Duggan, Private Detective MTG Card
2023-10-13 - Number 728
2023-10-13 - Number 1000
2023-10-13 - Number 123
2023-10-13 - Number 409
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Detective |
| Abilities | Investigate,The Most Important Punch in History |
| Power | * |
| Toughness | * |
Text of card
Duggan's power and toughness are each equal to the number of cards in your hand. Whenever Duggan enters the battlefield or attacks, investigate. The Most Important Punch in History — , : Duggan deals damage equal to twice its power to another target creature. Activate only once.
Cards like Duggan, Private Detective
Duggan, Private Detective has emerged as an intriguing creature in the pantheon of MTG’s spell-focused operatives. It finds kinship with other creatures like Goblin Electromancer, which reduces the cost of instant and sorcery spells. Duggan, though, not only provides cost reduction but also carries the potential to draw a card with its triggered ability, giving it a dual-utility that is highly valued.
Shadowmage Infiltrator is another comparable card, celebrated for its ability to draw cards upon dealing combat damage to a player. While Duggan doesn’t boast the unblockable nature of the Infiltrator, it does offer card draw under broader conditions, including blocking. Additionally, Duggan’s static ability to reduce spell costs can pivotally streamline your spell-slinging strategy.
Baral, Chief of Compliance mirrors Duggan’s cost-reducing capability, catering to instant and sorcery aficionados. Baral, however, edges further with its modal counter-spell utility, providing a more defensive angle. Ultimately, Duggan, Private Detective earns its place on the roster, balancing between cost-efficiency and card advantage, delivering a well-rounded performance for discerning spellcrafters in the MTG universe.
Cards similar to Duggan, Private Detective by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Duggan, Private Detective thrives on gathering clues, embodying card advantage by enabling players to investigate. Each clue token you amass with Duggan allows you a future opportunity to draw a card, ensuring you won’t fall behind in resources over the course of a match. Duggan itself can become a potent source of card draw, aggregating more information—and cards—as the game progresses.
Resource Acceleration: As a detective gathers evidence, so does Duggan bolster your mana resources. The ability to create clue tokens provides indirect acceleration. Clues can be cashed in for card draws, saving the mana you might normally allocate for draw spells. This efficiency allows you to deploy threats or react to opponents’ moves more swiftly. Moreover, in certain decks that benefit from artifacts, clue tokens themselves can act as a form of resource advantage.
Instant Speed: Outfitted with the capability to act at instant speed, Duggan offers tactical flexibility. Whether it’s during the heat of combat or at the end of an opponent’s turn, you can deploy this Private Detective to maximize your strategic impact, without sacrificing the chance to respond to your opponent’s actions. The surprise factor and the ability to always remain one step ahead in the investigation game makes Duggan an asset in any deck where timing is crucial.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For players who wish to summon Duggan, Private Detective, one of the hang-ups comes with its entrance condition. The character’s arrival on the field is contingent upon a card being thrown away from your hand. Especially when working with a deck that’s already struggling to maintain card advantage, bidding farewell to even a single card could set you back significantly.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana necessary to deploy Duggan, Private Detective, isn’t just any mana—it’s a precise blend. This detective demands a particular type of mana to get on the case, which can narrow the range of decks where Duggan is a viable contender. Players running a multicolored spread may find this limitation particularly stifling.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Duggan, Private Detective comes packed with a set of intriguing abilities, the cost of bringing this sleuth into play can be steep. The mana investment required could potentially be a deterrent, as it might overshadow the immediate benefits received upon summoning Duggan to the game. In a game where every mana point counts, there are alternatives that won’t pinch your mana pool quite as much.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Duggan, Private Detective brings adaptability to your decks. This card is designed to work well in various strategies, whether you’re reinforcing a control approach or enhancing your creature-based tactics.
Combo Potential: With his unique ability to investigate, Duggan sets up potential for card draw and indirect board control, making him an ideal piece in decks that aim to optimize draw-related combos and interactions.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the landscape of competitive play, a card like Duggan, Private Detective can be valuable if the meta favors interaction-heavy games or decks that capitalize on incremental advantages. His ability to subtly shift the game in your favor might be just what you need.
How to beat Duggan, Private Detective
Confronted with Duggan, Private Detective on the battlefield, MTG players might feel like they’ve hit a challenging obstacle. This astute creature offers more than just its combat abilities – it disrupts strategies by extracting vital information, much like a well-played Thoughtseize. To tip the scales in your favor against Duggan, it’s essential to adapt your play style and utilize key tactics.
When dealing with this particular card, instant speed removal spells become your ally. They can dispatch Duggan before its controller can capitalize on its investigative prowess. Cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile should be used judiciously to make sure Duggan doesn’t get a chance to puzzle out your game plan. Additionally, playing around Duggan’s ability by holding back critical spells or creatures until after Duggan’s investigation has concluded can ensure that you maintain the element of surprise. Being selective about the threats you commit to the board will force your opponent to make tough choices about when to activate Duggan’s ability.
With strategic planning and prompt action, you can neutralize Duggan’s effect on the game, keeping your strategies secure and your tactics sharp against the prying eyes of this private detective.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Duggan, Private Detective MTG card by a specific set like Doctor Who and Doctor Who, 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 Duggan, Private Detective and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Duggan, Private Detective Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-10-13 and 2023-10-13. Illustrated by Craig J Spearing.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-10-13 | Doctor Who | WHO | 728 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Craig J Spearing | |
| 2 | 2023-10-13 | Doctor Who | WHO | 1000 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Craig J Spearing | |
| 3 | 2023-10-13 | Doctor Who | WHO | 123 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Craig J Spearing | |
| 4 | 2023-10-13 | Doctor Who | WHO | 409 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Craig J Spearing |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Duggan, Private Detective has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Duggan, Private Detective card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-10-13 | Duggan, Private Detective's last ability can be activated only once during the game. However, if Duggan leaves and later returns to the battlefield, he's considered a new permanent (with a new set of abilities) and it can be activated again. |