Fetches not only fix the manabase, but also thin the deck out, improving the odds of a mid-late game topdeck being a spell, and not an unnecessary land.

Fetch lands should definitely be used if you have them for the advantages that Kaitoghost described. If you don't , however, (or want to create a more financially feasible version of this deck); you can most likely get away with a few different lands without a drastic effect on numerous games. The "pros" ensure you use them if you can...if you can't, however, you can still make a viable version of the deck....I know your version is slightly different anyways ScottKindle so your version may not require the Fetch lands as much. I'd love to see it when you're done with it and see how it plays! It sounds great (with Sygg, V.Clique, etc.)...heck, could be better than mine :)

I'm testing tonight to clean up/improve the sideboard and ensure the main board is still where I want it in the current meta. We'll see how it goes!

This is exactly what I would like to see a control deck looking like... you can control almost every aspect of the game right from the start. Nice work, and +1.

I am aware how powerful the fetches are I only asked because the deck ran 4 lol. I will post my version and send you the link. So far its pretty strong against most matchups yet I still have a chance to try against 8-rack and boggles. I will be trying boggles tomorow and gonna proxy 8 rack to see how it holds up.

Your sideboard looks like a mess, how about you list your problem matches and I can come up with some cards that help against them?

As a general rule of practice, cards in the SB should be at least a 2 of (preferably a 3 of) unless you have some way to fetch them, or they are basically the same thing as something else (for example, Engineered Explosives would be almost interchangeable with Ratchet Bomb ).

Another comment I have is what's your response to someone that sides in Leyline of Sanctity ? It makes a lot of your cards into dead cards on turn 0. Just something to think about (which is why Ratchet Bomb is almost always a 2 of or more - it can hit anything, plus it's killer against anything that runs 0/1 CMC permanents, which is a lot of decks).

I await your list of problem matches so I can give further assistance.

I feel that Teferi is a better fit than the sphinx as it impacts the board more and against control makes all your spells uncounterable

I think you should have a second Batterskull instead of Consecrated Sphinx , batterskull is just too good against aggro and control, it's SOO durable. Whereas sphinx can just get hit by any removal spell and then your finisher did nothing or maybe drew you a few cards.

They can just kill the token it is attached to, then you have to pay the 5 again, so it offers the same problem really. I prefer things with built in evasion as finishers personally. Hexproof, shroud, and even recurring pay to evade effects like AEtherling are my go to when playing control.

Hey guys! Sorry it took a sec to respond.

I am actually trying AEtherling out in Consecrated Sphinx 's place now. We have AEtherling in our "Mystic Ramp/Control" deck we've just built and are starting to test (and will be revealing tonight as it's currently "private"); and it's been spectacular there. We immediately though it would fit here; so that's a great idea nbarry223...

Having said this: Batterskull is UNREAL in this deck. We are never upset to see it :). If for some reason AEtherling didn't play right; we'd have no problem with a second copy. We just like to have a few different win-cons so they can't be "extracted, meddled, halo'd etc. (all those cards that either remove or shut off single cards...)

In terms of the sideboard; we've been working with many cards and will update it (along with the tough matchups for your help) this evening. One-of's are actually not always inherently a problem in decks where you plan on long games...while you of course don't want a sideboard of all 1-of's (in most situations); if you watch the pro-tour deck techs for PT BNG; you'll see many 1-2 offs in sideboards of control-esq decks (even some of the tempo decks ran 1-2 one-of's)...having said this; we still have some "tempo" to the deck and may not play exactly the same; but it's not entirely a bad thing to have a few one-of's in the sideboard of a deck like this one (although the fewer the better...you're absolutely right about that!) There is always room for improvement though; and if it can be avoided, great!

I'll make sure to get the bad match-ups up so great brewers/minds like nbarry223, ScottKindle, and parasitian can provide more great ideas!

Don't get me wrong, 1-ofs aren't necessarily a bad thing, it's just better to have more 3-ofs that hit multiple problems at once, since you have a much greater chance of drawing them when you need them.

I run 1-ofs in my decks, but when I do they are either essentially the same thing as something else (to get through the potential Meddling Mage /Surgical Extraction etc.) or I have some way to tutor them up that is probably at least a 4-of.

Sideboarding is one of those things that can drive you crazy, because it always feels like you can squeeze something else in there (or should at least) and that's where a lot of my decks improve the most (competitive ones at least, casual decks get built in a day or 2 at the most). When you shape the sideboard so well that you can squeeze some of it into the mainboard to make room, you know you built the deck properly (synergy is definitely key).

I look forward to the list, as I'm currently tired of working on my own decks.

Btw, I put the coding thing you asked about on my wall, not sure if you've seen that yet or not, thought I'd let you know in case you haven't.

I saw that! Thanks SOOO much nbarry223!

I agree....I can brew decks relatively easily ( "relatively" meaning over several weeks/months with testing) and feel pretty confident when it's done...but I have yet to make a sideboard that I feel will stay the way it is for more than a month! ha! Sideboards are the most frustrating part of brewing; but also (in my opinion) the most important...I can't wait to hear your suggestions! I'll get the info up as quickly as I can.

Thanks again!

I don't like AEtherling in this deck. There simply isn't enough lifegain to justify the risk of losing 6 points of health on a Dark Confidant reveal. Furthermore, You're ideally casting that on T7 so that you can dodge removal. At least with Batterskull you can gain your life back through its Living Weapon or by equiping it.

I see this deck as more of a tempo deck than a heavy control one. You want to rob your opponent of their resources and keep them from setting up a steady presence, all the while swinging in. If anything there should be 2x Young Pyromancer in here to keep pressure up.

Honestly, that won't happen very often. However, I do agree that it's probably not the most fitting creature for the deck as a finisher. I was just throwing it out there as a creature with built in evasion as an example.

Something like Pyreheart Wolf Glen Elendra Archmage Puppeteer Clique or Lazav, Dimir Mastermind are probably better choices, just off the top of my head (the last two work particularly well with all the discarding effects).

Im really feeling lazav and it is a faster drop too i will be trying that this weekend.

Yea lazav seems like a solid 1 of in this deck :)

Luv it! I don't have very much experience with Modern Control, so ill just leave it at that.

May I ask why you decided to play Remand over Mana Leak ? It just seems that getting the card you deemed worthy to use a counterspell on out of their hand seems useful. On the other hand, your deck due to its colors is missing some raw draw power, so it may be better to have Remand, either way I would like to hear your thoughts on it.

Oh, and how is Cryptic Command for you? Obviously the card is amazing, but are you casting it easily and consistently? If it is a problem a single Cascade Bluffs could solve it.

Also have you considered replacing Countersquall with Counterflux for added help against the UWR match? That deck is straight up hard to beat, no matter how much discard you pack.

corythackston...

I like remand for a few reasons...as you noted; the added card draw is a huge advantage. Also; there is a good amount if hand removal in this deck; so there are a lot if times that you will remand a spell on their turn only to Thoughtseize and/or Fall it away on your turn :)

Cryptic Command is amazing (which is kind of like saying water is wet :). I do agree with you; however; that the "flood land " are a definite necessity in this deck (and I should play at least one more). I will update the mana base today. I've been playing a build with 23 lands, no Electrolyze, and two Sedraxis Specter 's recently; but I have a lot more testing to so before I can say if there is any benefit at all.

Counterflux is a better choice give. The popularity of storm and Conttol right now. Great suggestion!

I would drop a Swamp for an Island . Personally I would like to drop both Swamps for 2 Island s or an Island and another Watery Grave , but I understand the need to have one each of each basic land. Just based on my calculations you're just a little short on blue mana sources and a little heavy on black mana sources.

So after testing lazav seemed a bit slow. I like the specters and will be trying them as a 2 of and going down to 3 snaps as i feel 24 lands is where this deck should be. I am also running a reflecting pool in place of sunken ruins and it makes mana situation so much better.

So i grinded some games out yesterday and although a very good card i am cutting the specters and will be running 3 ashioks with also cutting the electrolyze and a snap to run 3 snaps and 3 ashioks. He hoses control and helps dog against aggro and if he isnt prioritized he just gets insane.