Raugrin Crystal MTG Card


Raugrin 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
Number238
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byKirsten Zirngibl

Key Takeaways

  1. Offers card draw via cycling, keeping hands refreshed and strategy flexible.
  2. Instant speed cycling allows for on-the-fly adaptation during gameplay.
  3. Challenges include hand disruption and a restrictive casting cost.

Text of card

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

The vegetation in Raugrin is dull, but that only makes the towering crystal structures gleam brighter.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Raugrin Crystal offers a unique capacity for card draw when cycled, ensuring that you’re never stuck with a dead card in hand. By cycling it away for a new card, you maintain the ebb and flow of strategic options that keep you ahead in the game.

Resource Acceleration: As a mana rock, this artifact excels at propelling you forward by tapping for one mana of any color in Raugrin’s vibrant spectrum. This utility is pivotal for casting impactful spells ahead of schedule or efficiently deploying a wider array of colors.

Instant Speed: The cycling ability of Raugrin Crystal can be activated at instant speed, which gives you the flexibility to adapt to the unfolding game. Whether you’re responding to an opponent’s move or simply looking for more action at the end of their turn, the instant nature of this feature ensures that you’re always playing with maximum efficiency.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Raugrin Crystal has an additional cost which mandates discarding another card. This can be particularly taxing during moments where hand size is crucial to maintaining an advantage on the board.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring exactly one white, one blue, and one red mana to cast, this crystal can be a challenge to integrate into multicolored decks, potentially causing delays or hindering other plays.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of three and not providing an immediate board impact, Raugrin Crystal might be less preferable compared to other mana accelerators or utility artifacts which offer more versatility or lower casting costs.


Reasons to Include Raugrin Crystal in Your Collection

Versatility: Raugrin Crystal offers flexibility in mana generation for decks that play with the Jeskai color combination. It also serves as both a mana rock and a cycling component, ensuring it’s never a dead draw.

Combo Potential: This card can be a key piece in decks that capitalize on artifacts or cycling mechanics. Its ability to be cashed in for a new card means it can seamlessly integrate into combos that require cycling or specific card interactions.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where keeping up the pace with opponents’ land drops is crucial, Raugrin Crystal provides mana fixing and acceleration. Its three mana color access is particularly useful for players looking to match the intensity of the current competitive scene.


How to beat

Raugrin Crystal can be a strategic asset in any MTG player’s arsenal, gracing the battlefield with its mana acceleration and color fixing capabilities. The artifact’s functionality serves as a cornerstone for decks that run a multitude of colors, particularly those within the Jeskai spectrum. Understandably, besting a card with such utility requires a sound approach.

Key tactics involve preemptive actions like employing artifact destruction spells such as Artifact Blast or targeted removal like Disenchant to eliminate the crystal before it can be leveraged for a substantial advantage. Another angle is to apply pressure with a faster, aggressive deck that outpaces the setup time the crystal requires. Additionally, considering the mana investment necessary for its activation, strategies that limit mana resources or increase the cost of using artifacts can prove debilitating for Raugrin Crystal reliant decks.

Overall, focusing on hindering your opponent’s mana development or being proactive in removing key pieces such as Raugrin Crystal from play can significantly hamper their game plan, allowing for decisive victories in MTG matches.


Cards like Raugrin Crystal

Raugrin Crystal stands out in the realm of mana accelerators and fixing tools within Magic: The Gathering. Its primary function is providing mana of three different colors, which is invaluable in decks where color consistency is challenging. When compared to other mana rocks such as Mana Geode, the crystal has the unique advantage of cycling away from your hand, offering late-game utility that Mana Geode lacks.

Exploring further, we can look at Azorius Cluestone, another card that shares Raugrin Crystal’s ability to cycle out for a new card draw. However, Azorius Cluestone is restricted to only two colors, limiting its versatility. Another similar artifact, Commander’s Sphere, also generates mana and has a card draw mechanism but differs in that it can be sacrificed at no cost to draw a card, better suiting decks that seek immediate board impact over versatility.

Gauging the usefulness of such cards, Raugrin Crystal carves a distinct niche by serving as a flexible option for mana-fixing in three-colored decks and providing a late-game card draw to keep options open, striking a fine balance between resource accessibility and adaptability.

Mana Geode - MTG Card versions
Azorius Cluestone - MTG Card versions
Commander's Sphere - MTG Card versions
Mana Geode - MTG Card versions
Azorius Cluestone - MTG Card versions
Commander's Sphere - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

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

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Raugrin Crystal has restrictions

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

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