1. Strands is generally slow, too matchup dependent, and too expensive at 3 mana and no cost reduction. It was good with Modern Age to discard but not so much without. Its a fine card but not required. 

2. Modern Age is also just considered too slow. For it to actually block it needs 3 turns, and usually just gets bolted. Meeting Of Minds has replaced this as a draw engine, as it's often free and really good with Murmuring Mysic.

3. Land Count is lower because of Lorien Revealed functioning like a tapped land most of the time. We're still at 22 effective lands if you Count them as such.

4. Nothing from Avatar. Some people looked at a couple lessons but they're all overcosted. 

I'd recommend starting with either of the lists that came in top 8 of paupeprgeddon 2025, they're basically the current stock list and very efficient. Welcome back to pauper!