Cryptolith Rite MTG Card


Turns creatures into mana dorks for greater resource access and strategic flexibility. Allows for instant-speed interactions, keeping you primed for reactive plays. Can lead to over-extension, potentially vulnerable to sweepers and removal.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

Creatures you control have ": Add one mana of any color to your mana pool."

The chant was incomprehensible, but its power was unmistakable.


Cards like Cryptolith Rite

Cryptolith Rite stands out as a notable game accelerator in Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of cards that tap creatures for additional mana like Earthcraft. Just like Cryptolith Rite, Earthcraft grants creatures the ability to unlock more mana, but it is limited to basic lands. Cryptolith Rite offers a broader potential, as it doesn’t restrict the mana generation to a specific land type, giving players a versatile edge in any game.

Cryptolith Rite also bears similarities to Song of Freyalise, which for two turns morphs all creatures into potent mana dorks. What makes Cryptolith Rite superior is its permanence; it doesn’t limit mana generation to a single burst phase as Song of Freyalise does with its eventual saga completion. Another comparable card is Growing Rites of Itlimoc, which transforms into a land capable of generating a mana pool reflecting the number of creatures you control. Although powerful, the set-up required for transformation can be cumbersome, where Cryptolith Rite instantly sets the stage for a mana-rich environment.

Evaluating these counterparts, Cryptolith Rite secures a dominant place for itself as an effective and enduring enabler of mana production in any creature-heavy MTG deck.

Earthcraft - MTG Card versions
Song of Freyalise - MTG Card versions
Earthcraft - MTG Card versions
Song of Freyalise - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Cryptolith Rite by color, type and mana cost

Aspect of Wolf - MTG Card versions
Regeneration - MTG Card versions
Lifeforce - MTG Card versions
Powerleech - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Touch - MTG Card versions
Night Soil - MTG Card versions
Sylvan Library - MTG Card versions
Primal Rage - MTG Card versions
Survival of the Fittest - MTG Card versions
Crosswinds - MTG Card versions
Fortitude - MTG Card versions
Tranquil Grove - MTG Card versions
Fertile Ground - MTG Card versions
Treetop Bracers - MTG Card versions
Root Cage - MTG Card versions
Elfhame Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Compost - MTG Card versions
Thoughtleech - MTG Card versions
Weaver of Harmony - MTG Card versions
Shigeki, Jukai Visionary - MTG Card versions
Aspect of Wolf - MTG Card versions
Regeneration - MTG Card versions
Lifeforce - MTG Card versions
Powerleech - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Touch - MTG Card versions
Night Soil - MTG Card versions
Sylvan Library - MTG Card versions
Primal Rage - MTG Card versions
Survival of the Fittest - MTG Card versions
Crosswinds - MTG Card versions
Fortitude - MTG Card versions
Tranquil Grove - MTG Card versions
Fertile Ground - MTG Card versions
Treetop Bracers - MTG Card versions
Root Cage - MTG Card versions
Elfhame Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Compost - MTG Card versions
Thoughtleech - MTG Card versions
Weaver of Harmony - MTG Card versions
Shigeki, Jukai Visionary - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Cryptolith Rite. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free formSet Roulette Spring 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cryptolith Rite turns each of your creatures into a mana dork, effectively increasing the number of resources you have at your disposal. This means more cards can be played per turn and more options are available for your strategy, hence maintaining a flow of card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: By enabling your creatures to tap for mana of any color, Cryptolith Rite offers significant mana acceleration. This benefit is particularly important as it can lead to explosive turns where you can cast more spells or utilize activated abilities more frequently.

Instant Speed: While Cryptolith Rite itself is not an instant, it allows for instant-speed interaction by giving you access to more mana at any given time. This ensures you’re always ready to cast spells or activate abilities without the need to wait for your turn, keeping the momentum in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Cryptolith Rite doesn’t explicitly require you to discard cards, its reliance on having a substantial number of creatures on the battlefield means that you may find yourself overextending or emptying your hand to make full use of its ability. This can accidentally set you up for a disadvantageous position if your opponent has mass removal.

Specific Mana Cost: Cryptolith Rite has a very specific mana cost that requires both green and colorless mana. This requirement can potentially limit deck-building options, especially in strategies that may not run enough green sources or rely heavily on a different color.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana, Cryptolith Rite can be seen as having a high cost for an enchantment that doesn’t immediately impact the board on its own. For decks that aim for a fast-paced strategy or those that need immediate value from their two-mana plays, Cryptolith Rite can sometimes be too slow or unimpactful when cast early in the game.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cryptolith Rite offers broad applications, easily slotting into decks that thrive on mana acceleration. Its ability to turn all creatures into mana dorks is invaluable for mana-hungry strategies.

Combo Potential: This card shines in synergistic plays and can be the linchpin in various combo decks, enabling explosive turns where you cast multiple spells or summon that game-ending creature ahead of schedule.

Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment where creature-based strategies dominate, Cryptolith Rite assures that your creatures always remain productive resources, not just on attack or defense but also as reliable mana sources.


How to beat

Cryptolith Rite is a powerful card in Magic: The Gathering that transforms all your creatures into mana dorks. This advantage allows for explosive plays, giving you the ability to cast spells much earlier than usual. Facing this card can be challenging, but with the right strategy, you can overcome its strengths.

First, prioritize removal of key creatures. By keeping your opponent’s creature count low, you diminish the value of Cryptolith Rite dramatically. Board wipes or targeted removal spells are particularly effective against decks that rely on creature-based mana generation. Additionally, consider using artifact destruction spells or abilities that specifically target Cryptolith Rite; by dismantling the engine itself, you take away your opponent’s ability for massive mana generation.

Another approach is using cards that restrict the abilities of creatures or artefacts. Cards that prevent tapping, like Root Maze, can be a useful deterrent. By imposing such limitations, you effectively negate the mana-boosting advantage of Cryptolith Rite. Adapt your game plan, include these countermeasures, and you’ll increase your chances of dismantling the potent strategies hinged on this MTG card.


BurnMana Recommendations

Cryptolith Rite stands as a powerful asset for those looking to supercharge their creature-based MTG strategies, offering a new dimension of gameplay through resource acceleration and versatility. If you’re aiming to construct a deck that operates like a well-oiled mana machine or seeking that extra edge to summon monumental creatures, embedding Cryptolith Rite into your arsenal can be a game-changer. Discover ways to harness this enchantment’s potential, engineer explosive plays, and consistently outmaneuver your opponents. Dive deeper with us to fine-tune your strategies, identify key synergies, and become an unstoppable force at the gaming table.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cryptolith Rite MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Shadows over Innistrad Promos, 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 Rite and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Cryptolith Rite Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Zack Stella.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-04-08Shadows over InnistradSOI 2002015NormalBlackZack Stella
22016-04-08Shadows over Innistrad PromosPSOI 200s2015NormalBlackZack Stella
32023-03-21Shadows over Innistrad RemasteredSIR 1922015NormalBlackZack Stella

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cryptolith Rite has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2016-04-08 If a creature has multiple mana abilities with a cost of , such as if you control two Cryptolith Rites, you can only activate one of them at a time. Tapping the creature doesn’t produce multiple mana.