Hey! I really liked your storm version. It seems quite a bit more competitive but very interesting use of the spells matter aspect. What I've been trying here is mostly basic "life matters/doesn't matter" with all the life for cards (like Ad Nauseam which is truly amazing like you mentioned), for mana, damage, etc.

I have held back a bit because I didn't want to escalate the power level in my playgroup, which is for me the main reason Aetherflux Reservoir isn't in here. I also generally don't cast that many spells so I wouldn't benefit much from the first ability on it, but 50 life is easily gotten through other means, making this pretty much a 4 cmc game winner. As for Chandra's Ignition, it's my top card by far, cleaning up and catapulting me to near 200 life easily. with aetherwork, that'd be an easy 4-player execution ha.

I am toying with a faster copy of this on tappedout as a test version that includes more life gain/loss with e.g. Treasonous Ogre, Rhox Faithmender, Dragon Breath, and what would happen if I stopped caring about the power level bump, but am hesistant to do so as my group has already expressed concerns about something as innocent (:x) as Serra Ascendant... Though to be fair I did topdeck and drop it turn 1 that one game.

One problem I do seem to run into is mana ramp and color dedication, but I see you're dealing with that issue by using rituals. How have they worked for you so far outside of the storm / as one-offs?

Hey thanks for the kind words! Initially the deck was more spells matters with a late game storm win, it has evolved to be more all-in over time.

Totally understood on the Aetherflux Reservoir. It ends games in a hurry and a lot of folks think it is no fun.

Color fixing is definitely a challenge with Licia, it can be very difficult to have all the color requirements to both cast a life gain enabler and Licia in the same turn. I do enjoy having the rituals as a back up for casting Licia, although Id be careful going too deep on them without spells matter effects. Dark Ritual in particular is not a bad inclusion in any deck, in my mind. Cheating to 3 on turn 1 is just bonkers.