Magic: The Gathering

Hapless Researcher

Judgment 42 • common

Set: Judgment
Collector number: 42
Rarity: Common
Mana cost: blue mana
Type: Creature
Colors: Blue
Artist: Ron Spears
Market price: $0.24

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Market

What it's worth

$0.24market price via TCGplayer · Aug 20, 2026$0.18 – $0.24 over the tracked period

Estimate for a typical copy of Hapless Researcher; condition, printing, and grading move the real number.

Lore

Why it matters

As a common creature in the Judgment set, this card serves as a foundational element for building your deck's early presence. The illustration by Ron Spears offers a distinct visual style that makes even the most humble additions to your collection feel unique.

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Card face

What it does

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

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

Formats

Where you can play it

StandardNot legal
PioneerNot legal
ModernNot legal
LegacyLegal
VintageLegal
CommanderLegal
PauperLegal
BrawlNot legal
HistoricNot legal
TimelessNot legal
Penny DreadfulNot legal
OathbreakerLegal

Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Card text via Scryfall. Not approved or endorsed by Wizards. As of the last catalogue refresh.

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Where to find one

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Provenance

Where it came from

Hapless Researcher was released in 2002 as part of the Judgment expansion, the third set in the Odyssey block for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Developed during a period of experimentation within the game's mechanics, the card features a Blue creature ability that allows players to draw cards at the cost of sacrificing the researcher, a thematic nod to the hazardous nature of arcane experimentation.

The card's striking visual identity was crafted by illustrator Ron Spears. Spears employed a distinct, painterly style to capture the whimsical yet morbid irony of a researcher accidentally triggering their own demise, a motif that resonated with the set's darker, gothic aesthetic. The card has since become a staple of low-rarity utility, frequently appearing in draft environments and budget decks due to its efficient card-advantage mechanics.

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Collectors

Who's collecting this

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About

About Hapless Researcher

Hapless Researcher is a card in the Magic: The Gathering catalog on collecto.rs. Judgment 42 • common. Catalog data is sourced from Scryfall. No public cards collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.

How many collectors track Hapless Researcher on collecto.rs?

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Can I track my own copy of Hapless Researcher?

Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your card, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other magic: the gathering collectors. Your collection stays private by default.

Where does the Hapless Researcher catalog entry come from?

The catalog entry for Hapless Researcher is sourced from Scryfall. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.