Rootwater Depths MTG Card

Instant speed activation allows adaptation to game flow, keeping opponents uncertain of your next move. Provides card advantage by letting players see the top card of their deck, optimizing future strategies. Serves as a mana fixer, smooth’s out mana curves, and supports higher-cost card plays earlier.

Tempest (TMP)
1997-10-14 - Number 323

Rootwater Depths - Tempest Remastered (TPR)

Tempest Remastered (TPR)
2015-05-06 - Number 241

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number TMP-323

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Land

Text of card

oc T: Add one colorless mana to your mana pool. oc T: Add o U or o B to your mana pool. Rootwater Depths does not untap during your next untap phase.

Cards like Rootwater Depths

Rootwater Depths may not be a household name in the world of Magic: The Gathering, but it deserves a spotlight for its role in mana flexibility. Like its brethren the Lair lands from the Planeshift set, Rootwater Depths allows players to tap for one of two types of mana. Similar utility can be found in cards such as Coastal Tower or Shivan Oasis, yet Rootwater Depths offers something unique – a third option to draw a card at the expense of sacrificing it, a feature the others lack.

Comparing Rootwater Depths to the Ravnica bouncelands (Dimir Aqueduct, for instance) reveals another interesting facet. Both land types return to the hand, but the bouncelands do so immediately upon entry, effectively setting you back a turn. In contrast, Rootswater Depths remains on the battlefield unless you choose the card draw function, offering uninterrupted mana until you require additional options.

Assessing Rootwater Depths beside these similar lands showcases its niche appeal. It treads a middle ground between providing mana stability and offering card draw potential, something not commonly found in mana-producing lands. This versatility, albeit at a cost, gives Rootwater Depths an edge in decks that value resource options.

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

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Rootwater Depths provides a unique edge in the realm of card selection. By allowing you to look at the top card of your deck at any time, it gives you ongoing insight into your upcoming draw. This information can be crucial in planning future turns and making informed decisions, particularly in formats where deck manipulation is key.

Resource Acceleration: The ability of Rootwater Depths to tap for colorless mana is a basic yet vital function. This facilitates a smooth mana curve, enabling you to play higher-cost cards earlier in the game. In multicolored decks, it also serves as a dependable source of colorless mana, assisting with casting spells that have strict colorless requirements.

Instant Speed: The liberty to activate Rootwater Depths’ ability at instant speed means you can adapt to the flow of the game without committing to actions ahead of time. This strategic advantage allows you to make last-minute decisions in response to your opponent’s moves, keeping them guessing and allowing you to utilize your mana effectively.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Rootwater Depths players often grapple with its downside—discarding a card can hinder your game, especially when your hand is already stretched thin by an ongoing strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: As a card specifically aligned with both blue and black mana, Rootwater Depths may not easily fit into decks that aren’t geared toward this particular color combination, restricting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring a total of four mana to unearth, Rootwater Depths may be eschewed in favor of lower-costing lands that provide mana without the added complication of a discard, particularly in faster-paced play where efficiency is key.

Reasons to Include Rootwater Depths in Your Collection

Versatility: Rootwater Depths is a land card that effortlessly slots into decks requiring mana fixing. Its ability to tap for colorless or be invested in to gain a colored mana makes it a flexible choice for multicolored decks.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, this card can be a key component in combo decks. It works well with cards that untap lands or benefit from specific mana types, enhancing overall synergy.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state that heavily relies on mana efficiency and curve optimization, Rootwater Depths proves significant. Being able to adjust your mana on the fly without loss of tempo can be a game-changer in matches where every turn counts.

How to beat

Rootwater Depths is a land card that enters the battlefield tapped, not immediately granting the mana boost like other basic lands. Its most notable feature is the ability to provide one mana of any color to your mana pool for a future spell. This versatility makes it a resourceful addition to multicolored decks within MTG.

When strategizing against Rootwater Depths, consider using land destruction cards or strategies that punish nonbasic lands. Effects that force players to sacrifice lands or cards that restrict mana production can undercut the usefulness of Rootwater Depths. Similarly, capitalize on the fact that it enters the battlefield tapped. Aggressive, fast-paced decks can take advantage of this tempo loss by accelerating their board presence before Rootwater Depths can impact the game effectively.

Overall, maintaining pressure and incorporating land interference into your strategy can significantly alleviate the benefits Rootwater Depths provides to an opponent. Recognizing the right moment to disrupt your opponent’s mana base can be pivotal to securing victory, ensuring Rootwater Depths doesn’t dictate the flow of the match.

Where to buy

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

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Rootwater Depths Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by Roger Raupp.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1997-10-14	Tempest	TMP	323	1997	Normal	Black	Roger Raupp
2	2015-05-06	Tempest Remastered	TPR	241	2015	Normal	Black	Roger Raupp
3	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	TMP-323	1997	Normal	Black	Roger Raupp

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rootwater Depths has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal