That could work. I wouldn't suggest taking out Artificer's Intuition because when testing the deck on the play tester, it helped me a lot when I was missing pieces. But this is a time to test out possibilities to perfect it on budget so give it a shot and see if you like it

@ 2austin5 -- Hmm true, it just ends up being a dead draw later in the game, but I should be able to mill myself from it... Maybe just two charms for now.

Echoing Truth is probably better than Boomerang , for almost the same effect, no double cost, and it utterly destroys Twin, Kiki Pod, and token builds.

@ GoldGhost012 -- And the big question is what to drop :P But I do agree that Echoing Truth is the better of the two. Also, what about Echoing Decay over the Zenith? I really only need Zenith for X=2, and if not that, maybe Drown in Sorrow ?

I feel like 2x Dimir Charm may be the right number for now also because in testing, you always get a colorless mana. That really screws playing the charm so we won't want the charm all the time because of the slight mana issue.

In terms of Boomerang vs Echoing Truth , I agree that truth is better for the mana restriction this deck has, but Boomerang can hit lands which may help against zoo (don't know how popular zoo is) and hits Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle in Scapeshift decks. Granted those don't make up most of the meta but its something to keep as an afterthought for the sideboard.

I like Echoing Decay over Black Sun's Zenith in the build, I feel that Drown in Sorrow is a solid option because able to hit everything vs spot removal is strictly better . Shrivel could also be an option as it hits everything but may not get there when you need it

I would say to move Surgical Extraction to the sideboard. That would make room for 3 spots to be splashed between Dimir Charm and Echoing Truth . Drown in Sorrow may very well be better than BSZ, so I'd switch those. For Surgical Extraction room... Steel Sabotage is mostly for the Affinity matchup, right?

@ GoldGhost012 -- Hmm, I guess that move would make sense. I do find Surgical Extraction very useful and pesky though... but I'll try it.

The BB in both has proven to be problematic at points though, but at least Drown in Sorrow digs a card as well.

Steel Sabotage is mostly for Affinity, correct. I did put it in against some weird Pod variants too, but that wasn't too necessary.

Affinity is probably going to be your worst matchup. Not only is is hyper aggressive, but it can kill you even with Ensnaring Bridge by attacking with Ornithopter and Signal Pest and instant speed attaching Cranial Plating .

On the plus side, Drown in Sorrow should kill its momentum completely. With Dimir Charm , Echoing Truth , Spell Pierce , and Mana Leak , as well as Steel Sabotage , I wouldn't be surprised if you could drop a SS... but otherwise I have no idea what you could change for Surgical Extraction .

also, maybe instead of Mind Funeral you could play Despise because the knowledge of their hand is a huge part of this deck and the lack of Thoughtseize due to budget leaves those spots open for a less utility discard like it

@ GoldGhost012 -- So far my worst matchup has been RDW, but I can definitely see that being a problem unless it is taken care of. I like your suggestion, 2austin5, of replacing Mind Funeral with Despise . The Funeral has been an inconsistent part of the deck, and I think Despise will help me get rid of early threats in their hand. I'm going to make some changes and do a little testing later. If you guys test as well, let me know! Thanks again for all of the help :)

I made some changes. Did I change too much, too little, not the right things? Just right? Thoughts? I have to playtest the current build, so I don't know how it plays yet.

I like the way it looks so far, I can do some testing later. Another idea for mana fixing a bit is Darkslick Shores , that way the basics don't get as screwy for certain one land hands and it isn't a budget breaker

@ 2austin5 -- I like that idea, but I think I'd run them in place of Drowned Catacomb . If I had both, the Catacombs would almost always come into play tapped.

true, but with the mana curve being so low, it won't hurt as much as if you need to drop bombs.

@ 2austin5 -- True, but budget is a problem with adding in the fast lands (is that what they're called...?) and not at all with the Catacombs.

Yea, they are the fast lands. And true, I didn't know how tight the budget was and I figured fast lands are reasonable right now

New deck layout?

@ 2austin5 -- Right now there isn't a number set on the budget, but I am trying to keep it as cheap as possible while still maintaining the functionality of the deck. Should I get into Modern more, I will invest in fast lands and such.

Whoa new format.

Imma bout to test this vs my Affinity deck, because reasons. I'll tell ya how it went.

Game 1: Despite a T1 Despise getting rid of a Signal Pest , I was able to drop an Etched Champion , with pro colors, T2, with another one the next turn. The game was lost after that since you were stuck on 1 mana until turn 6.

Sideboard: For you, out 3x Duress , 3x Spell Pierce ; in 2x Spell Snare , 2x Steel Sabotage , 2x Drown in Sorrow . For me, out 2x Tempered Steel ; in 1x Blood Moon , 1x Etched Champion

Game 2: T1 Inquisition of Kozilek has me ditch a Cranial Plating , but I just drew another one. :/ From there, it was just Vault Skirge + Cranial Plating beatdown, and unfortunately I didn't draw Drown in Sorrow in time (actually ended up exiling it with a Lantern of Insight -less Pyxis of Pandemonium , but you still wouldn't have survived to draw it). In your defense, it was basically a perfect hand for me.

Game 3, just cause: Cranial Plating T1 for me, but at least you were able to Despise my Etched Champion that would've come out next turn. A double Cranial Plating -wielding Ornithopter killed you as you just couldn't find a second black mana source for Drown in Sorrow . Now I'm starting to realize why the original deck had a couple Mox Opal s in it.

There was a distinct lack of Ensnaring Bridge in all 3 games though...

@ GoldGhost012 -- Thanks for the testing! Most games I need to get an Ensnaring Bridge out to secure a win. And yes, the double mana costs have been a killer in this deck with only 17 lands. It still has some noticeable kinks in it that need to be worked out.

My very first rendition of this deck (before it received any comments) ran a Tezzeret the Seeker . He proved too slow, but he could tutor up a Bridge for me... and Serve as an alternate win. Thoughts on adding a copy?

5-drop walker with 17 lands? Way too expensive, and he's not exactly budget.

@ GoldGhost012 -- Exactly the reasons why he got cut very early. Just a thought. Also, I am considering adding another land or two. Not sure where, but I think 17 is one or two too low.

See, the original decklist ran 4x Infernal Tutor (not budget) and 2x Mox Opal (DEFINITELY not budget), which made it easier to get mana if necessary. Clearly you shouldn't run those (because $$$$$$$), so a land slot must do.

I would say... cut an Artificer's Intuition . Most of the time you should be able to find your wincons, and you'll be needing Ensnaring Bridge more than anything you could tutor for.

Also, have you thought about Sun Droplet at all as a RDW/Aggro recovery?

@ GoldGhost012 -- I remember that from the original build, and there was no chance I was going to get either of those haha. At least with my current budget in mind and interest in Modern, I want a playable deck but not something more expensive than my EDH deck hah.

I've been hesitant on cutting the Intuition, but your logic makes sense. I'll try it out. I'll go for another Swamp?

I noticed that the original deck ran it, and I couldn't figure out why it ran it. Then I just reread the card, and realized it's every upkeep and not just your own. Maybe drop the Dispel and something else for two in the SB?