Rooftop Nuisance MTG Card


Gains card advantage by disrupting foes, tilting matches in your favor through card draw. Instant speed allows tactical flexibility and critical game state shifts. Strategic resource acceleration by slowing opponents, crucial for board control.
Rooftop Nuisance - Streets of New Capenna
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Casualty
Released2022-04-29
Set symbol
Set nameStreets of New Capenna
Set codeSNC
Number57
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred bySvetlin Velinov

Text of card

Casualty 1 (As you cast this spell, you may sacrifice a creature with power 1 or greater. When you do, copy this spell and you may choose a new target for the copy.) Tap target creature. It doesn't untap during its controller's next untap step. Draw a card.


Cards like Rooftop Nuisance

Rooftop Nuisance presents an intriguing dynamic within the sphere of creature control in Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with cards like Gelid Shackles, which also focuses on limiting the abilities of creatures. Rooftop Nuisance, however, introduces a unique twist by enabling players to not only tap a target creature but also prevent it from untapping during the next untap step. This effect is slightly more restrictive compared to the continuous control that Gelid Shackles provides.

There’s a clear parallel with Frost Breath, which embodies the same “tap and don’t untap on the next turn” approach. Both center around impairing opponents’ strategies by freezing their assets, so to speak. Yet, Frost Breath affects not one, but two creatures, giving it an edge in terms of kismet control. Conversely, Rooftop Nuisance has the benefit of being a cheaper spell with a lower mana cost.

Ultimately, looking at different cards with aligned functions allows us to understand the nuances of game strategy. Rooftop Nuisance stands out for its cost-effectiveness and the specific, targeted hindrance it causes, marking it as a viable option for those looking to efficiently disrupt their adversary’s battlefield presence.

Gelid Shackles - MTG Card versions
Frost Breath - MTG Card versions
Gelid Shackles - MTG Card versions
Frost Breath - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Rooftop Nuisance proves its worth by offering a solid way to disrupt your opponent while potentially drawing into more of your deck. Gaining a valuable card can decisively tilt the scales in a closely contested match.

Resource Acceleration: While not a direct source of mana, this card can strategically slow down your adversary, effectively accelerating your own resource development by comparison. This tempo play could be what’s needed to establish your board presence.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Rooftop Nuisance at instant speed grants you the flexibility to optimize your tactics. Waiting for the perfect moment, such as when your opponent is unguarded, can lead to a significant shift in the game state at a crucial juncture.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Rooftop Nuisance demands that a player discard a card as part of its cost, which could prove detrimental when a player’s hand is almost empty, diminishing strategic options.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting requirement of this card includes not just any mana, but a specific combination that necessitates both blue and black. This can restrict its application to decks that comfortably run these colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that’s on the higher end for its abilities, players may find that Rooftop Nuisance competes poorly with other options. For the mana invested, there might be alternative cards that provide greater impact on the game or that might align better with a player’s deck strategy.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Rooftop Nuisance shines in a variety of settings due to its ability to manage the battlefield. It pairs well with decks that aim to disrupt opponents and maintain control.

Combo Potential: This card can serve as a critical piece in combos, particularly in conjunction with effects that benefit from tapping or untapping creatures, or those that capitalize on an opponent being unable to block.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment dominated by creature-based strategies, Rooftop Nuisance can be a game-changer by effectively neutralizing key threats and tipping the scales in your favor.


How to beat

Rooftop Nuisance is one of those pesky blue cards in Magic: The Gathering that can turn the tides of a match by bouncing creatures back to the owner’s hand. This can be particularly frustrating when you are setting up your board. To effectively combat Rooftop Nuisance, a solid strategy includes prioritizing low-cost creatures to minimize the tempo loss when they’re returned to your hand. Alternatively, you can focus on deploying creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects, turning the nuisance into an advantage by getting to reuse those effects.

It’s also advisable to keep instant removal or counterspells ready for when your opponent tries to cast Rooftop Nuisance. This way, you can prevent the spell from resolving and protect your creatures from being bounced. Additionally, playing around Rooftop Nuisance by not overcommitting to the board when your opponent has untapped blue mana can save you from a devastating setback. Plan each move with the anticipation of potential disruption, and Rooftop Nuisance won’t be as much of a hindrance to your victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rooftop Nuisance MTG card by a specific set like Streets of New Capenna, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Rooftop Nuisance and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rooftop Nuisance has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Rooftop Nuisance card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2022-04-29 Casualty N means “As an additional cost to cast this spell, you may sacrifice a creature with power N or greater.” and “When you cast this spell, if a casualty cost was paid for it, copy it. If the spell has any targets, you may choose new targets for the copy.”
2022-04-29 If you pay the casualty cost of a spell, the copy will resolve before the original spell.
2022-04-29 The copy of the spell is created on the stack, so it's not “cast.” Abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell won't trigger.
2022-04-29 You may sacrifice only one creature to pay a spell's casualty cost, and you copy the spell only once.