Rootwalla MTG Card

Rootwalla can be a persistent threat, often requiring opponents to use multiple resources to counter it. The card’s instant speed pump allows for unexpected power boosts, adding an element of surprise. While resource-heavy, Rootwalla’s flexibility makes it a highly adaptable and potent addition to any deck.

Tempest (TMP)
1997-10-14 - Number 252

Ninth Edition (9ED)
2005-07-29 - Number 268★

Ninth Edition (9ED)
2005-07-29 - Number 268

Tenth Edition (10E)
2007-07-13 - Number 293

Magic 2014 (M14)
2013-07-19 - Number 192

Tempest Remastered (TPR)
2015-05-06 - Number 191

Welcome Deck 2017 (W17)
2017-04-15 - Number 27

Card sets	Released in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Lizard
Power	2
Toughness	2

Text of card

o1o G: Rootwalla gets +2/+2 until end of turn. Use this ability only once each turn.

If you try to sneak up on a rootwalla, you'll suddenly find yourself dealing with twice the lizard.

Cards like Rootwalla

Rootwalla stands out in MTG as an efficient creature with a mana ability that increases its power. Its counterpart, Basking Rootwalla, offers a similar pump ability without mana cost, activated once per turn. This makes the Basking variant a favorable pick for mana conservation.

Another parallel is found in Frilled Sandwalla. Boasting a similar boost ability, it presses players into carefully considering their mana allocation during gameplay. Yet, the initial lower stats make it a weaker creature at face value than Rootwalla. However, the flexibility to pump Frilled Sandwalla multiple times in a turn could outweigh its initial drawbacks for some players.

Examining these choices, Rootwalla does hold its own as a versatile creature. Its balance between cost, base stats, and the potential for power increase positions it as a dependable option within MTG creature cards. It competently bridges the gap between aggressive early play and late-game resilience.

Cards similar to Rootwalla by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: The beauty of the Rootwalla card lies in its potential to offer card advantage in the right deck setup. While it doesn’t directly allow you to draw more cards, it acts as a recurrent threat on the board that demands an answer from your opponent. It forces them to deal with it, potentially using more than one card to do so.

Resource Acceleration: Within the context of a game, Rootwalla can expedite your gameplay significantly. Its low mana cost combined with the ability to pump it at instant speed without any mana investment can help you allocate resources more efficiently elsewhere while still posing a substantial threat.

Instant Speed: The inherent flexibility of Rootwalla comes from its ability to become more powerful at instant speed. This lets you adapt to the state of the game and surprise an opponent with a sudden boost in power, especially when they least expect it.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Activating the abilities of Rootwalla often requires the player to discard another card. This can be a drawback when playing with a tight grip, as it dwindles your hand and diminishes future play options.

Specific Mana Cost: Rootwalla demands a precise combination of mana colors for casting and activating its abilities. This can restrict the card’s flexibility, as it might not easily fit into multicolored decks that are not focused on those specific mana colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment to get Rootwalla on the field and potentially boost its power can be quite steep compared to other creatures available. For the same amount of resources, you could potentially summon creatures with inherently stronger abilities or higher stats.

Reasons to Include Rootwalla in Your Collection

Versatility: Rootwalla makes a flexible addition to many types of decks, particularly those that thrive on creature-based strategies. Its low casting cost and pump ability mean it can serve as an early game threat or a late-game mana sink, adapting to the flow of the match with ease.

Combo Potential: This creature’s ability to increase its power at instant speed allows players to synergize with cards that benefit from sudden stat boosts. Whether it’s enabling a surprise block or working with cards that key off power thresholds, Rootwalla has a place in combos that catch opponents off guard.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where creature combat is common, Rootwalla can hold its own. Its low-cost and on-demand power increase can make it a consistent player in matches that hinge on efficient mana use and board presence. In certain metas, having a quick and adaptable creature like Rootwalla could significantly impact your game’s outcome.

How to beat Rootwalla

Rootwalla stands out in the pantheon of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering for its flexible mana cost and the potential to buff its attack power. This lizard can sneak onto the battlefield as a seemingly innocuous threat but quickly become a larger obstacle if left unchecked. At its core, it’s a dynamic piece in any green deck, exemplifying the color’s affinity for growth and adaptation.

An effective strategy against Rootwalla involves regulating its ability to pump its power. Counter play could include removal spells timed after it has been cast but before its ability has been activated, thereby preventing the mana investment from enhancing its combat prowess. Cards with flash can be particularly advantageous as they offer the flexibility to respond at the most opportune moment, possibly thwarting an opponent’s larger plan involving the buffed Rootwalla.

In summary, overcoming Rootwalla requires foresight and precise timing. It’s about understanding the stages of threat it represents and acting decisively to maintain control of the board. By leveraging instant-speed interactions and maintaining removal options, players can navigate the challenges posed by this mutable lizard efficiently in their MTG matchups.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rootwalla MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Ninth 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 Rootwalla and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Rootwalla Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2017-04-15. Illustrated by Roger Raupp.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1997-10-14	Tempest	TMP	252	1997	Normal	Black	Roger Raupp
2	2005-07-29	Ninth Edition	9ED	268★	2003	Normal	Black	Roger Raupp
3	2005-07-29	Ninth Edition	9ED	268	2003	Normal	White	Roger Raupp
4	2007-07-13	Tenth Edition	10E	293	2003	Normal	Black	Roger Raupp
5	2013-07-19	Magic 2014	M14	192	2003	Normal	Black	Roger Raupp
6	2015-05-06	Tempest Remastered	TPR	191	2015	Normal	Black	Roger Raupp
7	2017-04-15	Welcome Deck 2017	W17	27	2015	Normal	Black	Roger Raupp

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rootwalla has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering 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.