have you thought about putting in Nivix Cyclops at all? I've seen this perform pretty well. I also dont know how to feel about the Guildgates. . its slow, early on it can really take away tempo. I would also run more Essence Scatter its basically a 2CMC Doom Blade for blue. Can really save your bacon against aggro heavy decks.

Nivix Cyclops is good, i would have to test if that is better performing than a counter spell that backs up Snapcaster Mage and Runechanter's Pike . May be the sideboard answer for 2 drop aggro.

Izzet Guildgate is not bad turn one if i do not have Faithless Looting and isnt bad turn 4 or later. As long as i can sit on a counter an ebt land doesnt hurt too much, turn three and its my only land to play would be tough, but the percentage is low.

Thanks for the comment, i will have to test the right mix of counters to work with my meta, good call.

I feel Flames of the Firebrand works well here, especially with your Dismiss into Dream . You can split it up to 3 separate targets and make your opponent sac them all!

Uh, do you have the swamps in there for any particular reason? Also, throwing a Curiosity or two in there for Niv-Mizzet or a Stalker can bring some extra card-draw in.

the swamps represent encroaching wastes since the card was not loading in playtesting. There are x2 Curiosity main board, i agree great card with stalker :)

I like Guttersnipe over Young Pyromancer here. I'd take two to the face any day over a 1/1 token. Plus Guttersnipe + Curiosity is a beautiful combo