Honestly, how effective is the 2x Thoughtseize ? I feel like 2 just isn't enough to matter, I know you have 1 in the sideboard, but I feel it is still too little. I recently decided to cut Thoughtseize in my own esper I Shut my Eyes and all the World Drops Dead and it has been running a lot better since. I am not really sure what you would want to replace it with or anything but I do have some slight suggestions that you may want to at least try around with. -2x Thoughtseize -2x Azorius Charm -2x Syncopate +4x Dissolve +1x Far / Away +1x Blood Baron of Vizkopa

as well as in the sideboard:-1x Blood Baron of Vizkopa -1x Doom Blade -1x Ultimate Price -1x Thoughtseize +2x Lifebane Zombie +2x Syncopate

Again, just some suggestions, but if you play around with it I think all this might really help

mpeach1 I have been thinking the same about Thoughtseize . I almost never have it in my opening hand and when I do draw it (typically off Sphinx's Revelation I almost don't need it. Azorius Charm does work for me and I have preferred Psychic Strike over Dissolve . I'll try out Lifebane Zombie and I might throw Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver in place of Thoughtseize although I may throw in something else

I would remove Dimir Charm and add in atleast one Blood Baron of Vizkopa at the very leasti s stabilizes well.

I will say I definitely think ashiok would be helpful, that card is amazing in esper

Love the addition of Gild ! +! for a good control deck.

So I run esper as well, (no longer really) Budget Esper Control, and I can't sing enough praises for a 1-for of Quicken . It allows an instant Supreme Verdict /Gild /Duress /Thoughtseize and allows you to draw. Then again, my list only runs AEtherling and disregards blood barron and obzedat in favor of counterspells and grinding it out, so it may not fit your deck. however, my favorite play so far has been a turn three thoughtseize, followed by a quickened duress at the end of my opponents draw step. that and i ramped an Elspeth, Sun's Champion into play by using gild on my opponents turn.

My biggest problem has been beating r/w burn though, how have you been dealing with that deck? Honestly I think I need Blind Obedience . How do you approach it?