Insidious Roots MTG Card
2024-02-09 - Number 313
2024-02-09 - Number 208
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
Creature tokens you control have ": Add one mana of any color." Whenever one or more creature cards leave your graveyard, create a 0/1 green Plant creature token, then put a +1/+1 counter on each Plant you control.
Cards like Insidious Roots
Insidious Roots carves out its unique position within MTG’s realm of enchantments. Its resemblance with other cards is slight since it brings a twist to the concept of gradual control. Like Trespasser’s Curse, Insidious Roots adds a layer of strategy to the game, but it distinguishes itself with how the curse can spread, affecting multiple creatures over time rather than targeting a single aspect of gameplay.
Another card that comes to mind in comparing enchantments with incremental effects is Dead Weight. Though Dead Weight provides a simple, immediate subtraction in power to a target creature, Insidious Roots presents a more complex, evolving threat that can become more oppressive as the game continues. While Dead Weight’s impact is predictable and contained, the ever-growing potential of Insidious Roots is what makes it stand out.
Overall, Insidious Roots steps into a unique category of enchantments in MTG, characterized by its adaptive nature and the ability to scale its influence throughout the duel. This strategic flexibility can make it a dark horse in games where long-term tactics overshadow immediate impacts.
Cards similar to Insidious Roots by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Insidious Roots. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | BG | Pioneer | Pioneer Showcase Challenge 2024-04-14 | |
 | Asmo Food | Modern | Asmo Food | Modern Challenge 64 2024-04-07 (1) |
| Goryo's Vengeance | Modern | Goryo's Vengeance | Modern League 2024-04-08 |
| Yawgmoth | Modern | Yawgmoth | Modern League 2024-04-14 |
| Golgari Yawgmoth | Modern | Yawgmoth | *HALF PRICE FRIDAY* $5K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Friday - 1:00 pm |
| Sultai Tempo | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 14 2024 | |
 | Decklist | Free form | Pradas Cup #11 - Delitti al Maniero Karlov - Sponsored by MTGCircle.com |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Insidious Roots offers a unique twist on card advantage, allowing players not only to potentially remove a threat from the board but also to peek into the upcoming draws with its delve into the library’s top card, potentially setting up future plays.
Resource Acceleration: Though not a direct resource accelerator, the card’s abilities provide indirect acceleration by offering strategic planning through library manipulation, easing the way to draw into more useful spells or lands as needed.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of Insidious Roots being an instant significantly raises its strategic value, placing the power in the player’s hands to disrupt opponents’ tactics during their turn and in response to actions, thereby maintaining the upper hand.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Insidious Roots necessitates you to discard as part of its flash and enchantment abilities. While the intent is to provide strategic depth, it could be a setback when you are managing limited hand options during critical phases of the game.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana specifications for casting Insidious Roots might not be universally adaptable, given the requirement of both black and green. This potentially restricts it to decks that are closely aligned with a Golgari color scheme, and may not be feasible for every player’s strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost that includes both black and green mana, plus the additional stipulation of discarding another card, some players might find Insidious Roots askew in the economy scale, especially when other creatures or spells can be cast with fewer resources or with a more immediate impact on the game state.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Insidious Roots can adapt to various deck strategies, providing an unexpected defensive layer. Its aura nature allows it to attach to any Treefolk, turning it into a formidable blocker that can surprise your opponents and protect your life total.
Combo Potential: This card pairs well with decks focused on Treefolk or toughness-based strategies. Its ability to both buff your creatures and potentially disable your opponent’s attackers offers multiple pathways to exploit synergies and turn the tides of the game.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta heavy with creature-based attacks, Insidious Roots proves its worth by creating an immediate presence on the board that can deter assaults. As tempo plays are crucial, having an instant way to fortify your defenses or disrupt the enemy can influence the pace and outcome of matches.
How to beat Insidious Roots
Insidious Roots from Magic: The Gathering presents a strategic obstacle with its enchanted forest land transformation. To navigate this, removing the enchantment swiftly is key. Cards with enchantment destruction like Naturalize or Disenchant, are highly effective. If Insidious Roots has already transformed a land, look to land destruction cards or transformative spells like Blood Moon which alter land types and can neutralize the threat.
Another tactic involves taking control of the board early, preventing your opponent from establishing the fortified positions that Insidious Roots supports. This includes deploying countermeasures such as counterspells to prohibit the casting of enchantments altogether. Additionally, employing potent creature removal ensures that the paired creatures with these enchanted forests pose less of a threat.
Ultimately, maintaining flexibility in your deck to address enchantments and altered game states is a sound strategy when facing cards like Insidious Roots. Include a mix of direct removal, board control, and counterspells to stay one step ahead. It’s about preparing and adapting to this rooted challenge.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Insidious Roots MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor and Murders at Karlov Manor, 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 Insidious Roots and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Insidious Roots Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2024-02-09 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor | MKM | 313 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Monztre | |
| 2 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor | MKM | 208 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jeremy Wilson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Insidious Roots has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Standardbrawl | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |