Drag the Canal MTG Card


Drag the Canal provides critical card advantage by allowing players to filter through the top four library cards. This card’s instant speed offers flexibility and surprise factor during gameplay, heightening strategic plays. Despite its strengths, Drag the Canal’s specific mana requirements and discard cost can be restrictive.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeInstant
Abilities Investigate,Surveil

Text of card

Create a 2/2 white and blue Detective creature token. If a creature died this turn, you gain 2 life, surveil 2, then investigate.

"Let's gather what we can before the Golgari tidy up the scene."


Cards like Drag the Canal

Drag the Canal offers players a fresh take on library manipulation and card advantage in Magic: The Gathering. It draws parallels with cards like Anticipate, allowing players to look at the top cards of their library and pick one. The distinct difference is in the quantity of cards inspected — Anticipate reviews three cards, while Drag the Canal ups the ante by checking four. The sheer volume of choice can handily outmaneuver its counterparts.

Furthermore, Drag the Canal can be compared to the likes of Impulse, a card beloved for scrying deeper into the deck. Drag the Canal lacks the instant speed of Impulse but compensates by diving four cards deep for the same two mana cost. Then we have Strategic Planning, sharing a similar spell effect but permitting the chosen card to go into the graveyard rather than the bottom of the library, enabling graveyard synergies that Drag the Canal cannot.

Overall, Drag the Canal finds its niche for MTG deck builders who value the ability to sift through their decks efficiently and who may prioritize setting up future draws over immediate access or graveyard interaction.

Anticipate - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Strategic Planning - MTG Card versions
Anticipate - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Strategic Planning - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Drag the Canal by color, type and mana cost

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Malicious Advice - MTG Card versions
Dimir Charm - MTG Card versions
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Vesuvan Mist - MTG Card versions
Contaminated Drink - MTG Card versions
Lim-Dûl's Vault - MTG Card versions
Malicious Advice - MTG Card versions
Dimir Charm - MTG Card versions
Siphon Insight - MTG Card versions
Shadow of Doubt - MTG Card versions
Fate Transfer - MTG Card versions
Agony Warp - MTG Card versions
Countersquall - MTG Card versions
Warped Physique - MTG Card versions
Tyrant's Scorn - MTG Card versions
Twisted Reflection - MTG Card versions
Drown in the Loch - MTG Card versions
Corpse Cobble - MTG Card versions
Tainted Indulgence - MTG Card versions
Bind to Secrecy - MTG Card versions
Tribute to Urborg - MTG Card versions
Vesuvan Mist - MTG Card versions
Contaminated Drink - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Drag the Canal. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Sultai ComboSultai Combo GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 15 2024
Esper FlashEsper Flash GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 13 2024
DecklistDecklist Free formUOL MKM Sealed League
Dimir MidrangeDimir Midrange StandardDimir MidrangeStandard Preliminary 2024-02-07
Dimir TempoDimir Tempo StandardDimir MidrangeBLACK - FRI - 11AM - Chicago 75K Standard Open
Dimir ControlDimir Control StandardDimir ControlStandard Preliminary 2024-02-07
RoguesRogues ModernRoguesModern Challenge 32 2024-02-12
Grixis BurnGrixis Burn StandardGrixis ControlJapan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor
Esper MidrangeEsper Midrange StandardEsper Midrange~~ Izzet Explosive Experiment Event
Esper ControlEsper Control StandardEsper MidrangeReCQ - Standard - SCG CON Hartford - Saturday - 2:00 pm (Bronze)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Drag the Canal excels at providing players with an edge by offering card selection and potentially card advantage. It enables a thorough search of the top four cards of your library, ensuring you find exactly what you need when you need it.

Resource Acceleration: This card’s ability to delve into your library aids in resource acceleration. It helps filter out unwanted cards, effectively thinning your deck to increase the chances of drawing into more useful, game-changing cards.

Instant Speed: The power of acting at instant speed cannot be overstated. Drag the Canal allows you to respond to an opponent’s moves, or simply make an informed decision at the end of their turn, making your plays much more efficient and keeping your opponents guessing.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Drag the Canal necessitates discarding a card, which could be detrimental when your hand is already depleted or when every card in hand is crucial for your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue and black mana, Drag the Canal may not fit seamlessly into decks that aren’t tailored for a Dimir (blue-black) mana base, potentially limiting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that includes three generic and one blue, some players might find Drag the Canal less appealing when other cards with lower or more flexible mana requirements can provide similar or even better effects.


Reasons to Include Drag the Canal in Your Collection

Versatility: Drag the Canal is a powerful tool for virtually any deck that prioritizes card selection and graveyard fill. Its ability to sift through the top four cards of your library offers unparalleled control over your upcoming draws.

Combo Potential: This card shines in setups that capitalize on binning certain cards for explosive combos. With Drag the Canal, setting up your graveyard becomes a calculated part of your game plan, whether for reanimation tactics or fueling delve spells.

Meta-Relevance: Given the current focus on graveyard mechanics and their interactions, Drag the Canal is a card that can seamlessly integrate into the prevailing gameplay, giving you an edge against the competition by refining your deck’s performance.


How to beat

Drag the Canal presents an interesting strategic option for MTG players, offering a meticulous way to navigate through the library. When facing this card, taking control of the game’s tempo becomes crucial. To effectively counter it, focus on swift library manipulation or utilize direct library disruption. It’s also beneficial to apply pressure through aggressive play, which limits the window for your opponent to take full advantage of Drag the Canal’s capabilities. Enabling graveyard hate through cards like Rest in Peace can also undermine Drag the Canal’s potential value, hindering your opponent’s ability to chain sequences effectively.

Additionally, instant-speed responses, such as Tormod’s Crypt, can surprise and dismantle the carefully laid plans of any player depending on Drag the Canal. Notably, strategies must adapt to the meta and the possible combos Drag the Canal could enable. Understanding your opponent’s build and potential endgame will guide your decisions to preemptively address the threats this card represents. Factor in your resources carefully, preserve reaction-ready spells, and Drag the Canal’s impact could be significantly lessened, if not nullified, in the grand tapestry of your match strategy.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Drag the Canal MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor and 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 Drag the Canal and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Drag the Canal Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2024-02-09 and 2024-02-10. Illustrated by Josh Hass.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12024-02-09Murders at Karlov ManorMKM 4152015NormalBlackJosh Hass
22024-02-09Murders at Karlov ManorMKM 1992015NormalBlackJosh Hass
32024-02-10Murders at Karlov Manor PromosPMKM 199s2015NormalBlackJosh Hass
42024-02-10Murders at Karlov Manor PromosPMKM 199p2015NormalBlackJosh Hass

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Drag the Canal has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
StandardbrawlLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal