Ketria Crystal MTG Card


Ketria 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
Number236
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byYeong-Hao Han

Key Takeaways

  1. Ketria Crystal is a versatile mana source, ideal for three-color Temur decks, enhancing long-game plays.
  2. Allows for quick casting of powerful, multicolored spells, giving players a competitive advantage in crucial moments.
  3. Despite its pros, the discarding requirement and specific mana cost limit its deck inclusion and efficiency.

Text of card

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

The dark of night never truly falls on Ketria, where abundant crystals bathe the land in their glow.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Similar to other mana rocks, Ketria Crystal serves the purpose of smoothing out your mana curve and can be especially beneficial in decks that aim for the long game. By ensuring you have the necessary mana, it helps to keep your hand full of actionable plays rather than lands.

Resource Acceleration: When it comes to ramping, the Ketria Crystal is a multifaceted tool, particularly valuable in three-color builds or decks with a heavy color commitment. By offering access to three different colors of mana, it supports casting powerful spells ahead of schedule and can be key to winning in high-stakes moments.

Instant Speed: While the Crystal itself does not operate at instant speed, it aids in casting impactful spells at a moment’s notice. By providing substantial mana of various colors, it lets players keep their options open and respond to opponents’ threats more efficiently on the fly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Ketria Crystal offers mana flexibility, it forces the player to have an open slot in their hand. Having to discard another card to cycle it can be a drawback when your hand is already empty or full of essential spells.

Specific Mana Cost: The mandatory combination of green, blue, and red mana to cast this card limits its utility to decks that can produce these colors. This restriction can make it challenging to incorporate into a deck that doesn’t support a Temur color scheme.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana specifically distributed across three colors, Ketria Crystal is sometimes seen as inefficient compared to other mana rocks or accelerants in MTG. Players may opt for alternatives that provide more immediate or versatile benefits for the same or lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Ketria Crystal in Your Collection

Versatility: Ketria Crystal supports a range of deck builds and color combinations, especially for players looking to stabilize their mana base in a Temur-colored deck. It’s an asset in ensuring that you have the right mana colors when you need them.

Combo Potential: As a mana rock that taps for one of three colors, Ketria Crystal can be a crucial part of enabling combos or synergies that span multiple colors. It also counts as a permanent you can sacrifice if needed for various in-game effects.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that is increasingly multi-colored, having access to flexible mana sources can give you an upper hand. Ketria Crystal is especially relevant in formats where mana fixing is vital and the tempo of having the right colors available cannot be underestimated.


How to beat Ketria Crystal

Ketria Crystal offers a multifaceted approach to mana acceleration and color fixing in Magic: The Gathering. This vibrant shard from the Ikoria set gives players access to three colors of mana, an invaluable asset in decks running a hefty multicolor element. Much like other color fixing artifacts, such as the renowned Chromatic Lantern, Ketria Crystal bridges the gap between having the right mana at the crucial moment.

To outmaneuver a deck that leverages Ketria Crystal, prioritize removal tools, or land disruption strategies that can unsettle opponents before they can fully capitalize on the crystal’s potential. For example, employing cards like Damping Sphere can frustrate strategies that rely on casting multiple spells in a turn or lean on lots of nonbasic lands. Alternatively, direct artifact removal such as Naturalize or Disenchant can eliminate the problem at its source, stripping the adversary of their key mana generation.

Ultimately, while conquering Ketria Crystal’s advantage demands strategic thinking, it’s clear that timely interference can be just as powerful as the mana it provides. Cards and strategies that dismantle or outpace your opponent’s mana base can tip the scales in your favor, negating the edge that Ketria Crystal offers in the vibrant world of MTG.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the mana game in MTG is a key step to victory, and Ketria Crystal is a true gem for any deck builder seeking to solidify their mana base within the Temur colors. Decks that thrive on flexibility and multi-color synergies can benefit significantly from the crystal’s ability to keep the game flowing. As we’ve seen, every card has its pros and cons, but the strategic importance of mana fixing cannot be overstated. Are you contemplating incorporating Ketria Crystal into your strategic arsenal? Dive deeper with us, and unveil the full potential of this vibrant mana rock, ensuring your deck is not just color-rich but also strategy-proof. Enhance your gameplay and embrace the intricate dance of colors in MTG with confidence.


Cards like Ketria Crystal

Ketria Crystal is an intriguing asset in the roster of mana-fixing artifacts in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often weighed against Obelisk of Bant, given both are three-colored mana rocks. Though not as color-flexible as Obelisk of Bant, Ketria Crystal grants a cycling ability, offering an advantage in the late game by replacing itself when no longer needed. This function is absent in Obelisk of Bant, giving Ketria Crystal an edge in terms of utility.

Another comparable card is Manalith, a reliable artifact that can be tapped for one mana of any color. While Manalith provides versatility in color fixing, it lacks the cycling option that Ketria Crystal possesses. Darksteel Ingot is also a mana rock that generates any color, yet its indestructibility is the characteristic that stands out, not present in Ketria Crystal. However, the ability of Ketria Crystal to cycle adds a dimension of card flow and deck thinning that Darksteel Ingot can’t match.

All things considered, Ketria Crystal holds a special place among mana-filtering artifacts in Magic: The Gathering. It blends color access with the flexibility of cycling, making it a choice card for decks that prioritize mana diversity and late-game adaptability.

Obelisk of Bant - MTG Card versions
Manalith - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Ingot - MTG Card versions
Obelisk of Bant - MTG Card versions
Manalith - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Ingot - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ketria 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 Ketria Crystal and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ketria Crystal has restrictions

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

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