Sunbathing Rootwalla MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Lizard |
| Abilities | Domain |
| Released | 2022-09-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Dominaria United |
| Set code | DMU |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 181 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Campbell White |
Text of card
Domain — : Until end of turn, Sunbathing Rootwalla gets +1/+1 for each basic land type among lands you control. Activate only once each turn.
A rootwalla's prey includes anything or anyone that wanders into view.
Cards like Sunbathing Rootwalla
Sunbathing Rootwalla finds its niche within Magic: The Gathering as a flexible creature card. Mirroring its functional elasticity is Basking Rootwalla, another lizard that can pump its power at will. The main difference lies in Sunbathing Rootwalla’s ability to permanently increase its size, diverging from its cousin that temporarily bulks up. Furthermore, Basking Rootwalla can activate its ability for no cost if it’s discarded, making it more compatible with discard strategies.
Scute Mob is another creature that bears resemblance in its growth potential, although it hinges on land count rather than mana investment. This tiny creature can swiftly become a behemoth but requires a different setup, potentially making Sunbathing Rootwalla a preferable choice for more aggressive decks. Conversely, Experiment One offers a similar progressive creature experience, gaining counters through evolving, yet it depends on casting other creatures with greater power or toughness, differing from the direct mana-to-strength conversion of Sunbathing Rootwalla.
In the ecosystem of creature cards with growth potential, Sunbathing Rootwalla is a reliable performer. Its ability to commit to long-term growth provides a strategic option for players crafting decks that prioritise steadfast power development.
Cards similar to Sunbathing Rootwalla by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Sunbathing Rootwalla, you get more than just a creature on the board. This green lizard adds a layer of strategy through its activated ability, allowing you to adapt to the changing game without spending additional cards from your hand. A sturdy choice for decks that capitalize on creature-based synergies.
Resource Acceleration: Sunbathing Rootwalla may not generate extra mana or treasure tokens directly, but its low casting cost optimizes your resource management. Placing a reliable creature early in the game can greatly accelerate your board presence, applying pressure and maximizing your mana usage in the critical opening turns.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of the Rootwalla’s pump ability gives you the power to surprise your opponent during combat. Although not an instant itself, the ability to increase power instantaneously can be pivotal in battles, allowing for decisive and often game-changing combat tricks. This adds a dynamic layer to gameplay and provides a psychological edge by keeping your adversary guessing.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For Sunbathing Rootwalla to maximize its potential, a player often needs to discard another card. This can be a drawback, especially if you’re already short on cards or if the discarded card could have been crucial for your strategy later on.
Specific Mana Cost: Sunbathing Rootwalla requires green mana which, while flexible in a mono-green build, could be restrictive in multi-colored decks. This demand for a specific mana type could affect the fluidity of plays and overall mana base consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Its activation cost to enhance its combat abilities may be deemed high compared to other creatures in the same mana range. In a fast-paced game, investing that much mana to pump a single creature might not be the best tactical move, as it can put you behind in developing your board presence.
Reasons to Include Sunbathing Rootwalla in Your Collection
Versatility: Sunbathing Rootwalla fits seamlessly into a wide array of decks, excelling particularly in those that are built around +1/+1 counters and creature-based strategies.
Combo Potential: This card’s ability can be used to synergize with effects that trigger when creatures grow, or to quickly beef up for a surprise block or an amplified attack.
Meta-Relevance: Within a meta that emphasizes fast aggro plays, Sunbathing Rootwalla can be a cost-effective creature that holds its own, especially due to its low mana activation cost.
How to beat
Sunbathing Rootwalla presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its activated ability allowing it to buff its power until end of turn. This card can suddenly become a formidable threat during combat, and facing it requires a strategic approach. To effectively counter Sunbathing Rootwalla, timely removal spells are key. Cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile work perfectly to remove the Rootwalla before it can become too large. Depending on the situation, countering it with Essence Scatter when it’s cast can preemptively address the problem.
Another strategy is to maintain control over the board and manage your opponent’s mana. Since Sunbathing Rootwalla’s ability is only powerful if it’s activated multiple times, making sure your opponent is low on resources will limit its effectiveness. Tools like mana leak are excellent for hindering your opponent’s mana pool. In this way, even if Sunbathing Rootwalla lands on the field, without sufficient mana, its potential remains untapped.
All things considered, maintaining control with removal and disruption is key to beating Sunbathing Rootwalla. By employing these tactics, players can ensure that this sun-loving lizard remains a minor nuisance rather than a major threat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sunbathing Rootwalla MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United, 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 Sunbathing Rootwalla 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sunbathing Rootwalla has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sunbathing Rootwalla card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-09-09 | Domain abilities count the number of basic land types among lands you control, not how many lands you control or how many of any type. |
| 2022-09-09 | The basic land types are Plains, Island, Swamp, Mountain, and Forest. Land types other than basic land types (such as Desert) don’t contribute to domain abilities. |