Cryptek MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeArtifact Creature — Necron Wizard
Power 3
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Cryptek excels in providing card advantage, essential for strategic late-game plays.
  2. Resource acceleration is another Cryptek strength, enabling faster strategic plays.
  3. Played at instant speed, Cryptek offers reactive and efficient tactical choices.

Text of card

, : Choose another target artifact creature you control. When that creature dies this turn, return it to the battlefield tapped under your control.

There are those who draw false comparisons between the tech-magi of the Adeptus Mechanicus and the xenotechnologists of the necron race. There can be no mercy for such heretics.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Strategically significant, Cryptek offers a potent mechanism for gaining card advantage. Essential in the late game, it can put you ahead by filling your hand with the right tools at the right time.

Resource Acceleration: This card can lead to a surge in resource acceleration, providing an edge by allowing you to deploy threats or answers earlier than usual. This can be a game-changer in maintaining pressure on your opponent or ramping up to your key spells quickly.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of instant speed spells is unparalleled. Cryptek’s ability to be played at instant speed means you can adapt to the evolving game state, respond to your opponent’s moves, and optimize your strategy on the fly. This allows for maximum efficiency in resource management and decision-making during crucial phases of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing the Cryptek card may set you back if you’re already struggling with your hand size. You need to throw away another card from your hand, which is a tough pill to swallow when your options are limited, or you’re playing a strategy that relies on card quantity.

Specific Mana Cost: The Cryptek’s effectiveness is innately tied to your mana base since it demands a distinct color combination. This can be restrictive and sometimes even prohibitive for decks not aligned with those particular mana colors, thereby narrowing the scope of its strategic utility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given its mana value isn’t exactly low, you could find yourself in a position where the Cryptek feels like a cumbersome investment. This is especially notable when you consider alternative cards in the same mana range that may offer more immediate impact or versatility in a broader range of situations.


Reasons to Include Cryptek in Your Collection

Versatility: Cryptek shines as a multifaceted card, adept at fitting into various deck builds. Its unique effect allows for diverse strategies, adjusting well to different gameplay scenarios.

Combo Potential: This card can serve as a pivotal piece in intricate combinations, enhancing other cards’ effects and enabling powerful plays that can turn the tide of a match.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s constantly evolving, Cryptek remains relevant. Its utility in disrupting opponents’ strategies or in acting as a counter to prevalent deck types keeps it a vital addition to any collection.


How to beat

The Cryptek card presents a unique challenge for players in the MTG landscape. Overcoming this mystical arsenal requires strategic planning and precise execution. In a game where the tempo can shift with a single card play, disrupting the function of Cryptek might just tip the scales in your favor, leveraging the overall match dynamics. Consider utilizing cards that can nullify abilities or permanently remove key pieces from the opponent’s board. Direct removal spells that can target artifacts are particularly effective against Cryptek.

Instant-speed interaction is also paramount – having the ability to act on your opponent’s turn can prevent the card from ever becoming a significant threat. Enchantment-based removal offers a durable solution, keeping Cryptek at bay long-term and depriving your opponent of its benefits. Consider your deck’s pacing when sideboarding against Cryptek – faster aggro can often outpace the strategic advantages provided by such cards, making the game a race rather than a battle of attrition.

In essence, your success against Cryptek in MTG relies on a mix of foresight, adaptability, and proactive disruption. Keeping these strategies close at hand not only nullifies Cryptek’s potent abilities but also sharpens your skill as a tactician in the intricate world of Magic: The Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving deep into the nuances of MTG, Cryptek emerges as a noteworthy card that can revolutionize your gameplay. With its ability to secure card advantage, ramp up resources, and operate at instant speed, mastering Cryptek’s use could be your ticket to gaining an upper hand. However, it’s crucial to consider the trade-offs, such as its specific mana requirements and potential hand size reduction. Our insights highlight the possibilities and pitfalls, sculpting a strategic framework that can guide you to victory. Ready to broaden your tactical horizon and harness the full potential of Cryptek in your deck? Connect with us to expand your MTG prowess and cement your place among the greats on the battlefield.


Cards like Cryptek

The enigmatic nature of Cryptek as a Magic: The Gathering card offers a unique allure in the realm of creature spells. It can be closely related to cards like Death Baron, offering a similar power boost to other creatures. Death Baron grants an additional +1/+1 to Skeleton and Zombie creatures, but Cryptek steps in with an even broader appeal. It benefits a wider array of creature types on the battlefield.

As we delve deeper, Vampire Nighthawk shares characteristics with Cryptek in terms of providing utility beyond mere power boosting—the Nighthawk furnishes flying and lifelink, enhancing both defense and player life total. Although Cryptek does not directly provide lifelink, its ability to augment multiple creatures enables varied tactical advantages.

Let’s not overlook Adaptive Automaton, which selects a creature type upon entering the battlefield and confers a +1/+1 boost to creatures of that type. Comparatively, Cryptek also embraces versatility but goes beyond with a more significant impact across the board. This makes Cryptek a powerful asset for tribal decks aiming to dominate with their swarms.

Acknowledging the individual merit of these comparable cards, Cryptek stands out for its potential to amplify diverse creature strategies, moving it a step ahead within the portfolio of tribal-centric cards in Magic: The Gathering.

Death Baron - MTG Card versions
Vampire Nighthawk - MTG Card versions
Adaptive Automaton - MTG Card versions
Death Baron - MTG Card versions
Vampire Nighthawk - MTG Card versions
Adaptive Automaton - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Cryptek by color, type and mana cost

Black Mana Battery - MTG Card versions
Tergrid, God of Fright // Tergrid's Lantern - MTG Card versions
Immortal Coil - MTG Card versions
Trigon of Corruption - MTG Card versions
Dross Ripper - MTG Card versions
Lashwrithe - MTG Card versions
Mukotai Ambusher - MTG Card versions
Pact Weapon - MTG Card versions
Szarekh, the Silent King - MTG Card versions
Venomcrawler - MTG Card versions
Plasmancer - MTG Card versions
Skorpekh Destroyer - MTG Card versions
Necron Overlord - MTG Card versions
Lokhust Heavy Destroyer - MTG Card versions
Imotekh the Stormlord - MTG Card versions
Starscream, Power Hungry // Starscream, Seeker Leader - MTG Card versions
Scrapwork Rager - MTG Card versions
Grond, the Gatebreaker - MTG Card versions
The Grim Captain's Locker - MTG Card versions
Barbed Servitor - MTG Card versions
Black Mana Battery - MTG Card versions
Tergrid, God of Fright // Tergrid's Lantern - MTG Card versions
Immortal Coil - MTG Card versions
Trigon of Corruption - MTG Card versions
Dross Ripper - MTG Card versions
Lashwrithe - MTG Card versions
Mukotai Ambusher - MTG Card versions
Pact Weapon - MTG Card versions
Szarekh, the Silent King - MTG Card versions
Venomcrawler - MTG Card versions
Plasmancer - MTG Card versions
Skorpekh Destroyer - MTG Card versions
Necron Overlord - MTG Card versions
Lokhust Heavy Destroyer - MTG Card versions
Imotekh the Stormlord - MTG Card versions
Starscream, Power Hungry // Starscream, Seeker Leader - MTG Card versions
Scrapwork Rager - MTG Card versions
Grond, the Gatebreaker - MTG Card versions
The Grim Captain's Locker - MTG Card versions
Barbed Servitor - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cryptek MTG card by a specific set like Warhammer 40,000 Commander and Warhammer 40,000 Commander, 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 Cryptek and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Cryptek Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-10-07 and 2022-10-07. Illustrated by David Álvarez.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 33★2015NormalBlackDavid Álvarez
22022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 332015NormalBlackDavid Álvarez

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cryptek has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-10-07 All Cryptek’s activated ability does when it resolves is set up a delayed triggered ability. If the target artifact creature isn’t put into a graveyard this turn, that ability never triggers. If the targeted artifact creature is put into a graveyard this turn, that ability triggers and resolves like any other triggered ability.