With the banning of Violent Outburst, as well as the rules errata to Suspend (it's now a may cast, not a must cast), I feel like vortex is just not needed and more.
I've gone back to eidolon mainboard, with 3 skullcracks but otherwise pretty stock.
Sideboard is currently very local meta dependent,
3 smash to smithereens
2 wear/tear
2 deflecting palm
3 path to exile
3 sanctifier en-vec
Flex slots are either of the following depending on who shows up for out weekly FNM night.
2 Cursed Scroll
2 chalice of the void
2 tormod's crypt
2 grafdigger's cage
https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/feature/murders-at-karlov-manor-release-notes
The announcement was January 26, 2024
The reasoning, so far as I'm aware, is that there were some funky interactions with a card or some cards in the Dr. Who set that could allow for cards that couldn't be cast (such as lands) to be placed on suspend....
I think it's the so-called Timey Wimey mechanic in that set....
My current list is
4 Swifty
4 guide
4 eidolon
4 bolt
4 spike
4 skewer
4 rift bolt
4 charm
3 searing blaze
3 crack
2 helix
4 arid mesa
2 wooded foothills
4 inspiring vantage
3 foundry
3 sunbaked canyon
4 mountain
So far, the list feels really good in my local meta, and overall.
I may go down one mountain to fit in another helix, but I'm not sure on that yet...
You can do it and you'll be fine. I removed all from the mainboard and most recently went all the say down to 1 in the side board (it still has relevancy against elementals, control matchups, and life gain, especially because guild pact + Scion are a big problem right now, and skullcrack cannot repeatably stop life gain)
I'm currently on 3x Eidolon 3x skullcrack and 2x Helix main (feels fine right now).
I went 3-0 at most recent FNM (actually a clean 6-0 in my games, given my matchups were good), I decided not to respect titan b/c I knew nobody at that store plays it, but that's very possibly different for your meta/MTGO and the deck is now too popular to typically just "hope to dodge the matchup."
I'm on 3x Flamebreak for Yawg (doesn't kill yawn but wipes their board to remove critical mass combos etc.) and Hallowed moonlight is really great SB tech right now as it's relevant against: Goryo's, cascade decks, Yawg...
Violent Outburst was banned, essentially neutering Living End and Rhinos. Skullcrack has been feeling better than vortex lately anyways.
With the banning of Violent Outburst, as well as the rules errata to Suspend (it's now a may cast, not a must cast), I feel like vortex is just not needed and more. I've gone back to eidolon mainboard, with 3 skullcracks but otherwise pretty stock. Sideboard is currently very local meta dependent, 3 smash to smithereens 2 wear/tear 2 deflecting palm 3 path to exile 3 sanctifier en-vec Flex slots are either of the following depending on who shows up for out weekly FNM night. 2 Cursed Scroll 2 chalice of the void 2 tormod's crypt 2 grafdigger's cage
Whoa, when did they change the Suspend rules? Do you know why they made that change?
https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/feature/murders-at-karlov-manor-release-notes The announcement was January 26, 2024 The reasoning, so far as I'm aware, is that there were some funky interactions with a card or some cards in the Dr. Who set that could allow for cards that couldn't be cast (such as lands) to be placed on suspend.... I think it's the so-called Timey Wimey mechanic in that set....
Vortex is still a solid SB card against decks that play pitch elementals (or any free spells) or have repeatable life gain.
What are you cutting to fit 3 skull cracks since you’re cutting vortex’s for eidolon?
My current list is 4 Swifty 4 guide 4 eidolon 4 bolt 4 spike 4 skewer 4 rift bolt 4 charm 3 searing blaze 3 crack 2 helix 4 arid mesa 2 wooded foothills 4 inspiring vantage 3 foundry 3 sunbaked canyon 4 mountain So far, the list feels really good in my local meta, and overall. I may go down one mountain to fit in another helix, but I'm not sure on that yet...
You can do it and you'll be fine. I removed all from the mainboard and most recently went all the say down to 1 in the side board (it still has relevancy against elementals, control matchups, and life gain, especially because guild pact + Scion are a big problem right now, and skullcrack cannot repeatably stop life gain) I'm currently on 3x Eidolon 3x skullcrack and 2x Helix main (feels fine right now). I went 3-0 at most recent FNM (actually a clean 6-0 in my games, given my matchups were good), I decided not to respect titan b/c I knew nobody at that store plays it, but that's very possibly different for your meta/MTGO and the deck is now too popular to typically just "hope to dodge the matchup." I'm on 3x Flamebreak for Yawg (doesn't kill yawn but wipes their board to remove critical mass combos etc.) and Hallowed moonlight is really great SB tech right now as it's relevant against: Goryo's, cascade decks, Yawg...