Actual Counterspell flat lines for the first turn then starts to get steadily better from turn two onwards
If you want to go for the Bastiodon route, you will mainly be trying to outlast your opponent , but you will need to have an Ace in the hole
Murktide Regent has delve, which means you can exile cards from a graveyard to help pay for it
Urza, Lord High Artificer I wouldnt be shocked to see people make the swap for him over Sai, Master Thopterist, but Urza ought to see a bump as people include him in the deck
The result is a deck that grinds efficiently while subtly pressuring the entire table, all without overextending
Not only is it good to drop in off of Aether Vial like all the other creatures, but being a legendary creature is actually a big advantage: The deck can continually reuse it thanks to Karakas