Here we go!
Like many stack changes, this one was far more thought than perhaps was necessary. In the end, I don't always have the cards I want and taking a critical eye towards a multi-year passion project can be a bit difficult. But ultimately, I'm hoping to make the following changes moving forward:
Speed up the format: Like I mentioned in the past (and was inspired by other users - hello there if you're reading this!), this format functions as filler for many in my group, and it should reflect that usage. As much as I love synergies and incremental advantage, that doesn't suit my group. And so, let's speed things up! Everything ends at some point, so let's get to the point! More haste, more burn, bigger spells, less waffling, less life gain!
Removals: Feasting Troll King; Utvara Hellkite; Enduring Angel; Celestial Force; Dragonlair Spider; Ghastly Conscription
Additions: Molten Primordial; Flamerush Rider; Ulvenwald Oddity; Thrasta, Tempest's Roar; Karrthus, Tyrant of Jund; Aurelia, the Warleader; Sundering Stroke; Sorin Markov; Rogue's Passage; Sunhome, Fortress of the Legion
Rebalance the card types: The stack's balance has been alright for several years, but I feel myself falling more and more on the crutch of counter spells and wraths - important parts of the format, but both should be emergency "nope" buttons rather than sigh inducers. While it may mean retooling the creature suite, I'd like to move away from them as answers and focus more on dynamism of permanents and the specificity of spot removal.
Removals: Infinity Elemental; Overwhelming Intellect; Allure of the Unknown; Commit // Memory; Kaya's Guile; Soulfire Eruption; Blighted Fen
Additions: Soul of Innistrad; Overcharged Amalgam; Thoughtflare; Odds // Ends; Mortality Spear; Klauth's Will
Create memorable experiences: Impactful, powerful spells are the cornerstone of this format, the scenarios that can only happen when the training wheels and all sense of reality are removed. I want players to feel that sense of power and control, that they are harnessing things that were meant to be limited in other formats. And so every card should have an impact and feel its weight. Even if it is just removal, it should carry some possibility behind it.
Removals: Dream Eater; Plated Slagwurm; Hieroglyphic Illumination; Vorpal Sword; Vivien, Champion of the Wilds; Bonders' Enclave
Additions: Ilharg, the Raze-Boar; Hedonist's Trove
Showcase MtG in all its glory: Type 4 has always been about the excitement of playing with MtG's coolest toys that may be restricted or unfit for other formats. About the roar that erupts from a table of invested players when the unthinkable happens. Those are the kind of cards I want to include - unique cards that are felt when they hit the table, perhaps for unexpected reasons.
Removals:
Additions: Dig Through Time
And that's where I'm at for now - I've been playing Magic for over 20 years now, and I'm feeling nostalgic for those days when I didn't know better. When opening a pain land was the most exciting thing in the world, so much so that I called up my buddy to tell him and ask how I could use it in a deck. When trading was filled with opportunity and promise, because you didn't have the deck specs planned out yet, and had no idea how that new card would turn out. And the stack has been that for me - a wild new place to test things out and be surprised. Here's hoping for more memories, and apologies for the ramble!
Agreed on the adds - I'm hoping for Valki's price to drop, but such a fun include. Instant speed reanimation on a land is absolutely incredible. Koma was a double take for me, though I'm unsure if the activate abilities will make the card or the army.
Reiterate is certainly a risk, but I've been including more discard to combat those 'keep in hand' (Reiterate, Whispers of the Muse, Blast from the Past, etc.) I like to think of this format as a hand management game at its heart, and having more interaction with that element of the format is excellent. Just wish there were more interesting discard items out there.
Same feelings on foretell - here are a few choice includes that suck to lose. I'm bummed that I don't get Saw it Coming. Free counters are just so rare.
Side note, I have no idea how you keep your stack to 360 - I still struggle cutting things for 500.