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Rootborn Defenses
RTR · Return to Ravnica #19 · Common · released 2012-10-05
{2}{W}
Instant
Populate. Creatures you control gain indestructible until end of turn. (To populate, create a token that's a copy of a creature token you control.)
Rootborn Defenses is a common white instant from Return to Ravnica (2012). It has been printed 8 times across 7 sets, from 2012 to 2026. Recent market prices range from $0.16 to $1.38 depending on printing and finish. It is legal in Pioneer, Modern, Legacy, Vintage, Commander, Pauper, Oathbreaker and Penny Dreadful.
USD$0.29
USD Foil$1.30
Format legality
Where you can play Rootborn Defenses in sanctioned and popular formats.
StandardNot legal
PioneerLegal
ModernLegal
LegacyLegal
VintageLegal
CommanderLegal
PauperLegal
OathbreakerLegal
HistoricNot legal
BrawlNot legal
Penny DreadfulLegal
All printings (8)
Prices range from $0.16 to $1.38 across finishes. Cheapest printing: Ravnica: Clue Edition at $0.16.
| Set | No. | Rarity | Price | Foil |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Return to Ravnica This page | 19 | Common | $0.28 | $1.38 |
| Modern Masters 2017 | 21 | Common | $0.33 | $0.64 |
| Commander 2019 | 74 | Common | $0.27 | — |
| The List | MM3-21 | Common | $0.35 | — |
| Starter Commander Decks | 32 | Common | $0.58 | — |
| Ravnica Remastered | 26 | Common | $0.26 | $0.42 |
| Ravnica: Clue Edition | 71 | Common | $0.16 | — |
| The List | RVR-26 | Common | $0.20 | — |
More from Return to Ravnica
Rulings
Official rulings from Wizards of the Coast (7).
- 2024-01-12The new creature token copies the characteristics of the original token as stated by the effect that created the original token.
- 2024-01-12Populate doesn't target the creature token you're copying. You choose that creature token as you're taking the populate action. You can choose any creature token you control. If a spell or ability causes you to create a creature token and then instructs you to populate, you may choose to copy the token you just created, or you may choose to copy another creature token you control.
- 2024-01-12If you choose to copy a creature token that's a copy of another creature, the new creature token will copy the characteristics of whatever the original token is copying.
- 2024-01-12If you control no creature tokens when you populate, nothing will happen.
- 2024-01-12The new token doesn't copy whether the original token is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or Auras and Equipment attached to it, or any noncopy effects that have changed its power, toughness, color, and so on.
- 2024-01-12Any enters-the-battlefield abilities of the copied token will trigger when the new token enters the battlefield. Any "as [this creature] enters the battlefield" or "[this creature] enters the battlefield with" abilities of the copied token will also work.
- 2017-03-14Rootborn Defenses affects only creatures you control after populating at the time it resolves. The creature token you create will gain indestructible, but creatures you begin to control later in the turn will not.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rootborn Defenses legal in Commander?
Yes — Rootborn Defenses is legal in Commander (EDH).
What formats is Rootborn Defenses legal in?
Rootborn Defenses is legal in Pioneer, Modern, Legacy, Vintage, Commander, Pauper, Oathbreaker and Penny Dreadful.
How many times has Rootborn Defenses been printed?
Rootborn Defenses has been printed 8 times across 7 sets, from 2012 to 2026.
What is the cheapest printing of Rootborn Defenses?
The cheapest printing is Ravnica: Clue Edition (#71) at about $0.16.
Who illustrated Rootborn Defenses?
This printing of Rootborn Defenses was illustrated by Mark Zug.