Crime Novelist MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Goblin Bard |
| Released | 2024-02-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Murders at Karlov Manor |
| Set code | MKM |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 121 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Izzy |
Text of card
Whenever you sacrifice an artifact, put a +1/+1 counter on Crime Novelist and add .
"But then he peeled off the mask, revealing a sight that made Groja's blood run cold—Brulu was actually Vogos in disguise!"
Cards like Crime Novelist
Crime Novelist introduces a unique angle to creature cards within the lore of Magic: The Gathering. It provides an array of strategic advantages much like its counterparts. For instance, Dark Confidant is another creature card that rewards players with additional cards each turn. Unlike Crime Novelist, which may have certain conditions tied to its abilities, Dark Confidant simply requires a little life as payment for its blessings of extra cards.
Comparatively, we can look at the Underworld Connections enchantment. It shares the theme of drawing extra cards, though it does so by turning your land into a resource at the cost of life and mana. Crime Novelist, on the other hand, might provide its card advantage without demanding health as currency—instead, parking its effect on certain triggers or player actions within the game. Moreover, Pain Seer serves as another analogy, activating its card draw through inspired mechanics, requiring it to become untapped to leverage its effect, which offers a different dynamic than Crime Novelist might.
Evaluating the distinct abilities and how they harmonize with various deck archetypes, Crime Novelist is poised to intrigue players who enjoy narrative depth as well as strategic depth, offering a fresh blend of storytelling and gameplay to fans of Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Crime Novelist by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Crime Novelist. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Decklist | Free form | 88#CS | |
 | Thopter Combo | Modern | Thopter Combo | Modern Challenge 64 2024-02-18 (1) |
 | Mono-Red Combo | Modern | Spring Modern Championship | |
 | 5c Control | Standard | 5c Control | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: March 18, 2024 |
 | Jund Sacrifice | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 08 2024 | |
 | Rakdos Breach | Modern | Rakdos Breach | Modern Preliminary 2024-02-20 (1) |
| Grixis Storm | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 06 2024 | |
| Urza ThopterSword | Modern | 22Champions Cup Final Season 2 Round 2 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Crime Novelist card offers an innovative mechanic that draws you into the plot twist of the game. This card gives you the upper hand by allowing you to unearth vital clues in the form of cards from your library – perhaps revealing a twist in your gameplay strategy or an unexpected answer to your opponent’s threats.
Resource Acceleration: As you delve into the narrative of the Crime Novelist, you’ll find that it doesn’t just tell a gripping story; it also accelerates your resources. By providing you with access to additional mana, the tale of the Crime Novelist card unfolds with an increased pace, allowing you to deploy your strategies and tactics more rapidly than your opponent can anticipate.
Instant Speed: In the same way a skilled novelist keeps readers on the edge of their seats, the instant speed of this card means you’re always ready to introduce a plot twist at a moment’s notice. Hold back, wait for the right moment, and when your opponent least expects it, change the narrative of the game in your favor with a well-timed play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The concept of being a prolific Crime Novelist in the world of MTG often comes with the requirement to discard a card to activate certain abilities. If you find your hand running low, this mechanic could turn from a clever plot twist into a narrative dead end, leaving you at a disadvantage in the late game.
Specific Mana Cost: Flavorful as it may be, the Crime Novelist card comes with a mana cost that is strictly color-weighted, demanding a commitment to a specific type of mana. This could limit deck-building options and potentially exclude the card from the versatile line-up of many multi-colored decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Bring a story to life on the battlefield isn’t cheap, and unfortunately, the Crime Novelist MTG card embodies this with a mana cost that’s on the higher side. When compared to other creatures or spells of similar impact, the investment to get your story started might just be too steep, considering the alternatives available with a more economical casting cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Crime Novelist provides a creative spin to deck building by offering unique draw mechanics, and its capability to disrupt your opponent’s strategy makes it a versatile addition to various decks.
Combo Potential: This card can be an engine in combo decks, synergizing with discard and graveyard strategies to keep a consistent flow of card advantages.
Meta-Relevance: With the constantly shifting MTG meta, Crime Novelist holds its ground by being a potential counter to control decks and enhancing the resilience of your own strategies against various opposing decks.
How to Beat
The Crime Novelist card presents unique challenges on the battlefield. As a player in Magic: The Gathering, handling this card efficiently requires strategic foresight. One effective method to counter Crime Novelist is to minimize the number of card draw opportunities you grant your opponent. This serves to restrict the advantage that Crime Novelist provides.
Another approach is to employ removal spells that can take the Crime Novelist out of the equation before its ability becomes impactful. Speed is essential here; the quicker you can respond to its arrival on the board, the less likely your opponent will gain an edge from its presence. Additionally, cards that can exile the Crime Novelist offer a permanent solution, preventing any further recurrence from the graveyard.
Lastly, a player could use cards that negate abilities or spells. It can be highly effective to have a counterspell ready or a card that can nullify activated abilities. By employing these strategies, MTG players can neutralize the Crime Novelist and maintain control over the game’s direction. Overcoming its literary prowess requires careful play, but with the right cards in hand, victory is still within reach.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Crime Novelist MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Crime Novelist and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Crime Novelist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Standardbrawl | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |