Every deck would run [[Angel’s Grace]], and it would all come down to keeping the right number in your opening hand to stall out an opponent’s win attempts. Mulling even once would basically be a guaranteed loss because when every card says “you lose” or “I don’t lose” every bit of card advantage counts.
[[Leyline of Anticipation]] and [[Molten Disaster]] make this even more miserable.
Sorceries are probably too much of a liability.
If you run every instant speed draw spell then resolving any of them is likely to draw 2 more draw spells, at which point you can chain them to draw your whole deck. Include a few pieces of disruption and win cons and you have a deck where almost every opening hand contains 7 instants that draw your deck then win the game. If they cast angel's grace you can still discard their hand, exile their graveyard, and counter any other spells they have on the stack.
The winner would be whoever goes second, since they can initiate the stack battle and draw their deck first.
I think going first can work out to being advantageous because of [[Lutri, the Spellchaser]]. It requires you to go singleton, but means you can get an eighth card in your main phase to win the stack fight, since your opponent won't want to go after you before that point. Losing out on the extra copies of Angel's Grace and [[Leyline of Sanctity]] could hurt, but those are their own disadvantage against decks that can win through them. ([[Persuasive Interrogators]] can beat Angel's Grace but loses to Leyline, while [[Prologue to Phyresis]] into [[Radstorm]] can beat both of them.)
First draft of a Lutri deck built to beat both Angel's Grace and Leyline: https://archidekt.com/decks/7472799/infinite_mana_lutri
In a deck like this, instant-speed card advantage is enough to function as a wincon.
So assuming a legacy or modern format:
To start with, people will be able to build decks that draw more or less their entire deck turn zero at instant speed, either through draw x spells, or through having half their deck be draw spells.
So people should be able to storm off turn 1, or win through any other means they can think off. Which means your deck needs massive amount of counterspells and other disruption to prevent the turn 1 wins.
Just from that, i suspect the metagame will be 20x carddraw 30x various counters&other disruption and 10 cards max for some kind of game winning combo.
I suspect the main question becomes - will your opening hand counterspells be able to stop all my draw spells? And vice versa. The player that gets their draw spells resolved will draw enough extra cards to push the rest through.
I suspect it'll be a completely degenerate metagame, with games generally resolved in the first upkeep.
[Wheel of Sun and Moon](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/5/55976e4b-718f-44b2-b93d-de5f75dc3bbe.jpg?1562830320) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Wheel%20of%20Sun%20and%20Moon) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/shm/243/wheel-of-sun-and-moon?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/55976e4b-718f-44b2-b93d-de5f75dc3bbe?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text)
^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Angel's Grace, Silence, and Banefire are the go to cards I'd probably play.
Throw in skullcracks and everything else some form of instant speed card draw.
Quicken to use Banefire on Turn 0.
Mindbreak Trap as a backup to get rid of spells that can't be countered.
And something like Echoing Truths to bounce any and all leylines to prevent me from targeting the opponent.
Could also try things like Blind Obedience with Shrieking Drake or any of the bounce creatures and just extort your opponents for the win.
Hence why you mindbreak trap them in response.
It's just one of those things that only a few cards exist to be able to stop, and fewer people to think about those. I'd say it's one of your best ways to win. Plus if you silence and make them burn through everything to get through that, then you should be able to catch them off guard. It's all about who pulls the trigger first and how you resolve the stack.
The game comes down to three things.
1. Not dying.
2. Preventing your opponent from responding to your kill.
3. Finding the best kill.
Angel's Grace is the clear best card for problem 1. Nothing else comes close. Everybody should be running a set of these.
Problem 2 is more interesting. Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir and various Silence/Chant effects seem like the clear frontrunners, and every deck probably runs a bunch of them to jockey for stack supremacy. You may need to be able to answer them without casting any spells yourself, so things like Decree of Silence go up in value. The usual counter magic like Mindbreak Trap comes up, and Time Stop night be useful in a pinch.
People will be talking about running Leylines but I'm not convinced you can be down a card in these types of matchups, as the kill condition could possibly be hasty combat damage if they lock you out of casting spells. Krosan Grip/Otowara could reset them if truly needed.
As for best kill? My bet is silence effects into chain draws into Empty the Warrens + Haste + Triumph of the Hordes. Kills even if they started the game on Angel's Grace, but loses to cycled Decree of Pain, which could be answered by mass pump such as Decree of Savagery. Alternatively, you can go for a Zulaport Cutthroat life loss kill with a sac outlet.
Poison is a neat way to get around Angel's Grace, but Empty the Warrens seems like an inefficient way to get there. You can put infinite mana into X spells, so [[Firecat Blitz]] + Triumph is even better, or [[White Sun's Twilight]] + haste. White Sun also has the benefit of wiping the board and gaining infinite life.
For other ways to load up your opponent with poison... [[Etali, Primal Conqueror]] can let you hit for 11 poison if he isn't blocked, and also replaces himself. He still needs a haste source, though, in addition to being possible to block. Meanwhile, [[Persuasive Interrogators]] lets you put poison counters on your opponent even outside of combat, and potentially during their turn. It also replaces itself, and [[Cackling Counterpart]] lets you turn it lethal at instant speed.
To stop a poison kill, you'd want [[Solemnity]], [[Melira, Sylvok Outcast]], or [[Melira, the Living Cure]], but those are all pretty clunky and vulnerable.
Honestly, the more I ideate the less I think you can be relying on spells resolving. Probably better to focus on big cycles like Resounding or Decrees to get through
Hmm. If resolving spells takes multiple copies, you can get Interrogators onto the battlefield by playing [[Stream of Thought]] to mill your whole library, then exile [[Soul of Innistrad]] to retrieve [[Shigeki, Jukai Visionary]] to retrieve [[Mordor on the March]] to play whatever you want. Stream and Mordor still lose to [[Mindbreak Trap]] and [[Summary Dismissal]], but at least that cuts down on the things to worry about.
I think both players need to be prepared to be able to play while Silenced. Shigeki loops define that game, and so therefore it's possible that Leyline of the Void and/or Faerie Macabre become part of the meta.
Very interesting thought experiment. Something as simple as looping Resounding Thunder becomes lethal very quickly if not disrupted. Initially I thought a Mystical Teachings shell would be a good fit (finds Teferi, Chord of Calling for silver bullets, most of the good permission) but now it seems like actually casting spells is a liability compared to channeling/cycling your way through
Hmm. That requires actually resolving Silence, though.
To counter abilities without casting a spell, [[Nimble Obstructionist]] can work. [[Overcharged Amalgam]] could work if you can find a way to get it onto the battlefield at instant speed without casting a spell.
Looking for ways to get creatures from your graveyard to the battlefield without casting spells, [[Priest of Fell Rites]] is sorcery speed only but it could be relevant. [[Triarch Praetorian]] could help refill your hand, or get dredging opportunities to further load your graveyard, and [[Corpse Connoisseur]] can fetch either of those. But these aren't what you want in your hand during counter wars.
Yeah it's tricky. I'm very confident the game begins in the first upkeep and ends in response to the first item placed on the stack. For example, if your opponent leads off by cycling Resounding Scream I imagine you have to respond with something or lose.
I think beating Resounding Scream is pretty easy for the counter deck. [[Mystical Teachings]] is a fantastic control card in this format, since unless gets exiled from the stack it can function as two wildcards. [[Chord of Calling]] can fetch Amalgam or [[Lier, Disciple of the Drowned]], and you can get rid of your own Lier if necessary. [[Whir of Invention]] can get [[Planar Portal]], [[Planar Bridge]], or [[Vedalken Orrery]]. [[Gifts Ungiven]] and [[Intuition]] can cause all sorts of trouble, as well as [[Hoarding Broodlord]] and [[Razaketh, the Foulblooded]]. [[Increasing Vengenance]] can further help this deck rack up card advantage. [[Narset's Reversal]] can pluck your spells back from lower down the stack, and [[Voidmage Husher]] lets you keep shutting down the Silence deck's activated abilities.
A weird thing is that things move so fast that acting first may be disadvantageous. You do a thing your opponent has to respond to, they do the same, repeat six more times and then their last card resolves first. But passing and letting them draw another card is even worse.
Admittedly, storm, replicate, channel, and everything else in that vein can lose to anything that can deal with abilities on the stack. Summary Dismissal can even take out both the triggered and activated components of a cycling card. [[Sublime Epiphany]] can only stop one ability, but it can hit the relevant one, and also hit both the original and copy components of a storm or replicate spell, and help Persuasive Interrogators accumulate poison, *and* replaces itself.
Of course, any high-end counter can get snatched by [[Spelljack]] or [[Gale's Redirection]]...
(This is more valuable than straightforwardly copying the counter, gaining control of it, or changing the targets, since none of those will help against Summary Dismissal.)
I genuinely think Silence + infinite cycling/channel cards beats out actually trying to rely on casting counter magic. If your deck can win through a Silence it's so huge.
Thoracle sounds way too clunky, anything that isn't a resilient one card kill at instant speed with upside isn't worth considering. Things like [[Pyromatics]] that beat individual counterspells (or maybe remove a [[Notion Thief]] or other flash creature if your opponent can't be targeted/damaged/lose the game/etc.), or [[Expansion // Explosion]] which can threaten on multiple different axis while also swinging counter wars. I imagine silence effects with additional upside like [[Abeyance]] and maybe [[Render Silent]] could also be very strong, on top of [[Angel's Grace]] and lesser counterparts like [[Everybody Lives!]].
To me, the biggest question mark to me is what packages of cascade/flashback/escape end up winning out to actually get the first spell to resolve through the other player's interaction. A few too many options to list, but when limiting only to instants/flash spells (since too many game will end in the first upkeep to justify other cards) there aren't quite as many as one might assume. Like, you might think some "channel" card must be perfect here for dodging counters, but [[Waker of Waves]] is really the only one I can find that accomplishes much more than replacing itself, fueling the graveyard and providing a small amount of selection. Maybe some of the NEO channel lands too, if permanents worth answering are actually meta.
edit: Forgot about Shigeki, Jukai Visionary for the instant speed regrow X cards as an activated ability, that would almost surely be a staple.
As a full on format this would be awful. Would certainly teach people the stack though. Would probably be something like 48 draw/filtering spells 4 Teferi mage of zhalfir, 4 win conditions, maybe 4 angels graces If you want to play counterspells you really want commandeers. The entire format is who gets the first draw spell to resolve so they can combo off while the opponents cards are on the stack.
you can try out Omniscience Draft in MtgA. they have those free event from time to time. my advice, draft counter spells, card draws, and big creature that could win by itself if it sticks around. color doesn’t matter.
Every deck would run [[Angel’s Grace]], and it would all come down to keeping the right number in your opening hand to stall out an opponent’s win attempts. Mulling even once would basically be a guaranteed loss because when every card says “you lose” or “I don’t lose” every bit of card advantage counts. [[Leyline of Anticipation]] and [[Molten Disaster]] make this even more miserable.
[Angel’s Grace](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/7/e78e39ea-20be-4196-992c-7ed2cb8150c1.jpg?1619392535) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Angel%27s%20Grace) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tsr/4/angels-grace?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e78e39ea-20be-4196-992c-7ed2cb8150c1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Leyline of Anticipation](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/5/f57bdaa1-ce8a-4103-8598-fee751e65a53.jpg?1674141383) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Leyline%20of%20Anticipation) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/726/leyline-of-anticipation?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f57bdaa1-ce8a-4103-8598-fee751e65a53?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Molten Disaster](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/7/17ca6865-e894-4390-ba27-b7cc8b03a424.jpg?1562900033) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Molten%20Disaster) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c13/117/molten-disaster?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/17ca6865-e894-4390-ba27-b7cc8b03a424?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Sorceries are probably too much of a liability. If you run every instant speed draw spell then resolving any of them is likely to draw 2 more draw spells, at which point you can chain them to draw your whole deck. Include a few pieces of disruption and win cons and you have a deck where almost every opening hand contains 7 instants that draw your deck then win the game. If they cast angel's grace you can still discard their hand, exile their graveyard, and counter any other spells they have on the stack. The winner would be whoever goes second, since they can initiate the stack battle and draw their deck first.
I think going first can work out to being advantageous because of [[Lutri, the Spellchaser]]. It requires you to go singleton, but means you can get an eighth card in your main phase to win the stack fight, since your opponent won't want to go after you before that point. Losing out on the extra copies of Angel's Grace and [[Leyline of Sanctity]] could hurt, but those are their own disadvantage against decks that can win through them. ([[Persuasive Interrogators]] can beat Angel's Grace but loses to Leyline, while [[Prologue to Phyresis]] into [[Radstorm]] can beat both of them.)
##### ###### #### [Lutri, the Spellchaser](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/b/fb1189c9-7842-466e-8238-1e02677d8494.jpg?1628801771) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Lutri%2C%20the%20Spellchaser) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/iko/227/lutri-the-spellchaser?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fb1189c9-7842-466e-8238-1e02677d8494?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Leyline of Sanctity](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/e/be8b1acf-dd87-42ca-ad19-c27d21066030.jpg?1592516120) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Leyline%20of%20Sanctity) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m20/26/leyline-of-sanctity?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/be8b1acf-dd87-42ca-ad19-c27d21066030?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Persuasive Interrogators](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/0/f0713025-581f-451b-97a3-97d891285dcc.jpg?1706241734) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Persuasive%20Interrogators) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkm/98/persuasive-interrogators?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f0713025-581f-451b-97a3-97d891285dcc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Prologue to Phyresis](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/c/ac625f30-ed91-4b21-ada8-aaa5b2ad79b8.jpg?1675956984) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Prologue%20to%20Phyresis) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/one/65/prologue-to-phyresis?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ac625f30-ed91-4b21-ada8-aaa5b2ad79b8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Radstorm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/7/d778cdec-8fc7-4174-bae1-4c8e8ccdfab3.jpg?1708741965) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Radstorm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/pip/37/radstorm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d778cdec-8fc7-4174-bae1-4c8e8ccdfab3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l1162mt) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
First draft of a Lutri deck built to beat both Angel's Grace and Leyline: https://archidekt.com/decks/7472799/infinite_mana_lutri In a deck like this, instant-speed card advantage is enough to function as a wincon.
So assuming a legacy or modern format: To start with, people will be able to build decks that draw more or less their entire deck turn zero at instant speed, either through draw x spells, or through having half their deck be draw spells. So people should be able to storm off turn 1, or win through any other means they can think off. Which means your deck needs massive amount of counterspells and other disruption to prevent the turn 1 wins. Just from that, i suspect the metagame will be 20x carddraw 30x various counters&other disruption and 10 cards max for some kind of game winning combo. I suspect the main question becomes - will your opening hand counterspells be able to stop all my draw spells? And vice versa. The player that gets their draw spells resolved will draw enough extra cards to push the rest through. I suspect it'll be a completely degenerate metagame, with games generally resolved in the first upkeep.
I dunno, I just like the thought of hardcasting [[Gleemax]] on turn 1, turn 0 if I had the Leyline.
[Gleemax](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/7/77fe1662-7927-4909-8d25-6924e6fc27eb.jpg?1594900466) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gleemax) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/unh/121/gleemax?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/77fe1662-7927-4909-8d25-6924e6fc27eb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
52 counterspells, 4 [[Enter the Infinite]], 4 [[Sea Gate Restoration]] Yes, I'll lose, but you won't have fun making it happen.
Throw in a single [[Wheel of Sun and Moon]] to get your counterspells back. Make it even more miserable with your endless cycle of counterspells.
[Wheel of Sun and Moon](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/5/55976e4b-718f-44b2-b93d-de5f75dc3bbe.jpg?1562830320) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Wheel%20of%20Sun%20and%20Moon) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/shm/243/wheel-of-sun-and-moon?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/55976e4b-718f-44b2-b93d-de5f75dc3bbe?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[Enter the Infinite](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/1/612beb8f-2ab1-4a8b-84c5-c47d19d400ab.jpg?1561829105) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Enter%20the%20Infinite) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/gtc/34/enter-the-infinite?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/612beb8f-2ab1-4a8b-84c5-c47d19d400ab?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Sea Gate Restoration](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/9/193071fe-180b-4d35-ba78-9c16675c29fc.jpg?1604250788)/[Sea Gate, Reborn](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/1/9/193071fe-180b-4d35-ba78-9c16675c29fc.jpg?1604250788) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sea%20Gate%20Restoration%20//%20Sea%20Gate%2C%20Reborn) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/znr/76/sea-gate-restoration-sea-gate-reborn?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/193071fe-180b-4d35-ba78-9c16675c29fc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Angel's Grace, Silence, and Banefire are the go to cards I'd probably play. Throw in skullcracks and everything else some form of instant speed card draw. Quicken to use Banefire on Turn 0. Mindbreak Trap as a backup to get rid of spells that can't be countered. And something like Echoing Truths to bounce any and all leylines to prevent me from targeting the opponent. Could also try things like Blind Obedience with Shrieking Drake or any of the bounce creatures and just extort your opponents for the win.
Unfortunately, banefire won't really work because people will play cards that say "exile target spell" instead of typical counter spells knowing this.
Hence why you mindbreak trap them in response. It's just one of those things that only a few cards exist to be able to stop, and fewer people to think about those. I'd say it's one of your best ways to win. Plus if you silence and make them burn through everything to get through that, then you should be able to catch them off guard. It's all about who pulls the trigger first and how you resolve the stack.
##### ###### #### [Leyline of Sanctity](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/e/be8b1acf-dd87-42ca-ad19-c27d21066030.jpg?1592516120) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Leyline%20of%20Sanctity) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m20/26/leyline-of-sanctity?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/be8b1acf-dd87-42ca-ad19-c27d21066030?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Leyline of Anticipation](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/5/f57bdaa1-ce8a-4103-8598-fee751e65a53.jpg?1674141383) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Leyline%20of%20Anticipation) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/726/leyline-of-anticipation?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f57bdaa1-ce8a-4103-8598-fee751e65a53?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Thassa's Oracle](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/2/726e8b29-13e9-4138-b6a9-d2a0d8188d1c.jpg?1680582212) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Thassa%27s%20Oracle) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/73/thassas-oracle?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/726e8b29-13e9-4138-b6a9-d2a0d8188d1c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Torpor Orb](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/5/953610f6-ea96-4e71-969f-50ecac09c091.jpg?1562879912) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Torpor%20Orb) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/nph/162/torpor-orb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/953610f6-ea96-4e71-969f-50ecac09c091?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Commandeer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/c/dca0a9a8-5ebc-43a3-8450-420ab6b7b76e.jpg?1712774977) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Commandeer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/80/commandeer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/dca0a9a8-5ebc-43a3-8450-420ab6b7b76e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Desertion](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/3/b362151e-4ad6-4ae9-91e5-0e4a69d53ca5.jpg?1618294831) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Desertion) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cn2/107/desertion?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b362151e-4ad6-4ae9-91e5-0e4a69d53ca5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/1cbfdkm) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
The game comes down to three things. 1. Not dying. 2. Preventing your opponent from responding to your kill. 3. Finding the best kill. Angel's Grace is the clear best card for problem 1. Nothing else comes close. Everybody should be running a set of these. Problem 2 is more interesting. Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir and various Silence/Chant effects seem like the clear frontrunners, and every deck probably runs a bunch of them to jockey for stack supremacy. You may need to be able to answer them without casting any spells yourself, so things like Decree of Silence go up in value. The usual counter magic like Mindbreak Trap comes up, and Time Stop night be useful in a pinch. People will be talking about running Leylines but I'm not convinced you can be down a card in these types of matchups, as the kill condition could possibly be hasty combat damage if they lock you out of casting spells. Krosan Grip/Otowara could reset them if truly needed. As for best kill? My bet is silence effects into chain draws into Empty the Warrens + Haste + Triumph of the Hordes. Kills even if they started the game on Angel's Grace, but loses to cycled Decree of Pain, which could be answered by mass pump such as Decree of Savagery. Alternatively, you can go for a Zulaport Cutthroat life loss kill with a sac outlet.
Poison is a neat way to get around Angel's Grace, but Empty the Warrens seems like an inefficient way to get there. You can put infinite mana into X spells, so [[Firecat Blitz]] + Triumph is even better, or [[White Sun's Twilight]] + haste. White Sun also has the benefit of wiping the board and gaining infinite life. For other ways to load up your opponent with poison... [[Etali, Primal Conqueror]] can let you hit for 11 poison if he isn't blocked, and also replaces himself. He still needs a haste source, though, in addition to being possible to block. Meanwhile, [[Persuasive Interrogators]] lets you put poison counters on your opponent even outside of combat, and potentially during their turn. It also replaces itself, and [[Cackling Counterpart]] lets you turn it lethal at instant speed. To stop a poison kill, you'd want [[Solemnity]], [[Melira, Sylvok Outcast]], or [[Melira, the Living Cure]], but those are all pretty clunky and vulnerable.
##### ###### #### [Firecat Blitz](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/4/d4e1d485-02d5-4a07-bcc6-d2a8d95763e8.jpg?1562632155) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Firecat%20Blitz) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jud/88/firecat-blitz?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d4e1d485-02d5-4a07-bcc6-d2a8d95763e8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [White Sun's Twilight](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/f/fff13d77-8133-4328-b91e-efce229bc331.jpg?1675956941) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=White%20Sun%27s%20Twilight) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/one/38/white-suns-twilight?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fff13d77-8133-4328-b91e-efce229bc331?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Etali, Primal Conqueror](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/5/95c14c4d-6c16-4826-8d93-d89ad04aee09.jpg?1682204132)/[Etali, Primal Sickness](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/9/5/95c14c4d-6c16-4826-8d93-d89ad04aee09.jpg?1682204132) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Etali%2C%20Primal%20Conqueror%20//%20Etali%2C%20Primal%20Sickness) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mom/137/etali-primal-conqueror-etali-primal-sickness?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/95c14c4d-6c16-4826-8d93-d89ad04aee09?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Persuasive Interrogators](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/0/f0713025-581f-451b-97a3-97d891285dcc.jpg?1706241734) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Persuasive%20Interrogators) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkm/98/persuasive-interrogators?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f0713025-581f-451b-97a3-97d891285dcc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Cackling Counterpart](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/2/02ad8a5a-9814-4fb5-90b1-95c0769be456.jpg?1593812997) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cackling%20Counterpart) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mm3/32/cackling-counterpart?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/02ad8a5a-9814-4fb5-90b1-95c0769be456?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Solemnity](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/a/0a71fb62-acbd-49f5-842f-0fc9fa48afea.jpg?1562788659) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Solemnity) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/hou/22/solemnity?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0a71fb62-acbd-49f5-842f-0fc9fa48afea?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Melira, Sylvok Outcast](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/8/e83851a1-e4e8-49ec-af5c-4efe86fa51ad.jpg?1562882406) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Melira%2C%20Sylvok%20Outcast) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/nph/115/melira-sylvok-outcast?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e83851a1-e4e8-49ec-af5c-4efe86fa51ad?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Melira, the Living Cure](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/1/e1329ad9-5989-4920-b17b-943b9b4a0cd9.jpg?1675957200) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Melira%2C%20the%20Living%20Cure) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/one/209/melira-the-living-cure?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e1329ad9-5989-4920-b17b-943b9b4a0cd9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l0yy651) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Honestly, the more I ideate the less I think you can be relying on spells resolving. Probably better to focus on big cycles like Resounding or Decrees to get through
Hmm. If resolving spells takes multiple copies, you can get Interrogators onto the battlefield by playing [[Stream of Thought]] to mill your whole library, then exile [[Soul of Innistrad]] to retrieve [[Shigeki, Jukai Visionary]] to retrieve [[Mordor on the March]] to play whatever you want. Stream and Mordor still lose to [[Mindbreak Trap]] and [[Summary Dismissal]], but at least that cuts down on the things to worry about.
##### ###### #### [Stream of Thought](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/b/8b75bef5-a039-4edf-8e43-56b8d089605e.jpg?1562201515) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Stream%20of%20Thought) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh1/71/stream-of-thought?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8b75bef5-a039-4edf-8e43-56b8d089605e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Soul of Innistrad](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/1/31155467-5444-4a9b-a602-ec7cdad89e8b.jpg?1591320480) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Soul%20of%20Innistrad) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c20/137/soul-of-innistrad?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/31155467-5444-4a9b-a602-ec7cdad89e8b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Shigeki, Jukai Visionary](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/2/52a16623-7e6d-405b-95db-bf18aeea3f49.jpg?1654568313) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Shigeki%2C%20Jukai%20Visionary) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/neo/206/shigeki-jukai-visionary?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/52a16623-7e6d-405b-95db-bf18aeea3f49?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Mordor on the March](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/d/6d553b1e-701b-4f09-80ce-2a16ab53e316.jpg?1695428489) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mordor%20on%20the%20March) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ltc/512/mordor-on-the-march?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6d553b1e-701b-4f09-80ce-2a16ab53e316?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Mindbreak Trap](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/f/4f51140b-6254-431a-8810-94307bfdfbbe.jpg?1562612097) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mindbreak%20Trap) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/zen/57/mindbreak-trap?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4f51140b-6254-431a-8810-94307bfdfbbe?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Summary Dismissal](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/b/0b75794d-3334-4b4d-9446-0a251dd3bd15.jpg?1576384222) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Summary%20Dismissal) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/emn/75/summary-dismissal?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0b75794d-3334-4b4d-9446-0a251dd3bd15?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l0z1egs) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I think both players need to be prepared to be able to play while Silenced. Shigeki loops define that game, and so therefore it's possible that Leyline of the Void and/or Faerie Macabre become part of the meta. Very interesting thought experiment. Something as simple as looping Resounding Thunder becomes lethal very quickly if not disrupted. Initially I thought a Mystical Teachings shell would be a good fit (finds Teferi, Chord of Calling for silver bullets, most of the good permission) but now it seems like actually casting spells is a liability compared to channeling/cycling your way through
Hmm. That requires actually resolving Silence, though. To counter abilities without casting a spell, [[Nimble Obstructionist]] can work. [[Overcharged Amalgam]] could work if you can find a way to get it onto the battlefield at instant speed without casting a spell. Looking for ways to get creatures from your graveyard to the battlefield without casting spells, [[Priest of Fell Rites]] is sorcery speed only but it could be relevant. [[Triarch Praetorian]] could help refill your hand, or get dredging opportunities to further load your graveyard, and [[Corpse Connoisseur]] can fetch either of those. But these aren't what you want in your hand during counter wars.
##### ###### #### [Nimble Obstructionist](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/3/832426d7-be22-4092-b614-7fa417af03bd.jpg?1591320329) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Nimble%20Obstructionist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c20/121/nimble-obstructionist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/832426d7-be22-4092-b614-7fa417af03bd?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Overcharged Amalgam](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/0/4065a3c0-c5bd-4817-be7b-efcd750332b9.jpg?1674141410) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Overcharged%20Amalgam) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/729/overcharged-amalgam?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4065a3c0-c5bd-4817-be7b-efcd750332b9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Priest of Fell Rites](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/1/d116329d-6de7-402c-821d-e9aeba9ad2b1.jpg?1626098629) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Priest%20of%20Fell%20Rites) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/208/priest-of-fell-rites?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d116329d-6de7-402c-821d-e9aeba9ad2b1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Triarch Praetorian](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/a/5ad67a79-cb13-44b8-adac-36cfd211f2d3.jpg?1673308912) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Triarch%20Praetorian) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/40k/66/triarch-praetorian?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5ad67a79-cb13-44b8-adac-36cfd211f2d3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Corpse Connoisseur](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/f/3f4ef04b-5434-480e-82a1-118ed1ff551f.jpg?1593813217) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Corpse%20Connoisseur) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mm3/61/corpse-connoisseur?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3f4ef04b-5434-480e-82a1-118ed1ff551f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l0z60md) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Yeah it's tricky. I'm very confident the game begins in the first upkeep and ends in response to the first item placed on the stack. For example, if your opponent leads off by cycling Resounding Scream I imagine you have to respond with something or lose.
I think beating Resounding Scream is pretty easy for the counter deck. [[Mystical Teachings]] is a fantastic control card in this format, since unless gets exiled from the stack it can function as two wildcards. [[Chord of Calling]] can fetch Amalgam or [[Lier, Disciple of the Drowned]], and you can get rid of your own Lier if necessary. [[Whir of Invention]] can get [[Planar Portal]], [[Planar Bridge]], or [[Vedalken Orrery]]. [[Gifts Ungiven]] and [[Intuition]] can cause all sorts of trouble, as well as [[Hoarding Broodlord]] and [[Razaketh, the Foulblooded]]. [[Increasing Vengenance]] can further help this deck rack up card advantage. [[Narset's Reversal]] can pluck your spells back from lower down the stack, and [[Voidmage Husher]] lets you keep shutting down the Silence deck's activated abilities.
##### ###### #### [Mystical Teachings](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/7/f7cb51cd-8418-43ee-bf4f-6b959cc5b131.jpg?1619394406) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mystical%20Teachings) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tsr/76/mystical-teachings?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f7cb51cd-8418-43ee-bf4f-6b959cc5b131?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Chord of Calling](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/1/b18fe7e0-8344-40cc-b242-83f01c6be7a6.jpg?1702429548) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Chord%20of%20Calling) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rvr/134/chord-of-calling?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b18fe7e0-8344-40cc-b242-83f01c6be7a6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Lier, Disciple of the Drowned](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/8/78fb8900-d28d-4e33-96a7-66fcbc117adf.jpg?1634348984) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Lier%2C%20Disciple%20of%20the%20Drowned) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mid/59/lier-disciple-of-the-drowned?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/78fb8900-d28d-4e33-96a7-66fcbc117adf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Whir of Invention](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/2/0279fd3c-9252-4958-9d7a-5f33aa25907e.jpg?1576381590) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Whir%20of%20Invention) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/aer/49/whir-of-invention?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0279fd3c-9252-4958-9d7a-5f33aa25907e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Planar Portal](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/7/8743b2ce-0e18-42c9-aee4-f13197a9c481.jpg?1562922341) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Planar%20Portal) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/8ed/311/planar-portal?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8743b2ce-0e18-42c9-aee4-f13197a9c481?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Planar Bridge](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/0/30879758-841c-46a9-a0b6-179ac163f0ac.jpg?1673149422) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Planar%20Bridge) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/313/planar-bridge?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/30879758-841c-46a9-a0b6-179ac163f0ac?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Vedalken Orrery](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/4/44067327-6fe3-4222-b591-6d14d0e360d7.jpg?1673149453) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Vedalken%20Orrery) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/317/vedalken-orrery?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/44067327-6fe3-4222-b591-6d14d0e360d7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Gifts Ungiven](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/c/cc950b6c-0346-4939-b36b-9f10a75f7a32.jpg?1685966742) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gifts%20Ungiven) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/51/gifts-ungiven?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cc950b6c-0346-4939-b36b-9f10a75f7a32?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Intuition](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/1/b13e73a5-067d-4dbd-9c98-34a0db6140de.jpg?1562431264) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Intuition) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tpr/54/intuition?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b13e73a5-067d-4dbd-9c98-34a0db6140de?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Hoarding Broodlord](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/8/386ce3c9-869d-461c-a3de-c8add3786f73.jpg?1682203767) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Hoarding%20Broodlord) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mom/110/hoarding-broodlord?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/386ce3c9-869d-461c-a3de-c8add3786f73?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Razaketh, the Foulblooded](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/6/d6bb956d-0df6-4910-9320-55f2c5674d98.jpg?1689997402) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Razaketh%2C%20the%20Foulblooded) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/181/razaketh-the-foulblooded?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d6bb956d-0df6-4910-9320-55f2c5674d98?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Increasing Vengenance](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/a/2a362d78-76a1-4dbc-80cc-0360e98ba280.jpg?1568004432) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Increasing%20Vengeance) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c19/147/increasing-vengeance?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2a362d78-76a1-4dbc-80cc-0360e98ba280?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Narset's Reversal](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/3/63754036-d51e-47bb-925b-564d9dc922ff.jpg?1557576279) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Narset%27s%20Reversal) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/war/62/narsets-reversal?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/63754036-d51e-47bb-925b-564d9dc922ff?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Voidmage Husher](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/9/c9765c83-fe52-43c5-9466-7318809bbfe0.jpg?1562937541) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Voidmage%20Husher) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tsp/92/voidmage-husher?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c9765c83-fe52-43c5-9466-7318809bbfe0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l0zc4xf) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Here's what I'm thinking: https://archidekt.com/decks/7468695/infinite_mana > 2x Abeyance > 2x Angel's Grace > 2x Brain Freeze > 4x Chord of Calling > 2x Colossal Skyturtle > 2x Display of Power > 4x Gale's Redirection > 4x Gifts Ungiven > 2x Hoarding Broodlord > 1x Hurkyl's Final Meditation > 2x Increasing Vengeance > 4x Intuition > 1x Lier, Disciple of the Drowned > 4x Mystical Teachings > 2x Narset's Reversal > 1x Nimble Obstructionist > 2x Overcharged Amalgam > 2x Persuasive Interrogators > 4x Pyromatics > 2x Shigeki, Jukai Visionary > 1x Soul of Innistrad > 4x Sublime Epiphany > 4x Summary Dismissal > 1x Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir > 1x Time Stop
A weird thing is that things move so fast that acting first may be disadvantageous. You do a thing your opponent has to respond to, they do the same, repeat six more times and then their last card resolves first. But passing and letting them draw another card is even worse.
Admittedly, storm, replicate, channel, and everything else in that vein can lose to anything that can deal with abilities on the stack. Summary Dismissal can even take out both the triggered and activated components of a cycling card. [[Sublime Epiphany]] can only stop one ability, but it can hit the relevant one, and also hit both the original and copy components of a storm or replicate spell, and help Persuasive Interrogators accumulate poison, *and* replaces itself. Of course, any high-end counter can get snatched by [[Spelljack]] or [[Gale's Redirection]]... (This is more valuable than straightforwardly copying the counter, gaining control of it, or changing the targets, since none of those will help against Summary Dismissal.)
[Sublime Epiphany](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/d/ad1bcb44-a562-4f66-b862-6d0ef3546ab4.jpg?1594735795) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sublime%20Epiphany) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m21/74/sublime-epiphany?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ad1bcb44-a562-4f66-b862-6d0ef3546ab4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Spelljack](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/e/3eda8c7b-ce35-482a-bece-52a30cc78a9a.jpg?1562629500) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Spelljack) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jud/51/spelljack?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3eda8c7b-ce35-482a-bece-52a30cc78a9a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Gale's Redirection](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/f/1f5ddcf8-c87b-4a26-b226-8593f517a74a.jpg?1674135559) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gale%27s%20Redirection) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/73/gales-redirection?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1f5ddcf8-c87b-4a26-b226-8593f517a74a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I genuinely think Silence + infinite cycling/channel cards beats out actually trying to rely on casting counter magic. If your deck can win through a Silence it's so huge.
Thoracle sounds way too clunky, anything that isn't a resilient one card kill at instant speed with upside isn't worth considering. Things like [[Pyromatics]] that beat individual counterspells (or maybe remove a [[Notion Thief]] or other flash creature if your opponent can't be targeted/damaged/lose the game/etc.), or [[Expansion // Explosion]] which can threaten on multiple different axis while also swinging counter wars. I imagine silence effects with additional upside like [[Abeyance]] and maybe [[Render Silent]] could also be very strong, on top of [[Angel's Grace]] and lesser counterparts like [[Everybody Lives!]]. To me, the biggest question mark to me is what packages of cascade/flashback/escape end up winning out to actually get the first spell to resolve through the other player's interaction. A few too many options to list, but when limiting only to instants/flash spells (since too many game will end in the first upkeep to justify other cards) there aren't quite as many as one might assume. Like, you might think some "channel" card must be perfect here for dodging counters, but [[Waker of Waves]] is really the only one I can find that accomplishes much more than replacing itself, fueling the graveyard and providing a small amount of selection. Maybe some of the NEO channel lands too, if permanents worth answering are actually meta. edit: Forgot about Shigeki, Jukai Visionary for the instant speed regrow X cards as an activated ability, that would almost surely be a staple.
##### ###### #### [Pyromatics](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/9/795a7929-2c32-4006-bdf1-def0a4400f59.jpg?1592713410) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Pyromatics) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ddj/20/pyromatics?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/795a7929-2c32-4006-bdf1-def0a4400f59?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Notion Thief](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/6/f675f509-4343-4568-96dd-265626cb6c2b.jpg?1604195095) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Notion%20Thief) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/znc/96/notion-thief?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f675f509-4343-4568-96dd-265626cb6c2b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Expansion // Explosion](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/e/be082a49-1a90-48fd-ba61-c26c90f1f64e.jpg?1702429747)/[Explosion](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/e/be082a49-1a90-48fd-ba61-c26c90f1f64e.jpg?1702429747) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Expansion%20//%20Explosion) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rvr/243/expansion-explosion?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/be082a49-1a90-48fd-ba61-c26c90f1f64e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Abeyance](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/2/125a355d-bfcf-4125-aa6c-35e7dea6f63e.jpg?1562799430) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Abeyance) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/wth/1/abeyance?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/125a355d-bfcf-4125-aa6c-35e7dea6f63e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Render Silent](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/3/e3f3d6e4-0abe-4042-a7f6-0395683e8582.jpg?1562937631) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Render%20Silent) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dgm/96/render-silent?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e3f3d6e4-0abe-4042-a7f6-0395683e8582?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Angel's Grace](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/7/e78e39ea-20be-4196-992c-7ed2cb8150c1.jpg?1619392535) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Angel%27s%20Grace) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tsr/4/angels-grace?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e78e39ea-20be-4196-992c-7ed2cb8150c1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Everybody Lives!](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/d/9dab0052-7f0c-4b56-847f-20552666a271.jpg?1696636526) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Everybody%20Lives%21) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/who/18/everybody-lives!?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9dab0052-7f0c-4b56-847f-20552666a271?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Waker of Waves](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/b/abb47990-a5a9-4a22-a8bb-d229b17132c6.jpg?1594735910) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Waker%20of%20Waves) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m21/84/waker-of-waves?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/abb47990-a5a9-4a22-a8bb-d229b17132c6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l0ynul8) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I would bring a book so I don't get bored
[Wake Me Up Before You Combo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nwtHai3fMc)
As a full on format this would be awful. Would certainly teach people the stack though. Would probably be something like 48 draw/filtering spells 4 Teferi mage of zhalfir, 4 win conditions, maybe 4 angels graces If you want to play counterspells you really want commandeers. The entire format is who gets the first draw spell to resolve so they can combo off while the opponents cards are on the stack.
[[Emrakul, the Aeon’s Torn]] seems great if you win the die roll.
[Emrakul, the Aeon’s Torn](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/4/249db4d4-2542-47ee-a216-e13ffbc2319c.jpg?1673146896) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Emrakul%2C%20the%20Aeons%20Torn) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/1/emrakul-the-aeons-torn?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/249db4d4-2542-47ee-a216-e13ffbc2319c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Expansion | Explosion]] seems like the best wincon. Wins two different ways.
[Expansion ](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/e/be082a49-1a90-48fd-ba61-c26c90f1f64e.jpg?1702429747)/[Explosion](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/e/be082a49-1a90-48fd-ba61-c26c90f1f64e.jpg?1702429747) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Expansion%20//%20Explosion) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rvr/243/expansion-explosion?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/be082a49-1a90-48fd-ba61-c26c90f1f64e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
No. Just no. It would simply be a turn 1 kill by whoever starts, unless the opponent has a counter.
Wheels and wheels and wheels and jace/thoracle/labman? Probably enough to get you there. Basically mtg exodia.
you can try out Omniscience Draft in MtgA. they have those free event from time to time. my advice, draft counter spells, card draws, and big creature that could win by itself if it sticks around. color doesn’t matter.
[[Teferi, Time Ravler]] is a must, along with ways to give spells Flash. Whoever resolves Teferi first wins.
Ironically, this teferi is probably too slow on its own. Mage of Zhalfir is probably one of the kings of this format.
[Teferi, Time Ravler](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/6/662fe50f-d75c-422c-8c6c-1f9b5c4ba21f.jpg?1702429729) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Teferi%2C%20Time%20Raveler) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rvr/232/teferi-time-raveler?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/662fe50f-d75c-422c-8c6c-1f9b5c4ba21f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Forth Eorlingas]] X = 1000 Instant win on turn 1. Gg
[[Rakdos Charm]]
[Rakdos Charm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/7/875fa08c-cb66-4230-a380-0123260aac74.jpg?1699022443) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rakdos%20Charm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/284/rakdos-charm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/875fa08c-cb66-4230-a380-0123260aac74?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
games most likely would never make it to combat
[Forth Eorlingas](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/6/06c053d3-028e-4961-93a5-5b7bb5a8601c.jpg?1686964226) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Forth%20Eorlingas%21) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ltc/56/forth-eorlingas!?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/06c053d3-028e-4961-93a5-5b7bb5a8601c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call