Magic

Prices updated

Brain in a Jar Shadows over Innistrad MTG card
SOI #252 · Art by Daniel Ljunggren
SOI set symbol, RareShadows over Innistrad#252Rare

Brain in a Jar

ArtifactScry
TCGplayer market · SOI #252 nonfoil
$0.21 0.0% $0.00, 7 days
1-year range
30 days
−16.0%
EDHREC rank
#19,021 Down 121 in 30 days
Best buylist

Buy SOI #252 nonfoil

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Brain in a Jar Price Summary

The benchmark price (cheapest playable nonfoil) is $0.21, flat over 7 days, down 16.0% over 30 days, down 32.3% over 90 days.

Brain in a Jar Price History

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Brain in a Jar price history chart, default range 3 months. currently $0.21.

Where to Buy and Sell Brain in a Jar

Every market we track for SOI #252 nonfoil on one line. The gray band is what you give up selling to a store instead of buying at market.

Brain in a Jar in Sealed Products

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Brain in a Jar Printings & Prices

Brain in a Jar has 2 tracked printings across 2 sets, in nonfoil and foil finishes, including prerelease treatments.

SOI set symbol, RareSOI #252
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PSOI set symbol, RarePSOI #252s
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Sell Brain in a Jar: Buylist Offers

BuyerPrintingFinishCash offerMarketSpread to market
Card KingdomPSOI #252sFoil
CoolStuffIncSOI #252Foil
Card KingdomSOI #252Foil
Card KingdomSOI #252Nonfoil

Brain in a Jar Rules Text & Legality

Brain in a Jar

{1}, {T}: Put a charge counter on this artifact, then you may cast an instant or sorcery spell with mana value equal to the number of charge counters on this artifact from your hand without paying its mana cost.

{3}, {T}, Remove X charge counters from this artifact: Scry X.

Brain in a Jar is legal in Pioneer, Modern, Legacy and Commander, and not legal in Standard and Pauper.

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Brain in a Jar Rulings

  • Apr 8, 2016

    If Brain in a Jar leaves the battlefield before its first ability resolves, use the number of counters on it at the moment it left to determine what spell you may cast. That number won’t change because you can’t put a new counter on Brain in a Jar.

  • Apr 8, 2016

    If the card has {X} in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X.

  • Apr 8, 2016

    If you cast a card “without paying its mana cost,” you can’t choose to cast it for any alternative costs, such as awaken costs. You can, however, pay additional costs, such as kicker costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, such as that of Lightning Axe, you must pay those to cast the card.

  • Apr 8, 2016

    When resolving the first ability of Brain in a Jar, the newly-placed charge counter will be counted when determining what spells you may cast. No player may take any action between you placing the counter and choosing which spell to cast.

Reprints & Reprint Risk

Brain in a Jar has been reprinted 3 times.

  • Apr 8, 2016PSOI set symbol, RareShadows over Innistrad Promos · Prerelease, foilPSOI #252s
  • Apr 8, 2016SOI set symbol, RareShadows over InnistradSOI #252
  • Apr 8, 2016SOI set symbol, RareShadows over Innistrad · foilSOI #252

Brain in a Jar in Commander

Brain in a Jar is the #19,021 most-played card on EDHREC, down 121 places over the last 30 days.

#19,021 EDHREC rank
across all Commander decks Down 121 in 30 days

Brain in a Jar FAQ

How much is Brain in a Jar worth?

Brain in a Jar is worth about $0.21 for its cheapest playable printing as of Nov 8, 2026.

Is Brain in a Jar legal in Commander?

Yes. Brain in a Jar is legal in Commander. It is also legal in Pioneer, Modern and Legacy.

Has Brain in a Jar been reprinted?

Yes. Brain in a Jar has been reprinted 3 times, with 2 printings tracked on The Index.

Why is Brain in a Jar cheap?

Brain in a Jar trades at about $0.21; 3 reprints keep supply plentiful, and Commander demand is modest (#19,021 on EDHREC).