Detective of the Month MTG Card

Gives both card advantage and strategic insight, while offering instant-speed reactions to the game state. The need to discard for its ability sets up potential strategic plays but requires careful hand management. Excels in meta games, bringing information warfare to the forefront of card advantage-driven strategies.

Detective of the Month - Murders at Karlov Manor Commander (MKC)

Murders at Karlov Manor Commander (MKC)
2024-02-09 - Number 21

Murders at Karlov Manor Commander (MKC)
2024-02-09 - Number 331

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Human Detective
Abilities	Ascend
Power	2
Toughness	3

Text of card

Ascend (If you control ten or more permanents, you get the city's blessing for the rest of the game.) As long as you have the city's blessing, Detectives you control can't be blocked. Whenever you draw your second card each turn, create a 2/2 white and blue Detective creature token.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Detective of the Month not only contributes to your hand by revealing and drawing cards but also disrupts your opponent’s strategy by surveilling their deck.

Resource Acceleration: This card’s investigative prowess may yield additional clues, which translate into potential card draws or can be converted into mana for pivotal turns.

Instant Speed: Its ability to be played at instant speed ensures you can react dynamically to your opponent’s moves, making it a versatile addition to your tactical arsenal.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In the case of Detective of the Month, you’re asked to discard another card to activate its ability. This can be particularly taxing when your hand is already dwindling, inadvertently pressuring you to potentially give up valuable cards and putting you at a disadvantage during critical gameplay moments.

Specific Mana Cost: The detective demands a precise mana alignment which can be restrictive. With a casting cost that requires not just color commitment but also a specific combination, it could hinder the card’s inclusion in a diverse range of decks, especially those that don’t align with its color identity or those looking to maintain a more flexible mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Detective of the Month brings intriguing gameplay to the table, its mana cost is on the higher side relative to other options available. Cards with lower casting costs could potentially provide similar or even better utility, making the detective a less tempting choice when deck building, especially in formats where mana efficiency is paramount.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Detective of the Month offers a unique skill set that tackles multiple situations on the board. Whether you need to uncover hidden strategies or anticipate your opponent’s moves, this card’s flexible detective abilities can adapt to numerous playstyles and game phases.

Combo Potential: This intrepid investigator excels in decks that capitalize on information gathering and resource disruption. It can synergize with cards that reward players for knowing the opponent’s hand or that benefit from hindering their plans, thereby enhancing both offensive and defensive strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where knowing your opponent’s next move can be the difference between victory and defeat, Detective of the Month shines. It’s especially potent in metas rife with combo decks, as it allows players to prepare and counteract with unprecedented tactical depth.

How to beat Detective of the Month

Detective of the Month presents a unique challenge on the MTG battlefield. It’s a creature card that can turn the tide of the game if left unattended. To successfully navigate against this card, understanding its mechanics is key. This card typically shines in decks that capitalize on information and sabotage, making it essential to disrupt this synergy.

Employing removal spells is a straightforward strategy for neutralizing Detective of the Month. Cards that can exile creatures are particularly effective, circumventing any abilities that might trigger from death. Additionally, countering when it’s cast can nip the problem in the bud. For a more roundabout approach, denying your opponent the card advantage typically gained can limit the detective’s impact.

Enhancing your own deck’s resilience against information-based disruption can also be a pivotal tactic. Prioritize cards that allow for graveyard retrieval or hand replenishment to maintain your strategic stance. In the end, outmaneuvering Detective of the Month involves a combination of timely removal, strategic countering, and protective deck construction.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Detective of the Month MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor Commander and Murders at Karlov Manor Commander, 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 Detective of the Month and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Detective of the Month Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2024-02-09 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by Stella Spente.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2024-02-09	Murders at Karlov Manor Commander	MKC		21	2015	Normal	Black	Stella Spente
2	2024-02-09	Murders at Karlov Manor Commander	MKC		331	2015	Normal	Black	Stella Spente

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Detective of the Month has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Detective of the Month card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2024-02-02	A permanent is any object on the battlefield, including tokens and lands. Spells and emblems aren’t permanents.
2024-02-02	Ascend on a permanent isn’t a triggered ability and doesn’t use the stack. Players can respond to a spell that will give you your tenth permanent, but they can’t respond to you getting the city’s blessing once you control that tenth permanent. This means that if your tenth permanent is a land you play, players can’t respond before you get the city’s blessing.
2024-02-02	Gaining the city’s blessing after a Detective you control has become blocked won’t cause that Detective to become unblocked.
2024-02-02	If you cast a spell with ascend, you don't get the city’s blessing until it resolves. Players may respond to that spell by trying to change whether you get the city’s blessing.
2024-02-02	If you control ten permanents but don’t control a permanent or resolving spell with ascend, you don’t get the city’s blessing. For example, if you control ten permanents, lose control of two, then cast Detective of the Month, you won’t have the city’s blessing.
2024-02-02	If your tenth permanent enters the battlefield and then a permanent leaves the battlefield immediately afterwards (most likely due to the “legend rule” or due to being a creature with 0 toughness), you get the city’s blessing before it leaves the battlefield.
2024-02-02	Once you have the city’s blessing, you have it for the rest of the game, even if you lose control of some or all your permanents. The city’s blessing isn’t a permanent itself and can’t be removed by any effect.