Thanks for the feedback folks. But yes, extensive playtesting is needed. Serum Visions gets the nod here, because with this hybrid build I'm more interested in having a 1-drop for card advantage and setting up either my land drops or my turn 2 Tarmogoyf. I think later game Serum Visions becomes much less spectacular, and the can be spent in so many better places ::ahem:: Cryptic Command ::ahem::

So it goes:

T1: Serum Visions

T2: Tarmogoyf

Beyond that, I would likely fall back into the usual control-midrange player mode. Make my land drops, disrupt, leave up mana for countermagic, play Snapcaster Mage and snap stuff back, until I make it to late game. The flexibility this build has is that I can go more aggro if I need to at times, or sit back and play the game out--it would be then I would want Think Twice. Then again, I am also wondering how imperative it is for me to follow that T1 & T2 plan. As eve dropping a Tarmogoyf T3 or T4 has to be dealt with.

Have you ever used Pact of Negation? When I played you earlier I was using Yuuya's exact list except I only have 1 Clique so I put in a Pact. I figured it might be nice to be able to tap out with that as a backup plan, so I'm gonna try it for a few days. I like having it as a security blanket for Ojutai and Sun Titan/Consecrated Sphinx.

Also, that game against you is really making me consider buying the Crucible of Worlds for my board. I've avoided it so far because of the cost (20 bucks for a sideboard card is steep). I've seen a lot of winning lists using 1 in the board.

Cool take on UW control!

Thanks tchau204! UW control can always benefit from a bit of aggro here and there.

No Geist of Saint Traft?

HyperSloth, Geist of Saint Traft was considered, but I opted for Kitchen Finks as my three drop because they are tough to get rid of, gains me life, and has great synergy with Restoration Angel. Also, not sure if Geist of Saint Traft would offer me the same value. I really don't want to have too many three drops, and already feel it is a little creature heavy (this deck is on the midrange side of UW control). Kitchen Finks also feels better considering I'm trying to set up a turn two Tarmogoyf.

However, I am open to it. Any further thoughts on that?

I feel like Noble Hierarch has a place here.

Yeah, Noble Hierarch is tempting. I think if I was going more aggro Bant, rather than UW control/midrange splashing green, it would get the nod here. I would hate to dip into the counters and removal suite to fit in some Noble Hierarch, so not sure what I'd take out. Perhaps sideboard?

Dragaan, how's your playtesting of Pact of Negation

This is awesome! Although, I think 17 creatures in a mid/control deck is a little high. You could easily knock off 1 clique and be ok. The lack of card draw is pretty disturbing as well. Serum Visions, Thought Scour, etc. Other than that, this looks pretty cool.

DrFunk27, thanks! Actually was thinking of cutting a Vendilion Clique. I am currently running 4x Serum Visions--which works out pretty well. Was thinking of adding either Think Twice, Anticipate, or a Pact of Negation wit the open spot. Thoughts?

I totally missed the visions! Negation isn't a bad idea, but a one of anticipate would be useful.

What about one Sphinx's Revelation?

DrFunk27, Sphinx's Revelation seems good here. But I think I like the ability to dig a bit and get what I need, especially if I have open mana at my opponent's endstep. So, perhaps, Anticipate gets the nod. Azorius Charm might be interesting here, as well. I'm hesitant to cut down on any other creatures, not sure what else I would cut down on.

I think I would stick with Anticipate to see 3 cards. You do have quite a bit of life gain going on, so you wouldn't need that mode on Revelation. I'll keep thinking about it but those would be my suggestions.

Personally I think Telling Time would be better than Anticipate here.

Yup, Telling Time is definitely better. I knew I was missing something. Thanks Tezzrah

Thanks Tezzrah and DrFunk27. Telling Time does seem better here, which was an option I totally forgot about. For now it'll be a one-of, and see if I like the feel of it versus Serum Visions.

The singleton Telling Time has been cool when it has come up, seems like I should be running more--just don't want to take from the Serum Visions. Also, with that one spot, just generally thinking if I could utilize that spot better.

That's why I made the recommendation for Sphinx's Revelation. Mid to Late game its a mana sink that will win you the game.

What about Supreme Verdict?

You can always add a Spell Burst or another counter spell. Horribly Awry is awesome in modern.

maybe a copy or two of Phantasmal Image could do you some good.

Thanks for the feedback DrFunk27 and iCryEryTime. All great suggestions. I found myself wanting both countermagic and draw here, so I decided to add a 3rd Cryptic Command as it supplies both those possibilities as well as the ability to bounce pesky planeswalkers or tapdown my opponents board so that my Tarmogoyfs, Kitchen Finks, or others can hit successfully. In other words, it allows me to be either proactive or reactive as I see fit. The cost is a bit prohibitive, considering I am running three colors, but my curve is still lower than usual control decks, and I'm running 25 lands (including 12 U sources) and in many ways this deck runs like an edgy UW rather than a full on Bant deck.

Sweet deck. Get in one or two Scavenging Ooze maybe and cut one Cryptic Command for one more Ojutai's Command.

Scavenging Ooze is always good, but his creature's are pretty solid. I could see it replacing Restoration Angel if needed. If you don't end up liking the 3rd Command, you can always play 3 Remand. It's a great tempo card, plus it's a cantrip. I've always been a fan of it.

Thanks Telerik and DrFunk27 for you comments--very helpful. I do like the idea of Scavenging Ooze, and am considering where it might fit in. I really don't want to exceed 16 creatures. Restoration Angel would be a candidate, but I really like her being able to blink Snapcaster Mages, Vendilion Clique and especially un-persisting Kitchen Finks. Plus, she's a decent body to swing with, especially with flying.

I think if anything, I may go down to three Kitchen Finks and add one Scavenging Ooze, and go from there. The yard hate is something serious. In doing that, my third Cryptic Command may become a Ojutai's Command. Although, I do like the idea of a third Remand in the cast those two get too clunky.