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Sequencing Mastery with a Frontier Mentor
Magic players who love a good tempo swing and a dash of red-white bravado will find a surprising ally in Ertha Jo, Frontier Mentor. Bursting onto the scene as an uncommon Legendary Creature — Kor Advisor from the Outlaws of Thunder Junction set, Ertha Jo arrives with not one but two distinct levers for sequencing power 🧙🔥💎. Her mana cost of {2}{R}{W} gives you a sturdy midrange body (2/4) while unleashing a ripple of decisions that can tilt the game in your favor the moment you begin to plan turns ahead. The joy of Ertha Jo isn’t just her stats; it’s how her presence invites you to choreograph a sequence of activations that rewards precise timing and bold targeting. ⚔️
When Ertha Jo enters the battlefield, she spawns a 1/1 red Mercenary creature token with a compact, spicy ability: "{T}: Target creature you control gets +1/+0 until end of turn. Activate only as a sorcery." That line is a doorway to a world of neat sequencing possibilities. You’re not just buffing a creature—you're laying groundwork for a cascade of activations that can multiply your value over multiple turns. And because the token taps to grant a temporary boost, you get to choreograph a rhythm where each activation feels like a small victory march 🧭🎲.
Core sequencing ideas that sing with Ertha Jo
- Build a rhythm of targeted activations: Since you must activate the Mercenary token’s buff as a sorcery, you’ll want to time those activations for your main combat or your key post-combat turns. Each time you tap that token, you’re choosing which creature to strengthen—buying time for your bigger plays later in the same turn or on upcoming turns. The payoff is incremental tempo that compounds with other buffs you’ve lined up 🧙🔥.
- Copying activated abilities that target: The crown jewel of Ertha Jo’s design is the trigger that says, “Whenever you activate an ability that targets a creature or player, copy that ability. You may choose new targets for the copy.” This is where the sequencing magic truly shines. If you have other activated abilities—think gear equips, auras, or other tap/activate effects—that target your side, you can copy them and redirect targets to maximize value. Two buffed creatures? Copy applied to a second target? The potential grows with every activation you weave into your board state 🪄⚔️.
- Token synergy and frontline tempo: The 1/1 Mercenary token isn’t just a one-off; it’s a catalyst. Pair it with auras or one-shot buffs that care about targeting, and you can create a mini-chain of boosts across your board. The token’s existence invites you to consider which creatures deserve the front-line push and when to pull the trigger on a copy that shuffles targets mid-game. It’s a dance of confidence, not random luck 🎨🎲.
- Timing challenges to avoid telegraphs: Activate weakly at first, then escalate. If you hold back a few activates for a moment when Ertha Jo has extra mana or when you’ve stacked a spell that re-targets, you can surprise opponents with a double-dip on a single combat phase. The sorcery-speed limitation on the token’s buff encourages you to plan ahead rather than simply react—your sequencing needs anticipation as much as reaction 🧙♂️💥.
Practical examples of sequencing in action
Imagine you’ve assembled a lean RW shell with a mix of efficient threats and boosted threats. On your turn, you drop Ertha Jo. The battlefield now features her 2/4 frame backed by a token that can buff a creature you control. Your next plays revolve around purposeful activations that you can copy with precision.
“The trick isn’t just buffing one creature; it’s duplicating the moment you decide to buff, while keeping your targets sharp and flexible.”
Round-by-round, here are a few concrete play patterns you can chase:
- Turn 3-4 ramp into a targeted buff chain: cast a spell that targets a creature you control, buffing it with the token and using Ertha Jo’s copy to target a second creature. If you have a second activated ability on the board, copy that one as well, chaining value while your opponent braces for combat.
- Combo-friendly targets on your side: in a deck with equipment or auras that require targeting to attach or enchant, you can leverage Ertha Jo’s copy trigger to duplicate the targeting effect across multiple creatures on subsequent turns. The more you push targets, the more your buff window expands ✨.
- Tempo enabler in a frontier-themed board state: use the token’s buff to keep your threats safe while you assemble a more decisive endgame, all while Ertha Jo drips value through copied activations. It’s a frontier pace: fast, tactical, and a little bit reckless in the best way 🧭🔶.
Deckbuilding notes and cultural flavor
Outlaws of Thunder Junction, the set bearing Ertha Jo, isn’t just a collection of cards; it’s a vibe—horns and spurs, bright flashes of red and white, and a frontier-story energy that resonates with Kor characters and advisors who mentor through action. Ertha Jo’s dual color identity (R and W) slots neatly into aggressive or midrange shells that value tempo and targeted disruption. The uncommon slot makes her accessible enough for budget-minded players, yet her compatibility with activated abilities adds depth that can reward careful play and long observation of the stack 🧙🔥.
For collectors and players who like the tactile rhythm of card design, Ertha Jo embodies how modern design blends flavor, mechanical nuance, and playstyle philosophy. The racing tempo of a 4-mana creature that demands thoughtful sequencing is exactly the kind of card that can reward both casual wins and the more obsessive, theorycraft-heavy sessions we MTG fans savor 🎨💎.
As you extend your deck with Ertha Jo, Frontier Mentor, consider pairing her with a toolkit of targeted buffs and source effects that can ride the flow of activations. The aim is to create a cadence: a careful activation here, a copied target there, and a battlefield that tilts toward your side with every thoughtful move. The frontier awaits—and with a little practice, you’ll find yourself leading a victorious march through every opponent’s defenses 🧭⚔️.
Resource and value notes
Ertha Jo is listed as a nonfoil and foil-ready card within the Outlaws of Thunder Junction set, with a price range that keeps the card accessible for most builds. Its flavor, versatility, and the unique sequencing window it creates make it a delightful inclusion for players who crave elegance in their board states and clever uses of the stack. For those curious about side-values and market activity, you’ll find Ertha Jo trading at a budget-friendly tier that still offers meaningful gameplay impact in the right deck building context 💎.
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