible, and the disruption is overall too much for storm to handle (and with labs in the side it becomes even easier)

I actually played 3 MD stifles for quite some time, but like Kelme said that is more a question of what strategy best suits your playstyle. I found that I'd rather use the slots for more cardraw and utility (like TfK and CoW), but stifle is defenitely MD-worthy as it is a great tempo-boost. Combined with B2B you could play the mana-denial role excellently I think.