Chromatic Lantern or Joiner Adept?
Commander Deck Help forum
Posted on Jan. 11, 2025, 9:35 a.m. by DemonDragonJ
I have a copy of Chromatic Lantern in every one of my EDH decks, but several of my EDH decks have a strong emphasis on creatures, so I am wondering if I should replace the lantern with Joiner Adept, since that creature has the same ability as the lantern. The adept is only a 2/1 creature, but I imagine that most players shall not bother to destroy such an innocuous creature, so what does everyone else say, about that? Should I replace Chromatic Lantern with Joiner Adept? What about Dryad of the Ilysian Grove, instead? Would that creature be a suitable replacement for Chromatic Lantern, instead?
griffstick says... #3
Without a question Dryad of the Ilysian Grove is the best option.
January 11, 2025 3:48 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #4
plakjekaas, the only reason that I would choose Cryptolith Rite over Joiner Adept is if I were building a deck with a focus on enchantments or other non-creature spells, and I agree with both you and griffstick that Dryad of the Ilysian Grove is the best card of this group, so I likely shall choose that card, instead.
January 11, 2025 6:52 p.m.
DeinoStinkus says... #5
In a vacuum, Dryad > Lantern > Cryptolith Rite > Joiner Adept. In the vast majority of situations.
January 11, 2025 9:31 p.m.
plakjekaas says... #6
I'm sorry, but you'd only play an enchantment that turns all your CREATURES into Birds of Paradise in a deck that focuses on NON-CREATURE SPELLS?
Do you play Swords to Plowshares only in lifegain decks too?
January 11, 2025 11:24 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #7
TheOfficialCreator, in that case, I shall definitely choose Dryad of the Ilysian Grove for my decks that have a strong emphasis on creatures, but may I ask why you believe that Cryptolith Rite is superior to Joiner Adept? Is it because creatures are generally easier to destroy than are enchantments, or do you have another reason for believing that?
plakjekaas, I have copies of Swords to Plowshares in the majority of decks that I have that contain the color white, and I made a mistake in my previous post; I completely forgot that Cryptolith Rite and Joiner Adept grant their benefits to two different types of permanents, so I am very sorry for making that mistake.
January 11, 2025 11:47 p.m.
DeinoStinkus says... #8
DemonDragonJ Cryptolith Rite provides color fixing and extra mana; Joiner Adept only provides color fixing.
January 12, 2025 1:11 a.m.
DarkKiridon says... #9
"the only reason that I would choose Cryptolith Rite over Joiner Adept is if I were building a deck with a focus on enchantments or other non-creature spells"
That's a stupid ass reason.
January 12, 2025 1:05 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #10
DarkKiridon, why are you being so rude?
TheOfficialCreator, how does Cryptolith Rite provide additional mana?
January 12, 2025 3:37 p.m.
griffstick says... #11
Chromatic Lantern and Joiner Adept should not be up for discussion. They both suck.
- They are only good cards on turn two.
- They provide almost no additional mana. Making them both even worse late game.
However Cryptolith Rite provides ramp and fixing. And in some cases it's a ritual effect if deployed late in the game. This card wins games in a similar fashion that Dockside Extortionist did.
January 12, 2025 5:10 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #12
griffstick, I am sorry, but I must disagree, as Chromatic Lantern has been very useful, to me, in various situations; how can anyone dislike such amazing mana fixing?
Also, I would prefer Enduring Vitality over Cryptolith Rite, since that card can actually work, on its own, rather than requiring other cards to have any impact upon a game.
January 12, 2025 7:40 p.m.
griffstick says... #13
DemonDragonJ may i ask why you value fixing so high.
(Side note. I run Chromatic Lantern in only one deck. Its a 2 color boros devotion deck.)
January 13, 2025 12:16 p.m. Edited.
DemonDragonJ says... #14
griffstick, I believe that it is better to be safe than sorry, as I like being certain that I shall be able to reliably cast my spells.
plakjekaas says... #2
I'd say with a strong focus on creatures, Cryptolith Rite would give you extra mana on top of fixing, instead of just the fixing part. Dryad of the Ilysian Grove gives you the additional land drop on top of the fixing. Both would probably be better than Joiner Adept, unless you specifically need creatures with mana value 2 or less for your creature focus. Or if you need it to be an elf, of course. But it's unlikely you really need the fixing if you need elves, and there's still better cards to play in this slot.
January 11, 2025 3:47 p.m.