Cerebral Eruption MTG Card


Cerebral Eruption can potentially wipe your opponent’s board when revealing high-cost spells. The card frees up future mana for you, improving your resource efficiency in-game. Properly timing Cerebral Eruption’s cast, akin to instant spells, can devastate rivals.
Cerebral Eruption - Scars of Mirrodin
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeSorcery
Released2010-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameScars of Mirrodin
Set codeSOM
Number86
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byKev Walker

Text of card

Target opponent reveals the top card of his or her library. Cerebral Eruption deals damage equal to the revealed card's converted mana cost to that player and each creature he or she controls. If a land card is revealed this way, return Cerebral Eruption to its owner's hand.


Cards like Cerebral Eruption

Cerebral Eruption is a unique take on red sorcery spells within the realm of Magic: The Gathering. It shares some common ground with cards like Volcanic Salvo or Flame Wave, which also deal damage to each creature an opponent controls. However, Cerebral Eruption has an unpredictable element, its damage relies on the top card of an opponent’s library, potentially leading to a massive swing or a disappointing fizzle.

Another comparable option is Mizzium Mortars, offering the flexibility to be cast as a single-target removal or upgraded to a wider board clear with its overload cost. While Mizzium Mortars provides more control over the damage output, Cerebral Eruption could deal a higher damage total under the right circumstances. On the other hand, Star of Extinction takes the concept of board-wipe to a monumental scale, eradicating creatures and lands alike, but without the random factor inherent in Cerebral Eruption.

Ultimately, when weighing the risk and potential reward, Cerebral Eruption stands out as a card for players who enjoy gambling on the chance for a game-altering effect and revel in the suspense it brings to Magic: The Gathering matches.

Volcanic Salvo - MTG Card versions
Flame Wave - MTG Card versions
Mizzium Mortars - MTG Card versions
Star of Extinction - MTG Card versions
Volcanic Salvo - MTG Card versions
Flame Wave - MTG Card versions
Mizzium Mortars - MTG Card versions
Star of Extinction - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Cerebral Eruption by color, type and mana cost

Shatterstorm - MTG Card versions
Flashfires - MTG Card versions
Anarchy - MTG Card versions
Phoenix Heart - MTG Card versions
Reign of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Deadshot - MTG Card versions
Aftershock - MTG Card versions
Ruination - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Flood - MTG Card versions
Relentless Assault - MTG Card versions
Flameshot - MTG Card versions
Bend or Break - MTG Card versions
Scorching Missile - MTG Card versions
Reckless Crew - MTG Card versions
Draconic Intervention - MTG Card versions
Demolish - MTG Card versions
Granulate - MTG Card versions
Touch and Go - MTG Card versions
Sunder from Within - MTG Card versions
Thoughts of Ruin - MTG Card versions
Shatterstorm - MTG Card versions
Flashfires - MTG Card versions
Anarchy - MTG Card versions
Phoenix Heart - MTG Card versions
Reign of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Deadshot - MTG Card versions
Aftershock - MTG Card versions
Ruination - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Flood - MTG Card versions
Relentless Assault - MTG Card versions
Flameshot - MTG Card versions
Bend or Break - MTG Card versions
Scorching Missile - MTG Card versions
Reckless Crew - MTG Card versions
Draconic Intervention - MTG Card versions
Demolish - MTG Card versions
Granulate - MTG Card versions
Touch and Go - MTG Card versions
Sunder from Within - MTG Card versions
Thoughts of Ruin - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Cerebral Eruption, you get the potential to topple your opponent’s creatures while possibly retaining card superiority. When resolving its effect, the top card of your foe’s library is revealed, inflicting damage equal to the revealed card’s mana value to each creature they control. If you reveal a nonland card that’s high-cost, this can potentially clear their whole board, impacting multiple targets and drawing you closer to victory.

Resource Acceleration: While Cerebral Eruption itself does not directly accelerate resources, it indirectly contributes to this element. By removing multiple adversaries with a single card, you’re freeing up your mana in subsequent turns, allowing you to play out your hand more efficiently and focus your resources on furthering your board presence without the immediate pressure to handle opposing threats.

Instant Speed: Although Cerebral Eruption is a sorcery, its strategic play can feel as if you’ve got the utility of an instant. Timing this spell just after your opponent has set up their board or has cast a significant spell can be devastating, as it uses the resources they’ve just expended to potentially clear their side of the battlefield. Planning for the right moment is essential, making the timing of this card as crucial as any instant-speed interaction would be.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Cerebral Eruption doesn’t necessitate a discard, but it does have a requirement that’s somewhat similar in nature. Before its potential damage effect, you’re forced to reveal the top card of a player’s library, making it a bit risky since the outcome heavily depends on the revealed card and can backfire if it’s a land.

Specific Mana Cost: This card needs a precise combination of mana to cast — one red plus three others. This requirement can be restrictive as it aligns best with mono-red decks or those that can reliably produce red mana, potentially excluding it from more diverse multicolor strategies that aren’t red mana-focused.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its four total mana cost, Cerebral Eruption is on the higher side when it comes to sorcery cards that deal damage. In a game where speed and mana efficiency can determine the victor, this might deter players from including it in a fast-paced deck where lower-costing spells could provide a more immediate impact.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cerebral Eruption offers a unique form of board control, providing a considerable advantage in red decks that focus on disruption. Its potential to deal with a wide range of creatures across different types makes it a flexible choice for your arsenal.

Combo Potential: This card thrives in decks that manipulate the top of the library. Pairing it with scrying tools to ensure a high damage output maximizes its potential. It’s a synergistic piece that can swing a game when utilized with forethought and strategy.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta with creature-heavy decks or where players rely on casting from the top of their library, Cerebral Eruption can be a game-changer. Its ability to disrupt your opponent’s strategy while potentially clearing their board adds a level of control that can pivot the direction of a match.


How to beat

Cerebral Eruption is a unique card in Magic: The Gathering, capable of delivering a heavy blow to your opponent by dealing damage based on the top card of their library. However, like all powerful spells, it has its weaknesses. The key to outmaneuvering Cerebral Eruption lies in deck manipulation and strategic play. Cards that allow you to peek at the top card of your library or to reorder it can significantly reduce Cerebral Eruption’s impact. For example, using a scry ability before the Eruption’s effect triggers ensures that a card with a low mana value is on top, thus minimizing the damage.

Control decks adept at counterspells also stand a strong chance against this explosive card. Simply keeping mana open for a counter like Negate can nullify the threat altogether. Creature-heavy decks might take a serious hit, but clever deck construction with low mana-value creatures can help absorb the potential damage from Cerebral Eruption. Lastly, instant-speed removal or hand disruption spells can remove the threat before it ever hits the table, showcasing the need for flexibility and foresight in your strategy.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cerebral Eruption MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Cerebral Eruption and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cerebral Eruption has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Cerebral Eruption card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2011-01-01 If a land card is revealed this way, Cerebral Eruption is returned to its owner’s hand from the stack. It finishes resolving, but it isn’t put into the graveyard.
2011-01-01 If the mana cost of the revealed card includes , X is considered to be 0.
2011-01-01 If the revealed card has no mana symbols in its upper right corner (because it’s a land card, for example), its mana value is 0.
2011-01-01 If the targeted opponent is an illegal target by the time Cerebral Eruption resolves, the spell doesn’t resolve. No cards will be revealed and no damage will be dealt.
2011-01-01 Once the card is revealed, it’s too late for players to respond. The targeted opponent can’t, for example, see how much damage will be dealt, then cast a damage prevention spell or activate a regeneration ability. All such actions must be done before Cerebral Eruption starts to resolve.
2011-01-01 The mana value of the revealed card is determined solely by the mana symbols printed in its upper right corner. The mana value is the total amount of mana in that cost, regardless of color. For example, a card with mana cost has mana value 5.