Illicit Shipment (Foil) (SNC)

Illicit Shipment
Casting Cost: {3}{B}{B}
Card Type: Sorcery
Card Text:
Casualty 3 (As you cast this spell, you may sacrifice a creature with power 3 or greater. When you do, copy this spell and you may choose new targets for the copy.)
Search your library for a card, put that card into your hand, then shuffle.
Flavour Text:
Whatever the Maestros had ordered, it wasn't anyone's business, including his.
Artist: Josu Hernaiz

Strengths and Weaknesses:

• Strengths:
  • Extremely powerful tutoring ability, finding any card in your deck.
  • The Casualty mechanic allows you to essentially tutor for two cards if you sacrifice a creature.
  • Versatile, as it can find any type of card, not just a specific subtype.
• Weaknesses:
  • High mana cost, making it a late-game spell.
  • Requires a creature with at least 3 power to be sacrificed to utilize the Casualty ability.

Deck Utility:

• Combo Decks: An excellent way to find combo pieces, especially if the deck already includes sacrificial elements.

• Control Decks: Provides an opportunity to find a win condition or a piece of removal or counter magic for a specific situation.

• Midrange Decks: The Casualty cost could be easier to meet in a deck with larger creatures.

Interactions and Combos:

• Sacrifice Synergy: Cards like "Blood Artist" or "Zulaport Cutthroat" can benefit from the creature you sacrifice.

• Top-deck Manipulation: Combines well with cards like "Sensei's Divining Top" or "Brainstorm," which allow you to set up your draw.

• Reanimation: After using Casualty, you could reanimate the sacrificed creature, essentially getting your cake and eating it too.

Flavor and Lore:

• The flavor text hints at the illicit activities of the Maestros, adding depth and intrigue to the set's story.

Overall Impression:

Illicit Shipment is a potent spell with high utility and versatility. It fits into a variety of strategies and provides a powerful effect for its cost, particularly if you can meet the conditions for the Casualty mechanic.