Brute Force MTG Card


Brute Force provides significant combat advantage with a timely +3/+3 boost at a low mana cost. Instant speed of Brute Force offers tactical surprises that can alter the course of combat. Utility may be limited by its red mana requirement and card disadvantage potential.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Target creature gets +3/+3 until end of turn.

Blood, bone, and sinew are magnified, as is the rage that drives them. The brain, however, remains unchanged—a little bean, swinging by a strand in a cavernous, raving head.


Cards like Brute Force

Brute Force stands out as a simple yet profound powerhouse in red’s arsenal of combat tricks in Magic: The Gathering. It often finds itself compared to Giant Growth, a staple card that gives a similar +3/+3 boost to a creature until the end of the turn. Nevertheless, Brute Force is part of red’s suite, while Giant Growth is entrenched in green’s philosophy of growth and might.

Another card frequently brought into comparison is Titan’s Strength. Like Brute Force, it pumps a creature’s power, but only grants +3/+1, falling a notch below in terms of toughness enhancement. However, Titan’s Strength compensates with its scry ability, allowing for deck manipulation which can be just as important as raw strength in many gameplay scenarios. Additionally, Mutagenic Growth can be considered, providing a +2/+2 boost without costing any mana if you pay 2 life instead, showcasing the versatility and tactical depth in comparison to the straightforward Brute Force.

Assessing Brute Force and its counterparts, players can appreciate its direct approach to boost a creature’s power and resilience in a single turn. In environments where combat is king, Brute Force provides an edge by not only increasing offensive capabilities but also bolstering defensive fortitude, an oft-underrated aspect of combat tricks.

Giant Growth - MTG Card versions
Titan's Strength - MTG Card versions
Mutagenic Growth - MTG Card versions
Giant Growth - MTG Card versions
Titan's Strength - MTG Card versions
Mutagenic Growth - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Brute Force. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
MonoR HeroicMonoR Heroic PauperLega Pauper Canavese - 3a Tappa Paupergeddon Winter Edition 2023 - 29 Players
Mono-Red AggroMono-Red Aggro PauperKiln FiendSprint Wheel Event - Geddon Series 3^ tappa MILANO 2024
Kiln FiendKiln Fiend PauperKiln FiendPauper League 2023-12-07
Rogue DecklistsRogue Decklists PauperKiln FiendNacional Pauper 2023

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Brute Force may not provide direct card draw, applying its +3/+3 boost can be decisive in combat, essentially negating the need for additional spells to win a trade or deal lethal damage.

Resource Acceleration: Brute Force is a low-cost powerhouse, requiring only a single red mana. This efficiency means you can amplify your creature’s power without significantly tapping into your mana pool, leaving resources available for further plays.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Brute Force at instant speed offers strategic flexibility. Enhance your creature’s strength as a surprise during combat, potentially turning the tide in your favor when your opponent least expects it.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Brute Force card itself doesn’t have a discard demand, it is essential to consider the potential card disadvantage. Casting it means one less card in hand, which could be critical in tight game situations where each resource counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Brute Force requires red mana to cast. This specificity restricts its application mainly to red or multi-colored decks, potentially excluding it from a variety of other deck archetypes which don’t run red mana as part of their strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Brute Force is relatively low-cost, there are alternative spells in MTG that provide similar or better effects for the same or lower mana investment. This can sometimes lead players to opt for other cards over Brute Force when fine-tuning their decks for optimum efficiency.


Reasons to Include Brute Force in Your Collection

Versatility: Brute Force is superb for decks that look to overpower opponents with sudden bursts of strength. This instant can turn even the most unassuming creature into a formidable threat.

Combo Potential: For decks focusing on red assault strategies, Brute Force works wonders in conjunction with cards that benefit from pumped-up creatures, be it through direct damage or combat trick synergies.

Meta-Relevance: In games that are often decided by tight combat math, Brute Force provides a low-cost, high-impact option that can swing the balance in your favor, especially against decks that don’t anticipate such immediate and impactful power boosts.


How to beat Brute Force

Brute Force is a red instant that can be a powerful game changer by granting a creature +3/+3 until end of turn. This unexpected boost can turn the tides of battle, potentially leading to a devastating loss when unprepared. To counter this card effectively, one must anticipate and disrupt these surprise tactics.

One approach is including instant-speed removal or bounce spells in your deck, which can be cast in response to Brute Force, negating its effect by eliminating the target or returning it to the opponent’s hand. Countermagic such as Negate or Essence Scatter can also be key, as they can directly counter Brute Force, preventing its resolution altogether. Lastly, maintaining board control with creatures that have deathtouch or imposing enough blockers to absorb the brute force of an empowered attacker are solid strategies too.

Thus, while Brute Force can swing battles in favor of the aggressive player, keen strategy and a well-constructed deck focused on control and reaction can mitigate its impact, allowing you to stay ahead of your opponent’s forceful maneuvers.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring MTG strategies involves constant learning and adaptation, recognizing the strengths and potential drawbacks of each card like Brute Force. It’s crucial to leverage its low-cost, high-impact ability for game-changing plays. However, to maintain a competitive edge, you must also be mindful of cards that can effectively counter it. Dive deeper with us into the world of MTG, where every card counts and every play is a step towards victory. Enhance your deck-building and gameplay tactics by understanding when and how to use cards like Brute Force, and keep an eye out for countering strategies to round out your knowledge. Let’s continue to uncover the intricacies of MTG together and push your deck to its full potential.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Brute Force MTG card by a specific set like Planar Chaos and Modern Masters, 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 Brute Force and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Brute Force Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2007-02-02 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by Wayne Reynolds.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-02-02Planar ChaosPLC 1162003NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
22013-06-07Modern MastersMMA 1072003NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
32015-05-22Modern Masters 2015MM2 1082015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
42021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 1572015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Brute Force has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal