Twin Exarch v. 2.0 (Modern)

The biggest question mark in the deck might be the lack of Lightning Bolts. In testing, I didn't really have much use for the card. I would win before most aggro decks could kill me and I found that I'd rather have counterspells and card draw against control decks. Izzet Charms and Spell Pierce went in, Lightning Bolts and Flame Sash went out.

I realize this leaves me vulnerable to RG blitz and opposing Spellskites (which Flame Sash deals with), but I thought what I gained in terms of power and flexibility was worth it.

Desolate Lighthouse - with 8 fetches, I wasn't really afraid of running out of colored mana. Desolate Lighthouse gave me a way to dig for combo pieces during the mid-late game.

Academy Ruins - Ideally, I could recurse Engineered Explosives against tokens, wiping out tokens, and then their anthems + Auriok Champions. Didn't get a chance to pull it off, and I'm glad I didn't need to.

Sideboard choices:

Pyroclasm - early sweeper of choice. Not much to say. This card performed well for me.
Engineered Explosives - Sweepers four to five. Best against tokens.
Blood Moon - Tron/Domain/UWR control/Scapeshift. Modern's a greedy format and this old enchantment punishes greedy decks.
Counterflux - On the off-chance you face a hardcore control deck, it's nice having the final word.
Ancient Grudge - Against affinity and torpor orb. Getting two uses out of one card is good in my book.
Spell Pierce - Additional counterspells to protect the combo.
Batterskull - I netdecked this. I assume it's good against something or is a credible back-up plan if you get Slaughter Game'd. I kept it in on the off-chance I needed it.
Pithing Needle - Just because. Shuts down mutavaults, vials, planeswalkers for the low, low price of one mana.

I piloted this to a 4-1-1 finish, good enough for top 5 at a recent major modern tournament. I drew with my brother and lost only to Domain Zoo, which highlighted the need for Lightning Bolts.