Basking Rootwalla MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Lizard
Abilities Madness
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Virtual card advantage through graveyard play optimizes Rootwalla’s board presence without extra hand cards.
  2. Rootwalla’s zero mana cast from discard enhances resource management, allowing strategic board development.
  3. Instant speed power boost makes Rootwalla a flexible combat threat, surprising opponents unexpectedly.

Text of card

o1o G: Basking Rootwalla gets +2/+2 until end of turn. Play this ability only once each turn. Madness (You may play this card for its madness cost at the time you discard it from your hand.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Basking Rootwalla doesn’t draw cards directly, its low cost and the ability to enter the battlefield from the graveyard under certain conditions provides a form of card advantage known as virtual card advantage. You effectively use the same creature multiple times without spending additional cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Basking Rootwalla can be cast from your hand for zero mana cost if it’s discarded, which synergizes well with various discard outlets. This resource acceleration means you can develop your board presence without expending mana, thus saving resources for other strategic plays within your turn.

Instant Speed: The Rootwalla’s activated ability that increases its power can be used at instant speed. This flexibility allows you to surprise your opponent during combat by turning a seemingly harmless creature into a more formidable threat without the need to telegraph your moves in advance.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Basking Rootwalla can be a flexible addition to a deck, its ability to be cast for free hinges on the ability to discard another card. This makes it dependent on having an appropriate discard mechanism in play or other cards in hand to discard, which may not always be ideal, particularly if your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: Even though Basking Rootwalla can be played without paying its mana cost under certain conditions, its regular casting cost requires green mana. This specificity may reduce the versatility of the card in decks that aren’t heavily green or those that struggle with mana fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When not utilising its Madness mechanic for a free cast, deploying Basking Rootwalla for its base mana cost of one green might seem inefficient, especially in a fast-paced game where every mana point counts. Other one-mana creatures can offer equal or better stats or additional abilities without the conditional setup that Basking Rootwalla requires.


Reasons to Include Basking Rootwalla in Your Collection

Versatility: Basking Rootwalla easily slots into a variety of decks, including aggro and madness builds, due to its low casting cost and free activation ability.

Combo Potential: This creature can synergize with discard mechanics, enabling players to activate its power-boosting ability without spending mana, which is crucial for fast-paced games.

Meta-Relevance: Given its affordability and efficiency, Basking Rootwalla maintains its relevance in formats where quick creatures are key, making it a staple in some competitive scenes.


How to beat

Basking Rootwalla stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a low-cost, high-reward creature that can be a nuisance if not addressed early in the game. Its ability to buff itself without mana investment makes it a formidable opponent, especially in graveyard-centric decks that can exploit its Madness mechanic for a surprise block or attack. To counter this versatile lizard, you would want to focus on removal spells that can deal with it without letting its Madness trigger. Instant-speed removal such as Fatal Push or Lightning Bolt can efficiently dispose of the Rootwalla before it grows beyond control.

Another strategy is to utilize graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace or Tormod’s Crypt, which can neutralize the cost-effective reanimation of Basking Rootwalla. In decks capable of applying early pressure, focus on maintaining board control and minimizing opportunities for your opponent to trade their Rootwalla advantageously. Lastly, always be wary of open mana and suspicious discards from your opponent, as these can indicate a looming Madness-enabled Rootwalla ready to hit the field.


Cards like Basking Rootwalla

Basking Rootwalla holds a distinct place within the agile creatures of Magic: The Gathering. This card subtly nudges its comparison with other one-mana creatures like Quirion Ranger or Skirk Prospector but establishes itself with an appealing twist. Unlike the ranger that focuses on mana utility or the prospector’s sacrifice for mana gain, Basking Rootwalla offers an on-demand power boost without a mana expense, adding tactical pressure to your early game.

While most one-drops are utility-oriented, this little lizard excels in combative flexibility similar to cards like Goblin Bushwhacker. Despite the bushwhacker’s dependency on the kicker cost for an immediate impact, the Rootwalla’s free ‘pump’ ability can catch opponents off guard during combat or even end games unexpectedly. Then there’s Wild Mongrel, another creature that allows power increases through discarding cards. Though the discard offers deck synergy, the Rootwalla shines with its costless activation, providing a different layer of strategy.

Therefore, comparing Basking Rootwalla to its peers, it strikes an intriguing balance as a cost-effective threat. Its unique, mana-free activation for a power increase offers a surprising punch, making it a worthwhile consideration for players looking to enhance their aggressive strategies in Magic: The Gathering.

Quirion Ranger - MTG Card versions
Skirk Prospector - MTG Card versions
Goblin Bushwhacker - MTG Card versions
Wild Mongrel - MTG Card versions
Quirion Ranger - Visions (VIS)
Skirk Prospector - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Bushwhacker - Zendikar (ZEN)
Wild Mongrel - Odyssey (ODY)

Cards similar to Basking Rootwalla by color, type and mana cost

Scryb Sprites - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Ghazbán Ogre - MTG Card versions
Shanodin Dryads - MTG Card versions
Wall of Wood - MTG Card versions
Rime Dryad - MTG Card versions
Village Elder - MTG Card versions
Willow Dryad - MTG Card versions
Spike Drone - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Elite - MTG Card versions
Elvish Berserker - MTG Card versions
Tree Monkey - MTG Card versions
Norwood Ranger - MTG Card versions
Ghazbán Ogress - MTG Card versions
Wild Dogs - MTG Card versions
Elvish Herder - MTG Card versions
Pouncing Jaguar - MTG Card versions
Taunting Elf - MTG Card versions
Sacred Prey - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elite - MTG Card versions
Scryb Sprites - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Llanowar Elves - 30th Anniversary History Promos (P30H)
Ghazbán Ogre - Masters Edition (ME1)
Shanodin Dryads - Summer Magic / Edgar (SUM)
Wall of Wood - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Rime Dryad - Ice Age (ICE)
Village Elder - Mirage (MIR)
Willow Dryad - Portal (POR)
Spike Drone - Tempest (TMP)
Skyshroud Elite - Exodus (EXO)
Elvish Berserker - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Tree Monkey - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Norwood Ranger - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Ghazbán Ogress - Unglued (UGL)
Wild Dogs - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Elvish Herder - Urza's Saga (USG)
Pouncing Jaguar - Urza's Saga (USG)
Taunting Elf - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Sacred Prey - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Llanowar Elite - Invasion (INV)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Basking Rootwalla MTG card by a specific set like Torment and Magic Online Promos, 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 Basking Rootwalla and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Basking Rootwalla Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2002-02-04 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Heather Hudson.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-02-04TormentTOR 1211997normalblackHeather Hudson
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 351522003normalblackHeather Hudson
32003-08-07World Championship Decks 2003WC03 dh1212003normalgoldHeather Hudson
42014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 1962015normalblackHeather Hudson
52014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Garruk vs. LilianaGVL 22015normalblackHeather Hudson
62018-12-07Ultimate MastersUMA 1562015normalblackHeather Hudson
72019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 11302003normalblackHeather Hudson
82020-09-26The ListPLST DDD-22003normalblackHeather Hudson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Basking Rootwalla has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Basking Rootwalla card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2006-02-01 If this card’s ability is activated by one player, then another player takes control of it on the same turn, the second player can’t activate its ability that turn.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks