2018-12-14 D&A Modern FNM 1-3 with Esper Seance

Decklist: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/1522428#paper
Based on: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/1467851#paper

Changes:

• Shriekmaws -> Lone Missionary: Meta has more aggro, and enough black/artifact creatures to make Shriekmaw look eh. However, Shriekmaw has that evasion going on for it so maybe I should have tried it out since I was slow closing
• Don't own/couldn't find Darkslick Shores, chose to play a second basic Plains
• SB: I don't own Ephara, but it's super cool.
• SB: Vs GY decks I'd rather just have t0 Leyline instead of... anything else.
• SB: Purge and Disenchant both actually hit Blood Moon, while Sundering Growth requires WW which is ... rough

Round 1 vs Scott W on "Go-Bots" (0-2, 0-1):
I kept a weak hand game 1, then a slightly better hand was too slow in game 2 as well. Not enough early interaction, Wall of Omens could only block 1 Kuldotha Rebirth token, etc.

Round 2 vs Alex on "Go-Bots" (2-0, 1-1):
Same deck, but I kept more proactive and interactive hands. Once I had both Hidden Stockpile and Seance out, I accumulated enough cards and life to have a good buffer. Still, took me like 8 turns to close.

Round 3 vs Bill on Ponza (0-2, 1-2)
Took care of his Blood Moons, Path'd Platinum Emperions, but just lost to to Stormbreath Dragons. He has inevitability by being way bigger. Even in my mono W Emeria deck, I at least have almost infinite chump blockers for Stormbreath with my Pilgrim's Eye (and Blessed Alliance as an actual answer).
Bill, if you're reading this, you should consider playing more Infernal Titans.

Round 4 vs John on Jeskai control (0-2, 1-3)
Both games I was just unable to pressure Teferi being slammed on t5 and upticking forever.
Game 2 I lost to 2x Surgical + Snapcaster (3rd Surgical)

Reflections:

• Long story, the deck is bad. You're playing do-nothing cards and do-nothing enchantments in a do-something format.
• Seance is just too slow of a payoff, and doesn't interact with the opponent enough. Compare to Waste Not which is cheap and rewards you for interacting through discard.
• Hidden Stockpile is neat but still you're just getting a 1/1 and scrying. Again, just not powerful enough for modern.
• Loses to GY interaction, which is not where you want to be - although it's maybe not fair to consider since I lost to triple Surgical
• Should have been playing some number of Thoughtseize, I think
• Mana requirements weren't too tough, which is probably more of a problem because it indicates that you're not playing powerful enough cards.
• Pack Rat - it really serves a late win-con that only combos with drawing mad cards with Mulldrifter, and unlike 8 rack which clears out opponent's hand and field it is unable to pressure effectively. Oh, on turn 3 you've spent 2 cards and 5 mana to make 4 power? That's cute.