P.S. I will update list post-testing this evening.

The more I play this deck, the better Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest becomes! He's nearly always in for 8-12 damage!

I play a dedicated Kiln Fiend deck, and I find Artful Dodge tends to work better than Distortion Strike. The one greater CMC is offset by the freedom to get a second trigger on the same turn. Maybe worth a playtest?

LocketRauncher- I have thought about a lot. I have not tested Artful Dodge,but I will definitely give it a try. I was hoping someone with experience with it would post because I just couldn't figure out which was a better option. I will be trying one or two artful dodges instead of all distortion strikes. Thank you for the help! Is your decklist on tappedout? I would love to see it.

This deck is very interesting, but I have questions.

Why did you remove [distortion strike]? I feel like it has really goof synergy with your main goal.

Also Sun Yung?? I have yet to play the card so I have no experience, but personally, hands down I would add the 3rd 4th GoST before I touch him... even so, I feel [Monastery Swiftspear] would be another candidate before Sun Yung.

Kiln Fiend ask has really threatening synergy with Distortion Strike, why not go to 4? Not seeing enough spells?

Those are more questions of my own interest so it be cool to understand your decisions. But +1 an keep up the good work Id like to see this become successful.

Artful Dodge is interesting in some ways I think it could be slower than Distortion Strike in the early game. On the other hand later in the game I think casting it twice on the same turn would make dodge more powerful. In the early game with second casting of Distortion Strike being free you can then add additional spells which is sweet for chaining several spells into one turn. For a very highly aggressive (prowess burnish) all or nothing build I'd go for DS. For a deck that isn't looking to tappout every turn and occasionaly hold cards for counters etc Dodge might be better.

zombie_sky_diver- I didn't remove distortion strike, I just changed one to a Artful Dodge to have additional playability in the late game. I removed the reforge the souls because it has just been mediocre and added back in an additional Distortion Strike and Twisted Image do deal with all of the main deck Spellskites that are popping up to deal with affinity.

Also Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest has been very good at finishing out games. He double strike ability is very good. He is probably worse than Geist, but I typically only run 3 to not draw two at a time.

As for Kiln Fiend he has been a really polarizing card in the deck. Some people have said to remove him all together and some have said to add more. If anything, I'm on the add more side like you are. He has been very very good. The thought process behind only two is how fragile he is with no evasion, but the deck offers evasion and protection so I should probably try another. I have been testing with a third copy to see what happens. The tough part about the deck is getting the perfect threat to spell ratio.

We are still definitely in the early stages of this deck so I love to hear all of the suggestions to make the deck better. I have been scouring gatherer for a good draw spell in modern, but there really isn't much anything that adds actual card advantage. They killed our Treasure Cruise :(.

I will make sure to test the deck with 4 distortions strikes, 4 giests, 4 swiftspears, etc to get to the correct numbers. I am doing some extensive testing so I will let everyone know what I find out.

Thank you to everyone who has given suggestions and asked questions to make the deck better. I can't wait to see this deck evolve into a real player in the modern meta with all of your help.

I would like to know how this deck has performed in Modern tournaments or FNMs. Do you have a report or record of this deck's success or something?

Let me see if my deck is on TappedOut. It was more of a "casual" modern deck than anything else, but it definitely had some fun points.

Okay, I did post a copy of it here to goldfish with some. It wasn't supposed to stand to public scrutiny, but here it is: Killin Fiend. It's basically a different version of the deck you have here that is more all-in on the kiln fiend win. It's very consistent because of the draw available from Ideas Unbound, but is very, very vulnerable to any sort of disruption.

On Artful Dodge, there is a slightly increased CMC for the second cast (from 0 to 1), but I've found that on harder match-ups it is very, very useful to be able to decide when that second attack goes through. It also allows you to build a trigger or two in your hand if you want to swing for lethal.

Oh, don't forget that Twisted Image is great tech against an opposing Spellskite that is stealing (or threatening to steal) your instants.

Kage-no-Raito- I have some pretty extensive testing data and FNM results, but I don't travel or play any major tournaments. I will trim down the notes and results into something more concise and post it on here. Bascially the win percentage I have had against different archetypes. My local FNM or Tuesday night modern results are very good, but that doesn't mean much in the scheme of things. We have a testing group that tests each other's decks against what we call "the gauntlet" of the current best decks to get testing notes and experience. I will make sure to get something together for everyone. I am also planning on getting the cards on our MTGO account and playing dailes to get the deck more publicity (if I do well). I haven't really ever played on MTGO, but it's the best way in my opinion to get some attention for the deck.

LocketRauncher- I have been on the fence about testing with Ideas Unbound, but now I have to try it. I also agree with you about Artful Dodge. I have been testing with differing numbers of copies of Artful Dodge and Distortion Strike to see what the perfect number of each will be for the deck. I need to update my sideboard. I will do so shortly, but I have a copy of Twisted Image in my sideboard. I really want to get one in the main board given the increase in main deck Spellskites recently so I will probably find a card to cut to get one in the main and one in the side. Thank you as always for your help and awesome Killin' Fiend deck.

I have another update for the deck as well. I have been working on locating a draw spell that works with the deck and have had a tested Tormenting Voice, Perilous Research, Reforge the Soul and none of them felt right for the deck. However, I have been testing Scarscale Ritual lately and it has been very promising. The prowess trigger basically nullifies the downside and the hexproof ability of Geist of Saint Traft also somewhat nullifies the downside. I will continue to test the card, but it seems like only a matter of time before it finds it's way into the deck. Let me know what you think of the card and if you have any experience playing Scarscale Ritual. Thanks again for looking!

Hey, I combined ideas from both of our decks and I love how it runs now. The most interesting thing that I found is that Remand is pretty bad for my tempo. I run a faster and more consistent combo than you do (but far more all in!), so it may be different for you, but I often find that I would rather have most of the rest of the cards in the deck over a Remand.

You may also want to try on Assault Strobe. It may be too janky for you, but it tends to deal a ton of damage when I bring it out.

LocketRauncher- I can see how Remand would be bad in a more aggressive version of the deck as it really doesn't help finish off the opponent. I did see the Assault Strobe in your list and I will have to try it in my build. Double strike on any of the creatures basically ends the game. Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest has been awesome in any game that lasts past turn 4 because his double strike ability ends games on the spot. I will give Assault Strobe a try.

Is the top end portion of your description meant to display potential cards to use? As I don't see the swords nor planeswalkers anywhere in your 75.

I also want to mention something, the current meta has made the following cards worse than the last meta: Dark Confidant, Remand, Spell Snare, Mana Leak, Lightning Bolt, Lightning Helix, Path to Exile, Snapcaster Mage, Vendilion Clique and Cryptic Command.

Here's why I say this. Tempo spells no longer work in that a turn of disruption doesn't do anything against them. Abzan midrange and RDW are the best descriptors. They either kill you the next turn, or they just spend the surplus of mana to recast that spell. The bolts have lost their worth as they no longer destroy the most common creatures in the format: Abzan creatures. And when they are chucking down 3-4 threats within the first few turns, you don't have enough answers to deal with them. Path to Exile is terrible in the first 4 turns as it means that you are giving your opponent a massive tempo advantage to play something beyond the normal turn count. Turn 3 Siege Rhinos are really really dangerous.

Those are the ones that are relevant to your deck. I thought I'd mention that to you.

Femme_Fatale - I totally agree with your assessment that tempo has gotten a bit worse with Abzan making up the largest deck in the meta. That's actually a big reason I moved in the direction I did with this deck. While it uses some of the same tools (bolt, helix, path, etc.) this deck does not play out like the typical tempo deck...so the cards you mention may not be affcted as badly as it may first seem or as they are in other tempo builds.

This deck was actually made with these midrange creature type decks in mind. By utilizing unblockable spells to get through their blockers; they can load the board with 3-4 creatures and they are still going to die. Also, the protection spells go a long way in nullifying their removal. An abrupt decay seems great until the creature is given instant speed indestructible, and a Path is good until the creature is protection from white....

Although this deck CAN win with the typical Delver and Swiftspear beats (i.e. you flip a Delver early and they just can't do anything about it); it can also win by large chunks of unblockable damage. A great example is a recent game where the opponent had 8 life, a Tarmogoyf, Scavenging Ooze, and Seige Rhio in play...they had "turned the corner"....they even had Slaughter Pact in hand...but I had Shu Yun on board and Emerge Unscathed and flashback Artful Dodge...I attack, trigger Artful Dodge and Shu Yun's doublestrike ability...they try to Slaughter Pact him, but the Emerge Unscathed protects Shu...and Shu Yun get's through for 10 damage...They had a HUGE board advantage and a removal spell...it just didn't matter. Granted, this isn't always going to happen; but it is not an uncommon occurrence.

I will try to touch on each card you mentioned separately:

Lightning Bolt- While lightning bolt has been affected by the number of 4 toughness creatures it is still the single most played card in the format most weeks. Its the most efficient damage/removal spell in the game. The added benefit in this deck is that it is often used to go to the face to finish off the game after a large attack.

Remand- Your assessment is spot on and this spell is possibly the most affected card by the current meta. Because the Jeskai Way deck is an aggro/tempo style build remand is still our best option because we stop a larger threat and trade for a card. I don't think this counter spell can be played unless your first plan is to be aggressive. You are absolutely right, however, that typical control decks just can't play this spell right now.

Spell Snare- This is one of the cards I'm not sure has lost much power. It still hits a ton of the boogie man cards in the meta and is good against the top three decks- Abzan, Affinity, and Burn. It hits Cranial Plating, Spellskite, Tarmogoyf, Scavenging Ooze, Dark Confidant, Skullcrack, Boros Charm, Lightning Helix, and multiple other spells. It may have lost a little power, but it is still an allstar.

Mana Leak-- I was never a fan of this card because it looses its power in the late game when you most likely would really want it. I agree with you totally on this one

Lightning Helix- Much like lightning bolt, the four toughness creatures of abzan have caused this spell to loose some luster. Much like lightning bolt, this is still a powerhouse as an efficient spell. It is the most cost effective life swing in the game and is HUGE against burn decks (which are currently popular). In an aggressive three color deck like this one the life gain is very helpful in other aggro matchups. I do find myself siding these out in a lot of matchups that aren't purely aggressive matchups which wouldn't have been done in the past.

Snapcaster Mage- I have found snapcaster to be even better recently due to the lack of graveyard hate that was running around during the UR Delver treasure cruise days. With Tasigur decks possibly on the rise this might change again, but Snapcaster is still a great source of card advantage for the deck. Surprisingly there is a low amount of actual card advantage in modern. There is a lot of selection, but not many card advantage spells. Snapcaster bolt/path is still back breacking. I do only run two though.

Vendilion Clique- I agree with you on this one as well. It is great to see the opponents hand and have an evasive threat, but the card they get is probably a very effective spell so the hand disruption is not as good as it has been in the past. If the meta shifts to a more combo-centric meta, V. Clique gets much better.

Cryptic Command- This one is really on an option for true control style builds. It is still a versatile card, but your right in saying it's not the best right now.

I actually made this deck in an attempt to play a tempo style build in the current meta. Like you said above, true tempo is probably not an option in the current meta. So I decided to build an aggressive deck that can play tempo if it is warranted and can win even if the opponent "turns the corner". In order to deal with the creature based decks like abzan one would have to be able to go through the creatures rather than do deal with them individually. Hence, this deck was born. A majority of the wins occur through an early threat clocking, then a larger threat doing a large portion of damage, then finally a little reach from burn spells or creatures. This deck also doesn't worry too much about Lingering Souls with protection and unblockability. Unfortunately, Siege Rhino is pretty much always good. I typically just path him or just attack right through him.

GREAT points though. There is nothing better than discussing things like this, and you know what you're talking about. Thanks so much for both the help and constructive feedback Femme_Fatale!

I myself am having lots of troubles, as the previous modern control or tempo package is no longer good. What do I use? I'm trying to find an answer to this, so that I can make this deck to be as effective as it can be:

YES! 101 DALMATIONS, 101st UPVOTE! UPVOTING 101!!!!

I have found the promised land! I've also been working on a Jeskai tempo deck, strictly for fun. However, I do have a suggestion based upon my own testing. I would strongly recommend testing out Reality Shift. I feel that the card is underrated and despite it's 2cmc I think it's better than Path to Exile in the current meta. Especially since this deck can handle a 2/2 better than a T3 Siege Rhino.

Kiln Fiend seems very unnecessary. Another Monastery Swiftspear and Snapcaster Mage would be much better in its place.

Ha! Thank you DERPLINGSUPREME for being 101!!

CanadianShinobi...I love talking to fellow Jeskai nuts! :) Reality Shift seems like a REALLY good idea. I will be testing it out. You are right that 1-CMC vs. 2 is a big deal for a deck that only runs 19 lands...but it is a card I have no doubt I will play with in the future. It seems especially strong in an Izzet deck (as now you can exile without the need for Path...and with things like Grim Lavamancer and burn spells a 2/2 is not much of a worry most times).

Saljen - Kiln Fiend is kind of an odd choice; but the damage the creature can do is astounding...if not answered immediately; Kiln Fiend generally does 7+ damage on it's first attack (and I've done over 20 damage with one alone in one attack). Having said this, it is definitely something I should test. Putting a Swiftspear and Snapcaster in their place also allows me to play Cavern of Souls...so it is a very good idea that I will no doubt be testing. Thank you for the great idea!

I suggest you do not play Cavern of Souls you have virtually no colourless mana in the casting cost of your instants and sorceries. It'll be like you never played a land.

Ajani Vengeant is much better for this type of deck than Chandra, Pyromaster. The life gain will sustain you against aggro and the bolt can stop a lot more than Chandra's ping.

I agree with Femme_Fatale; Cavern of Souls isn't for you. Maybe a 1 of in a sideboard against mirror matchups, but I dunno if that's even a good idea.

I still stand by my Kiln Fiend suggestion. How has Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest been working for you? 3 mana is a lot for a deck like this to spend at sorcery speed without any immediate benefit. Also, soaking up 2 mana every turn to get double strike can conflict with keeping your mana open for your instant spells. My feeling is that you may be a bit creature heavy and this guy would be the easiest to slice off for some more powerful spells. Also, Spell Pierce might be better than Emerge Unscathed since it is much more versatile.

narset giving rebound to Serum Visions is going to be pure hilariousness...

LOL Yeah that's a pretty fun rebound Upkeep draw one scry 2 to know what you'll draw and then you can plus her for the other card pretty sweet. A very sweet card for Jeskai and Esper decks.