[Article]Pondering Brainstorm

[JeroenC]

http://www.starcitygames.com/magic/legacy/19780_Fishing_Lessons_Pondering_Brainstorm.html

In which AJ Sacher explains why a lot of people use Brainstorm wrong. Interesting article with a lot of good points, and not on a demeaning tone. Probably not relevant to every deck with Brainstorm (I don't think its points apply to TES, for example) but a good general read if you like Brainstorm.

[Cthuloo]

It's mainly tuned to countertop decks, combo and even tempo decks play the card in a different way. Well done, though; he made some subtle yet interesting points. One of the few good chapters of the "Pros teach you Legacy" history.

[Skeggi]

In the beginning he made the point 'don't waste the Brainstorm, wait until you need it'. It's a good point. After that it's TL;DR. Any other points I should be aware of, or boils the whole thing down to the first point?

[JeroenC]

Yeah, mostly just that point, illustrated with examples and expanded upon. A lot of stuff Legacy players know, some examples that might change how one plays BS.
Oh, and a crappy decklist at the end (imho).

[lep]

It is a very narrow view on the use of Brainstorm. His points apply well if you are playing a pure control or tempo control deck but would not apply well to reanimator for example. I hardly see the use of saving a brainstorm for your own turn, setting your tempo back by a turn theoretically, in order to see 1 card deeper unless you are sitting back in a control position.

[Bryant Cook]

/not impressed.

[Anusien]

This is the first article of his I've liked.

[dahcmai]

Good for people who don't already know I guess. That stuff just seems like things you learn along the way by playing your deck. Simple things you should learn.

[Anusien]

I wrote an article telling people not to cast Brainstorm on the first turn. The negativity I received was astonishing.

[Plague Sliver]

Enjoyed the article. Still trying to learn the nuances of playing BS/Ponder correctly.

Reminded me of LSV's article from last year, where he touched on proper usage of Brainstorm. The article was titled "Pondering Legacy"

http://strategy.channelfireball.com/featured-articles/initial-technology-pondering-legacy/

[4eak]

His overall point is important. Obviously, it is more useful to newcomers to the eternal formats and/or to the card Brainstorm itself. Most decks playing Brainstorm require patience and should usually wait to play Brainstorm. Patience is something we all need to master. As one of the hardest cards to quantify (in terms of complexity and impact) in the format, as well being one of the format defining cards, Brainstorm always merits more of its namesake on our part.



peace,
4eak

[Goaswerfraiejen]

I wrote an article telling people not to cast Brainstorm on the first turn. The negativity I received was astonishing.

That would be because everything you write generates ridicule and hatred. Don't worry, a few of us have noticed.

[jazzykat]

1. I thought it was a decent article.

2. The only point I'm not sure if I agree with is that the Author suggests holding back brainstorm when the board state is relatively even, instead of digging for gas. If you have a fetch to dump the trash and especially if you are holding an un needed land, I can't see a reason not to burn it and dig for some business. I guess it comes down to the trade off that if you hold it and see as many cards as possible, you will have the best chance to find an answer when your opponent threatens. HOWEVER, if you are able to run a threat out a turn or 2 earlier they may not have drawn their brainstorm, or whatever else they needed to answer your threat.

I hope that was clear enough. I guess what I'm interested in is the statistical value of seing 2 extra cards as opposed to potentially getting in for 2 extra turns with goyf or setting up CB, etc. earlier.