Cryptic Coat MTG Card


Gain card advantage by peeking your library’s top card, shaping draws and strategic plays. Exile a card for potential mana ramp, accelerating your gameplay options. Cryptic Coat’s instant speed activation offers tactical adaptability during matches.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeArtifact — Equipment
Abilities Cloak

Text of card

When Cryptic Coat enters the battlefield, cloak the top card of your library, then attach Cryptic Coat to it. Equipped creature gets +1/+0 and can't be blocked. : Return Cryptic Coat to its owner's hand.


Cards like Cryptic Coat

Cryptic Coat is a versatile tool in MTG, joining the ranks of cards that serve to protect and empower creatures. It’s often sized up against equipment cards like Swiftfoot Boots, which offers both hexproof and haste to the equipped creature. Although Swiftfoot Boots lacks the adaptability of Cryptic Coat in terms of adjusting to various threats, its lower equip cost makes it a staple in many decks.

Similarly, Whispersilk Cloak is another card that garners attention. It grants not only shroud but also makes the creature unblockable. While Cryptic Coat does not inherently offer unblockable, its ability to alter its effects to match specific scenarios can sometimes provide a more desired form of evasion or protection based on the situation at hand. This adaptability can be crucial in game-defining moments.

Lastly, there’s Mask of Avacyn which provides a strong static boost to toughness alongside hexproof. Cryptic Coat, without a static power/toughness increase, encourages a more dynamic and reactive playstyle. Each of these cards has their place in different strategies, but Cryptic Coat stands out for its ability to be tailor-fitted in response to an ever-changing board state.

Swiftfoot Boots - MTG Card versions
Whispersilk Cloak - MTG Card versions
Mask of Avacyn - MTG Card versions
Swiftfoot Boots - MTG Card versions
Whispersilk Cloak - MTG Card versions
Mask of Avacyn - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Cryptic Coat by color, type and mana cost

Mindlink Mech - MTG Card versions
Poppet Stitcher // Poppet Factory - MTG Card versions
Proteus Staff - MTG Card versions
Crystal Shard - MTG Card versions
Wizard Replica - MTG Card versions
Chronatog Totem - MTG Card versions
Sarcomite Myr - MTG Card versions
Master of Etherium - MTG Card versions
Skill Borrower - MTG Card versions
Esperzoa - MTG Card versions
Parasitic Strix - MTG Card versions
Scepter of Insight - MTG Card versions
Neurok Replica - MTG Card versions
Trespassing Souleater - MTG Card versions
Spined Thopter - MTG Card versions
Implement of Examination - MTG Card versions
Watchful Automaton - MTG Card versions
Portal of Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Midnight Clock - MTG Card versions
Icebind Pillar - MTG Card versions
Mindlink Mech - MTG Card versions
Poppet Stitcher // Poppet Factory - MTG Card versions
Proteus Staff - MTG Card versions
Crystal Shard - MTG Card versions
Wizard Replica - MTG Card versions
Chronatog Totem - MTG Card versions
Sarcomite Myr - MTG Card versions
Master of Etherium - MTG Card versions
Skill Borrower - MTG Card versions
Esperzoa - MTG Card versions
Parasitic Strix - MTG Card versions
Scepter of Insight - MTG Card versions
Neurok Replica - MTG Card versions
Trespassing Souleater - MTG Card versions
Spined Thopter - MTG Card versions
Implement of Examination - MTG Card versions
Watchful Automaton - MTG Card versions
Portal of Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Midnight Clock - MTG Card versions
Icebind Pillar - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Dimir MidrangeDimir Midrange StandardDimir MidrangeTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 22, 2024
Esper StonebladeEsper Stoneblade LegacyEsper StonebladeLegacy League 2024-04-25
StiflenoughtStiflenought LegacyStiflenoughtLegacy League 2024-04-25
Mono-Blue SpiritsMono-Blue Spirits PioneerMono-Blue SpiritsPioneer Challenge 64 2024-04-21
Hammer TimeHammer Time ModernHammer TimeModern League 2024-04-24
Azorius StonebladeAzorius Stoneblade LegacyAzorius StonebladeLegacy League 2024-04-24
Esper MidrangeEsper Midrange StandardEsper MidrangeStandard Challenge 64 2024-04-21
Izzet Ensoul ArtifactIzzet Ensoul Artifact PioneerIzzet Ensoul ArtifactPioneer League 2024-04-21
Esper ScamEsper Scam ModernEsper ScamModern Challenge 64 2024-04-21 (1)
Mono-Blue UpheavalMono-Blue Upheaval ModernMono-Blue UpheavalModern Challenge 64 2024-04-22

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cryptic Coat offers a unique interaction by allowing a peek at the top card of your library at any time, effectively planning your draws and plays to ensure you’re never without a useful hand.

Resource Acceleration: This card enables you to exile a card from your hand under it, potentially ramping up your mana and allowing for a broader range of strategic plays earlier in the match.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Cryptic Coat’s features at instant speed provides a tactical advantage, letting you adapt to the evolving battlefield on the fly without missing a beat.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Cryptic Coat requires a card to be discarded when you cast it, potentially leading to a loss of momentum if you’re pressed for cards in hand.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana arrangement to play, which could be problematic in multicolored decks that struggle with color consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that’s on the higher side, players may find Cryptic Coat less appealing when other cards provide similar benefits with lower mana expenditures.


Reasons to Include Cryptic Coat Mtg Card in Your Collection

Versatility: Cryptic Coat is a unique addition to decks due to its ability to offer protection and adaptability. Its enchantment nature allows you to shield your key creatures from targeted removal, ensuring your important strategies remain uninterrupted.

Combo Potential: This card creates opportunities for powerful interactions within your deck. By enabling certain creatures to dodge spot removal, it works seamlessly with combo pieces that need to stay on the board to execute winning strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta filled with pinpoint disruption, Cryptic Coat gains significant value. It’s a proactive measure for decks that need to preserve their board state against prevalent removal spells, aligning perfectly with the current trends that emphasize utility and resilience.


How to beat

The Cryptic Coat is a noteworthy card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, offering an element of surprise and protection for the wielder’s creatures. Its ability to confer hexproof challenges many strategies relying on targeted spells. Nevertheless, overcoming this card hinges on smart play and card choices. Strategies involving board wipes or “sacrifice” effects can bypass hexproof, as they do not target individual creatures. Moreover, spells or abilities that modify the rules of the game, like Arcane Lighthouse which can strip away hexproof abilities, emerge as potent counters to Cryptic Coat’s protective cloak.

Players may also consider using their own counterspells to prevent Cryptic Coat from hitting the battlefield in the first place, emphasizing the preeminent importance of timing and resource management. Equipping oneself with versatile removal options that don’t rely on targeting proves to be a pragmatic approach to maintaining balance against seemingly impermeable defenses. Adjusting one’s tactics and maintaining awareness of the myriad of ways to handle protective enchantments like Cryptic Coat will pave the way for victory against decks that favor this elusive strategy.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cryptic Coat MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor and Murders at Karlov Manor, 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 Cryptic Coat and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Cryptic Coat Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2024-02-09 and 2024-02-10. Illustrated by Julia Metzger.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12024-02-09Murders at Karlov ManorMKM 3942015NormalBlackJulia Metzger
22024-02-09Murders at Karlov ManorMKM 502015NormalBlackJulia Metzger
32024-02-10Murders at Karlov Manor PromosPMKM 50s2015NormalBlackJulia Metzger
42024-02-10Murders at Karlov Manor PromosPMKM 50p2015NormalBlackJulia Metzger

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cryptic Coat has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
StandardbrawlLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal