Tangleroot MTG Card


Boosts card efficiency and pressures opponents by refueling mana upon creature spell casts. Enables more threats and instant-speed plays, increasing game tempo and strategic flexibility. Compatible with creature-heavy strategies, potentially elevating your competitive edge in various MTG metas.
Tangleroot - Mirrodin
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeArtifact
Released2003-10-02
Set symbol
Set nameMirrodin
Set codeMRD
Number259
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byDana Knutson

Text of card

Whenever a player plays a creature spell, that player adds to his or her mana pool.

As if there's glitch in the system, the Tangle sometimes folds in on itself, throwing off sparks of mana in a mystifying display.


Cards like Tangleroot

Tangleroot, a noteworthy artifact from Magic: The Gathering, provides its user with a burst of mana whenever a creature spell is cast. Noteworthy parallels can be drawn with other cards like Earthcraft, which also grants mana each time a creature taps. Tangleroot stands out with its unique ability to generate mana without the need for tapping, offering immediate value as creatures enter the battlefield.

Another card for comparison is Gaea’s Cradle, which might not provide mana directly upon casting a creature but it taps for a green mana for each creature you control, potentially providing an even larger mana advantage in the long game. The passive mana gain from Tangleroot is relentless, benefiting the player each time a creature spell is cast, but Gaea’s Cradle’s scaling potential can be a game-changer in creature-heavy decks. Mana Echoes is another similar card to consider, providing an exponential mana advantage in decks that cast many creatures, although it requires creatures to share a creature type.

Deciding on any of these mana-generating cards ultimately depends on the deck strategy and creature density. Tangleroot offers a consistent mana boost without activation requirements, distinguishing itself in strategies that involve casting numerous creature spells.

Earthcraft - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Cradle - MTG Card versions
Mana Echoes - MTG Card versions
Earthcraft - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Cradle - MTG Card versions
Mana Echoes - MTG Card versions

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Simian Simulacrum - MTG Card versions
Evolving Door - MTG Card versions
Fractal Harness - MTG Card versions
Sequence Engine - MTG Card versions
Dodgy Jalopy - MTG Card versions
Heartwood Shard - MTG Card versions
Elf Replica - MTG Card versions
Weatherseed Totem - MTG Card versions
Sylvok Replica - MTG Card versions
Lifecrafter's Bestiary - MTG Card versions
Spiked Ripsaw - MTG Card versions
Webspinner Cuff - MTG Card versions
Saddle of the Cavalier - MTG Card versions
Jade Orb of Dragonkind - MTG Card versions
A-Jade Orb of Dragonkind - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tangleroot presents a distinct edge in card efficiency, particularly in decks designed around creature spells. Each time you cast a creature, Tangleroot triggers, effectively allowing you to channel resources into additional spells or abilities. This can keep your hand fueled and apply continuous pressure on your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: In any MTG deck where creatures are a cornerstone, Tangleroot enhances your mana pool indirectly. The additional mana provided upon casting a creature spell gives you the ability to deploy more threats or have enough mana for crucial reactionary plays, thus speeding up your game’s tempo considerably.

Instant Speed: While Tangleroot itself is not an instant, it does enable instant-speed plays. By providing extra mana during your main phases, you can more efficiently hold back mana to cast spells at instant speed. This means more flexibility to respond to an opponent’s actions or to end-step surprises that could shift the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tangleroot demands you to have a creature to sacrifice, limiting your plays if your board is empty or you wish to maintain a specific creature presence.

Specific Mana Cost: An exclusive green mana cost hinders deck flexibility, particularly in multicolored or splash strategies where color consistency is key.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three green mana, its initial investment is sizable, overshadowing potentials for early-game tempo, which can be critical in faster-paced matches or against aggressive opponents.


Reasons to Include Tangleroot in Your Collection

Versatility: Tangleroot is a unique artefact that can seamlessly integrate into a multitude of deck builds, especially in those that prioritize casting creatures. Its ability to generate mana with each creature cast turns any creature-heavy strategy into a potential powerhouse.

Combo Potential: Known for its synergy with creature spells, Tangleroot can unlock the power of combo decks by supplying additional mana for creature-based combos or engines. It works exceptionally well with cards that allow you to bounce creatures back to your hand or to untap mana to cast multiple creatures in a single turn.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature spells are prevalent, the capability to utilize extra mana every time a creature hits the table could profoundly affect your game position. This makes Tangleroot a considerable addition to stay competitive and adaptive to evolving gameplay environments.


How to beat

Tangleroot is a unique card in Magic: The Gathering that can offer an advantage to players who frequently cast creature spells. As it provides a mana bonus each time a creature comes into play, it can accelerate one’s gameplay significantly. To outmaneuver an opponent utilizing Tangleroot, it’s essential to disrupt their strategy. Effective measures include removal of the Tangleroot to dismantle their mana ramp or employing counter spells to block key creature plays. Additionally, since Tangleroot’s effect is symmetrical, playing fewer creatures while focusing on noncreature spells can minimize the benefit the card provides to your opponent.

One can also strategize around delaying creature plays until there are resources to remove or neutralize Tangleroot. Cards that force the discard of specific cards from a player’s hand can also pre-emptively eliminate Tangleroot from play. Considering a direct approach, artifact destruction spells can also efficiently resolve the issue, ensuring the enchantment’s presence on the battlefield is short-lived. Taking these tactics into account can swing the game back in your favor and give you the upper hand against a Tangleroot-based strategy.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tangleroot MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin, 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 Tangleroot and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tangleroot has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2011-01-25 The player gets the mana whether they want it or not. If it isn’t spent, it will disappear at the end of the current step (or phase).