Quote Originally Posted by mistercakes View Post
i work in front of a computer, so i can keep a tab open for this thread :)

i think at this point these lists just need to be tested again. i haven't tested any lists without spirit guide, so everything at this point with those lists is pure theory. the main benefit of desperate over spirit guide is off of hazoret's. if you don't have a ruby medallion then they do the same thing, except one adds to storm count and the other one helps you deal with daze better. it also provides you with an initial red mana source, which this deck desperately wants.

btw - tendrils is great. i won't be cutting that from my list. it also beats glacial chasm (just worth noting if you play vs a lot of lands decks). also if you're going off a gamble can get you a manamorphose if need be, but usually it's a non-issue.
Well, it really becomes a Gamble then, lol...because you might discard it. Unless you have access to another copy of Past in Flames its a risk that could give you disappointment. If you have no cards in hand it automatically gets discarded; the best part about Gamble > PiF is that it doesn't matter if its in hand or in graveyard, just one mana difference.

I don't think its SSG vs Desperate, I think we need some number of both. I like Desperate better, for all your reasons, but the need for SSG is definitely still there. I cut down to 2, but those 2 are still pretty important (in all non-HUF situations really.)

I'll keep the Tendrils comment in mind when testing against Lands. I haven't tested that matchup yet, but it makes perfect sense when they can keep you off your combo for several turns (while nailing you with a 20/20 lol.)