Aetherspouts is strictly worse than Cyclonic Rift, but is still a potent defensive card, as you simply cant block much
If Torpor Orb and a creature enter the battlefield at the same time, that creature entering the battlefield won't cause triggered abilities to trigger
1 Patriarch's Bidding
Some 4-drops I'm considering (bold is 2 or more for devotion): Akuta, Born of Ash Crowd of Cinders Disciple of Bolas Erebos, God of the Dead Faceless Butcher Graveborn Muse Korlash, Heir to Blackblade Magus of the Abyss Mortivore Nightshade Assassin Paragon of Open Graves Phyrexian Obliterator (I wish) Sangromancer Skinrender Soul Snuffers Squelching Leeches Undead Warchief Vampire Nocturnus -Once I can trade up into better discard spells, such as Thoughtseize and Inquisition of Kozilek, I'll be able to make some switches there as well
After a while, she becomes a valued member of the team as well as a formidable warrior
You can get a lot of leverage out of it by triggering on your opponents' turns, and in turn having something to sacrifice for mana each turn makes that much more feasible
