Vassago,-
I'm not sure how I feel about Time Twister given that it empties your graveyard. Also I think that Frantic Search is much better than careful study. I am running a singleton of that card in my list and I actually really like the land untapping ability. It has more use than simply just making the card free. Frantic is also an instant. Having said that I think that 3 is kind of a high number given the card disadvantage built into it. Not sure I would want to ever run more than 2. I would trade one for FoF.
Where is Library of Alexandria in your list? With all those draw 7s it allows you to draw 8 instead.
I think I would run Drain instead of Spell Pierce. You will need mana to fuel your draw 7 turns and for hard casting memory jar. (No Fastbond also?) Also since you have lotus petal you have a higher chance of having UU on turn one. Have you considered a Mox Opal in the list?
Can you explain your inclusion of Possessed Portal?
First off, let me explain how I feel about Frantic Search. It may be fine, but I do not like the cost of the card itself. In a metagame full of shops, I would much rather go with Careful Study. In my opinion, the two cards do the same exact thing, which are (that is to say what I will use them for):
1. Pitch to Force of Will. Sounds obvious, but most likely the thing to happen. I understand some may question it’s inclusion if this were my only reasoning, but I felt it’s worth pointing out.
2. Filter the hand. Another obvious thing, but it is easier to protect with Spell Pierce. If I do cast Careful Study, it is going to be with an active Welder in play, or to turn two dead cards(like unneeded lands/robots) into something different/relevant. I would like to point out that I do not plan on actually casting the card just to draw 2 and discards 2. That seems awful, and at that point, technically card disadvantage.
Anyway, if these being my only uses, and assuming the 2 cards do the same thing, I much prefer the easier to cast one. Not to mention, I think both Frantic Search and Fact or Fiction are a bit slow, regardless of whether or not it is an instant. I could be wrong, but playing it a few times will give me a better idea if what I think will be good is actually any good at all.
TimeTwister may empty the yard, but it has other uses, not to mention that emptying the yard against some decks could be quite useful. I think that some games I will want to force a mulligan, build up mana, quickly assemble Key/Vault or any other game winning scenario. It worth the slot, as it can be powerful.
LOA seems unnecessary in this list. The extra card from time to time doesn’t convince me to lose a colored mana source. Also, I doubt I would be able to reliably have seven in hand to activate it more than once. As it may seem to be an auto include in some control lists, I don’t see this as a control deck. It seems to me as if this deck is trying to aggressively assemble a game winning board position. Since I am not trying to control the other player, I saw Mana Drain as not relevant to my so called “plan.””
Mox Opal is cool, but I don’t think I would cut anything for it.
Possessed Portal is probably one of my favorite cards. That isn’t to say that it should be here, but I like it’s interactions with other cards in this list. Portal+Sharrum literally translates in to “Deal with this or lose.” I think it’s pseudo smokestack effect is a bit under rated, especially since it stops all draws as well. With a draw 7, it pitches their hand. Let’s not even talk about what you can do with a Welder, because that is obviously good. After having played it in the past, I have learned to like the card, and think it’s quite absurd.
