Brand MTG Card
1998-10-12 - Number 176
2020-09-26 - Number USG-176
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Cycling |
Text of card
Gain control of all permanents you own. Cycling (You may pay and discard this card from your hand to draw a card. Play this ability as an instant.)
"By this glyph I affirm your role." —Urza, to Karn
Cards like Brand
Brand stands out as an intriguing choice among Magic: The Gathering’s array of utility spells. Like other spells in MTG aimed at reclaiming control of your own cards, such as Homeward Path, it allows players to deter opponents’ theft effects. Unlike Homeward Path, which affects all creatures on the battlefield, Brand offers a targeted approach, letting you focus on specific cards.
Comparatively, Brooding Saurian maintains a similar comeback theme, as it returns all creatures to their owners’ control at the end of each turn. However, Brand’s instant speed gives it a unique advantage, allowing reactive plays that Brooding Saurian can’t match. On the flip side, Gruul Charm provides a varied set of options, including regaining all your permanents, but its color restriction limits its universality unlike the mono-red Brand.
Assessing these alternatives, Brand proves to be a versatile spell in MTG, with its pinpoint accuracy and the ability to act swiftly, ensuring your assets are protected precisely when needed. This situational control elevates it within its niche, endorsing it as a strategic pick for decks anticipating frequent ownership battles.
Cards similar to Brand by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Brand MTG Card offers a unique ability that lets you draw multiple cards, ensuring that your hand stays fueled with options and strategies to outpace your opponent. This type of advantage can be critical for keeping the pressure on and maintaining control of the game’s flow.
Resource Acceleration: With Brand MTG Card, you can experience a surge in your resources, granting you an opportunity to play higher-cost cards earlier than usual or enable multi-spell turns. This acceleration can be a game-changer, setting you ahead of your adversaries and enabling more complex and powerful plays.
Instant Speed: The ability to play Brand MTG Card at instant speed gives you the flexibility to adapt to the unfolding game. It allows you to make pivotal decisions at the right moment, whether that’s disrupting an opponent’s strategy or maximizing your own turn by waiting for the opportune time to strike.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging a Brand card in your strategy often comes with the necessity to discard another card. This can become a limitation especially when your hand size is already dwindling, potentially leading to a loss of valuable assets needed later in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Brand cards typically necessitate a precise mana combination to cast. This can cause difficulties in smoothly executing your game plan, especially in decks that are not finely tuned to accommodate such strict mana requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With many alternative cards available, a Brand card’s relatively higher mana cost for its effects might not represent the best value. Savvy players may prefer to opt for lower-cost alternatives that provide a similar impact on the game but at a more economical point in their mana curve.
Reasons to Include Brand Mtg Card in Your Collection
Versatility: Brand Mtg Card is a standout choice for collectors and players because it can seamlessly adapt to various deck archetypes. Whether you are looking to strengthen control setups or give aggro decks a tighter edge, this card provides strategic flexibility.
Combo Potential: The abilities of Brand Mtg Card offer excellent synergy with a wide array of other cards, unlocking the door to powerful combos that can turn the tide of the game. This could be essential for any player looking to outmaneuver opponents with innovative strategies.
Meta-Relevance: As the competitive scene evolves, having Brand Mtg Card in your arsenal means you’re well-equipped to tackle prevalent strategies. Its adaptability ensures it remains a valuable asset in a constantly shifting meta, making it a smart inclusion for those aiming to remain competitive.
How to Beat
The Brand MTG card presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, renowned for its potential to protect a player’s creatures. Crucially, Brand offers the ability to take back control of all permanents that you own, which can be a game-changer, especially if an opponent has taken possession of them. This mechanic is particularly potent when timed correctly.
To effectively combat Brand, it is advisable to focus on timing and precision in your moves. Cards like Krosan Grip, which has a split second mechanic, prevent the opponent from activating Brand in response, thus ensuring your actions resolve first. Additionally, strategies that circumvent creature control, such as exile or destroy effects that don’t target, can diminish Brand’s impact on the game. Cards like Wrath of God can sweep the board, neutralizing the advantage Brand provides without directly targeting creatures.
Ultimately, dealing with Brand demands foresight and strategic card choices. Incorporating instant-speed removals and board wipes into your deck can provide the necessary tools to navigate around Brand’s defensive capabilities, keeping the upper hand in card interaction and maintaining a competitive edge in your game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Brand MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and The List, 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 Brand and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Brand Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 1998-10-12. Illustrated by Donato Giancola.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-10-12 | Urza's Saga | USG | 176 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | USG-176 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Brand has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Brand card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-10-01 | Cycling is an activated ability. Effects that interact with activated abilities (such as Stifle or Rings of Brighthearth) will interact with cycling. Effects that interact with spells (such as Remove Soul or Faerie Tauntings) will not. |
| 2009-10-01 | A token’s owner is the player who created it. |