Plated Rootwalla MTG Card

Exodus (EXO)
1998-06-15 - Number 116

Plated Rootwalla - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)

Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
1999-11-12 - Number 52

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Lizard
Power	3
Toughness	3

Key Takeaways

The Plated Rootwalla excels in creature-based strategies and instant-speed power boosts.
Despite its versatility, it requires discards and specific mana, limiting broad use.
Effective counters include removal spells and anticipating its activation in combat.

Text of card

oo G Plated Rootwalla gets +3/+3 until end of turn. Play this ability only once each turn.

" . . . And the third little boar built his house out of rootwalla plates . . . ." —Skyshroud children's story

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Plated Rootwalla offers a strategic advantage as it provides a reliable creature on board that can be a persistent threat to opponents. It’s especially beneficial in decks that capitalize on creature count or need targets for enchantments or equipment.

Resource Acceleration: This creature card may not directly generate mana or treasure, but its cost-effectiveness helps in deploying threats early in the game, leading to a more rapid board presence and leaving resources available for other spells.

Instant Speed: The Plated Rootwalla’s activated ability can be used at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to enhance its power during combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn. This can lead to advantageous trades and surprise blocks, which are fundamental in shifting the game’s momentum in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside of the Plated Rootwalla lies in its activation condition. To utilize its buff ability, you may need to discard another card, which can set you back in terms of card advantage, particularly if your hand is already sparse.

Specific Mana Cost: Plated Rootwalla requires green mana for both casting and activating its abilities. This cost restricts it to green decks or those with a reliable mana base that can accommodate the color requirement, potentially rendering it less versatile in multi-color builds that struggle with mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating creatures in the same mana range, Plated Rootwalla can seem costly. While the base stats may appear reasonable, the mana spent to mutate it into a more formidable creature could be seen as a substantial investment, particularly in faster-paced games where mana efficiency is key.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Plated Rootwalla boasts flexibility by being a low-cost creature with an easily activatable buff. It’s a solid inclusion in decks looking for cost-effective beaters or those looking to benefit from creature spells with adaptable power.

Combo Potential: With its ability to increase in power at instant speed, Plated Rootwalla can synergize well in combos that exploit power-based triggers or effects, enhancing various strategies focused around creature sizes.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where early board presence can be crucial, Plated Rootwalla holds its ground. Its resilience against sweepers due to its pump ability also makes it a timely card against certain meta strategies favoring tempo plays.

How to beat

Plated Rootwalla can be a hardy opponent in Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to bulk up through its activated ability. To tackle this creature, it’s wise to counter it before it becomes a threat on the board. Control decks that include removal spells such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can efficiently dispatch the Rootwalla before its power becomes unmanageable. If it does land on the battlefield, having instant-speed removal at the ready ensures that you can respond to its buffing ability before damage is dealt.

Ensnaring board control mechanics also serve as an excellent countermeasure. Deploying spells that tap creatures or change the combat dynamic like Frost Breath can neutralize the Rootwalla’s impact in combat. Furthermore, do not overlook the importance of combat tricks. Cards such as Giant Growth or any instant-speed trick that offsets the Rootwalla’s power and toughness during battle can swing the duel in your favor.

Always remember that timing is key against creatures like Plated Rootwalla. Anticipate the activations and avoid getting caught off guard. By preparing the right responses and maintaining board control, the Plated Rootwalla’s potential threat can be efficiently mitigated.

Cards like Plated Rootwalla

Plated Rootwalla finds its place among versatile creature cards in MTG that can be a boon for decks focused on creature strategies. When it comes to cards with adaptive abilities, Basking Rootwalla is often the first that comes to mind. Both are Rootwallas and offer the ability to pump up their power, but Basking Rootwalla can do so at no mana cost if it’s discarded. Plated Rootwalla, alternatively, requires two mana to activate its boosting ability.

Quarter Monitor is another card that echoes the adaptability of Plated Rootwalla, albeit via a different mechanic. It has the potential to grow its power at the cost of three mana, fully utilizing mana resources to create a more dominant presence on the battlefield. Comparatively, Plated Rootwalla stands out with a lower cost to initiate its power increase.

Considering these factors, Plated Rootwalla strikes a balance between cost-efficiency and strategic adaptability, making it an interesting option for players keen on deploying reactive threats in their games. Its ability to swell in power at a moment’s notice, without consuming a turn’s entire mana reserve, makes it a worthy card in its own right.

Cards similar to Plated Rootwalla by color, type and mana cost

Ashaya, Soul of the Wild - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Plated Rootwalla MTG card by a specific set like Exodus and Battle Royale Box Set, 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 Plated Rootwalla and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Plated Rootwalla Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-06-15 and 1999-11-12. Illustrated by Randy Elliott.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1998-06-15	Exodus	EXO		116	1997	Normal	Black	Randy Elliott
2	1999-11-12	Battle Royale Box Set	BRB		52	1997	Normal	White	Randy Elliott

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Plated Rootwalla has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2006-02-01	If this card’s ability is activated by one player, then another player takes control of it on the same turn, the second player can’t activate its ability that turn.