Cryptolith Fragment // Aurora of Emrakul MTG Card


Enhances gameplay through mana acceleration and the possibility of transforming into a game-changing creature. Requires strategic deck building to mitigate potential drawbacks like its specific activation cost. Critical in certain metagames, providing adaptability and contributing to aggressive strategies.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact
Abilities Transform

Text of card

Cryptolith Fragment enters the battlefield tapped. : Add one mana of any color to your mana pool. Each player loses 1 life. At the beginning of your upkeep, if each player has 10 or less life, transform Cryptolith Fragment.


Cards like Cryptolith Fragment // Aurora of Emrakul

The unique dynamics of Cryptolith Fragment in Magic: The Gathering draw parallels with a select few artifacts within the game. Much like the multifaceted nature of Darksteel Ingot, Cryptolith Fragment serves as a source of manifold mana. While Darksteel Ingot does not require a life payment for its mana and is indestructible, Cryptolith Fragment’s ability to flip into the aggressive Aurora of Emrakul gives it an edge in transforming gameplay.

Prismatic Lens is another notable comparison, offering color filtering without life loss. Although Cryptolith Fragment stands out with its capacity to convert into a creature, Prismatic Lens appeals for its straightforward mana production. There’s also the case of Prophetic Prism, which offers mana fixing and card draw upon entering the battlefield. Prophetic Prism lacks the transformative aspect of Cryptolith Fragment but compensates with immediate card advantage.

Assessing these similarities highlights Cryptolith Fragment’s distinct role in MTG. It’s a compelling choice for decks that can leverage life totals for greater advantage and thrive on the element of surprise that a transforming card like Cryptolith Fragment introduces.

Darksteel Ingot - MTG Card versions
Prismatic Lens - MTG Card versions
Prophetic Prism - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Ingot - MTG Card versions
Prismatic Lens - MTG Card versions
Prophetic Prism - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Cryptolith Fragment // Aurora of Emrakul by color, type and mana cost

Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Sunglasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Ebony Horse - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Arena of the Ancients - MTG Card versions
Bösium Strip - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Wall of Spears - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Semblance Anvil - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Stone - MTG Card versions
Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Sunglasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Ebony Horse - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Arena of the Ancients - MTG Card versions
Bösium Strip - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Wall of Spears - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Semblance Anvil - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Stone - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cryptolith Fragment opens the pathway for increased card efficacy. While it doesn’t directly allow you to draw additional cards, its ability to transform into Aurora of Emrakul ensures every tapped mana could lead to advancing your control over the game’s flow.

Resource Acceleration: This artifact provides an extra colorless mana, which can be pivotal for casting crucial spells ahead of time. Its role in speeding up your mana availability cannot be overstated, making it a key contributor to outpacing your opponents.

Instant Speed: The colorless mana generated can be utilized at instant speed, affording flexibility to respond to your opponents’ moves or to end-of-turn plays. This adaptability can set up unpredictable plays and provide strategic advantages throughout the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging a card like Cryptolith Fragment often means meeting certain conditions to fully capitalize on its abilities. For some decks, this might translate into an additional burden or requirement that could disrupt hand balance or overall strategy, which isn’t always conducive to maintaining an upper hand during gameplay.

Specific Mana Cost: The necessity of paying one colorless mana to activate Cryptolith Fragment might not seem stringent, but for multicolored or more color-reliant decks, this can sometimes pose a logistical challenge. It’s important for players to ensure their mana base is robust enough to accommodate such costs without hindering their ability to cast other spells in their arsenal.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Cryptolith Fragment offers a unique advantage by potentially transforming into a powerful land, the initial investment might deter some, especially when there are alternatives with lower mana requirements. Its initial cost impedes early game tempo, which can be a significant drawback in fast-paced matches where every turn counts.


Reasons to Include Cryptolith Fragment in Your Collection

Versatility: Cryptolith Fragment is a card that can be easily added to a variety of decks. Its ability to tap for colorless mana or any color your land could produce offers flexibility, supporting multi-color strategies or enabling crucial color fixes.

Combo Potential: This artifact transforms into Aurora of Emrakul, a creature that can deal significant damage, making it a key component in decks that aim to quickly change the state of play. Its synergy with delirium and transform mechanics expands its combo potential further.

Meta-Relevance: Cryptolith Fragment plays an important role in the current meta, especially in games where conserving life points is less of a concern compared to the advantage of having a mana source that adapts to various deck needs while contributing to an aggressive strategy when it transforms.


How to beat

The Cryptolith Fragment is an intriguing card that forces players to consider both its advantages and its potential to transform into a powerful creature. To effectively deal with this card, it’s essential to disrupt the user’s life total, as the Fragment transforms only if both players have 10 or less life. Maintaining a higher life total can delay or even prevent its transformation. Additionally, dealing with the card directly through enchantment removal, such as Naturalize or Disenchant, can prove effective. Countering it when it’s cast, using spells like Counterspell, is another viable strategy. If the Fragment has already transformed into the menacing Aurora of Emrakul, board wipes or targeted removal spells are key to regaining control of the game.

Consider also applying pressure to your opponent to limit their options; aggressive strategies can race against the potential transformation, forcing the Cryptolith Fragment’s controller into a defensive position. Being proactive and attentive to the board state, while keeping up the defenses against its potential late-game threat, will be your greatest tools in overcoming the challenge posed by the Cryptolith Fragment.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deep into the strategic depths of MTG with Cryptolith Fragment. This versatile card can skyrocket your gameplay, offering both color fixing and the potential for a game-changing transformation. While it’s true that every card has its pros and cons, including this artifact in your collection could be the tweak your deck needs to outperform competitors. Keep in mind its transformative nature and prepare to exploit every advantage it can bring to the battlefield. Looking to optimize your deck and harness the full potential of Cryptolith Fragment? Explore our comprehensive guides and become a formidable force at your next MTG showdown.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cryptolith Fragment // Aurora of Emrakul MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon and Shadows over Innistrad Remastered, 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 Cryptolith Fragment // Aurora of Emrakul and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Cryptolith Fragment // Aurora of Emrakul Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by John Avon.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-07-22Eldritch MoonEMN 1932015TransformBlackJohn Avon
22023-03-21Shadows over Innistrad RemasteredSIR 2482015TransformBlackJohn Avon

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cryptolith Fragment // Aurora of Emrakul has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2016-07-13 Cryptolith Fragment’s second ability is a mana ability. Players can’t respond to it or to the loss of life it causes.
2016-07-13 For more information on double-faced cards, see the Shadows over Innistrad mechanics article (http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/shadows-over-innistrad-mechanics).
2016-07-13 If any player has 11 or more life as your upkeep begins, Cryptolith Fragment’s last ability doesn’t trigger. If any player has 11 or more life as the ability resolves, the ability has no effect.
2016-07-13 In a Two-Headed Giant game, Cryptolith Fragment’s last ability checks whether each team’s life total is 10 or less.
2016-07-13 In a Two-Headed Giant game, Cryptolith Fragment’s mana ability causes each player to lose 1 life, so each team loses 2 life.