Izzet Guildmage vs Echo Mage
Alright so I have a R/U deck going on that utilizes cheap burn spells and Scry to get to my Magus of the Future. Kiln Fiends and Wee Dragonauts are my offensive creatures, the others are around to Scry for what I need (Augury Owl, Cryptic Annelid) and to bring sorceries or instants back from my graveyard (Anarchist, Mnemonic Wall).
I was thinking that an Izzet Guildmage would be a possibility since it only costs 2 mana and it allows me to replicate sorceries or instants if I tap the mana for it. It doesn't hurt for me to re-use a Lightning Bolt again, and then have my Kiln Fiend swing for 7 power.
My roommate says that the Echo Mage is just a better version of this creature, and for the most part it is. The one thing I would say is that you don't need to tap the Izzet Guildmage to use its ability and that it would be easier for me to cast it, compared to the 2 Islands I'd require for the Echo Mage.
Thoughts? If you'd like to know more details about the deck I'm using, ask! I could use some advice from people who know more about this than I do.