Kess, Infinite Doom (EDH / Commander)

Deck Status: Semi-final cuts have been made, need to evaluate current cards for better alternatives, and find/address weaknesses.

Deck Building Goals: build a powerful and consistent "semi-competitive" EDH deck(limited by budget $60 is about the limit, can only buy occasionally at this price point), deck cannot use infinite combos that require more than 10 "rotations"(LGS rule)

Deck History: Started as a [[Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind]] combo deck w/ [[Enter the Infinite]] combo w/ infinite combos. Changed to [[The Locust God]] deck w/out infinite combos, winning with [[Enter the Infinite]] or wheels/graveyard reshuffle(using [[Kozilek, butcher of Truth]]) to make many insects with [[The Locust God]]. Now changed to [[Kess, Dissident Mage]] to add black, lower commander CMC, increase consistency, and add more options for self "mill".

What the Deck Does: Self mill to win with [[Laboratory Maniac]], [[Jace, Wielder of Mysteries]], and [[Thassa's Oracle]].
Use [[Kess, Dissident Mage]] to recur instants and sorcery for extra value
Combo's and cards to empty library
[[Doomsday]] + Pile(need to optimize pile and identify alternative piles, may need to add cards)
[[Show and Tell]] + [[Omniscience]] + [[Enter the Infinite]]
[[Dream Halls]] + [[Enter the Infinite]]
[[Demonic Consultation]] + name card not in deck
[[Necropotence]] + Pay life
[[Plunge into Darkness]] + pay life
[[Ad Nauseam]] instant dig for combo parts, or empty library card(may have to remove [[Enter the Infinite]] and [[Omniscience]] to be viable)
[[Tainted Pact]] = instant library emptying card

Control:

• [[Cyclonic Rift]] slow down/eliminate threats, should be used sparingly
• [[Evacuation]] board wipe, basically overloaded [[Cyclonic Rift]] for less because of low creature count
• Counter spells to protect combo/set up and to prevent opponents from going off

Sideboard: Cards pulled from 2nd cut to get to 100

• [[Narset, Parter of Veils]] restrict opponents draw and help find cards
• [[Cursed Totem]] "turn off" opponents commander and/or creatures to extend play to find win con
• [[Pyroclasm]] go wide board wipe, not current home meta viable
• [[By Force]] artifact hate, not sure if viable in current home meta
• [[Counterbalance]] more control, average cmc might be too low for current home meta
• [[Chandra, Acolyte of Flame]] additional recursion and target for opponents
• [[Cathartic Reunion]] draw card
• [[Call to Mind]] recursion that can be cast again w/ [[Kess, Dissident Mage]]

Maybe Board: are cards that have been cut but are still considering

• Flash package = [[Emergence Zone]], [[Leyline of Anticipation]], [[Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir]], and [[Vedalken Orrery]]
• [[Kozilek, Butcher of Truth]] = reshuffle graveyard in long game, or as last resort win
• [[Goblin Engineer]] = tutor to get rocks or [[Sensei's Divining Top]]
• [[Stife]] extra limited cheap counterspell
• [[Winds of Change]]/[[Windfall]] Wheels to disrupt opponents
• [[Future Sight]] and [[Helm of Awakening]] combo pieces with [[Sensei's Divining Top]] to draw entire deck, can only draw 10 at LGS
• [[Treasure Cruise]] Draw for potential low cost
• [[Frogify]]/[[Kasmina's Transmutation]] Control for Commanders or creatures that resolve and are a problem
• [[Capsize]] targeted bounce, no infinite mana combo's in deck so can't abuse buyback

Potential Cards to add(I do not have)(excluding mana base)

• [[Vampiric Tutor]] more/better tutors
• [[Entomb]] more/better tutors
• [[Mystic Remora]] more early draw
• [[Preordain]] cheap draw for win/minor card fixing
• [[Copy Artifact]] copy rocks or opponents useful artifacts
• [[Intuition]] Tutor (need to pick proper pile)
• [[Toxic Deluge]] Board wipe including indestructible
• [[Notion Thief]] can slow down opponents and give card advantage, or shut down opponents when used with [[Winds of Change]] or [[Windfall]]
• [[Chain of Vapor]] cheap targeted control, should have limited negatives aside from potential loss of mana rocks, Planeswalkers, [[Cursed Totem]], [[Dark Confidant]], [[Sensei's Divining Top]], or [[Rhystic Study]], would not play when win con permanents are in play.
• [[Unearth]] recursion for all creatures
• [[Diabolic Intent]] Tutor w/ restrictions, only 7 creatures including commander
• [[Cruel Tutor]] more tutors
• [[Force of Will]] best counter spell, too expensive
• [[Ancient Tomb]] its a land like a [[Sol Ring]]
• [[Dockside Extortionist]] could ramp very well or be trash, not sure if viable in current meta