Ive run variations of this list that are more control heavy or more combo heavy, leaning in on sacrificing creatures with +1/+1s on them to a [Card]Cartel Aristocrat[/Card] when a [Card]Doubling Season[/Card] effect is in play for a protection from all colours but the current list is go wide and tall, with the recursion suite supporting against standard removal and consistent wraths
It also serves as a finisher of sorts
Who doesn't like to draw cards
While there are other worthy contenders such as Blue Elemental Blast and even the recent Mystical Dispute that costs only 1 Blue Mana , Counterspell offers blanket protection for 2 Blue Mana
I also want to work a Crystal Shard into my list soon, having a permanent-based way to do that will be useful
Steelswarm Operator Steelswarm Operator isnt the first 2-cost mana dork for artifacts (Oaken Siren, Guidelight Optimizer), but its the first that produces additional mana to pay for abilities from artifacts