Magic: The Gathering

Cryptic Gateway

Onslaught 306 • rare

Set: Onslaught
Collector number: 306
Rarity: Rare
Mana cost: 5 generic mana
Type: Artifact
Colors: Colorless
Artist: David Martin
Market price: $1.64

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$1.64est. via TCGplayer

104,743cards tracked

2other printings of this card

Market

What it's worth

$1.64market price via TCGplayer · Oct 7, 2026$1.64 – $1.77 over the tracked period

Estimate for a typical copy of Cryptic Gateway; condition, printing, and grading move the real number.

Lore

Why it matters

This rare artifact from the Onslaught set acts as a powerful engine for players, allowing them to bypass the typical costs of deploying creatures onto the battlefield. By bridging the gap between a player's hand and the table, it rewards those who build their decks around high-value creatures that can be cheated into play for a fraction of the effort.

Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI

Card face

What it does

Tap two untapped creatures you control: You may put a creature card from your hand that shares a creature type with each creature tapped this way onto the battlefield.

Its lock changes to fit each key.

Formats

Where you can play it

StandardNot legal
PioneerNot legal
ModernNot legal
LegacyLegal
VintageLegal
CommanderLegal
PauperNot legal
BrawlNot legal
HistoricNot legal
TimelessNot legal
Penny DreadfulLegal
OathbreakerLegal

Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Card text via Scryfall. Not approved or endorsed by Wizards. As of the last catalogue refresh.

Buy

Where to find one

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Provenance

Where it came from

Cryptic Gateway was released in 2002 as part of the Onslaught expansion for Magic: The Gathering. The card was designed during a period when the game was heavily emphasizing tribal synergies and creature-based mechanics, specifically highlighting the return of the 'morph' keyword. As an artifact that allows players to bypass mana costs for creatures sharing a specific type, it was conceived as a powerful engine for decks built around distinct creature races.

The atmospheric illustration for the card was created by artist Heather Hudson. Hudson opted for a surreal, architectural style that emphasizes the mystical nature of the artifact as a portal, effectively capturing the high-fantasy aesthetic of the Dominaria setting. Upon release, the card gained a reputation as a niche but effective tool in casual and commander formats, valued for its ability to create explosive board states in tribal-focused strategies.

Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI

Other printings

Every version of this card

The same card, printed again — different sets, treatments, and prices.

Collectors

Who's collecting this

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About

About Cryptic Gateway

Cryptic Gateway is a card in the Magic: The Gathering catalog on collecto.rs. Onslaught 306 • rare. Catalog data is sourced from Scryfall. No public cards collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.

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Can I track my own copy of Cryptic Gateway?

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Where does the Cryptic Gateway catalog entry come from?

The catalog entry for Cryptic Gateway is sourced from Scryfall. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.