First printed in Judgment (2002)

Hapless Researcher

Creature — Human Wizard

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

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

1/1

Illustrated by: Ron Spears

Legality

Legal in: Legacy, Vintage, Pauper, Premodern, Commander, Duel Commander, Pauper Commander, PreDH, Tiny Leaders, Oathbreaker
Not legal in: Standard, Pioneer, Modern, Future Standard, Historic, Timeless, Alchemy, Penny Dreadful, Old School 93/94, Gladiator, Brawl, Standard Brawl, Competitive Brawl

Prices

MTGO price: 0.06 TIX, the cheapest non-foil print (average sell price on GoatBots, 1 Nov 2026).

Combos

2 combos, the most popular first:

Infinite death triggers, Infinite creature ETB…: Hapless Researcher + Leveler + Out of the Tombs
Win the game: Body Snatcher + Flash + Hapless Researcher + Hermit Druid + Laboratory Maniac + Protean Hulk + Torch Courier + Viscera Seer

Legacy In 2 of 1529 decks (0.1%), most in Dimir Midrange

Share of decks

0.1%

▲ 0.1 vs previous 30 days

Weekly, last 90 days

Decks

2 main, 0 sideboard

Avg. copies

2.5

in the main deck

Win rate

–

0 top 8 (challenges only)

Archetypes by metagame share

Archetype	Meta	Play it
Dimir Midrange	2.9%	2%
WUBG (unclassified)	1.6%	4%

Played together with

Not enough decks yet.

Best win rate

No challenge results yet.

Challenges only: MTGO publishes only the 5-0 league decks.

Latest decks

Deck	Copies	Finish
WUBG Yamaro, 23 Oct	2 main	5-0
Dimir Midrange easymoneymarksman, 14 Oct	3 main	5-0

Commander In 18 of 6520 decks (0.3%), most in Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.