Rootwater Matriarch MTG Card
1997-10-14 - Number 83
2007-07-13 - Number 103
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Merfolk |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
oc T: Gain control of target creature as long as that creature has any enchantments on it.
Understanding Rootwater Matriarch
Within the deep lore and complex mechanics of Magic: The Gathering, certain cards stand out for their unique abilities, and Rootwater Matriarch is one such gem. This rare blue creature from the Tempest set can seize control of your opponent’s tapped creatures indefinitely, making it a formidable tool for turning the tables in your favor. With a casting cost of three generic and one blue mana, it’s a card players should be wary of when making strategic decisions during gameplay.
Cards like Rootwater Matriarch
Rootwater Matriarch shares its creature-controlling characteristics with several noteworthy peers. Sower of Temptation is a card that offers an immediate impact by taking control of creatures the moment it enters the battlefield. However, the control is lost if Sower leaves play. Conversely, Rootwater Matriarch provides a more permanent solution but requires the targets to be tapped. Control Magic, an enchantment option, similarly takes control of a creature, but it can target untapped creatures and, like Sower, control is dependent on the enchantment’s presence on the battlefield.
Another card in the conversation is Beguiler of Wills. This card’s power grows with the number of creatures you control, allowing for the potential theft of multiple creatures over time, but it takes a significant setup to utilize effectively. Conversely, Rootwater Matriarch’s ability to snatch creatures is consistent, reliant only on the opposition’s tactical maneuvers. Each of these cards offers distinct strategic advantages, yet Rootwater Matriarch stands out for its continuous control and unique interaction with tapped creatures within the realm of Magic: The Gathering.
Rootwater Matriarch’s specialized ability to turn an opponent’s resources into your own makes it a fascinating choice, particularly in blue control decks that can consistently tap opposing creatures. Its balance of cost and effect makes it a card worth considering for players who enjoy the psychological edge of controlling opponents’ pieces.
Cards similar to Rootwater Matriarch by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Rootwater Matriarch lets you leverage your opponent’s creatures as bargaining chips, providing a strategic upper hand. By taking control of tapped creatures, you can potentially turn the tides by utilizing the opponent’s resources against them. This kind of control is pivotal in games that drag into longer battles where every card in play can determine the winner.
Resource Acceleration: Though this card itself does not accelerate resources directly, by gaining control of your opponent’s creatures, you effectively deny them their resources while potentially accessing additional abilities and attacks. This displacement of power can act like a form of indirect acceleration as you strengthen your board presence with your opponent’s assets.
Instant Speed: While Rootwater Matriarch operates at sorcery speed, its continuous effect dictates gameplay much like that of an instant. The mere presence of the Matriarch can be enough to force your opponent to reconsider their strategies, especially when it comes to tapping their creatures. This sort of psychological advantage and board control can be as effective as the most well-timed instant, giving you a significant strategic edge in the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Rootwater Matriarch’s ability to take control of creatures comes with a notable downside: the necessity to tap both the Matriarch and the targeted creature. This precludes any additional combat or utility uses of the creatures for that turn, potentially leaving you vulnerable.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring three blue mana in its cost, Rootwater Matriarch may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks. Players must consider their mana base carefully, as a heavy blue commitment can restrict the deckbuilding flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including three that must be blue, the Matriarch carries a high cost for her effect. In decks focused on tempo or efficiency, this may be seen as a drawback, especially when compared to other creature control cards that might have lower and more flexible mana requirements.
Reasons to Include Rootwater Matriarch in Your Collection
Versatility: The Rootwater Matriarch is not just another creature card; it’s a key that unlocks various paths in gameplay. It can slide into control decks or those focusing on permanent manipulation, bringing an element of surprise and adaptability to your tabletop battles.
Combo Potential: With the ability to gain control of your opponent’s creatures simply by tapping, Rootwater Matriarch synergizes with cards that benefit from controlling multiple creatures. Unleash devastating combos by seizing the best your opponent has to offer and turning their assets against them.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies dominate, having the Rootwater Matriarch gives you an edge. It serves as a deterrent against opposing threats and can shift the tide of the game by taking control of key creatures, making it a strategic addition to your collection.
How to beat
Rootwater Matriarch presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to gain control of tapped creatures. Strategically, it becomes essential to manage your board and the state of your creatures. Unlike cards that permanently take control, the Matriarch’s power hinges on the creatures being tapped, so one straightforward approach is to simply avoid attacking with valuable creatures if the threat of the Matriarch looms on the horizon.
Another tactic involves utilizing instant-speed removals or creature abilities that can untap your own creatures either during your turn or in response to the Matriarch’s ability being activated. Cards like Vitalize or Benefactor’s Draught could unexpectedly turn the tables. Finally, employing hexproof or shroud can prevent Rootwater Matriarch from targeting your creatures altogether, securing your side of the field from unwarranted takeovers.
Given these strategies, the Matriarch, while potentially game-changing, can be mitigated effectively with proper planning and reflexive play, ensuring that her presence on the field doesn’t dictate the pace and power balance of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rootwater Matriarch 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 Rootwater Matriarch and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Rootwater Matriarch Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2007-07-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-10-14 | Tempest | TMP | 83 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Randy Gallegos | |
| 2 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 103 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Daren Bader |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rootwater Matriarch has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Rootwater Matriarch card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Can target an unenchanted creature but has no effect on that creature. |
| 2005-08-01 | A creature is “enchanted” if it has any Auras attached to it. |
| 2007-07-15 | Unlike many similar creatures, Rootwater Matriarch untaps as normal during your untap step. Whether it’s tapped or untapped has no bearing on the control-change effect. |
| 2009-02-01 | The control effect applies so long as at least one Aura is attached to the creature, and will continue to apply even if Rootwater Matriarch has left the battlefield. The effect ends if at any time the creature has no Auras on it. |