Chromatic Lantern

Chromatic Lantern Full Guide

Return to Ravnica Rare
Mana Cost: {3}
Type: Artifact
Chromatic Lantern Text:
Lands you control have "{T}: Add one mana of any color." {T}: Add one mana of any color.
Flavor:
Dimir mages put the lanterns to good use, creating shapeshifters and sleeper agents from mana foreign to them.
Artist: Jung Park
Collector Number: 226
Release Date: 2012-10-05
Art crop

Strategy Guide

Last updated 2025-06-30
TL;DR Summary

Chromatic Lantern

This rare artifact, Chromatic Lantern, is a versatile tool for players seeking to add flexibility and mana efficiency to their deck. Its primary function is to grant lands the ability to tap for any color of mana, making it an excellent addition to multi-color or control decks.

Power Level: Moderate (4/5)

Main Use Cases:

  • Providing a readily available source of additional colors
  • Enhancing the mana base in decks with multiple colors
  • Supporting strategies that rely on tapping lands for different colors

Popular Formats:

  • Commander, where its ability to add flexibility and mana efficiency is highly valuable in multi-color and control decks.
  • EDHREC rank: 66 (indicating moderate popularity)

Note: Its relatively low price point makes it an attractive addition to many decks, especially those with a focus on controlling the board or adapting to changing circumstances.

Card Mechanics & Interactions

Chromatic Lantern

The Chromatic Lantern is a rare artifact that provides an additional mana source for lands in play. Its ability to add one mana of any color at instant speed can be incredibly powerful in combination with other cards.

Keyword Abilities:

  • None, but its static ability interacts with lands you control.

How it Functions on the Stack and Battlefield:

When a player casts Chromatic Lantern, it enters the battlefield as a 0/0 artifact creature. Its first ability, "{T}: Add one mana of any color," is a static ability that always applies when a player taps it. This ability can be tapped multiple times to generate additional mana.

The second ability in the Oracle Text, "Lands you control have '{T}: Add one mana of any color.'" is an aura-like effect that affects lands controlled by its controller (you). This means if you control multiple lands, each of them gains the ability to add one mana of any color when tapped. The lands' power and toughness remain unchanged.

Edge Cases and Interactions:

  • Mana Splitting: If you have multiple lands with different colored producers (e.g., Rakdos Guildgate and Flooded Strand), each land's effect can be used independently to generate additional mana.
  • Instant Speed Mana Generation: Chromatic Lantern can generate one mana of any color at instant speed, which allows for powerful spells like Counterspell or Lightning Bolt to be cast on turn 3 with no other sources of mana available.
  • Combining with Artifact Lands: Cards like Arcane Signet, Mox Opal, and [Vessel of the Depths can create an explosive mana base when paired with Chromatic Lantern.

Commander-Specific Quirks:

  • In Commander, a player's life total is 40, which allows for more aggressive gameplay. With Chromatic Lantern in play, you can generate additional mana to cast bigger spells or accelerate your game plan.
  • Some Commander decks focus on artifact synergy, so Chromatic Lantern can be an excellent addition to these builds.

Keep in mind that the effectiveness of Chromatic Lantern depends on the specific deck and strategy employed by its controller.

Strategic Applications

Chromatic Lantern is a versatile artifact that amplifies the mana-generating capabilities of lands in play, offering multiple benefits to various Commander decks. Its unique ability to add one mana of any color at instant speed can significantly enhance gameplay.

In mono-color decks, Chromatic Lantern serves as an ideal complement to Mox Opal and Mox Jet, allowing players to rapidly accelerate their mana development. For instance, a Mono-Red burn deck with Boros Charm and Shattering Blow can utilize the extra mana generated by Chromatic Lantern to devastating effect.

Multi-color decks can also exploit the card's potential, particularly those featuring lands like Rampant Growth or Elvish Mystic. A four-color ramp deck with Gilded Lotus, Arcane Signet, and Mox Opal can use Chromatic Lantern to further increase its mana generation, enabling the casting of expensive spells.

Some niche applications include:

Overall, Chromatic Lantern is a valuable addition to Commander decks seeking to accelerate their mana generation.

Advanced Techniques

Chromatic Lantern: A Versatile Artifact

In the right deck, Chromatic Lantern can be a game-changer. Its ability to give lands an additional mana-generating effect makes it a powerful enabler for other cards.

  • Enabling Animate Wall: When paired with Animate Wall, Chromatic Lantern allows you to generate two colorless mana on each of your walls, effectively making them 2/6 creatures.
  • Symbiotic Relationship with Sol Ring: In combination with Sol Ring, Chromatic Lantern enables you to play lands for free and gain a significant advantage in terms of mana efficiency.
  • Unlocking Liliana of the Veil's Potential: With Chromatic Lantern, you can generate any color of mana on your turn, making it easier to cast Liliana of the Veil without having to worry about specific mana requirements.

Rules Tricks and Interactions

  • Multiple Color Outputs: Since Chromatic Lantern's ability is an instant-speed effect, it can be played during the beginning of your turn, allowing you to generate additional mana for your next action.
  • Overlapping Effects: If a land has an ability that generates mana, such as Urza's Tower, the combined effects can create a massive mana advantage.

Synergies with Other Cards

  • Grafdigger's Cage-Countering Creatures: When paired with Grafdigger's Cage, Chromatic Lantern's ability to generate any color of mana can be used to counter creatures that rely on specific mana requirements.
  • Sword of Light and Shadow-Empowered Lands: In combination with Sword of Light and Shadow, Chromatic Lantern enables you to play lands for free, effectively giving your deck an immense advantage in terms of land advantage.

Overall, Chromatic Lantern's versatility makes it a valuable addition to any deck that can take advantage of its unique abilities.

Common Mistakes

Chromatic Lantern: Common Mistakes and Misplays

In Commander, Chromatic Lantern is often misunderstood or misplayed due to its unique ability and interplay with other cards. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Timing Issues

  • Failing to tap the Lantern on your turn to generate additional mana can be costly. Make sure to tap it immediately after casting, especially if you have a crucial spell or action in mind.
  • Tapping the Lantern too early, before you've had a chance to develop your board and mana base, can lead to wasted potential.

Misunderstood Rules

  • The Oracle Text is often overlooked: "Lands you control have '{T}: Add one mana of any color.'" This means that lands on the battlefield with Chromatic Lantern's ability will produce a +1/+1 counter and an additional mana of any color. Make sure to include lands like Mox Opal, Glimmervoid, or Atraxa, Praetors' Voice in your deck to maximize this synergy.
  • Some players mistakenly believe that the Lantern's ability can only be used once per turn. In reality, you can tap it multiple times in a single turn to generate additional mana.

Poor Synergies

  • Failing to include Chromatic Lantern in combo decks with cards like Tolaria West, Azcanta, the Sunken Ruin, or Eternity Snare can be a missed opportunity. These cards create a powerful synergy that can generate massive amounts of mana and disrupt opponents.
  • Some players overlook the Lantern's ability to pair well with cards that produce multiple colorless mana, such as Mox Opal or Simian Spirit Guide. This combination can lead to explosive mana development and aggressive plays.

Additional Considerations

  • When playing with a low-color count Commander deck, it's essential to be mindful of the Lantern's ability to generate additional mana. This can help compensate for the lack of color-intensive cards in your deck.
  • In some cases, Chromatic Lantern can be used as a sacrificial piece to disrupt opponents' plans and create an opportunity for yourself.

By avoiding these common mistakes and misplays, you can unlock the full potential of Chromatic Lantern in your Commander deck.

Conclusion

Here's a rewritten version of the text, following the provided style guidelines and removing unnecessary information:

Chromatic Lantern

The Chromatic Lantern is a versatile artifact that can generate additional mana. This card is capable of unlocking the full potential of lands on the battlefield.

Effects & Interactions

  • Grants any land under your control the option to tap and add one mana of any color at instant speed.
  • Works well with cards like Ancestral Recall, which allow players to accelerate their mana development.
  • Pairs well with artifacts that enhance land abilities, such as Urza's Tower or Myr Retriever.

Budget & Accessibility

The Chromatic Lantern is a relatively affordable card, with a current market price of approximately $2.22 USD for non-foil versions and $5.04 USD for foil versions.

Reprint Status

This card has been reprinted in several sets, including:

  • RTR (2013)
  • Commander Anthology (2017)
  • Modern Horizons 2 (2020)

Alternative Options in Commander

If you can't afford or don't have access to Chromatic Lantern, consider these alternatives:

  • Bolas's Keyneer: A more recent reprint with similar effects. Price: approximately $1.50 USD.
  • Sage of Epityr: A budget-friendly option from the Commander Anthology set, generating +1/+1 counters that can be used to generate additional mana. Price: approximately $0.75 USD.

Note that I've removed unnecessary information and focused on providing concise, actionable advice for players looking to incorporate Chromatic Lantern into their deck.

Deckbuilding & Synergies

Chromatic Lantern: A Versatile Artifact for Synergistic Play

The Chromatic Lantern is a rare artifact that offers an unparalleled level of flexibility in deckbuilding. Its ability to grant any land you control the effect "{T}: Add one mana of any color" at instant speed, combined with its own "T: Add one mana of any color" ability, makes it a highly sought-after card for players looking to exploit synergies.

Commanders and Color Identities

Chromatic Lantern is particularly well-suited for Commander decks built around colors that don't have inherent acceleration, such as Azami, Lady of Scrolls or Ruric Thar, the Unbowed. This artifact also finds a home in mono-colored decks, where it can help overcome color-mana issues and allow players to adapt to changing circumstances.

Themes and Engines

The Chromatic Lantern is an ideal addition to decks centered around token generation, card draw, and mana acceleration engines like Mox Opal, Lotus Petal, or Sol Ring. Its ability to provide instant-speed mana can help mitigate the drawbacks of these powerful cards while allowing players to maintain tempo.

Synergy Cards

Some notable synergy cards that benefit from Chromatic Lantern's effects include:

  • Goblin Matron: With Lantern in play, Goblin Matrons can accelerate their mana on turn 3, enabling the player to cast Goblin Rabblemaster or other creatures.
  • Azorius Signet: By using Lantern to add white and blue mana, players can combine it with Azorius Signet to generate a powerful anthem effect for their creatures.
  • Vampiric Tutor: With Chromatic Lantern's ability, Vampiric Tutors become more viable as players can generate additional colors to complement their tutor targets.

Combo Notes

In combination with cards like Gilded Lotus, Mox Opal, or Sol Ring, Chromatic Lantern creates a powerful mana acceleration engine. Players can leverage this synergy to play multiple spells on the same turn, generating an overwhelming tempo advantage.

In deckbuilding, consider pairing Chromatic Lantern with other artifacts that benefit from increased mana production, such as Arcane Signet or Gilded Lotus. By combining these cards, players can create a robust and adaptive deck capable of competing in the most demanding metagames.

Format Roles

Chromatic Lantern

In Commander, Chromatic Lantern is a versatile artifact that can provide an additional mana source and allow lands to tap for colorless mana. This card has a moderate price point of $2.22 USD in foil and $1.36 EUR in non-foil.

Competitive Impact

  • Mana Generation: Chromatic Lantern offers a flexible way to add one mana of any color, making it an attractive option for decks with multi-colored or rainbow manabases.
  • Land Tapping: The artifact's ability to allow lands to tap for colorless mana can help facilitate the use of Mox Opal and other tempo-oriented cards.

Format Breakdown

Format Competitive Impact
Commander High utility artifact with moderate price point. Highly playable in various decks, particularly those focused on multicolor or rainbow manabases.
Modern Unpopular due to availability of better alternatives like Ancestral Recall and Mox Opal. Not a top pick for competitive play.
Standard Rarely seen in constructed decklists due to the abundance of better options and the card's relatively low power level.

Price Performance

  • The non-foil version is priced at $1.36 USD, making it an affordable option for Commander decks.
  • The foil version, while more expensive at $2.22 USD, still represents a good value given its versatility.

Notable Interactions

  • Multicolor Decks: Chromatic Lantern can be particularly effective in multicolor or rainbow-themed Commander decks, providing additional flexibility and utility.
  • Combinations with Mox Opal: The artifact's ability to allow lands to tap for colorless mana can help facilitate the use of Mox Opal, creating a powerful tempo-oriented combination.
Key Scenarios

Chromatic Lantern Excels in:

  • Multi-color ramp strategies: With Chromatic Lantern, you can accelerate your mana development and enable plays with cards like Rampant Growth, Boros Charm, or Golgari Findbroker.
  • Lands-heavy decks: In decks with a high land count, Chromatic Lantern allows you to tap your lands for additional mana, making it easier to play more expensive spells. Decks featuring Badlands or Polluted Delta can particularly benefit from this.
  • Commander politics: As an artifact that adds any color of mana, Chromatomic Lantern can be used as a bargaining chip in multiplayer games, forcing opponents to consider whether they want the additional mana or not.

Chromatic Lantern Fails in:

  • Low-land counts: Decks with fewer lands may find it difficult to make use of Chromatic Lantern's ability, making it less impactful.
  • Mono-color decks: If your deck relies on a single color, you may not benefit as much from Chromatic Lantern's versatility, as cards like Sylvan Caryatid or Verdant Catacombs might be more effective.
  • High-cost artifact-based combos: In cases where you're trying to build around expensive artifacts like Extraplanar Lens or Aetherflux Reservoir, Chromatic Lantern's ability may not provide enough additional mana to make a significant difference.

Notable Interactions:

  • Golgari Findbroker: This card's ability can be amplified by Chromatomic Lantern, allowing for more efficient land-tapping and increased overall mana development.
  • Boros Charm: By providing an additional source of red or white mana, Chromatomic Lantern makes it easier to activate Boros Charm's various abilities.
History & Meta

Chromatic Lantern, a rare artifact from the RTR set, has been a staple in many decks for its ability to add one mana of any color. Its versatility makes it an attractive option for players who build around lands or need a way to accelerate their mana development.

According to EDHREC, Chromatic Lantern has a rank of 66, indicating moderate popularity among the EDH community. Its presence can be seen in various formats, including Commander and Modern decks. A notable example is the "Lantern Control" archetype, which utilizes Chromatic Lantern as a key component to accelerate its mana and execute powerful spells.

In terms of printings, Chromatomic Lantern has had several reprints, including one in the Masterpiece Series. Its price remains relatively low, with a Tix value of $0.02 and an USD value of $2.22 for non-foil versions. Foil versions command a higher price, reaching up to $5.04.

When it comes to iconic decks featuring Chromatic Lantern, one notable example is the "Lanterns" deck from the 2013 Pro Tour Magic: RTR event. The decklist showcased the card's potential for disrupting opponents' plans while accelerating its own mana development.

Flavor & Lore

The Chromatic Lantern is a rare artifact from the RTR set, capable of unlocking the full potential of lands on the battlefield. This card's power lies in its ability to grant any land under your control the option to tap and add one mana of any color at instant speed.

In the world of Magic, lands are the foundation upon which decks are built. They provide a steady source of mana, allowing players to cast spells and activate abilities. However, some lands are more restrictive than others, forcing players to choose between colors or specific mana types. The Chromatic Lantern sidesteps this limitation by enabling any land to tap for an additional mana.

This artifact's design is reminiscent of cards like Simian Spirit Guide, which also grant a powerful ability to a player's lands. However, the Lantern's effect is more versatile and less dependent on specific circumstances, making it a valuable addition to decks that rely on complex color combinations or aggressive ramp strategies.

In terms of lore, the Chromatic Lantern could be seen as a tool created by the wizarding community to aid in magical research and experimentation. Its design implies a deep understanding of the fundamental principles governing mana and its relationship with lands. Perhaps this artifact was forged in the heart of a ancient library, where scholars pored over ancient texts and practiced intricate spells.

In gameplay terms, the Chromatic Lantern is most effective when combined with cards like Ancestral Recall, which allow players to accelerate their mana development and play more complex spells sooner. It also pairs well with artifacts that enhance land abilities, such as Urza's Tower or Myr Retriever. By tapping into the Lantern's power, players can create a rich tapestry of colors and combinations, unlocking new strategies and possibilities on the battlefield.

Budget/Alternatives

Budget & Accessibility: Chromatic Lantern

Chromatic Lantern is a versatile artifact that can generate additional mana, making it an attractive addition to any deck. With a moderate price point and reprinted in multiple sets, this card is relatively accessible.

Card Price

The current market prices for Chromatic Lantern are:

  • USD: $2.22
  • TIX: $0.02
  • EUR: €1.36 (approximately)
  • USD Foil: $5.04
  • EUR Foil: €2.18 (approximately)

These prices indicate that the non-foil version is more budget-friendly, while the foil version is significantly more expensive.

Reprint Status

Chromatic Lantern has been reprinted in several sets, including:

  • RTR (2013)
  • Commander Anthology (2017)
  • Modern Horizons 2 (2020)

This reprint history makes it easier for players to acquire this card without breaking the bank.

Budget-Friendliness

For a deck focused on budget play, Chromatic Lantern is an excellent choice. Its relatively low price point and frequent reprints make it accessible even to players with limited budgets. However, if you're building a competitive Commander deck, the foil version may be too expensive.

Alternative Options in Commander

If you can't afford or don't have access to Chromatic Lantern, consider these alternatives:

  • Bolas's Keyneer: A more recent reprint (Modern Horizons 2) with similar effects. Price: approximately $1.50 USD.
  • Sage of Epityr: A budget-friendly option from the Commander Anthology set, generating +1/+1 counters that can be used to generate additional mana. Price: approximately $0.75 USD.

These alternatives offer similar benefits at a lower cost, making them excellent substitutes in budget-conscious Commander decks.