Crypt of Agadeem MTG Card
2009-10-02 - Number 212
2014-11-07 - Number 288
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
Crypt of Agadeem enters the battlefield tapped. : Add to your mana pool. , : Add to your mana pool for each black creature card in your graveyard.
Cards like Crypt of Agadeem
In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Crypt of Agadeem holds its place as a unique mana-generating land. It stands in contrast to the likes of Cabal Stronghold and Cabal Coffers, lands that also tap for a substantial amount of black mana. Crypt of Agadeem calculates generated mana based on the number of black creatures in your graveyard, which can lead to substantial returns in creature-heavy decks. In comparison, Cabal Stronghold requires a basic land count to boost its mana production, while the infamous Cabal Coffers relies on the total number of swamps you control.
Both alternative cards have their merits. Cabal Coffers is a powerhouse in mono-black decks with a high swamp count, easily generating large amounts of mana. Cabal Stronghold, though less powerful, doesn’t rely on other lands and scales well in the late game. Crypt of Agadeem, however, shines in strategies that fill the graveyard quickly, often outstripping the mana generation of both Cabal cards under the right conditions. Its initial setup and activation cost might be a drawback initially, yet the explosive potential in specific decks cannot be ignored.
The unique capabilities of Crypt of Agadeem in creature-centric decks make it a special card within Magic: The Gathering. It’s a cornerstone in strategies that blend graveyard manipulation with an intense need for mana, proving that it holds its weight compared to its mana-generating counterparts.
Cards similar to Crypt of Agadeem by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Crypt of Agadeem acts as a significant source of card advantage in decks that heavily utilize the graveyard. By transforming dead creatures into valuable mana, it essentially turns what might be a depleted resource into an active one that can facilitate powerful plays and turn the tide of a game.
Resource Acceleration: This land excels in resource acceleration, especially in the later stages of the game. As the graveyard fills up, Crypt of Agadeem can burst forth with a substantial amount of black mana, enabling you to cast multiple spells in a single turn or play high-cost creatures and spells that might otherwise be out of reach.
Instant Speed: While Crypt of Agadeem itself does not operate at instant speed, the mana it generates can be utilized at any time. This means you can effectively use it to activate abilities or cast spells during your opponent’s turn, keeping your options open and flexible while you carefully plan your next strategic move.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Crypt of Agadeem itself does not require a discard, it does rely on having creatures in your graveyard to be effective. This can dictate the way you play, leading you to potentially risky plays or forcing discards that could detract from your hand’s versatility.
Specific Mana Cost: Crypt of Agadeem’s activation cost is color-specific, requiring black mana. This may not fit well into multicolored decks that can’t consistently produce black mana or have other mana-intensive needs.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: To harness Crypt of Agadeem’s potential, investing a significant amount of mana is necessary. To add to the already steep activation cost, you need a considerable number of creatures in your graveyard, which isn’t always feasible without significant setup, making it potentially less efficient compared to other mana acceleration options.
Reasons to Include Crypt of Agadeem in Your Collection
Versatility: Crypt of Agadeem serves as a potent land choice for decks capitalizing on a vast creature graveyard. It’s not just a mana source; it’s a late-game powerhouse for black-centric or multicolored decks focusing on graveyard strategies.
Combo Potential: This land is a linchpin in combos that revolve around a high creature count in one’s graveyard, turning a modest mana base into a vast reservoir of black mana. This can be particularly potent when executing high-cost spells or activating key abilities that can turn the tide of the game.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame dense with graveyard synergy, Crypt of Agadeem offers consistency and a surge of resources. Its ability to scale with the game makes it a valuable asset in longer, grindy matchups where mana can become a pivotal resource.
How to beat
Crypt of Agadeem is known for being a powerhouse in decks that capitalize on having numerous creatures in the graveyard. Magic: The Gathering players see this card as a potential mana engine, capable of generating a significant amount of black mana pivotal for game-changing plays. To outmaneuver an opponent relying on Crypt of Agadeem, one effective strategy is to impede the graveyard from becoming a resource.
Graveyard hate cards such as Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void can serve as strong countermeasures. These cards remove the ability to exploit the graveyard by exiling cards upon death or negating the graveyard’s presence altogether. Tormod’s Crypt and Scavenging Ooze also provide targeted graveyard disruption to diminish the Crypt’s impact. Additionally, countering key spells that fill the graveyard or utilizing land destruction tactics to remove the Crypt directly can drastically weaken an opponent’s strategy centered around this card.
Understanding the synergy and timing of Crypt of Agadeem allows for strategic plays that can prevent foes from ever leveraging its full potential, ensuring that one stays ahead in the match. Making use of these methods to disrupt the graveyard-focused game plans is essential in battling against decks featuring the Crypt.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Crypt of Agadeem MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar 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 of Agadeem and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Crypt of Agadeem Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2014-11-07. Illustrated by Jason Felix.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 212 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jason Felix | |
| 2 | 2014-11-07 | Commander 2014 | C14 | 288 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Felix |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Crypt of Agadeem has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |