Quote Originally Posted by TheArchitect View Post
I would not play stoneforge in a meta where Kolaghan's Command is in a quarter of the decks.
I'm highly skeptical that 4c Czech Pile and Grixis Pyromancer make up 25% of the metagame.

Regardless, K Command doesn't make SFM bad. K Command is still a 2-for-1 regardless of which modes it uses. In actuality, the Baleful Strix body is just as bad against them as the Stoneforge Mystic body is, and both replace themselves. The difference is that there are no wrong threats, only wrong answers. Most lists run 2 K Command... if they don't have it, or if we can counter it, the equipment can easily take over the game. If they do have it, it's still a 2-for-1 like it would have been otherwise.

Arguably, I'm more concerned with how Gurmag Angler lines up against the massive amount of Baleful Strix being played right now. Strix extends into Food Chain, Aluren, Shardless, Esper Stoneblade and Deathblade, in addition to Grixis Pyromancer and Czech Pile. I'd rather fight with Spell Pierce and Flusterstorm over K Command than be forced into using a Swords to Plowshares on a Baleful Strix.

At any rate, I'm not sure that Czech Pile is as bad as everyone is claiming. Probe/Therapy + Mentor is what wins that matchup... everything else is just a distraction to force them into trading resources. I'm fine baiting out removal with DRS and SFM to ensure that my Mentor sticks.

Against the rest of the format, I think there are pros and cons of SFM vs Baleful Strix, but I personally prefer SFM. However, I realize I am in the minority with that opinion, and I'm okay with that.