Quick Answer

Hapless Researcher is a common Creature — Human Wizard from JUD (JUD) costing {U}. Current price: $0.14 USD. Legal in Commander.

Hapless Researcher MTG card

Hapless Researcher

Creature — Human Wizard

Card Text

Sacrifice this creature: Draw a card, then discard a card.

Scholars possess such lofty knowledge that it shouldn't be surprising when they fall.

Card Stats

1/1 common CMC: 1.0 JUD JUD 🎨 Ron Spears

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$0.14
Normal
Buy
TCGPlayer
$4.84
Foil
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.35
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$5.99
Foil
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.38
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€3.90
Foil
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-04

Format Legality

Commander Legal
Duel Legal
Legacy Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Pauper Legal
Paupercommander Legal
Predh Legal
Premodern Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Community Stats

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Decks Using This Card
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Comments

Often Played With

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hapless Researcher? Basics

Hapless Researcher is a Creature — Human Wizard card from the Magic: The Gathering trading card game.

Its ability reads: "Sacrifice this creature: Draw a card, then discard a card."

How much mana does Hapless Researcher cost to cast? Basics

Hapless Researcher has a mana cost of {U}, which equals 1.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires U mana to cast.

What does mana cost mean in Magic: The Gathering? Basics

Mana cost is the amount and type of mana required to cast a spell in Magic: The Gathering.

Hapless Researcher's mana cost of {U} means you need to pay that much mana from your lands or other sources.

Colored symbols (W=White, U=Blue, B=Black, R=Red, G=Green) must be paid with that specific color, while numbers can be paid with any color.

What is converted mana cost (CMC) or mana value? Basics

Converted mana cost (now officially called "mana value") is the total amount of mana in a card's mana cost, regardless of color.

Hapless Researcher has a mana value of 1.0. This is important for effects that care about a spell's total cost, like cascade or cards that say "mana value 3 or less."

What is oracle text? Basics

Oracle text is the official, current rules text for a Magic card as maintained by Wizards of the Coast. It supersedes any printed text on older cards.

Hapless Researcher's current oracle text is: "Sacrifice this creature: Draw a card, then discard a card."

What is the current price of Hapless Researcher? Pricing

The current market price for Hapless Researcher is approximately $0.14 USD on TCGPlayer.

A foil copy costs approximately $4.84 USD.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €0.38 EUR.

Where can I buy Hapless Researcher? Pricing

You can purchase Hapless Researcher from major MTG retailers including:

Prices vary by condition and printing. Check multiple sellers to find the best price.

What is the difference between normal and foil cards? Pricing

Foil cards have a shiny, holographic finish that makes them more collectible. They are functionally identical to normal cards but typically cost more due to their rarity and visual appeal.

Hapless Researcher normal: $0.14 | foil: $4.84

Is Hapless Researcher legal in Standard? Legality

Format legality information for Hapless Researcher in Standard is not available.

Standard is a rotating format that only allows cards from the most recent sets.

Is Hapless Researcher legal in Modern? Legality

Format legality information for Hapless Researcher in Modern is not available.

Modern includes all cards printed in a standard-legal set from 8th Edition forward.

Is Hapless Researcher legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Hapless Researcher is Legal in Commander (EDH) format.

Commander is a casual multiplayer format where you build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature.

Is Hapless Researcher legal in Pioneer? Legality

Format legality information for Hapless Researcher in Pioneer is not available.

Pioneer is a non-rotating format that includes all standard-legal sets from Return to Ravnica forward.

Is Hapless Researcher legal in Legacy? Legality

Hapless Researcher is Legal in Legacy format.

Legacy allows almost all cards ever printed, with a substantial ban list for balance.

Is Hapless Researcher legal in Vintage? Legality

Hapless Researcher is Legal in Vintage format.

Vintage is the most permissive format, allowing almost all cards with only a minimal ban list. Some powerful cards are "Restricted" (limited to 1 copy).

Is Hapless Researcher legal in Pauper? Legality

Hapless Researcher is Legal in Pauper format.

Pauper only allows cards that have been printed at common rarity in a paper or online set.

What is format legality in MTG? Legality

Format legality indicates which official MTG formats allow a card to be played:

  • Legal: Card is allowed in the format
  • Banned: Card is prohibited from play
  • Restricted: Limited to 1 copy (Vintage only)
  • Not Legal: Card was never part of that format's card pool

Different formats have different banned lists based on power level and game balance.

What set is Hapless Researcher from? Details

This printing of Hapless Researcher is from JUD (JUD), with collector number 42.

Hapless Researcher may also appear in other MTG sets with different art or special treatments.

What is Hapless Researcher's rarity? Details

Hapless Researcher is a common card in JUD.

Card rarity affects both availability and price. From rarest to most common: Mythic Rare → Rare → Uncommon → Common.

Who illustrated Hapless Researcher? Details

Hapless Researcher was illustrated by Ron Spears.

Magic: The Gathering features artwork from hundreds of talented artists, and many cards have been reprinted with new art over the years.

What is Hapless Researcher's power and toughness? Details

Hapless Researcher is a 1/1 creature.

Power (1) determines how much combat damage the creature deals. Toughness (1) determines how much damage it can take before being destroyed.

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