Versatile Reality Fracture Mythic Vastly Improves Tons of Different Archetypes

At this point, it’s become clear that Reality Fracture is an incredibly impactful MTG set, thanks in part to the reimagining of many famous MTG designs. In some cases, like with Seasoned Cryomancer, the new design has spots where it’s even better than its older counterpart. As a result, Cryomancer is taking over tons of formats out of the gate, and occasionally outperforms its Seasoned Pyromancer counterpart.

MTG Seasoned Cryomancer in Constructed

Just like Seasoned PyromancerSeasoned PyromancerWhen this creature enters, discard two cards, then draw two cards. For each nonland card discarded this way, create a 1/1 red Elemental creature token.
{3}{R}{R}, Exile this card from your graveyard: Create two 1/1 red Elemental creature tokens., Seasoned Cryomancer’s triggered ability offers a ton of utility. Not only does the card smooth out your draws, but it also significantly reduces the pressure you face. This upside, combined with its late-game graveyard-activated ability, is enough to warrant consideration in a variety of blue decks. With extra synergies, though, the card becomes an absolute powerhouse.

In Standard, for example, Dimir Reanimator shells use this card well as a discard outlet for Uldaros TheorixUldaros TheorixFlying
When Uldaros Theorix enters, if you cast him, exile up to one target nonland card of each card type from your graveyard. Copy those cards. You may cast any number of spells with total mana value 6 or less from among the copies without paying their mana costs. (Permanent spells cast this way become tokens.) or DeceitDeceitWhen this creature enters, if {U}{U} was spent to cast it, return up to one other target nonland permanent to its owner's hand.
When this creature enters, if {B}{B} was spent to cast it, target opponent reveals their hand. You choose a nonland card from it. That player discards that card.
Evoke {U/B}{U/B} while digging for Superior Spider-ManSuperior Spider-ManMind Swap — You may have Superior Spider-Man enter as a copy of any creature card in a graveyard, except his name is Superior Spider-Man and he's a 4/4 Spider Human Hero in addition to his other types. When you do, exile that card. to copy them. Meanwhile, Cryomancer buys you time against aggro decks, letting you spin your wheels further with Winternight Stories and The Theorist, Jace Beleren. Notably, Cryomancer is also a great card to copy itself, increasing Spider-Man’s flexibility.

Some Izzet Spellementals decklists also incorporate Cryomancer in small numbers. By discarding instants and sorceries to its triggered ability, the Wizard makes your haymakers like Hearth Elemental and Eddymurk CrabEddymurk CrabFlash
This spell costs {1} less to cast for each instant and sorcery card in your graveyard.
This creature enters tapped if it's not your turn.
When this creature enters, tap up to two target creatures. cheaper. If your opponent can’t kill your Cryomancer, bouncing it with SunderflockSunderflockThis spell costs {X} less to cast, where X is the greatest mana value among Elementals you control.
Flying
When this creature enters, if you cast it, return all non-Elemental creatures to their owners' hands. and replaying it for extra value is very appealing.

From there, the card’s utility only increases in Pioneer, as it’s proven to be a massive upgrade of Izzet Vivi Cauldron. Beyond dumping Viv OrnitierViv Ornitier{0}: Add X mana in any combination of {U} and/or {R}, where X is Vivi Ornitier's power. Activate only during your turn and only once each turn.
Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, put a +1/+1 counter on Vivi Ornitier and it deals 1 damage to each opponent. for Agatha’s Soul Cauldron, Cryomancer also synergizes with Proft’s Eidetic MemoryProft’s Eidetic MemoryWhen Proft's Eidetic Memory enters, draw a card.
You have no maximum hand size.
At the beginning of combat on your turn, if you've drawn more than one card this turn, put X +1/+1 counters on target creature you control, where X is the number of cards you've drawn this turn minus one. through card draw. Once you exile Vivi under your Cauldron, all of your +1/+1 counter creatures turn into insane mana engines, allowing Cryomancer’s graveyard ability to refuel your hand.

Even in a format with a card pool as vast as Modern, this Wizard shows up occasionally in Simic Ritual and Esper Goryo’s shells. In the former, this tool can pair with Birthing RitualBirthing RitualAt the beginning of your end step, if you control a creature, look at the top seven cards of your library. Then you may sacrifice a creature. If you do, you may put a creature card with mana value X or less from among those cards onto the battlefield, where X is 1 plus the sacrificed creature's mana value. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order., fuel Abhorrent OculusAbhorrent OculusAs an additional cost to cast this spell, exile six cards from your graveyard.
Flying
At the beginning of each opponent's upkeep, manifest dread. (Look at the top two cards of your library. Put one onto the battlefield face down as a 2/2 creature and the other into your graveyard. Turn it face up any time for its mana cost if it's a creature card.), and serve as sacrifice fodder for Flare of DenialFlare of DenialYou may sacrifice a nontoken blue creature rather than pay this spell's mana cost.
Counter target spell. after generating value. Esper Goryo’s gets even more mileage with Cryomancer, dumping Atraxa, Grand Unifier into the graveyard to reanimate with Goryo’s VengeanceGoryo’s VengeanceReturn target legendary creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield. That creature gains haste. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step.
Splice onto Arcane {2}{B} (As you cast an Arcane spell, you may reveal this card from your hand and pay its splice cost. If you do, add this card's effects to that spell.). Of course, you can also blink Cryomancer with EphemerateEphemerateExile target creature you control, then return it to the battlefield under its owner's control.
Rebound (If you cast this spell from your hand, exile it as it resolves. At the beginning of your next upkeep, you may cast this card from exile without paying its mana cost.), generating more value with its enters trigger.

Elite Commander Support Piece

Beyond just its Constructed impact, Seasoned Cryomancer also pairs nicely with a boatload of Commanders. Naturally, the card is great in Reanimator decks like Norman OsbornNorman OsbornNorman Osborn can't be blocked.
Whenever Norman Osborn deals combat damage to a player, he connives. (Draw a card, then discard a card. If you discarded a nonland card, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.)
{1}{U}{B}{R}: Transform Norman Osborn. Activate only as a sorcery. and Blink shells like Brago, King Eternal, but the fun doesn’t stop there.

Given how easily Seasoned Cryomancer’s trigger lets you draw your third card for the turn, it’s a fantastic addition to Tamiyo, Inquisitive Student and Lyra, Tolarian ArchangelLyra, Tolarian ArchangelFlying
At the beginning of each end step, if you've drawn three or more cards this turn, create a 3/3 blue Angel creature token with flying.
{3}{U}{U}: Until end of turn, whenever Lyra deals combat damage to a player, draw two cards. decks. Alternatively, Captain Howler, Sea ScourgeCaptain Howler, Sea ScourgeWard—{2}, Pay 2 life.
Whenever you discard one or more cards, target creature gets +2/+0 until end of turn for each card discarded this way. Whenever that creature deals combat damage to a player this turn, you draw a card. and Sefris of the Hidden WaysSefris of the Hidden WaysWhenever one or more creature cards are put into your graveyard from anywhere, venture into the dungeon. This ability triggers only once each turn. (To venture into the dungeon, enter the first room or advance to the next room.)
Create Undead — Whenever you complete a dungeon, return target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield. can use Cryomancer to fuel their discard synergies. You can even use Commanders like Hylda of the Icy CrownHylda of the Icy CrownWhenever you tap an untapped creature an opponent controls, you may pay {1}. When you do, choose one —
• Create a 4/4 white and blue Elemental creature token.
• Put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control.
• Scry 2, then draw a card. to maximize Cryomancer’s Stun Counter aspect.

If you want to focus less on this card’s entry trigger, Seasoned Cryomancer also works wonders in Wizard Typal Commander decks. Inalla, Archmage RitualistInalla, Archmage RitualistEminence — Whenever another nontoken Wizard you control enters, if Inalla is in the command zone or on the battlefield, you may pay {1}. If you do, create a token that's a copy of that Wizard. The token gains haste. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step.
Tap five untapped Wizards you control: Target player loses 7 life. and Naban, Dean of IterationNaban, Dean of IterationIf a Wizard you control entering causes a triggered ability of a permanent you control to trigger, that ability triggers an additional time. are particularly powerful homes, doubling up the Cryomancer’s triggers. This helps you dig for other elite Wizard payoffs like Azami, Lady of ScrollsAzami, Lady of ScrollsTap an untapped Wizard you control: Draw a card. or Patron WizardPatron WizardTap an untapped Wizard you control: Counter target spell unless its controller pays {1}., which then helps Cryomancer continue to have an impact in play.

With so much competitive firepower and EDH appeal, Cryomancer is easily one of Reality Fracture’s best cards. Even at $10, this card is well worth the price as a hugely impactful mythic.

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