You only have to look at the fact that people really don’t want to play Skyshroud Ranger to understand that instant speed is significantly better. People have tried more rangers and always cut them back as much as they can.

IF we end up in a world where blue is the more important colour in amulet, then Growth Spiral will likely end up in the deck. There’s a lot of small upsides which add up, but you do still want consistent mana in your 4-colour, 15-tapped lands deck – so we likely don’t want it this week. But the upside of flashing lands is completely undersold in this article in my opinion. I believe if Stirrings gets banned (eek ban talk), 1 possible option is to play more blue for serum visions in its place, and if that happens, i’ll be moving to Growth Spiral over Explore (i’m not a fan of the 29-land 5 scout lists and still run explore, which may not be the most popular list at this point).

Sphinx of Foresight could fit the bill in Living End or Restore Balance, where it fits the >=3 CMC requirement. The scrying is a pretty rare effect in those decks, and both cast some 4CMC cards.

Interesting. This is one of those cards everyone wrestles with for months and then either forgets or busts the format. We’ll see.

It wasn’t much of a factor. Explore does basically the same thing, isn’t always good enough to be played, and in a deck like Amulet cantripping just isn’t a big deal. Between Tolaria West and Ancient Stirrings they can find what they need and drawing one extra card just isn’t very impressive.

Play testing is necessary. I’m not really sure. But I had one other question. Did any of your friends that run titan amulet say anything about the extra card draw from growth spiral or do they not see that as a big upside?

That’s another card that seems like it should be really strong, but where? Setting your next three draws (four if you mulligan first) sounds busted, especially in a high velocity or combo deck. The thing is, playing a card just to start the game with it is a dicey proposition. Starting the game with it is obviously great, but is it still good if you don’t?
Seriously, what deck wants the actual creature? I can’t think of a deck that wants a 4/4 flyer for four. There’s just so much competition at that mana slot in control or aggro decks that I’m uncertain any deck actually wants the creature. Yes, scrying every turn is powerful but if that’s the payoff why not save a mana and run Thassa?
If the Sphinx is going to see play, I think it should be regarded like Simian Spirit Guide. The body is irrelevant for the actual utility, we’re here to have it in our opening hand. Actually casting Sphinx is the failstate. The question is what to do with Sphinx once you’re past the start of the game. If a deck exists that needs blue creatures to pitch for something, then Sphinx is a natural inclusion. If not, I don’t know why I want to draw that card.

In a deck that needs to hit its curve and needs cards to pitch, let’s say to collective brutality, doesnt this fit the bill perfectly?