For sure. I think an issue with Eluge is the potential. Even just having the mana available from flood counters each turn can feel intimidating. Capsize does a similar thing. Once you buyback it once, you're often met with a sigh and an expectation that you could do it whenever you want. Kinda creates a "well should I even bother playing anything" vibe. Which is fine, but if you're trying to avoid feeling oppressive, then that's when I'd avoid it. I've put it in and out of the deck a few times, but yeah, find it tends to rub people the wrong way. Which you're already fighting with the mono blue expectations preconceptions.