Cryptic Pursuit MTG Card
2022-04-29 - Number 70
2022-04-29 - Number 170
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Abilities | Manifest |
Text of card
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell from your hand, manifest the top card of your library. (Put that card onto the battlefield face down as a 2/2 creature. Turn it face up any time for its mana cost if it's a creature card.) Whenever a face-down creature you control dies, exile it if it's an instant or sorcery card. You may cast that card until the end of your next turn.
Cards like Cryptic Pursuit
Cryptic Pursuit is a unique piece in the intricacies of deck strategies within MTG. Its functional similarities with cards such as Thirst for Knowledge are evident as both enable players to draw three cards. Yet, Cryptic Pursuit takes an alternate route by conditioning the draw on the lands a player untaps during their untap step. Consequently, while Thirst for Knowledge grants immediate card access irrespective of the board state, Cryptic Pursuit requires a bit more setup and patience.
In comparison, Tidings is another card that allows for a significant draw of four cards. While this is greater volume at once, Tidings demands more from your mana pool, casting at five mana compared to Cryptic Pursuit’s four. Unlike the incremental draw Cryptic Pursuit provides at each untap, Tidings offers a one-time larger boost, which can be quite impactful depending on your game position.
When assessing the efficiency and suitability in different gameplay scenarios, Cryptic Pursuit may not be as straightforward or as bounteous in its immediate draw as Thirst for Knowledge or Tidings. Nevertheless, it affords a recurring benefit that can be leveraged throughout the match, establishing a steady cadence of advantage for players who skillfully synchronize their deck mechanics.
Cards similar to Cryptic Pursuit by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Cryptic Pursuit rewards players with an extra card each time they cast a multi-colored spell, keeping their hands filled with options and strategies as they outmaneuver their opponents.
Resource Acceleration: Not only does Cryptic Pursuit ensure a steady stream of cards, but it also plays a significant role in ramping up mana resources by potentially dropping lands into play turn after turn, giving you the edge in resource accumulation.
Instant Speed: Flexibility is key in MTG, and Cryptic Pursuit can be activated at instant speed, allowing players to adapt to the changing battlefield on the fly, reacting to threats or making strategic moves without skipping a beat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Cryptic Pursuit calls for a card to be discarded to initiate its effect. This can deplete your hand quickly, especially if you’re already at a card disadvantage or are playing a tight strategy with few excess cards.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Cryptic Pursuit includes not only generic mana but also necessitates a particular color combination. This can restrict its integration in decks that don’t conform strictly to its color identity, making it less flexible compared to more color-fluid options.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While offering an intriguing ability, the mana investment for Cryptic Pursuit is quite steep compared to other available cards in the same role. Players often weigh the cost against the potential rewards and find that the card may lag in efficiency and impact on the game state.
Reasons to Include Cryptic Pursuit in Your Collection
Versatility: Cryptic Pursuit is an adaptable card that can slot into various deck archetypes. This enchantment offers sustained card advantage which is crucial in both aggressive and control strategies.
Combo Potential: This card can serve as a key piece in combo decks. Its ability to scry and potentially draw additional cards each turn enhances the likelihood of obtaining the necessary components for game-winning combos.
Meta-Relevance: With an ever-shifting competitive landscape, Cryptic Pursuit maintains relevance. Its capacity to bolster long game plans makes it a valuable asset against decks that aim to win through attrition or complex board states.
How to beat
Cryptic Pursuit is an intriguing card that challenges MTG players to think strategically during gameplay. To effectively counter this card, it’s crucial to understand both its strengths and vulnerabilities. This card allows its controller to benefit from deck manipulation, presenting a significant advantage over players who lack library interaction. The key to overpowering Cryptic Pursuit lies in its reliance on graveyard mechanics and card drawing.
It’s beneficial to consider the use of graveyard-hate cards that can disrupt your opponent’s plans. By exiling cards from the graveyard or preventing cards from being searched, you can neutralize Cryptic Pursuit’s impact. Additionally, instant-speed removal can be a valuable tool. Utilizing it smartly can thwart an opponent who depends on Cryptic Pursuit’s beneficial triggers. Direct disruption through hand attack spells also proves to be effective, removing the card before it can be a threat on the board. Efficient deck shuffling and reshuffling can be a preventative measure limiting the card’s potential to stack the deck. Finally, control elements like counterspells ensure that Cryptic Pursuit never resolves, thereby preserving your position in the game.
By incorporating these strategies, MTG enthusiasts can find themselves well-equipped to challenge the advantages brought forth by Cryptic Pursuit and maintain a competitive edge during their matches.
BurnMana Recommendations
Playing MTG is more than understanding individual cards; it’s about recognizing the synergy within your deck and adapting strategies to your playstyle. With Cryptic Pursuit, you get a card that offers advantages from card draw to mana ramping, essential components in many winning formulas. Yet, this enchantment requires careful deck building and consideration of its demanding color and mana costs. If you’re looking to refine your strategy or seeking ways to use Cryptic Pursuit effectively, mastering these aspects is key. Dive in with us as we unravel the intricacies of this card and help you harness its full potential for your deck’s triumph. Discover more and sharpen your MTG tactics with BurnMana.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cryptic Pursuit MTG card by a specific set like New Capenna Commander and New Capenna 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 Cryptic Pursuit and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Cryptic Pursuit Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-04-29 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by Marc Simonetti.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022-04-29 | New Capenna Commander | NCC | 70 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Marc Simonetti | |
| 2 | 2022-04-29 | New Capenna Commander | NCC | 170 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Marc Simonetti |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cryptic Pursuit has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Cryptic Pursuit card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-04-29 | A permanent that turns face up or face down changes characteristics but is otherwise the same permanent. Spells and abilities that were targeting that permanent, as well as Auras and Equipment that were attached to the permanent, aren't affected. |
| 2022-04-29 | Any time you have priority, you may turn a manifested creature face up by revealing that it's a creature card (ignoring any copy effects or type-changing effects that might be applying to it) and paying its mana cost. This is a special action. It doesn't use the stack and can't be responded to. |
| 2022-04-29 | Because face-down creatures don't have names, they can't have the same name as any other creature, even another face-down creature. |
| 2022-04-29 | Because the permanent is on the battlefield both before and after it's turned face up, turning a permanent face up doesn't cause any enters-the-battlefield abilities to trigger. |
| 2022-04-29 | If a double-faced card is manifested, it will be put onto the battlefield face down. While face down, it can't transform. If the front face of the card is a creature card, you can turn it face up by paying its mana cost. If you do, its front face will be up. |
| 2022-04-29 | If a face-down permanent you control leaves the battlefield, you must reveal it. You must also reveal all face-down spells and permanents you control if you leave the game or if the game ends. |
| 2022-04-29 | If a manifested creature would have morph if it were face up, you may also turn it face up by paying its morph cost. |
| 2022-04-29 | The face-down permanent is a 2/2 creature with no name, mana cost, creature types, or abilities. It's colorless and has a mana value of 0. Other effects that apply to the permanent can still grant or change any of these characteristics. |
| 2022-04-29 | There are no cards in this set that would turn a face-down instant or sorcery card on the battlefield face up, but some older cards can try to do this. If something tries to turn a face-down instant or sorcery card on the battlefield face up, reveal that card to show all players it's an instant or sorcery card. The permanent remains on the battlefield face down. Abilities that trigger when a permanent turns face up won't trigger, because even though you revealed the card, it never turned face up. |
| 2022-04-29 | Turning a permanent face up or face down doesn't change whether that permanent is tapped or untapped. |
| 2022-04-29 | Unlike a face-down creature that was cast using the morph ability, a manifested creature may still be turned face up after it loses its abilities if it's a creature card. |
| 2022-04-29 | You can look at a face-down permanent you control any time. You can't look at face-down permanents you don't control unless an effect allows you to or instructs you to. |
| 2022-04-29 | You must ensure that your face-down spells and permanents can easily be differentiated from each other. You're not allowed to mix up the cards that represent them on the battlefield to confuse other players. The order they entered the battlefield should remain clear. Common methods for indicating this include using markers or dice, or simply placing them in order on the battlefield. You must also track how each became face down (manifested, cast face down using the morph ability, and so on). |