Thassa is there as an unblockable enabler + Scry. But yes, I know that spells aren't permanents, especially not exiled ones.

Aqueous form?

Cyclonic Rift ? Awesome for late in the game or just good in general if you need one thing off the board.

I like this deck, +1. I recently made a deck using Trait Doctoring as well :D.

Goblin Electromancer works really well

And Counterflux

I am curious to hear your reasons for leaving out Nivix Cyclops. I am sure you know that it was part of the awesome Izzet Blitz during m14 so what are your reasons? I also like guttersnipe a lot btw but why not both?

fightkiing, Main problem is that his burst damage forces playing around. He can get in 7-10 consistently, yes, but in the late game he has no interaction with cipher, weakening him in an area of the game in which guttersnipe excels. Also, as I feel their is only room for 4x one 3 drop creature, another win con that's dependent on unblockable/evasion is to much of a hassle. Guttersnipe can win off a Mizzium Skin at end of opponents turn, Cyclops can't.

Good call. I am actually going to play test that idea on Friday because I feel that I can do more without him once I get trait doctoring. Also a nice side effect of trait doctoring is dealing with Master of Waves by changing his protection and burning him. I agree with the earlier comment on Magma Jet because I will use it 'just' for the scry. With so little dig, it is nice to have a selection in where stuff goes.

I love the cypher abililty but I personally would run Inaction Injunction over Hands of Binding . In my area I am often faced against where tapping a creature isn't going to hurt my opponent but detaining one will because of activated abilities. I understand cypher + Nivmagus Elemental + Guttersnipe but in this case I think the detain and card draw would better suit the deck.

But nice deck, +1!

Well I'm offended

Rapid Hybridization is awesome in a deck like this. Use it to remove pesky creatures, use it on your opponents end step on one of your Young Pyromancer tokens, or use it to pump Nivmagus Elemental and get a token from Young Pyromancer . I used to run it in a similar deck and it is awesome. You'll very rarely use it on an opponent's creature but it will come in handy occasionally.

i think you could take out thassa

wow this deck kicked my butt

How to play? I'm guessing keep the heat off while making the elemental huge and swing for unblockable?

Ok so I understand what you are mainly trying to do. But I very HIGHLY suggest having all your creatures other than Nivmagus be heroics. You may ask why... It's simple though. You have trait doctoring, and it does nothing for you. So why not make it work beyond being eaten? Everytime you target a heroic, he triggers. Then you can eat with Nivmagus. Wash rinse repeat. Guttersnipe is slow and weak for 3 mana. Thassa could probly be taken out. Overall the heroics will basically just give you real threats beyond the nivmagus.

pherixian spells are never bad to use either if you need protection you could use Apostle's Blessing or Mutagenic Growth to buff him

@babeldom It's Standard...

Guttersnipe with cipher can turn 4 an opponent. Name a heroic card in blue or red that does more then that for three mana or less.

Heroic cards can 3 turn an opponent if you are going for that. I am unsure how you are saying that guttersnipe can 4 turn anyone since guttersnipe comes out turn 3. But either way, it is just smart business to get heroic triggers off the spells before you eat them with nivmagus. It gives extra threat on the board. Guttersnipe is dealt with by one removal or burn spell. Big heroics are hard to deal with. Either way, it's just a suggestion. Heroics work perfect with this type of deck. Guttersnipe works good too, but you have to get him out faster or be able to protect him or he is just a waste. You don't have to protect the heroics because they are byproduct and it doesn't matter much if you lose them.

Which Heroic cards? My main beef is that none in the 1-3 drop range do enough to justify cutting snipe.

granted the red heroics aren't as good as the white ones, but Satyr Hoplite is good. Artisan of Forms is good for utility. there are a bunch that can be used for utility, and others that can be used for power. Since you can't use white really I would concentrate on the utility. The blue heroic that draws you cards would even be good. I forget his name, but he's useful for card advantage. Especially in your build.

@w4rped opps haha didn't notice

+1 for me! Love the deck! How much mileage do you get out of Steam Augury ? I feel like that works in better synergy with control's "play at the end of your opponents turn'' kind of mentality. Would more burn or a card like Mugging be better suited? I love Izzet too, wanna take a look at my deck? Fun With Izzet Spellcasting