DSI might also be worth exploring again now with access to Past in Flames as a better storm engine.



Pulled from the Stormboards around when DireLemming and I were testing the D7 SI lists:
Quote Originally Posted by Direlemming
I was having some problem balancing the number of lands to at once maximize the probability of making a land drop and not have lands stranded in hand. Spent quite some time doing this, until it hit me, why not go back to Land Grants? We can always dump them and they imprint on Chrome Mox. The latter being the second major change. Lack of initial black was really problematic, not so any more. I'm just not sure whether I want all 4 or are 3 enough. An open question remains whether having a blue-producing land is worth it. With Land Grants this proposition has become less inviting as it necessitates Tropical.

The focus on lands also revealed Dryad Arbor can be a bit inconsistent as the sole 0cc creature for Culling. Enter Skyshroud Cutter. I'm still not convinced it's entirely necessary, but it has been quite good in testing so far.

With all the improvements to mana consistency I found myself increasingly casting Manamorphose just for the free draw. Judging by past combo decks, this is not a sufficient reason, therefore it got cut. This opened some space and enabled me to try something that's been bugging me for some time. Why not run both Muse and IGG? As powerful as the D4/7 engine is, sometimes it's good win right here and now. Especially when you are under the gun because of Pacts or low life.

Results so far have been very encouraging. We have sufficient bomb density and ability to generate initial mana from non-land sources, that IGG is almost never a dead draw, be it opening 7 or mid chain.

Current list:

Business (19)
1 Tendrils of Agony
1 Slithermuse
4 Infernal Tutor
4 Burning Wish
4 Infernal Contract
3 Cruel Bargain
1 Ill Gotten Gains
1 Eternal Witness

Mana: (41)
1 Wild Cantor
4 Summoner's Pact
4 Elvish Spirit Guide
4 Lion's Eye Diamond
4 Lotus Petal
2 Tinder Wall
4 Dark Ritual
4 Cabal Ritual
4 Culling the Weak
1 Skyshroud Cutter
3 Chrome Mox
4 Land Grant
1 Bayou
1 Dryad Arbor

SB
4 Xantid Swarm
1 Diminishing Returns
1 Balance of Power
1 Tendrils of Agony
1 Empty the Warrens
1 Cruel Bargain/IGG
1 Grape Shot
4 Carpet of Flowers
1 Duress

Following the success of IGG main, I'm testing if it's worth a slot in the wishboard as well. Probably in place of D4.

I'm pushing 70% T1 with this list; no fizzles in the last 50 games, even on a mulligan to 4. Keep in mind it's impossible to separate me becoming a better SI pilot from actual deck improvements. It may well be, some past incarnation is objectively (or for your playstyle) better. The other issue with my results is, they are mostly goldfishing which can lead to optimizing for the wrong qualities. My thinking here is, being a glass cannon has more to do with (in)consistency than strategy.
This is the fastest known list.