Might want to splash black for a Shadow Slice as it ups the anti on guttersnipe. May be creating a deck on this mechanic myself soon.

I'm trying to build a cipher izzet myself too. If you can get some Invisible Stalker s, instead of Artful Dodge you can cipher theme and be sure that those ciphers will cast, and trigger the Guttersnipe . I'm also thinking in Curiosity for the combo.

Maybe take out the Hypersonic Dragon and Melek, Izzet Paragon , for a pair of Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius . And also replacing the Archaeomancer s for 2x Think Twice

I really like Shadow Slice , but I think that adding a 3rd color would slow the deck down too much.

I need to get my hands on some Invisible Stalker s. I do have a couple of Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius that I can swap out, and will probably will.

Think of the havoc that Stolen Identity could create. it's a slow card but at that point it increases the number of Guttersnipe s you have infinitely until one spell can deal absurd amounts of damage.

I think I will try to get my hands on at least 2 Stolen Identity s. What would you suggest I take out for them? Being 6 mana it is a bit high, but worth it for the end results.

I would leave out most of the countermagic. In a countermagic deck, everything should be at instant speed so you can play things when needed. When you need to play Guttersnipe, you leave open a chance for them to play something. I'd put in burn, and make it more streamlined. Clone? Electromancer? (Actually good for burn). Personally, I found Guttersnipe to be a little slow.

My only comment is that from my experience, it is very difficult to rely on Guttersnipe to win. Decks run too many counter spells and removal lately, and while it works sometimes, I find more often than not it gets killed before it can do any real damage, no matter how many counter spells you are running. I'd make sure you have other ways to win fit into the deck in addition.

I'd swap Invisible Stalker for Nivix Cyclops and put in more Artful Dodge . Goblin Electromancer almost never made a difference in my deck, so I swapped him for Nivmagus Elemental and it turned out to be much, much better. Also, opponents usually waste early removal spells on Nivmagus Elemental , increasing survival rate of Guttersnipe and other vital creatures.

Essence Backlash would be good if it cost one mana less, so I'd suggest replacing it with Syncopate for more consistency.