Sylvan Caryatid MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Plant
Abilities Defender,Hexproof
Power 0
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Sylvan Caryatid enhances mana ramp and color flexibility in multi-color MTG decks.
  2. Despite its drawbacks, it offers high toughness and instant-speed mana accessibility.
  3. Crucial for various strategies, it remains meta-relevant and tough for opponents to counter.

Text of card

Defender, hexproof : Add one mana of any color.

Those who enter the copse never leave. They find peace there and take root, becoming part of the ever-growing grove.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Sylvan Caryatid MTG card allows its controller to accelerate their mana pool in any color of choice. By working as any-color mana source, it’s great for maintaining card advantage in a multi-color deck strategy.

Resource Acceleration: Sylvan Caryatid comes into play with the capacity to tap for mana of any color from the moment she’s summoned. This ability makes her invaluable in mana acceleration and color fixing, allowing you to cast powerful, color-intensive cards earlier than usual.

Instant Speed: Though not an instant by card type, Sylvan Caryatid’s ability to fulfill mana requirements at instant speed makes this card extremely flexible. This is because it can be tapped for mana in response to an opponent’s action, or to cast surprise spells during their turn, demonstrating the value of instant speed response.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Sylvan Caryatid doesn’t require discarding, but it’s necessary to optimize its potential. It can limit your chances if your hand resources are minimal.

Specific Mana Cost: The Caryatid requires one green mana cost, which may not blend with non-green decks. This could restrict its usage and flexibility with different deck strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a mana cost of two, you might argue there are other alternatives like Birds of Paradise or Llanowar Elves that can perform the same task for less. If the defensive stats are not a priority, then the Caryatid might feel expensive for the mana ramp role.


Reasons to Include Sylvan Caryatid in Your Collection

Versatility: Sylvan Caryatid provides a practical solution to color fixing issues in your deck. Its ability to tap for any color mana offers flexibility, easily fitting into multi-color or green-based decks. It opens the door for a diverse array of strategies, enhancing the fluidity of your game-play.

Combo Potential: With its unique mana-producing ability, Sylvan Caryatid is a superior facilitator for combos. Use it to accelerate into powerful higher-cost spells faster or use its inexpensive casting cost to start aggressive early game strategies. Its robust defensive stats also make it a solid defender, supporting your deck’s longevity.

Meta-Relevance: Sylvan Caryatid maintains its relevance, regardless of the meta shift. The card remains potent against aggro strategies due to its high toughness and equally effective in slower, control-oriented metas because of its ramping capability. This meta-consistent card is a worthy addition to your MTG collection.


How to beat

Sylvan Caryatid is a popular card in the Magic: The Gathering universe, recognized for its impressive contribution to mana and its hexproof. This combination makes this card a valuable asset in any deck and often a challenge for opponents to conquer. To effectively respond to a Sylvan Caryatid, removing other cards the player might use that benefits from the mana surge is key.

Alternatively, you can adapt your gameplay to limit the advantages this card grants. As it’s a defensive card used for mana ramping, aggressive strategies can often bypass the benefits it provides its wielder. As hexproof only provides protection from targeted spells, mass removal cards are effective in eliminating the Caryatid from the field.

Lastly, leveraging spells that control or alter your opponent’s mana could also hinder the capabilities of the Sylvan Caryatid. Cards that force a player to utilize mana in a specific way can effectively neutralize this card’s impact. To conclude, recognizing the power of the Sylvan Caryatid and adapting your gameplay accordingly is crucial in overcoming this MTG card.


BurnMana Recommendations

Taking your MTG play to the next level involves more than just knowing your cards; it’s about understanding their interactions and potential within your deck. Sylvan Caryatid stands as a robust component in any mana strategy, with a versatility that can bolster various deck types. Whether you’re countering aggressive plays or setting up for a game-changing combo, this card’s unique abilities offer a blend of defense and mana acceleration. Dive deeper with us to explore advanced strategies and discover how to make the most out of Sylvan Caryatid’s dynamic qualities, ultimately enhancing your overall MTG experience.


Cards like Sylvan Caryatid

Sylvan Caryatid bolsters the category of mana-generating creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This card can be likened to Birds of Paradise, another popular choice for mana fixing. However, while Birds of Paradise can produce any color of mana for a single green, Sylvan Caryatid offers additional toughness and a hexproof ability, making it harder for your opponent to disrupt your mana source.

Another card that is worth comparing here is Paradise Druid, which offers a similar mana-fixing ability but swings in favor with its ability to become hexproof until it becomes tapped. However, with these added advantages comes an increased mana cost which is to be considered in a deck’s strategy. Also, in the mix comes Uro, Titan of Nature’s Wrath which, while providing substantial mana ramp, combines it with significant card draw and life gain, albeit at a higher cost and more specific color requirements.

When the attributes of these select cards are weighed against Sylvan Caryatid, despite the comparisons drawn, it stands up strong due to its resilience and sturdy utility in ramp decks in Magic: The Gathering. It’s the card’s blend of dependability and protection that provide it the means to compete among the top mana-fixing creatures in the game.

Birds of Paradise - MTG Card versions
Paradise Druid - MTG Card versions
Uro, Titan of Nature's Wrath - MTG Card versions
Birds of Paradise - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Paradise Druid - War of the Spark (WAR)
Uro, Titan of Nature's Wrath - Theros Beyond Death (THB)

Cards similar to Sylvan Caryatid by color, type and mana cost

Wyluli Wolf - MTG Card versions
Whirling Dervish - MTG Card versions
River Boa - MTG Card versions
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Wyluli Wolf - Arabian Nights (ARN)
Whirling Dervish - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
River Boa - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Albino Troll - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Silverglade Pathfinder - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Quirion Elves - Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition (DDE)
Blurred Mongoose - Invasion (INV)
Llanowar Loamspeaker - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Genesis Hydra - Iconic Masters (IMA)
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Scavenging Ooze - Modern Masters 2017 (MM3)
Heir of the Wilds - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Wren's Run Vanquisher - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Muscle Sliver - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Utopia Tree - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Bloodline Shaman - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Sakura-Tribe Elder - Junior APAC Series (PJAS)
Stonewood Invoker - Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins (DD1)
Oran-Rief Survivalist - Zendikar (ZEN)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sylvan Caryatid MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Theros 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 Sylvan Caryatid and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Sylvan Caryatid Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2013-09-21 and 2013-09-27. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 501202003normalblackLars Grant-West
22013-09-21Theros PromosPTHS 180★2003normalblackLars Grant-West
32013-09-27TherosTHS 1802003normalblackChase Stone

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sylvan Caryatid has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

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