Brushstroke Paintermage MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Wizard
Released	2004-11-19
Set symbol
Set name	Unhinged
Set code	UNH
Power	2
Toughness	3
Number	27
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Silver
Illustred by	Ron “Don't You Dare Change Me” Spears
Un-set :-)	This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

Offers draw manipulation, tipping the scales by accessing needed cards, enhancing strategic gameplay.
Turns nonland permanents into treasure, ramping mana and widening color access for powerful plays.
Instant speed action provides a strategic edge, allowing for game-altering reactions on an opponent’s turn.

Text of card

: Target permanent's artist becomes the artist of your choice until end of turn.

He gives credit where credit isn't due.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Brushstroke Paintermage enables players to selectively manipulate the top card of their library, paving the way towards drawing into more valuable resources. This can tip the scales in your favor as you’re more likely to access the cards you need exactly when you need them.

Resource Acceleration: With its ability to convert nonland permanents into Treasure tokens, Brushstroke Paintermage accelerates your resource pool. These tokens not only ramp up your mana but also diversify color resources, enabling you to cast spells that may otherwise be out of reach due to stringent mana requirements.

Instant Speed: Casting spells at instant speed grants an element of surprise and flexibility, and Brushstroke Paintermage fits right into this dynamic. Having the option to interact or respond to an opponent’s actions on their turn can provide you with a strategic edge, consequently throwing off their plans and retaining control over the game’s pace.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Brushstroke Paintermage’s ability comes with the caveat of needing to discard a card. For those playing styles that hold their cards close, this can be a substantial drawback, potentially depleting your hand when you need options the most.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana arrangement to cast—both a single white and two colorless—which could pose a challenge for multicolor decks looking to keep their mana base flexible. For players without a steady source of white mana, Brushstroke Paintermage might not consistently make it onto the battlefield when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you consider the mana investment required to play Brushstroke Paintermage, the returns might not always measure up against other cards in the same cost bracket. It’s vital to weigh its four mana cost against your deck’s curve and the utility of other cards at your disposal, as there might be alternatives that pack a more significant punch or provide more versatility for the same, or lower, mana cost.

Reasons to Include Brushstroke Paintermage in Your Collection

Versatility: Brushstroke Paintermage is a unique addition to decks that prioritize spell copies and manipulation. Its abilities allow players to adapt their strategy on the fly, making it a must-have for adapting to diverse gameplay scenarios.

Combo Potential: This card opens up myriad possibilities for combo plays. It can mimic powerful spells or multiply key effects, which can be game-changing in the right deck setup, driving synergies to new heights.

Meta-Relevance: With the evolving nature of the game, having a card that can potentially exploit the current popular decks is valuable. Brushstroke Paintermage fits well in an environment where versatility can outmaneuver rigid strategies, giving players an edge over their opponents.

How to beat

Brushstroke Paintermage is a unique creature card that brings a palette of tactical maneuvers to the table in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability allows players to cast target instant or sorcery card from their graveyard without paying its mana cost. This can create formidable sequences, especially in decks packed with low-cost, high-impact spells that can be reused for massive advantage. To counter this, it becomes crucial to disrupt this synergy as quickly as possible.

Applying graveyard control is a reliable strategy. Employing cards that exile cards from the graveyard, like Scavenging Ooze, can help eliminate key spells before the Paintermage has a chance to recast them. Alternatively, instant-speed removal spells that can target the Paintermage before its ability is activated are equally effective. Cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can deal with the creature swiftly before its ability becomes a recurring problem. Moreover, countermagic plays a significant role; holding up a counterspell like Counterspell or Mana Leak when your opponent attempts to trigger the Paintermage’s ability can negate the threat altogether.

Denying your opponent the chance to chain multiple spells for free is essential for maintaining an upper hand against Brushstroke Paintermage decks. With proper graveyard containment and timely removal, players can keep the canvas clear and maintain control of the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Brushstroke Paintermage MTG card by a specific set like Unhinged, 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 Brushstroke Paintermage and other MTG cards: