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Theoretically, you can Empath into Rune-Scarred Demon and then pull whatever body you want out of the library, though that's slightly more mana intensive.

Or even play Gitaxian Probe/Street Wraith for the draw.

I'm not sure Ancestral Knowledge is a strong card, but 2 lands plus BoP means there's an extra mana to cast a Brainstrorm or Ponder to pull the Food Chain Immediately.

Has anyone looked at Ancestral Knowledge? It's got a decent chance of topdecking the Food Chain as well as RFGing the Griffin.

Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre might fit better since it's also a must-answer card, and Fierce Empath can fetch it.

If it's "when" or "at" it can usually be stifled. "Enters the battlefield with/as" cannot. (Maga's +1/+1 counters can't be stifled.)

Neither of them are :x: spells, but it seems like Storm Entity and Deathforge Shaman could be better than Lightning Serpent.

It seems like using the Griffin turns things into a 3 card combo - Food Chain+Griffin+win card, when you can generate infinite mana (and attackers) using Food Chain+Imperial Recruiter ->......