Rookie Mistake
Instant
Until end of turn, target creature gets +0/+2 and another target creature gets -2/-0.
- CMC
- 1
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- U
- Rarity
- common
- Set
- Core Set 2021
- Price
- $0.05
- EDHREC rank
- #27546
Rookie Mistake gives a creature -2/-2 and makes it lose flying until end of turn — instant speed, two mana, no conditions. It's a fine combat trick at common but not a card most decks should be running when unconditional removal exists at the same price point.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | legal |
| pioneer | legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
In Commander, Rookie Mistake is too narrow — -2/-2 rarely kills anything relevant at the four-player table, and the flying-removal clause is mostly incidental. Pauper is where it sees the most honest competition for a slot, since the format is creature-dense and tempo matters at common rarity, but even there it underperforms compared to direct removal. In Legacy, Modern, and Pioneer, Rookie Mistake doesn't clear the bar; those formats have far more efficient interaction at two mana. Stick to Pauper if you're looking for a home, and even then, scrutinize the slot.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.05 bulk tier
At $0.05, Rookie Mistake is deep bulk — the price reflects the demand, not an oversight by the market. It won't appreciate; pick it up if a specific Pauper build calls for it, otherwise it's a filler rare in a draft chaff box.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.