Brilliant Plan MTG Card
1999-05-01 - Number 36
2009-09-07 - Number 32
2013-11-01 - Number 34
2016-11-16 - Number 70833
2018-06-22 - Number 17
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Draw three cards.
At Red Cliffs, Kongming and Zhou Yu each wrote his plan for defeating the Wei on the palm of his hand. They laughed as they both revealed the same word, "Fire."
Cards like Brilliant Plan
In the realm of card drawing spells within MTG, Brilliant Plan stands out for its straightforward ability to replenish a player’s hand by drawing three cards. At five mana, one might examine its efficiency compared to other draw spells like Concentrate or Harmonize, both of which also allow the drawing of three cards. However, Brilliant Plan is notably blue and is set in the global world of MTG, aligning it with blue’s ethos of knowledge and manipulation.
Concentrate requires the same amount of mana in a different color pie slice, being exclusively blue. Meanwhile, Harmonize delves into green’s territory, a color not typically known for its card draw capabilities. Though it shares the same cost and effect, Harmonize brings the ability to draw cards to green mages, an ability usually scarce in that color. It is worth considering the color identity of your deck when choosing between these options.
Weighing opportunities and effects, Brilliant Plan might not be the most mana-efficient spell in MTG, but its value is undeniable in decks that seek to maintain card advantage and can afford the mana investment to set up powerful plays in later turns.
Cards similar to Brilliant Plan by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: In the strategic realms of MTG, Brilliant Plan shines by offering players the invaluable benefit of drawing three cards. This significant boost in resources can be the pivot upon which the tide of a game turns, ensuring a well-stocked hand and the means to outmaneuver opponents.
Resource Acceleration: While Brilliant Plan does not directly create resources like Treasure tokens, its card advantage inherently leads to a greater likelihood of drawing into lands or mana-producing spells. It propels your gameplay forward by providing you with more options and the ability to deploy threats or answers more quickly than your adversary.
Instant Speed: The true finesse of Brilliant Plan lies in its ability to be cast at instant speed, making it a versatile tool in a player’s arsenal. Whether responding to an opponent’s move at the end of their turn, or simply maximizing mana efficiency, this instant elevates game play by maintaining the element of surprise and adaptability during the heat of battle.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To unleash the strategic advantage of Brilliant Plan, players must first meet a discard condition. This prerequisite might prove burdensome when your hand is already stretched thin, turning what should be a tactical play into a potential setback by further depleting valuable resources.
Specific Mana Cost: The effectiveness of Brilliant Plan is anchored in its demand for a precise blend of mana colors. This inflexibility could be a stumbling block for decks that run on a diverse mana base or those that struggle to generate the specific colors required consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that might be considered steep for its effect, Brilliant Plan finds itself in competition with a myriad of alternatives. Other options in the card pool may offer more cost-effective solutions for drawing cards, potentially overshadowing its brilliance in decks where efficiency is key.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Brilliant Plan is a multifaceted card that can slide into various deck builds. As a card that offers a significant draw, it serves well in decks that capitalize on hand advantage and cycling through your deck for key pieces.
Combo Potential: By refilling your hand, Brilliant Plan can set the stage for powerful combos, providing the necessary card flow to maintain momentum and synergize with strategies that rely on cast triggers or card count in hand.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment that rewards strategic planning and adaptability, this card can be particularly beneficial. It shines against decks that aim to win through attrition, giving you the resources to outlast and outplay opponents.
How to beat
Brilliant Plan is a card that every player faces with a mix of respect and caution. Known for its power in providing a significant card advantage by drawing four cards, it can shift the tide of a game, giving your opponent a full grip of options. When you’re up against Brilliant Plan, the key is to disrupt their strategy early. This can be done by applying pressure with a fast-paced deck, forcing them to react instead of setting up the ideal conditions for their Brilliant Plan.
Hand disruption is another effective tactic. Cards that force the opponent to discard, like Duress or Thoughtseize, are precious in stripping this potent draw spell from their hand before they have the chance to cast it. Counterspells also play a vital role, with spells like Mana Leak or Negate waiting to stop Brilliant Plan in its tracks. Additionally, if Brilliant Plan does resolve, having a strategy to deal with the incoming onslaught of cards is crucial. Graveyard manipulation, like Tormod’s Crypt or Relic of Progenitus, can remove key cards from the equation.
Taking these strategies into account can help you stay one step ahead and mitigate the impact of Brilliant Plan, securing your path to victory in an otherwise unpredictable game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Brilliant Plan MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms and Masters Edition III, 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 Brilliant Plan and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Brilliant Plan Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1999-05-01 and 2018-06-22. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-05-01 | Portal Three Kingdoms | PTK | 36 | 1997 | Normal | White | Song Shikai | |
| 2 | 2009-09-07 | Masters Edition III | ME3 | 32 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Song Shikai | |
| 3 | 2013-11-01 | Commander 2013 | C13 | 34 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Song Shikai | |
| 4 | 2016-11-16 | Treasure Chest | PZ2 | 70833 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yutaka Li | |
| 5 | 2018-06-22 | Global Series Jiang Yanggu & Mu Yanling | GS1 | 17 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yutaka Li |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Brilliant Plan has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |