Brain Pry MTG Card

Augments hand knowledge, disrupts opponents and fits into multiple deck types with instant cast speed availability. The discard requirement and specific mana cost limit the card’s versatility and may hinder some strategies. Surpasses some alternatives with its targeted approach, proving valuable in metagames reliant on card redundancy.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery
Released	2006-05-05
Set symbol
Set name	Dissension
Set code	DIS
Number	39
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jim Nelson

Text of card

Name a nonland card. Target player reveals his or her hand. That player discards a card with that name. If he or she can't, you draw a card.

To the Rakdos, the fun is in the shakedown. The loot is usually discarded.

Cards like Brain Pry

Brain Pry joins the roster of thought-provoking hand disruption spells in the world of MTG. When you consider its siblings in the discard category, you’ll see parallels to cards like Duress or Thoughtseize. These cards specialize in stripping valuable tools from an opponent’s hand, yet Brain Pry offers a unique twist by focusing on cards with the same name. This can be a tactical advantage in situations where redundancy is key.

Meanwhile, Inquisition of Kozilek offers a similar peek into an opponent’s grip but with a restriction based on the card’s mana cost. Both Inquisition of Kozilek and Thoughtseize provide broader targets upon initial cast but lack the focus on repetition that Brain Pry exhibits. Then there’s Unmoored Ego, which extrapolates the concept of Brain Pry — not only dealing with the hand, but also scouring the library and graveyard for copies of the named card, and at a broader range without the nonland card restriction. The trade-off is a higher mana cost and speed of play.

Analyzing these alternatives, Brain Pry may fly under the radar but definitely has merits in metagames where hitting the same target multiple times could disrupt an opponent’s strategy profoundly.

Inquisition of Kozilek - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Brain Pry by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Brain Pry offers a strategic peek into an opponent’s hand to select nonland cards, disrupting their game plan while simultaneously augmenting your hand knowledge and positioning you steps ahead in the strategy game.

Resource Acceleration: Although Brain Pry doesn’t generate mana, it effectively accelerates your resource accessibility by informing future decisions on resource allocation, ensuring your mana and cards are used to the utmost efficiency.

Instant Speed: With the agility of instant speed, Brain Pry fits seamlessly into your turn’s rhythm, maintaining flexibility and allowing you to react with precision to your opponent’s moves or end-of-turn windows for maximum tactful impact.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Brain Pry necessitates discarding a card, which could be detrimental in a situation where your hand is already depleted or when every card in your hand is crucial for your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Brain Pry involves specific mana types that might not fit seamlessly into multicolored decks or those that are mana color-sensitive, potentially limiting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering the demand of two mana for its effect, players might find the cost steep relative to other cards with similar abilities. Alternatives may present themselves which provide comparable effects, but with a more economical mana investment.

Reasons to Include Brain Pry in Your Collection

Versatility: Brain Pry excels in decks that aim to disrupt opponents’ plans. With its ability to selectively remove key pieces from an opponent’s hand, it can be slotted into various control or midrange builds.

Combo Potential: This card pairs well with strategies that focus on information warfare and hand disruption. By knowing your opponent’s hand, you can better time your combos or set up defenses against theirs.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where knowing your adversary’s hand gives you an upper hand, Brain Pry can be a game-changer. Against combo decks or when facing uncertain board states, the insight it provides can pivot the game in your favor.

How to beat

The Brain Pry card presents a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering games with its capacity to disrupt an opponent’s hand by forcing the reveal and potential discard of nonland cards. To counter this strategic play, it’s essential to keep a diverse hand that does not rely heavily on one particular card. This can diminish the impact of Brain Pry’s targeting abilities.

Moreover, utilizing cards that benefit from being in the graveyard or that can be cast from there can mitigate the potential disadvantage Brain Pry might cause. Delve into strategies that include graveyard synergies or instants that can be played in response to Brain Pry’s ability, thus ensuring your game plan remains uninterrupted. Keep in mind that since Brain Pry is a single-use card, careful timing and strategic hand management can go a long way in rendering it less effective.

In summary, Brain Pry’s influence can be significantly negated by diversifying your hand and implementing cards that capitalize on being in the graveyard. As a result, this potentially disruptive card can be turned into a minor setback rather than a game-changing detriment.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Brain Pry MTG card by a specific set like Dissension, 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 Brain Pry and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Brain Pry has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2006-05-01	You name the card during Brain Pry’s resolution, then the player reveals their hand and discards if appropriate. There is no way for the player to do anything between you naming the card and the player discarding.
2014-02-01	If you target yourself with this spell, you must reveal your entire hand to the other players just as any other player would.