CryptothrallHow it works & interactions with other cards

A Blanket of Protection

Cryptothrall features the Protector ability, which acts as a static effect. As long as Cryptothrall is on the battlefield, every other creature you control that has the artifact type gains hexproof. This means those creatures cannot be the targets of spells or abilities your opponents control. Note that Cryptothrall does not protect itself; it only shields its robotic allies.

How Hexproof Resolves

The protection is constant and does not use the stack. Step one: Cryptothrall enters the battlefield. Step two: Immediately, all other artifact creatures you control gain hexproof. If an opponent tries to cast a spell like Murder on your other artifact creature while Cryptothrall is out, that spell becomes illegal if it targets that creature, and the opponent cannot even choose it as a target.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Players often forget that Cryptothrall is vulnerable. Because its ability says 'other artifact creatures,' Cryptothrall can still be targeted and destroyed by your opponent's spells. Additionally, hexproof only prevents targeting; it does not protect your creatures from board wipes or non-targeted effects that say 'destroy all creatures' or 'each creature.'

When to Deploy Cryptothrall

The best time to cast Cryptothrall is right before you play a high-value artifact creature that you need to survive. It serves as a lightning rod—your opponent must waste a removal spell on Cryptothrall first if they want to stop your other machines. It is also excellent to play in response to a target-heavy deck to effectively shut down their interaction.

Interaction examples

Protecting Your Value Engine

Solemn Simulacrum

With Cryptothrall on the battlefield, your Solemn Simulacrum gains hexproof. If an opponent attempts to exile your Solemn Simulacrum to prevent you from drawing a card when it dies, they will find they cannot target it. They must first remove Cryptothrall to make Solemn Simulacrum a legal target again.

Double Layers of Defense

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield (having chosen Construct as its type), and then play Cryptothrall, Roaming Throne gains hexproof from Cryptothrall. Since Roaming Throne already has Ward {2}, this creates a redundant layer of protection, but hexproof is superior as it prevents targeting entirely, rendering the Ward cost irrelevant for your opponent's targeted spells.

The Protector's Limit

If you control only one Cryptothrall and no other creatures, it provides no benefit to itself. An opponent can cast a destruction spell targeting Cryptothrall directly. However, if you control two copies of Cryptothrall, they will each give the other hexproof, creating a 'lock' where neither can be targeted unless the opponent uses a non-targeted board wipe.