Ponder+ brainstorm

[TDAROB88]

Is it necessary to run both in the same deck ? Wouldn't it be better to run some sort of disruption for instance spell pierce or spell snare in the ponder spot? Combo is the only deck i can see this being useful in. I'm not bashing this or saying anyone who is doing this is a bad player i would just like an explanation why ponder was picked over more disruption.

[Doomsday]

Are one-word answers allowed here? If so: Versatility.

When there are cards that are pretty obviously the best at what they do, I'd rather have pieces that help find them instead of additional sub-par copies of those cards. If you need a threat, would you rather have Tarmogoyf and pieces that dig into Goyf but also can find disruption, mana, removal, etc depending on what you need, or 4x Tarmogoyf, 4x Werebear?

They also get you closer to Threshold, fuel Tombstalker, pitch to FoW, make your Goyfs bigger, let you run fewer land, etc

[dahcmai]

A lot of the time ponder is run in addition to brainstorm due to a greedy manabase. It does allow you to cut down on your overall land count if you think you can get away with it. Use it to find lands early and then use it to sort them out of the way later. It makes sense, but it can be a little daring to get that greedy.

[Hanni]

Is it necessary to run both in the same deck ? Wouldn't it be better to run some sort of disruption for instance spell pierce or spell snare in the ponder spot? Combo is the only deck i can see this being useful in. I'm not bashing this or saying anyone who is doing this is a bad player i would just like an explanation why ponder was picked over more disruption.

The biggest reason to play Brainstorm and Ponder, moreso than any other reason, is consistency. 8 cantrips helps make sure you make consistent land drops early, and by midgame, make sure that you consistently have the right threats and answers when you need them.


When there are cards that are pretty obviously the best at what they do, I'd rather have pieces that help find them instead of additional sub-par copies of those cards. If you need a threat, would you rather have Tarmogoyf and pieces that dig into Goyf but also can find disruption, mana, removal, etc depending on what you need, or 4x Tarmogoyf, 4x Werebear?


I really dislike the Werebear argument, because I could just as easily say Knight of the Reliquary instead of Werebear and invalidate that point.

[thecrav]

I've seen many people play ponder as a one or two of not just because they wanted the additional filtering but also because it's a sorcery that reads "Tarmogoyf gets +1/+1"