Brainstone MTG Card


Brainstone’s instant speed allows opportunistic draw and discard, greatly enhancing turn strategy. Activation cost and specific mana requirement can limit flexibility in multi-color decks. Drawing parallels with Sensei’s Divining Top, Brainstone uniquely combines deck filtration with a single-use strategy.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact

Text of card

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

One day, it might provide a flash of insight that turns the tide of battle. Meanwhile, it looks lovely on an end table.


Cards like Brainstone

Brainstone enters the landscape of card advantage tools within Magic: The Gathering with its own subtle flair. It’s reminiscent of the renowned artifact, Sensei’s Divining Top, which provides players the ability to manipulate the top cards of their library. Brainstone offers a similar potential for deck inspection and filtering, but instead of peeking and reordering, it enables a draw and discard maneuver after a single use. Unlike the Top, Brainstone sacrifices itself in the process, providing a burst of card selection potential rather than ongoing control.

Another parallel can be drawn with Crystal Ball which allows for scrying, repeatedly sharpening the quality of draws over time. Brainstone, however, swaps this sustained advantage for a one-time deeper look with its draw three, then discard two cards effect. It may lack the continuous foresight provided by Crystal Ball, but it compensates with an immediate deeper refresh of the player’s hand. Still, it’s essential to consider resource allocation, as activating Brainstone requires mana investment, meaning timing and strategic use are paramount for players looking to maximize its benefits.

As players explore the utility of various artifacts that mold their draws in Magic: The Gathering, Brainstone stands out as a powerful, albeit single-use, tool for sculpting the perfect hand or digging for answers in critical moments of the game.

Sensei's Divining Top - MTG Card versions
Crystal Ball - MTG Card versions
Sensei's Divining Top - MTG Card versions
Crystal Ball - MTG Card versions

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Glasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Wooden Sphere - MTG Card versions
Sol Ring - MTG Card versions
Iron Star - MTG Card versions
Library of Leng - MTG Card versions
Black Vise - MTG Card versions
Urza's Chalice - MTG Card versions
Ivory Cup - MTG Card versions
Brass Man - MTG Card versions
Mana Vault - MTG Card versions
Soul Net - MTG Card versions
The Rack - MTG Card versions
Helm of Chatzuk - MTG Card versions
Obelisk of Undoing - MTG Card versions
Feldon's Cane - MTG Card versions
Throne of Bone - MTG Card versions
Meekstone - MTG Card versions
Crystal Rod - MTG Card versions
Thran Foundry - MTG Card versions
Cursed Scroll - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Brainstone. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
The EPIC StormThe EPIC Storm LegacyThe EPIC StormLegacy League 2023-12-26
Azorius Control (Kaheera)Azorius Control (Kaheera) ModernMiraclesAxion Now MEGA Modern
Cephalid BreakfastCephalid Breakfast LegacyCephalid Breakfast2 LPL OPEN - SEASON V - Liga Paulista Legacy
MiraclesMiracles ModernMiraclesModern League 2024-02-12
Sultai ComboSultai Combo Legacy98 / The 98th Legacy at Home
Mono-Black ComboMono-Black Combo Legacy96 / The 96th Legacy at Home
AffinityAffinity ModernAffinityModern Challenge 64 2023-12-31
4-color Loam4-color Loam LegacyCurses2023 NA Legacy Champs
Mono-Black HelmMono-Black Helm Legacy2023 Asia Legacy Championship

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Brainstone provides players the ability to manipulate their deck and improve their hand by drawing three cards and then putting two cards from their hand on top of their library. This can lead to enhanced card quality and strategic planning for upcoming turns.

Resource Acceleration: While Brainstone itself does not directly accelerate resources, it helps dig through the deck to find necessary land drops or ramp spells, thereby indirectly enhancing a player’s resource development.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of Brainstone’s activation at instant speed allows players to wait for the best moment to use it, such as at the end of an opponent’s turn or in response to an action that would otherwise disrupt their strategy.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Brainstone requires you to put three cards from the top of your library into your graveyard to activate its ability. This can sometimes backfire by discarding essential cards you might need later in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: To use Brainstone’s ability, you need to pay one colorless mana and also tap it, making it a resource-specific commitment. Mana flexibility can be a concern when weaving the card into multi-color decks that may rely on every bit of available mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite Brainstone itself being low cost to play, the cumulative mana investment, including the cost to activate, can be inefficient compared to other cards offering immediate card draw or selection without the tap requirement.


Reasons to Include Brainstone in Your Collection

Versatility: Brainstone slips seamlessly into a variety of deck archetypes, particularly those that thrive on fine-tuning their next draws and manipulating the graveyard for strategic advantages.

Combo Potential: This artifact is adept at setting up game-changing combinations, as it enables players to draw cards and synergizes with strategies that capitalize on graveyard interactions and card draw triggers.

Meta-Relevance: In an ever-shifting meta, Brainstone maintains relevance by offering deck thinning and selection, critical for overcoming opponents in a landscape filled with surprise strategies and tight competition.


How to Defeat Brainstone

Brainstone harnesses the potential to shift the tides in a Magic: The Gathering match by offering a player the chance to sift through their deck and enhance their hand quality. Similar to the celebrated artifact Ponder, which also grants players insight into their upcoming draws sans the shuffle clause. Despite Brainstone’s allure, it can be countered by targeting its core strength – its activation.

Therefore, one tactic is to thwart Brainstone’s power by deploying artifact destruction or counterspells like Abrade or Disenchant, ensuring that Brainstone’s controller never gets to capitalize on its ability. Hand disruption strategies, using cards such as Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek, can also be effective by forcing the player to discard it before it can be activated.

Focusing on Brainstone’s constraints, such as its one-time use and the requirement of tapping it down, allows a savvy MTG player to outmaneuver their opponent. Ultimately, while Brainstone offers a glimmer of hope for the right strategist, understanding and reining in its capabilities can prove pivotal in the clash between two minds over the MTG arena.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into strategizing your MTG deck with Brainstone, an artifact offering unique card manipulation capabilities. Whether you’re looking to optimize your next draw, set up potent combos, or stay one step ahead in the ever-evolving meta, Brainstone can be the key piece in your collection. If you appreciate insight on crafting hands and leveraging graveyard strategies, consider the investment into this intriguing card. Uncover the full potential of Brainstone by integrating it wisely into your gameplay, and ensure your arsenal is well-equipped to handle diverse challenges. Join us for comprehensive guides, tips, and tricks to make the most of Brainstone’s abilities in your MTG conquests.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Brainstone MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons 2 and Modern Horizons 2, 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 Brainstone and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Brainstone Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2021-06-18 and 2021-06-18. Illustrated by Drew Tucker.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 2232015NormalBlackDrew Tucker
22021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 4261997NormalBlackDrew Tucker

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Brainstone has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal