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Unlock Hidden Synergies with Lesser Known Cards for Slick Sequence
Two colors, two mana, and a dash of chaos—that's the quick pitch for Slick Sequence. This instant from Outlaws of Thunder Junction (OTJ) embodies the Izzet vibe: fast, flashy, and a little bit reckless in the best way. For players who love weaving value engines out of seemingly simple spells, this card rewards careful sequencing and creative sideboard planning. The moment you realize that the 2 damage can open a target window while the supplemental card draw can refuel a tempo-driven plan, you’re holding a tiny storm of possibilities in a single moment 🧙♂️🔥💎.
How the card actually plays on the table
- Cost and color identity: {U}{R} gives you a compact Izzet package—blue’s permission and red’s reach—in a single, efficient instant. This pairing is quintessential for clever air-tight plays that pressure both life totals and card advantage.
- Effect: Slick Sequence deals 2 damage to any target. That’s your immediate burn option, perfect for finishing off a stubborn creature or nudging a planeswalker toward the red zone.
- Conditional draw: If you’ve cast another spell this turn, you draw a card. The line between tempo and value is razor-thin here, but when you pull it off, you’re rewarded with a fresh card and a smoother path through your next set of spells.
“Shooting first don’t mean much if you ain’t got proper follow-through.”
That flavor line from the OTJ flavor text echoes the strategic flavor of Slick Sequence: you commit to a plan in which speed is the currency, but follow-through turns a mere two-damage ping into a sustained engine of card flow. It’s the kind of card that shines brightest in decks that lean into tempo, spell-slinging, and last-minute reach. 🧙♂️🔥
Lesser-known pairings: turning a single instant into a mini-deck engine
To mine the most value from Slick Sequence, you want to set up a turn where you’ve already cast a spell, then close with two more. Here are practical, approachable pairings and ideas that don’t require hyper-specific archetypes to work:
- Opt (U) or Serum Visions (U) — These classic blue cantrips are natural fits. Cast one earlier in the turn to satisfy the “another spell” clause, then finish with Slick Sequence to push 2 damage and draw a card. You’ll often find yourself digging for an answer while putting pressure on your opponent.
- Gitaxian Probe (U) — A spell that costs life but gives information and a free spell-like form of pressure. Cast Probe first or alongside a cantrip; Slick Sequence then resolves as a two-card payoff with a targeted ping and draw.
- Brainstorm / Ponder (U) and other cantrips — If your deck list includes additional cantrips or card-selecting spells, you can set up your topdeck with Brainstorm or Ponder to ensure you’ve fueled your hand with a flexible draw while keeping the damage option live.
- Direct-damage pinches — Any early removal or direct-damage spell you cast before Slick Sequence counts toward that threshold and can lead to a second draw later in the turn, compounding value as the game unfolds.
- Izzet-oriented finishers — In Izzet shells, Slick Sequence can act as the bridge between a disrupt-and-draw plan and a final push. It’s small, but when you’ve got a second spell already in the bank, turning two to draw one—and two damage—feels like you drew a card and dealt a little extra pain all at once. 🎲⚔️
Practical deck ideas and play patterns
Think of Slick Sequence as a value conduit rather than a standalone finisher. In a tempo-friendly Izzet shell, you want to ride early game pressure with cheap cantrips, use two-damage blasts to clear blockers or ping through, and keep your card flow high enough to outpace reactive strategies. A typical turn sequence might look like this: you resolve a cantrip that draws a card, then cast Slick Sequence to deal 2 damage and, if you already cast a spell that turn, draw another card. The math adds up: one card from the cantrip, one more card from Slick Sequence, and a removed blocker or a damaged opposing threat in the same breath 🧙♂️💥.
In Commander, Slick Sequence has more room to shine. The two-color identity accommodates a range of fair, interactive builds and opens access to a wide pool of cantrips, draw spells, and cheap control. The card’s rarity—uncommon—also makes it a fun, non-commander-limit pickup that can slot into offbeat Izzet lists without overshadowing more central engines. Its flavor invites camaraderie around clever spell-slinging and quick improvisation, the hallmarks of many memorable MTG nights.
Lore, art, and the broader MTG conversation
The Outer reaches of Outlaws of Thunder Junction tease a world where improvisation and bravado drive the story forward. The image-driven art from Fajareka Setiawan captures that kinetic energy—the splash of red in a blue-grey landscape, the quickness of a plan falling into place. For collectors and lore buffs alike, cards like Slick Sequence offer an opportunity to explore a newer narrative thread in a familiar color pair, while the uncommon slot invites experimentation and variant deck-building approaches. 🎨💎
Where to look next: blending playstyle with collection goals
If you’re chasing a broader Izzet feeling, lean into trims and multi-purpose spells that keep you flexible. The dual-casting requirement makes Slick Sequence a great candidate for decks that want to stay reactive while still threatening back with a couple of efficient draws. And, as with any two-color archetype, the key is balance—draw spells should fuel threats, damage should break stalemates, and tempo should never slip into pure burn without a path to card advantage. The result is a nimble, thoughtful deck built around midgame decision points that keep your opponent guessing and your hand brimming 🧙♂️🔥.
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