(Equipment, Auras you control, and counters are modifications.) Persist (When this creature dies, if it had no -1/-1 counters on it, return it to the battlefield under its owner's control with a -1/-1 counter on it.) Once Obstinate Gargoyle has been blocked, causing it to gain flying by modifying it won't cause it to stop being blocked
These cards are all essential, and I wouldnt think about cutting any of them
Either you accept those as likely losses or you directly hose them
You may not always put it in every Izzet deck, but at least give it the consideration it deserves
The deck offered the classic black removal abilities, alongside powering up your leader by 1,000 with that rested DON!!, but the ability was a bit underwhelming, since you could easily play any other black deck with better results