Rootha, Mercurial Artist MTG Card

Rootha ensures card advantage with her ability to return and copy spells, posing a recurring threat. She accelerates game plans by doubling spell impacts but requires color-specific mana. Great for spell-focused decks, she shines with combo potential and adapts to metagame shifts.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeLegendary Creature — Orc Shaman
Power 1
Toughness 4

Text of card

, Return Rootha, Mercurial Artist to its owner's hand: Copy target instant or sorcery spell you control. You may choose new targets for the copy.

"Art is never finished. Merely abandoned."

Cards like Rootha, Mercurial Artist

Rootha, Mercurial Artist adds a unique twist to the pool of creature cards with a focus on spell copying in MTG. It shares similarities with cards like Dualcaster Mage, which also allows you to copy instant or sorcery spells. Rootha, however, stands out with its return to hand mechanic that enables repeated use throughout the game. Unlike Dualcaster Mage, Rootha requires one to be more strategic about when and how to use her ability, taking into account her need to return to your hand to do so.

Another card in the conversation is Naru Meha, Master Wizard. Similar to Rootha in that she can copy spells, Naru Meha offers the added benefit of buffs to other wizards and doesn’t need to leave the battlefield to copy a spell. This makes Naru Meha a choice for decks that want immediate impact without sacrificing board presence. On the other hand, Rootha’s lower casting cost provides a more flexible option in the early game.

Ultimately, Rootha, Mercurial Artist appeals to players who appreciate the capability to repeatedly leverage spell copying abilities and enjoy planning several moves ahead to maximize their impact. Her unique set of abilities allows for diverse and innovative gameplay within the landscape of MTG.

Dualcaster Mage - MTG Card versions
Naru Meha, Master Wizard - MTG Card versions
Dualcaster Mage - MTG Card versions
Naru Meha, Master Wizard - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Rootha, Mercurial Artist shines when it comes to maintaining a steady flow of options, as her ability to return to your hand combined with casting a copy of a spell ensures a persistent threat that your opponents must answer repeatedly.

Resource Acceleration: Rootha’s unique copying ability can effectively double the impact of your spells, potentially accelerating your game plan by getting more out of the resources you invest.

Instant Speed: While Rootha herself doesn’t operate at instant speed, her ability to copy instant or sorcery spells grants her a strategic flexibility, letting players adapt and react to the game state on the fly, leveraging instant speed spells to their maximum potential.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Rootha, Mercurial Artist necessitates a card discard to trigger her copying ability. This cost could potentially set you back if your hand is already depleted and you cannot afford to lose additional cards.

Specific Mana Cost: Her activation is color specific, requiring both blue and red mana. This requirement can limit her integration in decks that don’t support both colors or mana fixing strategies to consistently fulfill her ability’s conditions.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Rootha’s activation cost might seem steep considering that for three mana, you’re not advancing your board presence but merely duplicating an existing spell. Alternative, lower-costed cards could provide similar or better utility without the hefty mana investment.

Reasons to Include Rootha, Mercurial Artist in Your Collection

Versatility: Rootha, Mercurial Artist shines in decks that need a flexible creature card. With her ability to copy instant or sorcery spells, she can adapt to various situations, whether you’re hunting for more damage, draw, or even board wipes.

Combo Potential: Rootha’s ability to copy spells not only provides value on its own but opens the door for high-impact plays. She aligns with strategies that revolve around spell-slinging or casting multiple spells in a single turn. Imagine doubling up on a crucial game-changer or building synergy with cards that trigger upon casting spells.

Meta-Relevance: As metagames shift, so does the importance of reactive and proactive spells. Rootha, Mercurial Artist slots into this changing landscape neatly, potentially doubling the impact of your deck’s most pertinent spells. This keeps your strategy relevant, providing an edge against a variety of opposing lineups.

How to beat Rootha, Mercurial Artist

Rootha, Mercurial Artist stands out as a unique and powerful card in the world of MTG, known for her ability to copy instant or sorcery spells. Her strength lies in her flexibility, allowing you to effectively double the impact of your most potent spells. However, despite her capabilities, there are strategies to overcome Rootha on the battlefield.

Targeted removal spells are your best friend against Rootha; they can eliminate her before she becomes a recurring threat. Consider instant-speed removal to catch your opponent off-guard, reducing the chance for them to copy a game-changing spell. Additionally, cards that restrict the casting or copying of spells, such as Narset, Parter of Veils, can also effectively neutralize Rootha’s advantage. Ensnaring Rootha early with enchantments that prevent activated abilities from being used can also hinder your opponent’s strategies and maintain your control over the game.

To summarize, while Rootha, Mercurial Artist can be a formidable adversary, she can be managed with precise removal, disruption strategies, and the right timing. Knowing when and how to shut down her abilities is key to maintaining the upper hand in your MTG matches.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rootha, Mercurial Artist MTG card by a specific set like Strixhaven: School of Mages and Strixhaven Art Series, 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 Rootha, Mercurial Artist and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Rootha, Mercurial Artist Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-04-23 and 2021-04-23. Illustrated by Chris Rahn.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-04-23Strixhaven: School of MagesSTX 2272015NormalBlackChris Rahn
22021-04-23Strixhaven Art SeriesASTX 38s2015Art seriesBorderlessChris Rahn
32021-04-23Strixhaven Art SeriesASTX 382015Art seriesBorderlessChris Rahn

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rootha, Mercurial Artist has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-04-16 Rootha, Mercurial Artist’s ability must have a target to be activated. You can’t activate it without a target in order to return Rootha to your hand.