Crypt Lurker MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Horror
Released	2020-07-03
Set symbol
Set name	Core Set 2021
Set code	M21
Power	3
Toughness	4
Number	93
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Svetlin Velinov

Key Takeaways

Draw additional card employing Crypt Lurker’s ability, while simultaneously stocking your graveyard for tactical plays.
Crypt Lurker’s enter-the-battlefield effect bolsters strategies tied to sacrificing creatures or discarding cards.
Despite some play limitations, its flexible nature makes it a curious consideration for specific MTG decks.

Text of card

When Crypt Lurker enters the battlefield, you may sacrifice a creature or discard a creature card. If you do, draw a card.

"Even the rats refuse to set foot inside. I fear to think what might be waiting in there." —Gravedigger's journal

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With the ability to compel you to discard a card upon entry, Crypt Lurker then enables you to draw a card, which can be a strategic method to stock your graveyard while maintaining card flow on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: While this creature may not directly accelerate your resources, sacrificing a creature or discarding a card to trigger its enter-the-battlefield ability can synergize with other cards that benefit from such actions, potentially accelerating your strategy.

Instant Speed: Although Crypt Lurker does not operate at instant speed, its versatility comes from being a creature that can act as a blocker or an attacker while also offering secondary value with its ability, offering strategic flexibility throughout the match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Crypt Lurker commands you to forfeit a card upon casting. This effect can backfire if your hand is already dwindling or if pivotal cards need to be preserved for later use, leading to a less optimal play situation.

Specific Mana Cost: The lurker’s blend of black and generic mana could impede its inclusion in decks that rely on a smoother mana base. This is particularly true for multi-colored decks where black might not be the predominant color or where mana flexibility is crucial.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Tapping four lands might not seem excessive, but when evaluating the overall impact of the lurker, one could argue that there are alternatives available. Players might find other creatures or spells that provide a similar or better effect without the stringent conditions, creating more strategic value per mana spent.

Reasons to Include Crypt Lurker in Your Collection

Versatility: Crypt Lurker showcases flexibility by fitting seamlessly into black-based sacrifice and graveyard-utilizing decks. Its ability to allow you to draw a card upon entering the battlefield—if you sacrifice a creature or discard a creature card—helps maintain card advantage, a key component in many successful strategies.

Combo Potential: This card excels by enabling interactions with mechanics like ‘Morbid,’ where sacrificing a creature moves you closer to triggering high-impact abilities. Additionally, discarding a creature card can synergize with reanimation strategies, setting up future plays that could turn the tide of the game.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where cards that interact with the graveyard are powerful, Crypt Lurker can become a valuable asset. Its dual functionality aligns well with decks aiming to outpace opponents in attrition wars, making it a card worthy of consideration given the right meta-game context.

How to Beat Crypt Lurker

Crypt Lurker brings an interesting dynamic to the battlefield in MTG. As a creature with the ability to help you sacrifice another creature or discard a card in exchange for drawing a new card, it certainly sets up strategic plays. This mechanic allows you to make the most of undesirable cards in your hand or creatures on the battlefield that have served their purpose.

Confronting Crypt Lurker requires a tactical approach. Removing it before the sacrifice trigger can be key. Instant speed removal spells are highly effective, allowing you to respond to the casting of Crypt Lurker or its ability before it can be used to your opponent’s advantage. Cards like Murder or Fatal Push can be cost-effective ways to dispatch it post haste.

Also, graveyard hate cards disrupt the value that Crypt Lurker could reap from creatures being sacrificed. Relic of Progenitus, for instance, can exile a sacrificed creature from the graveyard, nullifying any further exploitation. By anticipating the Crypt Lurker’s arrival and having answers at the ready, you can mitigate its impact and maintain control of the game.

Cards like Crypt Lurker

Crypt Lurker slots comfortably into the realm of creature cards with added benefits when entering the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. It mirrors the utility seen in cards like Balustrade Spy, where the primary intention is not just to bring a creature to the field but to also activate an ability. Crypt Lurker allows you to discard a card in exchange for drawing a card, and if you discard a creature card this way, you gain one life — a subtle yet beneficial nuance.

Another card worth comparing is Liliana’s Specter, which shares the same mana cost with Crypt Lurker and also provides an additional effect upon entering the battlefield. While it doesn’t offer the card draw or life gain, it disrupts opponents by forcing a card discard, potentially giving it a slight edge in control-oriented decks. Dusk Legion Zealot also falls into this category, providing a draw upon entering the battlefield at a cheaper cost but at the expense of 1 life, unlike the life-gaining potential of Crypt Lurker.

Examining the different elements these cards bring to the table, Crypt Lurker presents a versatile option for players who value the flexibility of creature-based card draw and incremental life gain strategies in their Magic: The Gathering gameplay.

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

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Crypt Lurker MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2021, 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 Lurker and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Crypt Lurker has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2020-06-23	Crypt Lurker can be sacrificed to pay the cost of its own triggered ability.
2020-06-23	While resolving Crypt Lurker's ability, you can't sacrifice more than one creature, discard more than one card, or do both to draw more than one card.