Hi Mark, 50 games in with a 29-21 W/L record and the deck is taking shape. This version did games 41-50 and went 8-2 so I think we are getting there. There are still cards which may need to go. 20 lands is a little greedy so I am thinking of removing 1 Empyrean Eagle and 1 Rally of Wings to make space for them.
The latter card might not be in V7+ of this deck. I don't think I have cast it in the last 10 games. I have used it bait counters though, and it is an easy mull card so maybe it has its uses.
Some of the cards you discussed got in V2-4 but Lofty Denial was the best of the bunch. I am playing a 'March' but its the blue one. It has worked a great deal better than the white one as it often gets multiple targets and plays more into the tempo theme of the deck.
Faithful Mending is in, largely as a two mana draw two as behold was too slow, but the life gain isn't to be sniffed at. The original version of this deck (V0, the old standard deck) had plenty of lifelink Healer's Hawk, Hushbringer and some other bits and bobs. This meant RDW wasn't as hard of a match up. Now, out of 4 times played, I have won once. This was prior to the mending include but still startling. That said, is there any good Flashback or escape etc cards that I should consider now the discard is in the deck?
This deck is getting there, I just don't know where 'there' is. Gold rank probably...
