Crypt Ghast MTG Card


Crypt Ghast offers mana ramp and card draw, crucial for decks that thrive on resource superiority. Its mana reliance on Swamps limit its use to specific deck types, reducing versatility. Despite its drawbacks, the card’s potential for combo plays makes it a worthy addition.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Spirit
Abilities Extort
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Extort (Whenever you cast a spell, you may pay {WB}. If you do, each opponent loses 1 life and you gain that much life.) Whenever you tap a Swamp for mana, add to your mana pool (in addition to the mana the land produces).


Cards like Crypt Ghast

Crypt Ghast offers unique advantages in Magic: The Gathering that few cards can match. As a mana accelerator, it is often compared to Nirkana Revenant, which also doubles the mana produced by your swamps. However, Crypt Ghast has a lower casting cost and the added versatility of extort, providing you with the capability to drain life from opponents whenever you cast a spell.

Analogous to Crypt Ghast in utility is Magus of the Coffers. While Magus of the Coffers allows tapping to add black mana for each swamp you control, it doesn’t offer the passive ability to double your mana like Crypt Ghast does inherently. Magus of the Coffers also lacks the extort mechanic, making Crypt Ghast a more impactful choice for increasing both mana pool and pressure on the opponent.

Ultimately, while there are several cards that can increase your mana resources, Crypt Ghast stands out for its cost-effective casting, passive mana doubling, and the strategic extort ability that can tip the scales in your favor throughout the game.

Nirkana Revenant - MTG Card versions
Magus of the Coffers - MTG Card versions
Nirkana Revenant - MTG Card versions
Magus of the Coffers - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Crypt Ghast by color, type and mana cost

Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
Gixian Puppeteer - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Akuta, Born of Ash - MTG Card versions
Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
Gixian Puppeteer - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Akuta, Born of Ash - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With its extort ability, Crypt Ghast allows players to capitalize on each spell cast, effectively granting them the potential for a steady stream of additional draw effects which can be integrated into decks focused on card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Crypt Ghast’s mana-doubling ability for Swamps dramatically escalates resource availability, enabling bigger spells to be played earlier and setting the stage for high-impact turns that can sway the game in your favor.

Instant Speed: While Crypt Ghast itself does not operate at instant speed, its extort ability triggers whenever you cast a spell, blending seamlessly with instant-speed spells to create opportunistic plays and unexpected advantage shifts during an opponent’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Crypt Ghast demands you to part with another card from your hand to unleash some of its abilities. This can deplete your hand, leaving you with fewer options as the game progresses.

Specific Mana Cost: Crypt Ghast requires black mana in its casting cost, which might confine it primarily to mono-black or black-heavy decks, potentially limiting its versatility across the multiverse of deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including two black mana, Crypt Ghast sits on the higher end of the mana curve. There are alternatives available that may provide mana ramp or other benefits for less, enabling faster gameplay and a more aggressive play style.


Reasons to Include Crypt Ghast in Your Collection

Versatility: Crypt Ghast’s ability to ramp up your mana pool is universally beneficial, fitting in well with decks that seek to cast high-cost spells quickly or require extensive mana for abilities.

Combo Potential: With its mana-doubling ability, Crypt Ghast can be a key part of various combos, particularly in black or black-heavy decks where it can exponentially increase your mana resources, allowing for swift and often game-ending plays.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where longer, grindier games are prevalent, Crypt Ghast shines by providing the sustained mana advantage necessary to overpower opponents with high-impact spells and relentless pressure.


How to beat

To tackle a Crypt Ghast in your MTG matchups, understanding its strengths and weaknesses is vital. This creature stands out by doubling your black mana resources, which can significantly alter the game’s dynamic in favor of your opponent. One of the simplest approaches is to remove it quickly with removal spells before its effect can be capitalized upon. Direct removal spells like Murder, Path to Exile, or Assassin’s Trophy can effectively take it off the board.

Another strategy is to limit the usability of the additional mana. This can be done through cards that restrict the number of spells your opponent can cast or by deploying cards like Damping Sphere to hinder their mana acceleration. Also, since Crypt Ghast is dependent on the number of Swamps, altering the land base with cards like Blood Moon can suppress its ability entirely.

Finally, controlling the board state to prevent a Crypt Ghast from ever being a threat is crucial. Counterspells or preemptive discard effects to force a Crypt Ghast out of your opponent’s hand before they can play it, such as Thoughtseize or Counterspell, can preempt the challenge it poses. Keeping Crypt Ghast in check is about timely intervention and strategic suppression to prevent your opponent from gaining an overwhelming advantage.


BurnMana Recommendations

Unveiling the matrix of MTG strategy requires more than just playing cards—it demands an in-depth understanding of how to exploit their potential. Crypt Ghast is one such card that invites tactical acumen, marrying mana acceleration with incremental life-draining opportunities to solidify your dominance. If you’re looking to construct a deck that thrives on both resource surplus and strategic depth, this card deserves attention. Grasp the intricacies of mana management and escalate your gameplay; dive into our detailed discussions to uncover how Crypt Ghast can transform your MTG experiences into calculated victories. Step up your game and learn how to master this powerful addition to your arsenal.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Crypt Ghast MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash and Commander 2014, 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 Crypt Ghast and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Crypt Ghast Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2013-02-01 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-02-01GatecrashGTC 612003NormalBlackChris Rahn
22014-11-07Commander 2014C14 1392015NormalBlackChris Rahn
32024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 4232015NormalBorderlesszizero
42024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 3221997NormalBlackChris Rahn
52024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 702015NormalBlackChris Rahn
62024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 322z2015NormalBlackChris Rahn

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Crypt Ghast has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Crypt Ghast card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2013-04-15 The amount of life you gain from extort is based on the total amount of life lost, not necessarily the number of opponents you have. For example, if your opponent’s life total can’t change (perhaps because that player controls Platinum Emperion), you won’t gain any life.
2013-04-15 The extort ability doesn’t target any player.
2013-04-15 You may pay {W/B} a maximum of one time for each extort triggered ability. You decide whether to pay when the ability resolves.