Carven Caryatid MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Spirit
Abilities Defender
Power 2
Toughness 5

Key Takeaways

  1. Card advantage is key; Caryatid draws you a card immediately, supplementing your hand.
  2. It’s versatile, blending with ETB strategies and providing a defensive option.
  3. Comparisons highlight its niche among similar MTG defender creatures with card draw.

Text of card

Defender (This creature can't attack.) When Carven Caryatid comes into play, draw a card.

So-called "old wood" is rare in deforested Ravnica. Statues carved from it are said to house the last of the ancient nature spirits.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Carven Caryatid comes with a beneficial ability that lets you draw a card upon its entrance to the battlefield. This feature not only provides you with additional options but also helps to sustain or escalate your card advantage during the match.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly a resource acceleration tool, by providing a card upon entry, Carven Caryatid indirectly accelerates your resources. It ensures that you maintain a good flow of cards, potentially leading to more mana or other resources as the game progresses.

Instant Speed: While Carven Caryatid itself does not operate at instant speed, it gives you the flexibility to play other spells at instant speed. Knowing you have a defender that can draw you a card, allows you to efficiently plan your turns and save your instant-speed interactions for the most opportune moments.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Carven Caryatid requires no card discard upon casting, its lack of this dynamic may hold it back against decks that leverage graveyard strategies or benefit from card discard triggers.

Specific Mana Cost: Carven Caryatid demands a precise mana arrangement of one green and two generic, potentially clashing with multi-colored decks or those running on tight mana curves.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana might seem steep for a 2/5 creature. In some cases, players might opt for lower-cost creatures that offer more aggressive board presence or additional abilities.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Carven Caryatid is a solid addition to green-centric decks that prioritize reliable board presence. Its ability to draw a card upon entering the battlefield makes it useful in multiple situations, ensuring that your hand remains replenished while establishing a defensive creature.

Combo Potential: This card can seamlessly fit into strategies revolving around creatures that trigger effects when they enter the battlefield, known as ETB effects. Carven Caryatid’s immediate card draw can synergize with bounce or flicker effects, making it a powerful piece in decks that aim to exploit such interactions for value.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame that’s heavy on creature-based aggro decks, the sturdy defensive stats of Carven Caryatid provide a critical blocking option while maintaining card flow. Its resistance to being targeted by spells or abilities makes it a good choice for holding back opponents’ assaults while developing your own game plan.


How to beat

Carven Caryatid brings unique dynamics to the board in MTG as a defensive creature with an added benefit. Upon entering the battlefield, it allows for the instant draw of a card—a considerable advantage infused within its protective stature. This creature not only blocks well but does so while replenishing your hand, making it an asset in maintaining card advantage.

To effectively counteract Carven Caryatid, one needs to handle it carefully. Direct damage spells won’t suffice due to its ability to avoid such targeting. Enchantment-based removal, on the other hand, can be particularly effective. A card like Pacifism, for instance, could nullify its defensive capabilities without necessitating its destruction, sidestepping Carven Caryatid’s built-in protection.

Bypassing Carven Caryatid by focusing on player life reduction through unblockable creatures or alternate win conditions can also be a strategic tactic. Emphasizing a gameplay style that minimizes combat interactions will diminish the card’s relevance, thereby undermining the opponent’s defensive strategy and directing the path toward victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the art of MTG involves deep understanding and strategic deck building that leverages the strengths of cards like Carven Caryatid. As you reflect on the card’s pros and cons, remember to consider its place within the overarching strategy of your collection. Its defensive capability paired with card advantage can be a game-changer in the right context, making it a worthy contender for your deck. Curious about how it can boost your gameplay or seeking alternatives for your current build? Delve further with us into the realm of potential and strategy to refine your approach and harness the full potential of your MTG arsenal. Let’s continue this journey of discovery and dominance together.


Cards like Carven Caryatid

Carven Caryatid is an intriguing creature in Magic: The Gathering, belonging to the group of defensive creatures that also have the upside of card draw. A notable comparison is with Wall of Blossoms, another defender that draws a card upon entering the battlefield. Carven Caryatid has an edge with higher toughness, making it a sturdier obstacle for opponents while granting the same card draw benefit. Yet, Wall of Blossoms requires less mana, making it a more early-game friendly option.

Another card to consider is Elvish Visionary, a creature that, much like Carven Caryatid, allows its controller to draw a card when it comes into play. The key distinction here is that Elvish Visionary does not have defender, which means it’s not restricted solely to blocking. It’s cheaper and can also contribute to attacks, but it lacks the robustness of Carven Caryatid.

Ultimately, Carven Caryatid holds its ground among creature-based card draw options in Magic: The Gathering with its unique combination of durability and card-advantage for the controlling player.

Wall of Blossoms - MTG Card versions
Elvish Visionary - MTG Card versions
Wall of Blossoms - Stronghold (STH)
Elvish Visionary - Shards of Alara (ALA)

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

Cat Warriors - MTG Card versions
Rysorian Badger - MTG Card versions
Sabertooth Cobra - MTG Card versions
Quirion Druid - MTG Card versions
Spike Feeder - MTG Card versions
Hungry Hungry Heifer - MTG Card versions
Titania's Chosen - MTG Card versions
Taoist Mystic - MTG Card versions
Femeref Archers - MTG Card versions
Lydari Druid - MTG Card versions
Steel Leaf Champion - MTG Card versions
Realmwalker - MTG Card versions
Topiary Stomper - MTG Card versions
Territorial Scythecat - MTG Card versions
Wirewood Savage - MTG Card versions
Reki, the History of Kamigawa - MTG Card versions
Timberwatch Elf - MTG Card versions
Pincher Beetles - MTG Card versions
Yavimaya Elder - MTG Card versions
Awakener Druid - MTG Card versions
Cat Warriors - Legends (LEG)
Rysorian Badger - Homelands (HML)
Sabertooth Cobra - Mirage (MIR)
Quirion Druid - Visions (VIS)
Spike Feeder - Stronghold (STH)
Hungry Hungry Heifer - Unglued (UGL)
Titania's Chosen - Urza's Saga (USG)
Taoist Mystic - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Femeref Archers - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Lydari Druid - Sega Dreamcast Cards (PSDG)
Steel Leaf Champion - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Realmwalker - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander (LCC)
Topiary Stomper - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Territorial Scythecat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Wirewood Savage - Onslaught (ONS)
Reki, the History of Kamigawa - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Timberwatch Elf - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Pincher Beetles - Tenth Edition (10E)
Yavimaya Elder - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Awakener Druid - Magic 2011 (M11)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Carven Caryatid MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds and Iconic Masters, 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 Carven Caryatid and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Carven Caryatid Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2005-10-07 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Jim Nelson.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12005-10-07Ravnica: City of GuildsRAV 1552003normalblackJim Nelson
22017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 1562015normalblackJim Nelson
32020-07-17JumpstartJMP 3822015normalblackJim Nelson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Carven Caryatid has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal

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