Originally Posted by
k_omega
I agree that it does more for G/w than for UG but still don't think it's good enough. I need the combo answer to be active on or before turn 3 to reliably address storm, and for new Kozilek this requires a sequence of T1 Cloudpost, T2 Cloudpost-Candelabra, T3 Locus-Kozilek. This assumes that Candelabra and any necessary Crop Rotations are not discarded or countered. Note also that Expedition Map is too slow in this sequence. And on top of this, Kozilek's draws need to produce cards of the right CMCs in the right quantity which is not guaranteed. Gitaxian Probe allows them to see what you can counter and discard spells still work. I suppose discarding lands to counter Petals and LED could be sufficient, though this requires the opponent to not know about Kozilek via discard/probes.
In contrast, sphere effects don't require much luck or setup to be active by turn 3 (and can often be cast sooner), are guaranteed to work, and cannot be overwhelmed by a flurry of spells. Indeed, Leyline+Sphere has made the previously tough storm matchup feel easy postboard.
There's something to be said for a combo answer that protects itself against Chain of Vapor (usually), can't be Abrupt Decayed, and threatens to win on its own. It seems too hard to consistently ramp into in time, however, and even then isn't guaranteed to do enough of what you need. Also I'm wary of cutting another reshuffle effect - I like my Eldrazi to recycle themselves rather than wait to be Deathrited away.
