@GeminiSpartanX - You just gave me a revelation, good sir... For some reason I keep thinking that cards like Surgical Extraction and Extirpate will only work after hitting me with them... I feel so stupid for not realizing that it works with cards I've milled LMFAO

Oh, yeah that makes sense. I may end up doing something along those lines.

Yeah it's frustrating. I agree, it's always refreshing to play decks that you don't know what to expect.

like it alot..it wouldnt let me upvote it again. HA! had never seen the lobotomist either that is a tricky little fella.Also the Mesmeric Orb looks nice but may backfire if it draws out too long churning your mill spells when you need them the most.

@Quadsimotto - I tend to agree with your feelings on Mesmeric Orb . I'd hate to side in answers to my opponent's deck then have them milled away by my own Orb. If you haven't done so yet, check out my take on U/B mill. U/B/g Mill

@Quadsimotto - Nice to hear you tried though :D

Yeah Circu, Dimir Lobotomist is a great card. I have shyed away from using him here because he's a 4-drop but I think he'll work out.

I was on the fence for Mesmeric Orb but once you realize how much it mills, you can't help but consider it. Also you have to think, This deck is light on creatures, it won't hit me as hard as the opponent. and this deck doesn't really rely on anything but the crabs a little. There's nothing really that vital that I can lose. Everything works well together. I think it's worth the risk. It doesn't seem like much because it's only 1 mill... but once you realize that on turn 5 or so it can be milling around 5 for their lands and one for each creature... for 2 mana, that adds up fast, esp with 2 orbs out. It's definitely a clock :P

@GeminiSpartanX - I DO see your point there. I would agree that sideboarding out the orbs when sideboarding in things would be wise.

Consuming Aberration and Nemesis of Reason are both cute, but they also both eat removal spells like there's no tomorrow. I see no real reason to run them over extra Jaces or Cryptic Command s.

@ Mr_Cairo Interesting concept... I suppose the main thing I like about them is that they are actual "physical" defense. Also, by the time they hit the field, they should easily be 20/20 - 30/30. Paired with a Rogue's Passage , that's game.

Also find it quite interesting that you call them "cute" lmfao Can't say I've heard them called that before :P

One thing I'd say, is if you're serious about taking this deck to a competition somewhere is to take a look at your sideboard. Fabricate and Diabolic Tutor are good cards, but they're not answers that you'd want to bring in in any matchup I can think of. With those types of cards, if you'd rather not use them maindeck, then there's no reason you'd ever bring them in from the SB. Try looking at Spell Snare for general countering in modern (Oozes, goyfs, counters that cost 2, Dark Confidant , etc.) instead of Spell Pierce . Hurkyl's Recall against Affinity decks works well. And I wouldn't take out Surgical Extraction for anything, expecially if you're against combo decks like Splinter Twin or various Birthing Pod decks. Extracting something in a graveyard that they have 3 more of in their deck is somewhat of a mill spell itself. Just some thoughts for you.

@GeminiSpartanX - Well first off, I don't get to play much at all... don't know anyone around here that plays. That's the biggest problem.

I had those 2 in there because I was thinking I can call any card I needed with them... taking a closer look, Diabolic Tutor is actually a lil expensive for this deck... and Fabricate possibly too slow, being I wouldn't be able to play the called card till turn 4+. I'll try to do some reworking to the sideboard soon. Haven't gotten around to doing much to this deck lately.

I kinda like Hurkyl's Recall could likely use it. I've been debating finding a place for Surgical Extraction and/or Extirpate in the main deck... just hard making these last swaps.

Thanks for the advise.

A "physical defense" is a cheap creature like Hedron Crab that stalls aggro decks. A 20/20 for five is a win condition. And in a grindy deck that achieves its win condition naturally with time, a big beater that doesn't actually do anything until you untap with it seems like a misuse of resources.

Grr, as much as I like him, I think I will take him out... when it all boils down... he's a 5 cost in a deck that aims to win in 5-7 turns :( I hate taking him out, but I suppose there are so many other more useful options...

I would swap out 2 Island and 2 Swamp for 4 Watery Grave s. They are more versatile and can still be "tutored" with the fetchlands.

Or maybe 1 Island 1 Swamp and 2 Terramorphic Expanse

@SteelNinja - I do like the Watery Grave suggestion. Good call :P
As far as the Terramorphic Expanse , There's already 4 in there. Though there is Evolving Wilds ! I need to play the deck to see exactly how the fetch to lands ratio will work. The main thing is making sure I have a good Island to play Crabs :P

Haha... just realized that without the Consuming Aberration I don't need the Rogue's Passage !

@SteelNinja - There's a couple Evolving Wilds :P

You really should take out Extirpate . The card just is not good.

@devotiontoblue - Have you read the previous comments here? There is good defense with that card.
If I mill 10 cards of the bat, and one of those cards is a mean card that is most likely a 4-of in there deck, Extirpate & you mill 3 more mean cards cheap. It's actually one of the few cards that even offer defense, besides just grinding. It's basically a removal mixed with mill.
It's a sideboard card here because against the right deck, I want the option to actually have all 4 (milling up to 12 specific and wise choices for 4 mana).

Even so, just play Surgical Extraction . No one will counter it.

@devotiontoblue - Same thing, except it's Split Second instead of shock use :P
I feel like there's enough shock in the lands, I need life to take hits 'til they mill-out.

Maybe you could add some Thoughtseize . It can help you plan ahead of what he could do to counter this very good milling deck!

@Azarill - Yeah, I got it in the sideboard. That's another call I'd need to play the deck a lil to tell if that would be worth mainboarding :P

Thanx for the suggestion and complement :)

Crypt Incursion helps a LOT if you are getting served against aggro decks :)

@Fizzz - It's been in and out of this deck :P

Check out What Happened to Your Library, Alexandria? for reference to a competitive modern mill deck.