Cantrips for Control in Modern

[bravado883]

So I'm building UW Control in Modern (poor metagame choice right now I know, but it's literally the only thing I could picture myself wanting to play in an eternal format, so there you go). Most of my spell choices are hammered down, but I'm trying to decide on the last few bits of card advantage slots I have. I don't play {Remand} but I do play {Repeal} and {Cryptic Command}. There are no miracles in the deck.

Shaheen Soorani's old list played 4 {Serum Visions}, but Soorani is much more known for tap out style control, while I typically like to be a bit more reactive. Although I've kept most of the list the same, I've been wondering whether I'd feel more comfortable playing something like {Think Twice} over {Serum Visions}. I'm just getting into the format, so there are lots of factors I might not be considering. Is Visions just straight up that much more powerful? Does the fact that we ideally want to play {Dig Through Time} mean we try to stay away from flashback outside of {Snapcaster Mage}? Do I just play some number of both? Do I say screw cantrips and go for a {Gifts Ungiven} package?

For those of you who play modern, any thoughts? Again, this is all pretty new to me outside of articles I read on SCG, so pretty much any and all advice is appreciated.

[cltrn81]

{gitaxian probe} so good

[Mattao19]

I like Think Twice instant speed draw a card is great IMO

Also I think UW control can be good in the meta bc verdict handles Burn and Delver while a SB Leyline auto wins. Also UW can play Chalice on 1 comfortably.

I'd recommend 1-2 {Baneslayer Angels} MB bc they kill the Meta right now

[rarehuntertay]

I know that you said you don't play  {Remand}, but why not? It stops combo for a turn, it stops a key card that may give you an extra turn, or you counter your own spell that they tried to counter. So many uses.

[Agrus Kos, Enforcer of Truth]

UWR Control player, but I should be able to help. I also like the "only on your turn" style of control.

Although I've kept most of the list the same, I've been wondering whether I'd feel more comfortable playing something like {Think Twice} over {Serum Visions}. I'm just getting into the format, so there are lots of factors I might not be considering. Is Visions just straight up that much more powerful?

{Serum Visions} is quite powerful, but {Think Twice} is fine. The fact that Think can net you a card and is an instant, makes the choice tough. I personally like {Think Twice}, but cut if from my list a few months ago.

Does the fact that we ideally want to play {Dig Through Time} mean we try to stay away from flashback outside of {Snapcaster Mage}?Do I just play some number of both?

I play 2 DTT and 4 Snaps, and it really hasn't been too big a problem. That said, it really depends on the exact list, so you might want to do some testing, but in my experience, you can usually delve around the Snap targets but hitting lands, multiples of cards, and things that lose value later in the game ({Mana Leak} namely). It is also important to remember it is an instant, so don't be afraid to play it for 5 or so on your opponent's end step.

Do I say screw cantrips and go for a {Gifts Ungiven} package?

Definitely an option. Check out Reid Duke's UW Tron/Gifts/Control deck: http://www.starcitygames.com/events/coverage/deck_tech_uw_tron_with_reid_du.html

Another to consider is the banlist update on Monday for Modern. {Dig Through Time} might bite the dust (I'd say chances are about 30%), and there is a very good chance {Ancestral Visions} comes off the list, so that could go in your deck.

[the_intelligentleman]

I don't play {Remand} because I'm not sure what I would cut for it. I think {Mana Leak} is the better control deck counterspell at 2 CMC, {Repeal} gives me backup to the spells I'm unable to counter, and so many spells are 2 CMC that {Spell Snare} feels gross most of the time. {Remand} is awesome but feels like it goes better in tempo decks like Delver or Jeskai Flash than in dedicated control.

Why not {Vapor Snag} or {Echoing Truth} instead of {Repeal?}

[Mattao19]

Repeal draws you a card at instant speed