Brainstorm

A staple of Blue devotion, Brainstorm draws three cards and then disrupts your hand's coherence by moving two random cards to the library. Its power level is high for a 1-mana instant.

In Commander, Brainstorm is used to fuel aggressive combos or to maintain card advantage in midrange decks. It synergizes well with other draw spells like Ponder and Preferably, a deck running [[Brainstorm will also have cards that can utilize its shuffled hand, such as Mnemonic Etchings.

Brainstorm

Mana Cost: {U}

Type: Instant

Oracle Text: Draw three cards, then put two cards from your hand on top of your library in any order.

Functionality:

When Brainstorm resolves, it creates a single operation that can be broken down into two distinct actions:

1. Draw Step: The player draws three cards from the top of their library.
2. Shuffle/Return Step: Two cards are put on top of the library in any order, creating an opportunity for additional card advantage.

Edge Cases:

• If a player has fewer than three cards in their hand when Brainstorm resolves, they will draw only as many cards as they have available.
• When shuffling and returning two cards to the library, it's essential to maintain a consistent top of the library. The order in which the cards are placed matters, and players can exploit this by creating a "tunnel" effect with multiple Brainstorm spells.

Interactions:

• Card Draw Abilities: Cards like Thoughtseize or Ponder can interact with Brainstorm's draw step, allowing for additional card manipulation.
• Library Manipulation: Spells like Preordain or Opt can affect the top of the library and alter the outcome of subsequent draws.

Commander-Specific Quirks:

• In a Commander environment, players typically play multiple colors and have access to more expensive cards. Brainstorm's low mana cost makes it an attractive option for generating card advantage in these situations.
• Some Commander decks employ Brainstorm as a way to disrupt opponents by creating uncertainty around the top of their library.

Tips:

• Pairing with Draw Spells: Combine Brainstorm with other draw spells, like Tolaria West, to create explosive card draws.
• Shuffling and Returning: When using Brainstorm, consider the order in which you shuffle and return cards. This can be used to your advantage by protecting powerful cards from being put on top of the library.

In Practice:

• Players often pair Brainstorm with other value-generating cards like Ancestral Recall or Preordain.
• In some cases, using multiple Brainstorm spells in a single turn can create an advantage, but beware of potential drawbacks and opponents' reaction to these moves.

Brainstorm in Strategic Decks

In a format where card advantage is paramount, Brainstorm shines as a versatile and efficient way to manipulate the top of the library. Its ability to draw three cards and then rearrange two from hand to library makes it an attractive addition to various strategies.

Competitive Builds

• Control decks: In blue-heavy control lists, Brainstorm enables players to maintain card advantage while applying pressure with their top-end removal spells.
• Mill decks: As part of a blue mill strategy, Brainstorm helps to thin the deck and draw into key card-drawing engines like Preferable Negotiations or Phantasmal Terrain.

Casual and Niche Builds

• Combo decks: In combo-based lists that rely on specific card combinations, Brainstorm provides an additional layer of flexibility, allowing players to adapt to changing board states.
• Mill and recursion decks: When paired with cards like Liliana's Contract, Brainstorm enables a more consistent and efficient mill or recursion engine.

Commander Strategies

• Sage Master: In the Sage Master Commander deck, Brainstorm complements the commander's ability by providing an additional card draw mechanism.
• Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty's Karoos and other blue-centric commanders: These commanders often feature in lists with high blue counts, making Brainstorm a natural fit for drawing into their top-end spells.

In summary, Brainstorm is a valuable addition to various Magic strategies, offering an efficient way to manipulate the library and draw cards. Its versatility makes it a staple in competitive and casual decks alike.

Synergies and Interactions

Brainstorm is a staple in many blue decks, and for good reason. Its ability to draw three cards and then manipulate the top of your library makes it an excellent enabler for a variety of strategies.

• Card Advantage: When combined with cards like Ancestral Recall or Ponder, Brainstorm can quickly generate a massive card advantage. The more cards you draw, the more opportunities you have to play out powerful spells and creatures.
• Library Management: Putting two cards from your hand on top of your library in any order allows for clever manipulation of your deck's composition. This can be particularly useful when paired with cards like Daze or Spellskite, which benefit from a specific card being on top of the library.

Rules Tricks

Brainstorm has several interactions and quirks worth noting:

• Tribal Synergies: Brainstorm can interact with tribal abilities, allowing you to draw extra cards when playing into a particular tribe. For example, if you have Ezuri's Predators in your deck, drawing two more cards with Brainstorm can trigger its ability.
• Card Advantage Trading: In certain situations, you can use Brainstorm as a form of card advantage trading. By putting a weaker card on top of your library and keeping a stronger one in hand, you can effectively "move" the weaker card out of your deck while maintaining access to the stronger one.

Advanced Uses

While not immediately apparent, Brainstorm has some advanced uses:

• Combining with Countermagic: When paired with countermagic spells like Daze or Mana Leak, Brainstorm can be used to generate a massive amount of card advantage. By putting a countermagic on top of your library and drawing it into play, you can then use the drawn cards to accelerate your gameplan.
• Creating a "Free" Card Draw: In some situations, Brainstorm can create a situation where you effectively draw a card for free. For example, if you have Ancestral Recall in hand and Brainstorm on top of your library, you can play Ancestral Recall to draw two cards, then use Brainstorm to put the top two cards back on top of your library, essentially drawing three cards without using any additional mana.

These advanced uses require a deep understanding of game theory and strategic card advantage manipulation. However, for experienced Commander players, they offer a wealth of creative opportunities for optimizing their deck's performance.

Timing Issues

One common mistake players make with Brainstorm is misusing its timing. It's an instant, which means it can be cast at any time during your turn, including during combat. However, since it draws three cards, it's often better to wait until after you've drawn a card or two from the library using another draw spell, like Ancestral Recall. This allows you to set up for a big play and maximize the value of your draws.

Misunderstood Rules

Another mistake is underestimating the potential chaos caused by putting cards on top of the library in any order. While it may seem innocuous, this action can lead to unexpected card draw orders and potentially disastrous situations in Commander decks that rely heavily on specific card synergies or combos. For example, if you have a deck with a lot of Liliana of the Veil tokens, putting two cards from your hand on top of the library could disrupt the order of your Liliana tokens, making it harder to generate value.

Poor Synergies

Some players also make the mistake of pairing Brainstorm with cards that don't complement its draw potential. For instance, combining it with cards like Baneslayer Angel, which has a high casting cost and doesn't benefit from drawing extra cards, is often suboptimal. Similarly, using Brainstorm to fuel a deck heavy in removal spells or other non-draw effects can be inefficient.

Common Commander Combos

In Commander, players sometimes pair Brainstorm with draw-happy commanders like Tatyana, Bant One-Touch or Atraxa, Praetors' Voice, thinking that the increased draw potential will create more opportunities for card advantage. However, this synergy is not as strong as it seems, as the high casting cost of these commanders and their respective combos often outweighs the benefits provided by Brainstorm.

Example Deck

Consider a Commander deck featuring Tatyana, Bant One-Touch with a suite of draw spells, including Brainstorm. While the idea may seem appealing at first glance, it often leads to an overemphasis on drawing cards without generating meaningful card advantage. In reality, this type of deck is more likely to struggle with resource management and inconsistent gameplay.

In summary, players should carefully consider the timing and synergies when playing Brainstorm in Commander decks, taking into account factors like resource management, card draw orders, and overall strategy.

Brainstorm is a staple in the Blue mages' arsenal, allowing for versatility and adaptability on the battlefield. This common instant draws three cards and then lets you put two of them back into your library in any order.

Some notable deck archetypes that have employed Brainstorm include:

• Merfolk Combo: A popular Commander archetype relying on drawing multiple cards to assemble a powerful combo, with Brainstorm serving as a key enabler.
• Blue-White Control: In this more traditional control build, Brainstorm helps maintain card advantage while waiting for the opponent's life total to dwindle.

Brainstorm is also an invaluable asset in the frost-shrouded lands of Kamigawa. By drawing three cards – each one a tantalizing prospect, like Mental Misstep or Garruk Wildspeaker – you set yourself up for a decisive turn. The flexibility offered by putting two cards from your hand back on top of your library in any order is not to be underestimated.

Brainstorm has been reprinted several times, but not recently enough to keep up with demand. Some alternatives in budget-friendly sets include:

• Dissension: This set contains several cheap instants and sorceries that can provide similar value.
• Rise of the Eldrazi: This set has a mix of common and uncommon cards that can fit into a budget-friendly deck.

The current prices for Brainstorm are $1.89 USD and 1.01 TIX, making it an affordable choice for decks.

Brainstorm is a classic blue instant that can be used in various deckbuilding strategies. Its ability to draw three cards and then reorder two cards from your hand onto the top of your library makes it an excellent addition to any control or tempo-focused deck.

Commanders:

• Blue commanders like Azami, Lady of Scrolls, Serra, Skyshroud Claimant, and Azorius Signet pair well with Brainstorm due to their ability to generate card advantage and draw.
• Combo commanders such as Jhoira of the Ghitelde and Trostani, Selesnya's Voice also benefit from Brainstorm, as they can use its drawn cards to set up more complex combos.

Color Identities:

• Blue-White (Azorius) is a natural fit for Brainstorm, as it allows for the generation of card advantage and control.
• Blue-Green (Izzet) can also utilize Brainstorm effectively, especially when combined with Umbra Spray or other instant-speed removal spells.

Themes:

• Mill decks: Brainstorm's ability to put two cards from your hand onto the bottom of your library makes it an excellent addition to mill decks that rely on generating card advantage through graveyard interaction.
• Combo decks: Brainstorm can be used to set up complex combos by drawing multiple pieces and placing them in a specific order.

Engines:

• Card draw engines: Cantrips, Spectral Procession, and Trostani's Summoner all pair well with Brainstorm, as they generate card advantage that can be amplified by the instant.
• Counter mana engines: Counterspell, Abrupt Decay, and Frostburn can all use the two cards on top of your library to create a more efficient counter.

Synergy Cards:

• Cantrips: As mentioned earlier, Cantrips is an excellent pairing with Brainstorm. By combining them, you can generate an impressive amount of card advantage.
• Spectral Procession: This enchantment allows for the recursion of your creature tokens, which can be amplified by Brainstorm's ability to draw three cards and reorder two onto the top of your library.
• Trostani's Summoner: By generating a massive number of 1/1 creatures with flying, Trostani's Summoner pairs well with Brainstorm's ability to amplify card advantage.

Combo Notes:

• Mill combo: Pairing Brainstorm with a mill engine like Grave Pact or Trostani's Summoner can create an efficient way to generate card advantage and set up more complex combos.
• Counter-mill: Using Brainstorm in conjunction with counter-mill engines like Counterspell, Abrupt Decay, and Frostburn can create a powerful engine for generating card advantage and disrupting opponents.

Brainstorm: A Staple in Blue Control and a Casual Favorite

In Commander, Brainstorm is a staple in blue control decks that rely on card draw and manipulation. It's often paired with cards like Ponder, Ancestral Recall, and Opt. These combinations allow for an incredible amount of card advantage, making it difficult for opponents to keep up.

One common strategy is to use Brainstorm in conjunction with a "library manipulation" plan, which involves repeatedly drawing and discarding cards to maintain a consistent hand size. This approach enables players to efficiently find the cards they need while keeping their opponent's life total in check.

However, in more casual or social games, Brainstorm can be used as a way to generate card advantage without relying on complex strategies. Its simple and straightforward effect makes it an excellent choice for new players who want to experiment with blue control decks.

In terms of competitive formats, Brainstorm is generally considered a low-to-mid-tier card due to its relatively low power level in the format. In Modern and Legacy, there are more powerful options available, such as Dig Through Time or Ponder.

Table: Card Draw Comparison

In comparison to other card draw spells, Brainstorm is one of the more accessible options for casual players. Its lower mana cost and wider availability make it an excellent choice for new players who want to explore blue control strategies.

Despite its relatively low power level in competitive formats, Brainstorm remains a popular choice among Commander players due to its versatility and ability to generate card advantage in various situations.

Key Scenarios & Matchups

Brainstorm excels in the following scenarios:

• Early game ramp: Playing a single blue mana, Brainstorm allows you to draw three cards and potentially find your key early-game spells. If paired with a card like Mox Sapphire, you can quickly accelerate into more expensive spells.
• Combo potential: In combination with cards that offer reanimation or recursion, Brainstorm can be used to fuel these combos by drawing the necessary pieces. For example, pairing it with Ancestral Recall and Liliana of the Veil can create a powerful combo engine.
• Counter-magic: As an instant, Brainstorm can be played in response to your opponent's spell, allowing you to disrupt their plans while also drawing three cards.

Brainstorm struggles in situations where:

• Board presence is key: In games where controlling life total is crucial, such as against Vraska, Golgari Queen, Brainstorm may not provide the same level of impact as more aggressive or removal-heavy cards.
• Opponent has a strong board wipe: If an opponent has access to a card like Supreme Verdict or Brimseed rotor, Brainstorm's ability to draw cards becomes less valuable, and you may need to focus on more defensive strategies.
• You're in a tight spot mana-wise: If your deck is heavily reliant on two-mana spells, playing Brainstorm can put you in a difficult situation where you'll struggle to play out the rest of your hand without running out of life.

History of Brainstorm

Brainstorm, a classic instant from the Ice set, has been a staple in Blue mages' arsenals for over two decades. Its ability to draw three cards and then rearrange two back into the library has made it an attractive addition to numerous decks.

• Printings: Brainstorm has seen multiple printings throughout its history. Beyond its original appearance in Ice, it has also been reprinted in several subsequent sets, including Alpha, Revised, and 4th Edition.
• EDHREC Stats: According to EDHREC, a comprehensive Magic: The Gathering strategy resource, Brainstorm is ranked 62nd among all common cards, indicating its moderate popularity. However, this ranking may vary depending on the specific metagame or format being considered.
• Tournament Presence: Brainstorm has consistently appeared in various tournaments and formats, including Standard, Modern, and Commander. Its versatility allows it to complement a range of Blue-based strategies, from combo decks to midrange aggro builds.

Some notable deck archetypes that have employed Brainstorm include:

1. Merfolk Combo: This popular Commander archetype relies on drawing multiple cards to assemble a powerful combo, with Brainstorm serving as a key enabler.
2. Blue-White Control: In this more traditional control build, Brainstorm helps maintain card advantage while waiting for the opponent's life total to dwindle.
3. Delver of Secrets Combo: This aggressive deck leverages Brainstorm to draw into its combo pieces, often catching opponents off guard with an explosive turn.

These examples illustrate Brainstorm's adaptability and enduring appeal within various Magic formats.

In the frost-shrouded lands of Kamigawa, where the whispers of ancient gods still linger in the wind, Brainstorm is a staple of cunning strategists and master mages. This humble instant is often overlooked amidst the grandeur of more flashy spells, but its subtle power belies a deep understanding of the intricate dance between knowledge and chance.

When the Icy Grip of Kamigawa's climate tightens around your opponents, you'll find Brainstorm to be an invaluable asset. By drawing three cards – each one a tantalizing prospect, like Mental Misstep or Garruk Wildspeaker – you set yourself up for a decisive turn. The flexibility offered by putting two cards from your hand back on top of your library in any order is not to be underestimated. This ability to reorder your draws can prove particularly effective when paired with the likes of Counterspell, which can neutralize threats while Brainstorm prepares your next move.

On the table, Brainstorm's quiet efficiency contrasts with the grandstanding of more overtly powerful spells like Stormbreath Dragon. However, it is precisely this unassuming nature that allows Brainstorm to thrive in the fast-paced environment of Kamigawa's dueling grounds. By granting you the tools to pivot and adapt on a moment's notice, Brainstorm embodies the strategic flexibility that defines the island nation's unique brand of magic.

Consider an example where your opponent has cast Frostburn – a seemingly innocuous enchantment that could spell disaster in the wrong circumstances. With Brainstorm at your disposal, you can draw the necessary cards to counter the threat while also reordering your draws to leave room for future plans. In this way, Brainstorm's deceptively simple effect becomes a key component of an ever-shifting strategy, one that weaves together disparate elements like Trostani's Summoner and Master the Way.