Mono-Black Midrange attacks us on two axes: pre-combo discard (Duress, Cabal Therapy, Hypnotic Specter) that strips Stifle or Dreadnought before we can execute, and Diabolic Edict as an uncounterable sacrifice effect that bypasses our counter suite entirely. Tsabo's Web enters to lock down both Mishra's Factory and Wasteland, neutralizing their mana disruption and secondary creature-land clock. Essence Flare is our most efficient answer to Hypnotic Specter and Graveborn Muse — note it cannot enchant Knight of Stromgald due to protection from blue, so save it for the other threats; Chain of Vapor provides a flexible one-mana answer to any permanent that slips through. We trim Daze because Dark Ritual lets them power through it after stripping our hand, and cut Misdirection, Thwart, Powder Keg, and one Flash of Insight as the weakest contributors in a matchup where speed and targeted answers matter more than conditional counters.