Rootwater Thief MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Merfolk Rogue
Released	2000-02-14
Set symbol
Set name	Nemesis
Set code	NEM
Power	1
Toughness	2
Number	40
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ron Spears

Key Takeaways

Its ability to selectively exile cards can severely interfere with an opponent’s game plan.
Rootwater Thief adds strategic depth and versatility, fitting into decks that capitalize on library manipulation.
Despite a somewhat high mana cost, its potential impact makes the Thief a worthy consideration.

Text of card

oo U Rootwater Thief gains flying until end of turn. Whenever Rootwater Thief deals combat damage to a player, you may pay . If you do, search that player's library for a card and remove that card from the game, then the player shuffles his or her library.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Rootwater Thief’s ability to potentially remove key cards from an opponent’s deck can disrupt their strategic plans, indirectly translating to card advantage as it diminishes their resources.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana, Rootwater Thief can accelerate your game plan by efficiently filtering through your deck and clearing the way for your critical strategies.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Rootwater Thief’s effect when it deals combat damage without being limited to sorcery speed adds versatility and surprise elements, allowing for strategic plays that can adapt to various board states.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Rootwater Thief requires players to discard from their hand, which can potentially deplete valuable resources or disrupt strategic plays, ultimately posing a risk of losing card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Rootwater Thief includes blue mana, demanding a commitment to blue mana sources in a player’s land base, which can restrict deck building options and potentially affect the deck’s color balance.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a need for two mana to cast and an additional two to activate its ability, Rootwater Thief’s mana cost is relatively steep for its effect. Considering such an investment, players might find alternatives that either cost less or provide a greater impact on the game.

Reasons to Include Rootwater Thief in Your Collection

Versatility: Rootwater Thief is a nimble card that can sneak into various blue-based decks, especially those that seek to disrupt the opponent’s strategy through hand and library manipulation. Its evasion ability allows it to reliably deal damage and trigger its search effect.

Combo Potential: When coupled with ways to increase the damage it deals or grant it additional attack phases, this creature has the potential to drastically thin out key components of an opponent’s deck, making it a strong piece in mill-themed combos or control tactics.

Meta-Relevance: Given that many competitive environments feature decks reliant on certain combo pieces or key spells, Rootwater Thief’s ability to selectively extract threats from an opponent’s library means it could significantly impact the flow of a game and diminish an adversary’s resources.

How to beat

Confronting a Rootwater Thief in MTG can be quite the tactical puzzle on the battlefield. This merfolk’s power lies in its ability to disrupt your opponent’s strategy by exiling cards from their deck. When it deals combat damage to a player, you can pay (2) to search that player’s library for a card and exile it.

To effectively counter this sneaky adversary, consider utilizing instant-speed removals like Fatal Push or Path to Exile before it gets a chance to strike. Having blockers ready, specifically those with flying or reach, can also prevent it from dealing combat damage. Moreover, employing cards that grant hexproof to your library, such as Witchbane Orb, makes it impossible for the Rootwater Thief’s ability to target you.

Strategy adjustment is also key. If you anticipate facing a Rootwater Thief, try to keep a more diversified deck to minimize the impact of any single card being exiled. Through these methods, your chances of neutralizing the threat of Rootwater Thief and maintaining your game plan increase significantly, ensuring you stay one step ahead in the duel of decks.

Cards like Rootwater Thief

Rootwater Thief holds a unique position in Magic: The Gathering as a creature card with the ability to selectively remove cards from an opponent’s deck. This card finds kinship with Sadistic Sacrament, which also exiles cards directly from a player’s library. While Sadistic Sacrament lacks the reusable nature of the Rootwater Thief’s ability, it can potentially exile more cards in a single play.

Another comparable card is Earwig Squad, a creature that preys upon the opponent’s library contents as well. Though it can remove more cards at once compared to Rootwater Thief, it doesn’t offer the same degree of continuous control throughout the game. Furthermore, Earwig Squad’s ability is a one-time event, tied to its prowl cost, making Rootwater Thief’s evasive nature and repeatable action more appealing in games where longevity and tactical disruption are crucial.

Ultimately, Rootwater Thief stands out within MTG for its potential to distrupt an opponent’s strategy over the course of a match. Its ability to do so repeatedly can prove to be a significant advantage in the right deck, setting it apart from other cards with similar one-off, albeit more expansive, effects.

Cards similar to Rootwater Thief by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rootwater Thief MTG card by a specific set like Nemesis, 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 Rootwater Thief and other MTG cards: