Indatha Crystal MTG Card


Indatha Crystal - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact
Abilities Cycling
Released2020-04-24
Set symbol
Set nameIkoria: Lair of Behemoths
Set codeIKO
Number235
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byRaoul Vitale

Key Takeaways

  1. Offers deck efficiency through cycling for better card access and strategy execution.
  2. Boosts multicolored deck performance with swift mana fixing across three colors.
  3. Demands careful play due to its specific cost and potential hand size reduction.

Text of card

: Add , , or . Cycling (, Discard this card: Draw a card.)

Crystals nestle in the roots of Indatha's helica trees as if being nurtured by their embrace.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Indatha Crystal provides additional deck filtering options by cycling, helping players to access the cards they need for their strategy more efficiently.

Resource Acceleration: This crystal taps for one mana of three different colors, enhancing mana fixing and accelerating resource availability for multicolored decks, which is pivotal for casting critical spells on curve.

Instant Speed: With the ability to cycle the Indatha Crystal at instant speed, players have the flexibility to adapt their plays in response to the unfolding game, utilizing their mana efficiently and keeping their opponents guessing.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Indatha Crystal demands you relinquish another card from your hand to cycle it, posing a potential setback when your hand size dwindles and each card’s value escalates.

Specific Mana Cost: Tailored for a specific shard, Indatha Crystal’s casting cost necessitates a precise blend of white, black, and green mana, which can constrain its integration solely to decks operating within these colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost verging on the upper tier for mana rocks, players might find the investment hefty compared to other available mana acceleration options, which could hamper its overall efficiency in a game.


Reasons to Include Indatha Crystal in Your Collection

Versatility: The Indatha Crystal is a desirable asset for decks that tap into its three mana color identity. It can smoothly integrate into Abzan decks, catering to the mana needs of a diverse array of spells across white, black, and green.

Combo Potential: Deck builders can leverage this crystal’s inherent potential to synergize with strategies that capitalize on permanent type modifiers, or as a catalyst for enabling multicolored combos that require a spectrum of mana sources.

Meta-Relevance: Given the shifts in the meta, having a mana rock like Indatha Crystal available enhances your ability to adapt to various deck styles, whether they emphasize resilience, synergistic plays or simply demand a broad mana base for optimal performance.


How to beat

Indatha Crystal is an intriguing option within the ramp and mana-fixing family in Magic: The Gathering. Specifically designed for tri-color decks, the crystal allows for significant flexibility in mana bases. Much like its counterparts—other crystals from the Ikoria set—Indatha Crystal possesses the cycle mechanic, offering both mana access and late-game card draw. But how can someone reliably overcome this artifact’s advantages?

To effectively counteract the benefits that Indatha Crystal provides, employing artifact destruction or disruption strategies can be highly effective. Cards such as Disenchant or Abrade, which can directly target and eliminate artifacts, can remove the Crystal from play, denying your opponent that mana boost or the potential card draw. In a control deck, Thoughtseize or Duress could disrupt your opponent’s hand early on, extracting the Crystal before it gets tapped for mana. Moreover, utilizing a well-timed Stony Silence can nullify the artifact’s abilities, making your opponent’s investment less rewarding.

Ultimately, disruption is the key to beating Indatha Crystal. Keep your answers ready, and the strategic use of removal and hand disruption will ensure that the value generated by this mana-fixing card is minimized, helping you to maintain the upper hand in your matches.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the nuances of MTG can be as intricate as it is rewarding, especially when it involves optimizing your mana base with tools like the Indatha Crystal. Recognizing the right moments to cycle for card advantage or accelerate your resources can turn the tide in any match. With its instant speed cycling, the crystal offers dynamic play options for the savvy strategist. Interested in refining your multicolor deck strategies or expanding your collection to meet the ever-evolving meta? We invite you to delve deeper into strategy and synergy, enhancing your game to its fullest potential. Discover more and unlock the secrets to becoming a formidable opponent on the battlefield.


Cards like Indatha Crystal

Indatha Crystal stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a unique entry in the realm of mana rocks that specifically caters to a tri-color deck. Its closest kin would be the likes of Darksteel Ingot, an artifact that provides one mana of any color and boasts indestructibility, making it a more resilient choice for mana fixing. However, while the Ingot is sturdier, it misses the cycling feature that Indatha Crystal brings to the table, allowing for greater flexibility and deck filtering.

Another parallel might be drawn with Mana Geode, which also taps for one mana of any color. Unlike Indatha Crystal, Mana Geode allows for a scry upon entering the battlefield, which can be integral in setting up future plays. Despite this, it does not offer the option to cycle away for a new card, which Indatha Crystal does, making it a potentially more versatile fit in decks that value the ability to adjust their hand.

Ultimately, the choice between such mana artifacts depends on the strategy and needs of the deck. Indatha Crystal, with its tri-color focus and flexible cycling ability, can be a key component for players running three colors and looking for both mana acceleration and optional card draw.

Darksteel Ingot - MTG Card versions
Mana Geode - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Ingot - Arena League 2004 (PAL04)
Mana Geode - War of the Spark (WAR)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Indatha Crystal MTG card by a specific set like Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, 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 Indatha Crystal and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Indatha Crystal has restrictions

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

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