Rootwater Shaman MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Merfolk Shaman |
| Released | 1997-10-14 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Tempest |
| Set code | TMP |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 84 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Paolo Parente |
Text of card
You may play creature enchantments whenever you could play an instant.
"Ugh! When did orcs and fish start having kids?" —Gerrard of the *Weatherlight*
Cards like Rootwater Shaman
Unraveling the mysteries of shamanic spells in Magic: The Gathering, Rootwater Shaman stands out for its distinct enchantment manipulation. This card feels kindred to Temur Sabertooth in the realm of utility creatures, granting the ability to return other creatures to hand. However, Rootwater Shaman is specialized, focusing solely on enchantments, offering strategic control over such spells during one’s own turn.
Comparatively, Aura Graft and Enchantment Alteration also deal with enchantment control, yet they limit their scope to Aura spells. They enable enchantments to shift between targets, whereas Rootwater Shaman allows you to reuse any enchantments by returning them to your hand. Furthermore, Sterling Grove protects enchantments with its shroud ability and can fetch them from your deck, but it cannot manipulate them in play as the Shaman does.
While each has its situational advantages, Rootwater Shaman provides consistent value over time, making it a unique inclusion in decks that leverage enchantment strategies. The choice between these cards hinges on your deck’s needs—whether you prioritize protection, reassignment, or the flexibility provided by Rootwater Shaman’s repeatable enchantment retrieval.
Cards similar to Rootwater Shaman by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Rootwater Shaman lets you potentially reuse valuable auras and enchantments, turning them into recurring resources and giving you an upper hand as the game progresses.
Resource Acceleration: While the Rootwater Shaman itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its ability can make certain enchantment-based strategies more efficient, thus enhancing your overall mana utilization.
Instant Speed: The card’s activated ability works at instant speed, allowing you to respond to your opponents’ actions during their turn, offering a flexible and tactical edge in battles.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To harness the Rootwater Shaman’s abilities, players must be willing to discard a card, which could potentially put them at a resource disadvantage, particularly when hand size is crucial to maintaining gameplay options.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Rootwater Shaman is strictly tied to blue mana sources. This requirement can hinder deck flexibility, as the inclusion of the Shaman may necessitate a commitment to blue mana producing lands or sources, which might not align with multi-color deck strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that sits at three mana, including one blue, Rootwater Shaman’s abilities may come at a steep price when compared to other cards that could provide similar effects or greater board presence for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Rootwater Shaman in Your Collection
Versatility: Rootwater Shaman offers a unique flexibility in gameplay by allowing you to actively use enchantment cards that alter your creatures at instant speed. This capacity to adapt to various board states makes it a adaptable inclusion in decks that want to be prepared for an array of situations.
Combo Potential: This card has significant synergies within enchantment-focused decks or strategies emphasizing on aura-based combos. Its potential to enhance these interactions on the fly can lead to powerful and unexpected turns that could swing the game in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames where enchantments play a key role or creature-based strategies are dominant, Rootwater Shaman’s ability to use enchantments anytime can be a game-changer. It allows for tactical flexibility and surprise plays that can disrupt opponents’ strategies and maintain tempo control.
How to beat
Rootwater Shaman, a notable card in the Magic: The Gathering universe, can be seen as a valuable asset for players seeking to engage in graveyard strategy manipulation. This creature offers a unique ability that allows you to cast enchant creature cards as though they had flash, granting sudden surprise factors and combat trick opportunities. To successfully counter this card, recognize that its strength lies in its synergy with other cards rather than standalone power.
To surpass Rootwater Shaman’s abilities, focus on disrupting your opponent’s graveyard and enchantments. Employing cards with graveyard hate attributes, such as Scavenging Ooze, can effectively neutralize the potential value your opponent gains from flashing in enchantments. Additionally, instant-speed removals, like Path to Exile, can remove the shaman before it becomes a significant threat. It’s essential to take advantage of the window before the shaman’s effect can be applied, especially since once enchantments are on the battlefield, they are tougher to deal with.
Ultimately, maintaining adaptability and reacting quickly to the dynamic challenges posed by Rootwater Shaman in your MTG matches is the key to success. By preemptively managing your opponent’s resources and cleverly timing your spells, you can overcome the challenges this card presents.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rootwater Shaman MTG card by a specific set like Tempest, 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 Shaman 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
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rootwater Shaman has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.