Root Maze MTG Card


Root Maze forces symmetry in slowed play, equally affecting both player’s resource deployment. Green mana dependency and subtle board impact might limit its fit in diverse decks. Despite restrictions, Root Maze’s meta relevance shines in decks designed for control.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

All artifacts and lands come into play tapped.

"We should step up repairs. I think the forest has plans for us." —Crovax


Cards like Root Maze

Root Maze is a unique enchantment in Magic: The Gathering that impacts the flow of the game by forcing lands and artifacts to enter the battlefield tapped. Exploring comparable cards, we find Amulet of Vigor. While Root Maze slows down opponents, Amulet of Vigor counters this downside by untapping the affected permanents instantly. Although Amulet of Vigor nullifies Root Maze’s ability for the controller, it does not have the same universal effect.

Another akin card is Frozen Aether, which broadens the scope of Root Maze by applying the enter-tapped condition to all permanents, not just lands and artifacts. Despite its higher mana cost, Frozen Aether is a formidable card widening the delay imposed on opponents. On the other hand, Kismet takes a similar but more targeted approach by affecting only opponents’ permanents, leaving your own unaffected. Both Frozen Aether and Kismet allow a strategic advantage for the player who is not hindered by the tapped condition.

Gauging the capabilities of Root Maze against these analogs, it stands out for its low mana cost and immediate influence on early game board state, making it a powerful tool for controlling the pace from the outset.

Amulet of Vigor - MTG Card versions
Frozen Aether - MTG Card versions
Kismet - MTG Card versions
Amulet of Vigor - MTG Card versions
Frozen Aether - MTG Card versions
Kismet - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Root Maze by color, type and mana cost

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Earthlore - MTG Card versions
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Elephant Grass - MTG Card versions
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Carpet of Flowers - MTG Card versions
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Hidden Gibbons - MTG Card versions
Web - MTG Card versions
Living Artifact - MTG Card versions
Fastbond - MTG Card versions
Instill Energy - MTG Card versions
Wild Growth - MTG Card versions
Cocoon - MTG Card versions
Elven Fortress - MTG Card versions
Earthlore - MTG Card versions
Revelation - MTG Card versions
Carapace - MTG Card versions
Gift of the Woods - MTG Card versions
Mortal Wound - MTG Card versions
Spider Climb - MTG Card versions
Elephant Grass - MTG Card versions
Bequeathal - MTG Card versions
Elven Palisade - MTG Card versions
Hidden Spider - MTG Card versions
Carpet of Flowers - MTG Card versions
Rancor - MTG Card versions
Hidden Gibbons - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Root Maze. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
GG LegacyLegacy Challenge 32 2024-05-11
Gruul PrisonGruul Prison VintageRed PrisonVintage Challenge 32 2024-04-27
RGRG VintageVintage League 2024-04-17
Mono-Green DevotionMono-Green Devotion ModernGreen DevotionModern Challenge 64 2024-04-06
Mono-Green ControlMono-Green Control ModernGreen ControlModern Challenge 64 2024-03-02
StasisStasis PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent
Oath of DruidsOath of Druids VintageOath of DruidsVintage Challenge 32 2023-12-16
Abzan AggroAbzan Aggro PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Though Root Maze doesn’t directly let you draw cards, it disrupts your opponents’ land and artifact strategies effectively, keeping their resources at bay and maintaining your advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Root Maze can indirectly accelerate your resources by slowing down your opponents. With their lands and artifacts entering the battlefield tapped, you gain precious time to develop your board and strategize.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Root Maze’s static ability impacts the game immediately upon hitting the field. This ensures your opponents’ future lands and artifacts are hindered right away, giving you an edge akin to instant speed interaction.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Root Maze doesn’t force a player to discard, its symmetrical effect disrupts both players’ land plays, potentially penalizing you just as much as your opponent if not tactically timed.

Specific Mana Cost: Root Maze requires green mana specifically, which might not synergize with every deck strategy, particularly if you’re running a multicolored deck light on green sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Root Maze is just a single green mana, its board impact is subtle and may not justify the card slot in a deck when compared to other strong one-drops that provide immediate board presence or advantage.


Reasons to Include Root Maze in Your Collection

Versatility: Root Maze, a single green mana enchantment, effortlessly slots into decks that desire to slow down opponents’ gameplay. Its ability to affect both lands and artifacts entering the battlefield tapped can hinder even the most robust mana ramp strategies, proving a versatile tool in your arsenal.

Combo Potential: This deceptively simple card excels in combination with strategies that capitalize on your opponents’ delayed resources. By incorporating Root Maze into a build designed to stifle and control, you create opportunities to gain a significant advantage on the board while your opponents struggle to untap their vital resources.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames dominated by fast mana and explosive artifact plays, Root Maze can serve as a powerful countermeasure. By preemptively setting back your opponents’ tempo, you position yourself to control the pace of the game, making Root Maze a relevant and strategic choice in numerous competitive environments.


How to beat

Root Maze is a unique green enchantment that can put a significant twist on the pace of a Magic: The Gathering match. This unassuming one-mana card is known for its ability to disrupt the momentum of both players by causing all artifacts and lands to enter the battlefield tapped. As such, it can require a strategic approach to navigate the hurdles it creates.

To effectively neutralize the impact of Root Maze, consider including cards that don’t rely on lands or artifacts for acceleration. Spells that untap your permanents or creatures that provide mana can circumvent the delays caused by Root Maze. Additionally, you can employ enchantment removal such as Disenchant, Naturalize, or Back to Nature, to directly remove Root Maze from play and regain the tempo in your game. Planning ahead and building your deck with alternative mana sources or incorporating resilient spells that aren’t hindered by coming into play tapped will provide you with a well-rounded strategy to overcome the challenges posed by this enchantment and maintain control over the course of the game.

Taking these tactics into consideration allows you to minimize Root Maze’s slowing effects and continue to play an efficient and proactive game, keeping you a step ahead of your opponent and their strategic plays.


BurnMana Recommendations

Root Maze’s subtle yet profound impact on MTG gameplay is a testament to its strategic value. Delving into the nuances of competitive play, its ability to disrupt your opponent’s tempo cannot be overstated. In a terrain where timing is critical, mastering utilization of this card could be the linchpin of victory. Whether you’re seeking to optimize your control deck or undercut ramp strategies, including Root Maze offers unique opportunities to tilt the game in your favor. Keen to enhance your control over the battlefield or simply intrigued by the potential plays Root Maze offers? Navigate to our hub for an in-depth exploration of strategic deck building and stand poised to outmaneuver your adversaries in your next match.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Root Maze MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Tenth Edition, 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 Root Maze and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Root Maze Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2007-07-13. Illustrated by Rebecca Guay.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-10-14TempestTMP 2501997NormalBlackRebecca Guay
22007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 2922003NormalBlackRebecca Guay

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Root Maze has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal