Ethereal Investigator MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Spirit
Abilities Flying,Investigate
Power 2
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Card advantage through library exploration places players ahead, offering continuous resource access.
  2. Resource acceleration and instant speed play enhance board control and strategic flexibility.
  3. Considering its mana demands and discard conditions, deck suitability is vital for effective use.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ethereal Investigator MTG card by a specific set like Crimson Vow Commander and Crimson Vow 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 Ethereal Investigator and other MTG cards:

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Text of card

Flying When Ethereal Investigator enters the battlefield, investigate X times, where X is the number of opponents you have. Whenever you draw your second card each turn, create a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ethereal Investigator enables players to delve into their libraries, not only broadening their hand with fresh options but also potentially uncovering game-changing strategies. This dynamic often tips the scales in your favor, maintaining a steady resource flow that keeps you one step ahead of the competition.

Resource Acceleration: With the ability to bring additional permanents into play, Ethereal Investigator acts as a catalyst for resource acceleration. This helps to ramp up your board presence, giving you a tangible advancement in your capability to deploy an array of threats or responses.

Instant Speed: The versatility of operating at instant speed cannot be overstated. Ethereal Investigator grants you the agility to adapt to an evolving board state, making strategic moves during an opponent’s turn, or simply bolstering your defenses when most needed. This flexibility is key to navigating the complex landscape of an MTG matchup.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ethereal Investigator necessitates discarding a card from your hand to activate specific abilities. This can deplete your hand, leaving you with fewer options as the game progresses, especially if you’re already facing pressure to maintain card advantage against an opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: The Ethereal Investigator card requires a precise combination of mana to cast. Deck builders must carefully consider their mana base to ensure they can consistently meet these requirements, potentially limiting the card’s inclusion to decks that can reliably produce the necessary colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With the need for considerable mana investment to bring Ethereal Investigator into play, players may find that their turns are less efficient compared to using lower-cost cards with similar or more immediate impact. This might make the card a less attractive choice in metagames where tempo and early board presence are crucial.


Reasons to Include Ethereal Investigator in Your Collection

Versatility: Ethereal Investigator can seamlessly adapt to various decks, particularly those that capitalize on its ability to investigate – providing card draw options that cater to multiple game plans.

Combo Potential: This card’s synergy with clue tokens elevates strategies revolving around artifact interactions, setting up the potential for powerful combos in the right setup.

Meta-Relevance: Given its role in decks that counteract specific meta trends, Ethereal Investigator can provide a strategic edge, offering both utility and flexibility in fast-paced games.


How to beat

Ethereal Investigator stands as a challenge with its capacity to influence games in MTG. Its ability to delve through players’ decks and potentially exile key cards makes it a card to be reckoned with. Players should strategize with precision to counteract the Investigator’s impact. Tactics like removal spells such as Path to Exile or Rapid Hybridization can effectively remove the Investigator from the battlefield. Controlling the graveyard through cards such as Relic of Progenitus or Scavenging Ooze also diminishes the Investigator’s potential impact, hindering any advantage the Investigator might procure.

Additionally, incorporating counterspells into your strategy could prevent the Investigator from entering play in the first place. Spell Pierce or Dovin’s Veto are valuable for safeguarding against it, especially when expecting a blue heavy meta, where such a card may be favored. In essence, the approach to besting Ethereal Investigator lies in preemptive measures and maintaining battlefield control to prevent the card from unraveling your game plan.


BurnMana Recommendations

As we’ve explored the versatility of Ethereal Investigator, it’s clear that this card can be a worthy addition to your MTG collection. With its ability to grant card advantage and adapt to an ever-changing board, it is an asset in many strategies. It’s important to consider the balance of resources and the necessary adaptations to best utilize this card’s strengths. If you’re seeking to ramp up your gameplay and delve deeper into building a resilient deck with the Ethereal Investigator, we are your go-to guide. Dive deep into the intricate world of MTG and enhance your deck’s potential by learning more with us.


Cards like Ethereal Investigator

Ethereal Investigator introduces a unique element to creature decks in Magic: The Gathering, offering a blend of flying ability and card draw. This card bears some resemblance to Elite Inquisitor for its investigative abilities but differs by granting card advantage when it deals combat damage to a player. While Elite Inquisitor provides first strike and protection from certain creature types, Ethereal Investigator leverages its offense to potentially expand a player’s hand.

Comparable too is Daring Sleuth, which transforms into a creature with the capacity to draw cards. Daring Sleuth requires a clue to transform, whereas Ethereal Investigator simplifies the process, needing only to successfully hit an opponent. Another parallel card is Looter il-Kor, a creature also equipped with shadow and capable of drawing and discarding when it deals damage. Looter il-Kor boasts an evasion tactic like Ethereal Investigator but adds more control over your hand.

Considering these options, Ethereal Investigator holds its position in Magic: The Gathering as a convenient and direct method for gaining card advantage through combat, making it a worthy consideration for players looking to merge evasion with a strategic hand refill.

Elite Inquisitor - MTG Card versions
Looter il-Kor - MTG Card versions
Elite Inquisitor - MTG Card versions
Looter il-Kor - MTG Card versions

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Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Hisoka, Minamo Sensei - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Sower of Temptation - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions
Fatestitcher - MTG Card versions

Printings

The Ethereal Investigator Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by Sean Murray.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-11-19Crimson Vow CommanderVOC 502015NormalBlackSean Murray
22021-11-19Crimson Vow CommanderVOC 122015NormalBlackSean Murray
32024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 1052015NormalBlackSean Murray

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ethereal Investigator has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal