Rowen MTG Card
1997-02-03 - Number 119
1999-04-21 - Number 250
2001-04-11 - Number 266★
2001-04-11 - Number 266
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
During your draw phase, reveal the first card you draw to all players. If that card is a basic land, draw a card.
"I've dreamt of a second harvest but fear I will not see it." —Asmira, Holy Avenger
Cards like Rowen
Rowen holds its unique standing among card advantage engines in Magic: The Gathering. When evaluating this card, one can see similarities with the enchantment Mirri’s Guile. Both cards allow players to manipulate the top of their library, with Rowen offering a repeatable way to potentially draw additional cards during the upkeep providing certain conditions are met. Although Mirri’s Guile offers immediate top-deck sorting, it lacks the robust card-drawing potential of Rowen.
Another enchantment, Sylvan Library, offers a more dynamic card selection process each turn, which bridges strategy with card advantage. However, Sylvan Library does not guarantee the same volume of card draw that Rowen can under optimal circumstances. Lastly, Oracle of Mul Daya presents a different route for leveraging extra cards, by playing additional lands from the top of the deck, it gratifies a separate tactical purpose.
Considering these comparisons, Rowen establishes itself as an intriguing choice for players who appreciate methodical play and can engineer the game state to their advantage, unlocking the full potential of this enchantment’s ability to generate card advantage over time.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Rowen offers a unique edge in gameplay by generating card advantage. This powerful ability lets you sift through the top few cards of your deck, quickly leading you towards the spells you need to outmaneuver opponents and maintain momentum throughout the match.
Resource Acceleration: Within the strategic confines of MTG, Rowen provides impressive resource acceleration. By bolstering your mana pool, it enables you to deploy threats earlier than expected or react with game-changing spells when crucial.
Instant Speed: The utility of this card is amplified by its instant speed, granting you the flexibility to respond adaptively to the evolving battlefield. This opens up strategic plays, allowing you to maximize the effectiveness of each turn or disrupt opponent’s plans with a well-timed intervention.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Rowen’s activation condition necessitates discarding another card, potentially depleting valuable hand resources and posing a strategic setback in tighter gameplay situations.
Specific Mana Cost: Rowen requires a precise blend of mana, including both green and generic, restricting its seamless inclusion across various deck archetypes and potentially hindering mana curve optimization.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating Rowen’s mana expenditure against its ability to retrieve lands, players might find the cost steep, especially when other cards in the format provide land acceleration or card advantage with lower investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Rowen is a dynamic card that can easily find its place in various MTG decks. Its ability to restrict an opponent’s land usage makes it an effective tool not only in control strategies but also in tempo plays, ensuring your board presence remains ahead.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies focused on land denial or resource disruption. It can be a lynchpin in decks that seek to capitalize on opponents’ tapped lands, multiplying its impact with landfall abilities or other untap effects.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where mana efficiency often dictates the pace, Rowen can play a pivotal role. It thrives against decks that are reliant on playing multiple spells in a turn or that need specific mana types, shaping the meta by challenging conventional mana curves and strategies.
How to beat
Addressing the challenge that the Rowen card presents to Magic: The Gathering players requires tactical finesse and strategy. Amongst an array of diverse cards, having the right countermeasures can decisively turn the tide of the game. Key to overcoming Rowen’s potent abilities is a well-timed removal spell or using versatile cards that can neutralize its impact on your game plan. Disenchant, an unassuming yet powerful spell, is vital for dismantling artifacts and enchantments that cards like Rowen bring to the battlefield.
Moreover, incorporating instant speed interaction spells into your deck grants you the upper hand, permitting you to thwart your opponent’s strategies effectively. Consider spells such as Naturalize or Krosan Grip, that excel in removing problematic noncreature permanents without the hindrance of spell counters. It’s imperative to anticipate and prepare for the potential resurgence of Rowen, a testament to its recurring nature and the continual pressure it exerts. Hence, maintaining a hand equipped with answers that can address such threats will guide you towards claiming victory against opponents wielding this card.
In the grand strategy of Magic: The Gathering, adapting your approach and keeping a diverse array of responsive cards not only helps in beating cards like Rowen but also fortifies your overall gameplay against myriad challenges.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rowen MTG card by a specific set like Visions and Classic Sixth 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 Rowen 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
Printings
The Rowen Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1997-02-03 and 2001-04-11. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-02-03 | Visions | VIS | 119 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Jon J Muth | |
| 2 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 250 | 1997 | Normal | White | Jon J Muth | |
| 3 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 266★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 4 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 266 | 1997 | Normal | White | Franz Vohwinkel |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rowen has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Rowen 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 | The first sentence is a continuous ability. You reveal the card when you draw it, during the resolution of any draw effect. The second sentence is a triggered ability, and thus will wait until the entire draw effect finishes resolving before you do it. |