Rootwalla

Color Ability Query

Out of curiosity, would the Shade “B: This gets +1/+1 until end of turn” pump ability be in color in white or green? If so, do you think we’ll ever see it in those colors, or do you want to keep it distinctly black?

White could get it. Green tends to get the Rootwalla ability where it can activate once, but gets a larger boost.

Activate Black Colors Green Rootwalla Shade White

Instant Speed Abilities

Why are Monstrosity and Adapt useable at instant speed of Wotc doesn't like the added board complexity of instant speed creature activations at common (that don't tap)

We make common creature activations that don’t require a tap, things like the Rootwalla ability (one time power/toughness boosting) and firebreathing (+1/+0 until end of turn).

Adapt Creatures Firebreathing Instants Monstrosity Rootwalla Tap / Untap Wizards of the Coast

Rootwalla Origin Facts

birthday trivia time! can i get some fun facts on my favorite magic animal, the rootwalla?

The Rootwalla was originally Chuckwalla, which is a real type of lizard. The artist thought we made it up, so they drew a fictional lizard. We then renamed it as it was not a chuckwalla.Happy Birthday!

Art Birthday Lizard Rootwalla

Amass Mechanic Variability

As a mechanic does amass always have to be "zombie" army, or could we get a set where amass makes soldier/goblin/Rootwalla armies?

Every time we print an Amass card, we’re going to randomly pick a creature type. Sure, the preview cards all happened to randomly pick Zombie (what were the odds?), but a Brushwagg Army is just a matter of time.

Amass Army Brushwagg Card Printing Creatures Goblin Mechanics Rootwalla Soldier Spoilers Zombie

Hybrid Creature Mechanics

I think the question is is a combination of the Rootwalla limit - once per turn - with the Firebreathing limit - doesn't pump toughness - something that could be both red and green and thus go on a red-green hybrid creature?

Fair enough.

Creatures Firebreathing Green Hybrid Once Per Turn Red Rootwalla

Hybrid Mechanic Query

Could "Rootwalla Firebreathing" be done as red green hybrid?

I don’t know what that means, the two are different things. Rootwalla pumps power and toughness but only once per turn. Firebreathing pumps only power but can be activated multiple times.

Firebreathing Green Hybrid Once Per Turn Red Rootwalla

Rootwalla Origin

Are rootwallas supposed to be a nod to Walla Walla, where (from what I understand) Richard Garfield was living when he created Magic?

No. The original walla, Rootwalla, was originally designed as Chuckwalla, a real creature.

Creatures Richard Garfield Rootwalla

Black vs Green Abilities

Why does Black get the Shade ability (repeatable pumps) but Green only gets the Rootwalla ability (+X/+X, but only once)?

Think of Green getting a built in Giant Growth.

Black Giant Giant Growth Green Rootwalla Shade

Rootwalla Art Story

Hi Mark! I've heard you tell the story a few times of how Rootwalla was originally supposed to be a chuckwalla, but the art came back wrong. But all the versions of Rootwalla actually do depict a chuckwalla! Was the art recommissioned or something?

The original Tempest art was judged to not be a Chuckwalla (the story is the artist thought it was a made-up creature) and the name was changed.I’ll be honest, I have no idea what a Chuckwalla looks like.

Art Creatures Rootwalla Story / Lore Tempest

Rootwalla Trivia

Any chance I could get some trivia on Rootwalla?

Rootwalla, designed by Mike Elliott, was called Chuckwalla in Tempest design. The artist assumed it was a made-up creature not realizing that a chuckwalla is a real creature, so the name was changed to the made-up Rootwalla.

Art Birthday Creatures Rootwalla Tempest

Keyworded Abilities Stance

Which - if any - existing abilities in Magic would you keyword? (Think Rootwalla, looting, lure, etc.)

If I wanted it keyworded, I would have already gotten it keyworded. : )

Keywords Rootwalla

Vaevictis Asmadi Trivia

Third time's the charm: For my 21st birthday, can I get some trivia about my favorite of the original Elder Dragons, Vaevictis Asmadi?

If the card followed modern color pie, the black would be power and toughness pumping (a la a shade), red would be power pumping (a la fire breathing) and green would be power and toughness pumping but only usable once per turn (a la Rootwalla). Happy Birthday.

Birthday Black Color Pie Colors Dragon Elder Green Modern Once Per Turn Red Rootwalla Shade Vaevictis Asmadi

Green's Growth Mechanic

If green is the color of permanent growth and red is the color of temporary boosts, then why are Giant Growth and Rootwalla effects still primary in green?

Green uses growth as a weapon and thus has both temporary and permanent boosts.

Colors Giant Giant Growth Green Primary Red Rootwalla

Shade Ability Expansion

If the Shade ability were in a second color, which would it be?

White, I guess. Red has firebreathing (+1/+0) and green has Rootwalla ability (+N/+N, once a turn). White does have toughness pumping (+0/+1) but it’s the one we’d replace if we had to.

Colors Firebreathing Green Once Per Turn Red Rootwalla Shade White

Creature Family Ties

Is there any relationship between Wall of Roots and Rootwalla?

Half-brothers.

Rootwalla Wall Wall of Roots

Black vs Green Pumping

Why does black get +1/+1 pumping instead of green though? It seems perfect for green's theme of getting larger and also lets the color's ramp go to good use

Pumping got grandfathered in with shades. Green does get one-time “Rootwalla”-style activations.

Black Colors Green Rootwalla Shade

Evergreen Mechanisms

Do you consider non-named mechanics (not keywords or ability words) such as Rootwalla's ability or fire breathing to be evergreen?

Some of them like the two you mentioned are.

Ability Words Evergreen Keywords Mechanics Rootwalla

Shade Ability Query

Why is the shade ability still black? It seems like temporary p/t boosts are green now.

The Shade ability is still black. Green gets the “Rootwalla” ability which is a temporary larger boost once. The feel is it can Giant Growth itself.

Black Giant Giant Growth Green Rootwalla Shade

Homunculus Category Choice

Why wasn't Frilled Homunculus a Lizard? Total sadness from us Rootwalla/reptile lovers!

EDIT: Tumblr’s messing up. This question was asking what I thought of fast food restaurants. I do think this answer is funny with this question. I try not to eat it too much but I think it’s okay every once in a while.

Blogatog / Tumblr Food Homunculus Humor Lizard Rootwalla

Ursapine vs. Hornet Sting

Do you dislike Ursapine as much as you do Hornet Sting? Or is the Firebreathing ability something Green can do?

Green has the Rootwalla ability all the time so firebreathing in green isn’t a giant departure.

Firebreathing Giant Green Hornet Hornet Sting Rootwalla Ursapine