Unlocking the Vault #31: Brainstorming

After watching the vids from your side a second time now, I’m not sure I think you made a major error with Brainstorm, or any major error at all. It’s hard to judge because we can see the results of the games in the vids, but I think that, especially after I topdecked Strip Mine, the right play would actually have been to Spell Snare the Retriever to keep me from having any creatures in case of Pod. After showing Birthing Pod, then I think blowing the Petal & Brainstorm to hunt for Force would’ve been right, just because it put you in such a bad position (even though it meant giving up your only remaining mana source). This would’ve almost certainly left you few outs (no permanents on board or mana sources immediately available), but would’ve left me without any immediate way to win the game aside from either a Birthing Pod & no dudes, or a Myr Retriever & no Pod. Again, hindsight, and also, chances are I would’ve drawn out of my position before you would’ve drawn out of yours, but something to think about nonetheless.

All that being said, I think your Game 1 keep was a fair one. You had two relevant removal spells and were on the draw, and Brainstorm does do something for hunting for mana sources, as you note in your article. My draw was sick-lucky, as we both saw, and while I think that the plays I articulated above would’ve left you in a marginally better position than neither Spell Snaring the Retriever or hunting for Force with Brainstorm, and also while your videos do a great job illustrating the various options and potential mistakes with Brainstorm, your plays weren’t as problematic as you hinted at in your article.

(The only other remaining line of play would be to Main Phase Brainstorm the turn after Pod came into play in Game 1, sac-ing your Lotus Petal to do so. Risky, but you get to dig a few cards deeper than before and maybe run into a land. Again, tough call.)