Serum VisionsHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Serum Visions is a simple yet powerful cantrip. When you cast it, you immediately draw one card from the top of your library. After that card is safely in your hand, you Scry 2, which allows you to look at the top two cards of your library and choose to put them on the top or the bottom in any order.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you cast the spell by paying one blue mana and putting it on the stack. Once it resolves, you must follow the instructions in the exact order written. Step one: Draw a card. You do not get to see the top cards before this draw. Step two: Scry 2. Look at the top two cards remaining in your library. You can put both on top, both on bottom, or one of each. If you put both on top or bottom, you choose their relative order.

Common Mistakes

The most frequent error is confusing the order of operations. Unlike some other cantrips, you draw first and then scry. This means you cannot use the scry ability to set up the card you are about to draw with Serum Visions itself; instead, you are setting up your future draws or your next turn.

When to Play It

Because the scry happens after the draw, Serum Visions is best used when you are planning for future turns rather than looking for an immediate answer to a current threat. It is excellent in combo decks that need to dig deep into their library to find specific pieces over multiple turns.

Interaction examples

Serum Visions vs. Preordain

Preordain

If you play Preordain, you scry first to filter your deck and then draw the best available card. With Serum Visions, you draw the unknown top card first, and then use the scry to filter what you will draw on subsequent turns. Preordain is generally better for finding an immediate solution, while Serum Visions is better at sculpting a long-term hand.

Digging for Answers

Ponder

When you cast Ponder, you look at three cards and decide whether to keep them or shuffle before drawing. Serum Visions only lets you see a total of three cards (one drawn, two scried), but it guarantees that you move past the first card immediately. If you need a card right now, Ponder provides more information before the draw, whereas Serum Visions clears the top of the library after the draw.