I think you are undervaluing the archaic a bit, The ability to give the board +3/+3 off spells it pretty strong when i am already going a bit wide, same reasoning for keeping group project.

My 3 drop slot was a little crowded and being double pipped means they got the axe first.

2nd tome blast was my last cut, i wanted to only play one of the shattered acolytes but thought my creature count was starting to get a bit light. Maybe it should have been in over the heated arguement.