Forensic Gadgeteer MTG Card


Forensic Gadgeteer provides card advantage and adapts in-game with its instant speed abilities. The need to discard and specific mana costs may deter its use in some decks. Despite the higher mana cost, it shines in artifact-centric strategies and meta play.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Vedalken Artificer Detective
Abilities Investigate
Power 2
Toughness 3

Text of card

Whenever you cast an artifact spell, investigate. (Create a Clue token. It's an artifact with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.") Activated abilities of artifacts you control cost less to activate. This effect can't reduce the mana in that cost to less than one mana.


Cards like Forensic Gadgeteer

Forensic Gadgeteer is an intriguing piece of the intricate artifact puzzle in Magic: The Gathering. Its functionality can be likened to other artifact-centric cards, such as Goblin Welder, which also allows altering of the board state by swapping artifacts from the graveyard and the battlefield. However, Forensic Gadgeteer provides its own twist with the addition of granting +1/+0 to a target creature each time an artifact comes under your control, rather than focusing on the graveyard synergy.

Another parallel can be drawn with Reckless Fireweaver, which delivers direct damage to opponents whenever an artifact enters your side of the field. Although it does not offer the targeted buff that Forensic Gadgeteer does, it practically impacts life totals and can pressure the opponent. Quicksmith Genius presents a different angle; it allows for the filtering of cards rather than enhancing on-board threats, triggering whenever an artifact enters the battlefield under your control.

Taking stock of these relative strengths, it’s clear Forensic Gadgeteer is capable of bolstering a player’s creatures while fitting nicely within decks that frequently cast artifacts. This gives it a compelling position among cards that capitalize on artifact synergy in Magic: The Gathering.

Goblin Welder - MTG Card versions
Reckless Fireweaver - MTG Card versions
Quicksmith Genius - MTG Card versions
Goblin Welder - MTG Card versions
Reckless Fireweaver - MTG Card versions
Quicksmith Genius - MTG Card versions

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Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Cloud Elemental - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Reef Pirates - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Clam Session - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Glacial Wall - MTG Card versions
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Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Blue ArtifactsMono-Blue Artifacts LegacyBlue ArtifactsLegacy League 2024-04-21
Azorius MidrangeAzorius Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 06 2024
Jeskai MidrangeJeskai Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 06 2024
DecklistDecklist Free form86#CS
Steel StompySteel Stompy LegacyPatchwork StompySouth Wales Legacy Showcase
Mono-Blue 8-CastMono-Blue 8-Cast LegacyPatchwork StompyCharlotte Legacy League Season 1 Week 6
UGUG StandardTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 26, 2024
Grixis StormGrixis Storm GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 06 2024
Azorius ArtifactsAzorius Artifacts StandardAzorius ArtifactsStandard Challenge 32 2024-02-17
Esper ControlEsper Control GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 06 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Forensic Gadgeteer boosts your hand by letting you access more cards, keeping your options varied and ensuring a sustained edge throughout the match.

Resource Acceleration: This card has the potential to streamline your gameplay by providing an uptick in available resources, enhancing your ability to deploy strategies rapidly and efficiently.

Instant Speed: The capability to activate effects at instant speed with Forensic Gadgeteer grants you the flexibility to adapt and react to the evolving board state, making it a pivotal asset during critical phases of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the primary drawbacks of Forensic Gadgeteer is the need to discard a card, which could put you at a resource disadvantage, especially in the late game when card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: With a particular mana requirement that must include red, Forensic Gadgeteer’s integration may be challenging for multicolored decks that cannot reliably provide the necessary mana early on to capitalize on its abilities.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the overall cost-effectiveness, Forensic Gadgeteer’s higher mana cost is a significant consideration. There are alternatives that provide value or deck synergy without requiring such a steep investment, making it less appealing for players looking to optimize their mana curve.


Reasons to Include Forensic Gadgeteer in Your Collection

Versatility: Forensic Gadgeteer offers a dynamic presence on the battlefield that can adapt to a multitude of strategies. Its ability to interact with artifacts means it can slot into a variety of red-based decks, potentially turning any innocuous artifact into a threat.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, this card can be a linchpin in artifact-centric combos. Its potential to make artifact creatures larger can be a game-changer, meshing well with decks that produce a high volume of artifacts or those that recycle them for consistent boosts.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where artifacts play a prominent role, Forensic Gadgeteer has the chance to shine. Its ability to exploit the prevalence of artifacts can provide a solid advantage, aligning well with the current synergy-based strategies and making it a fine choice for competitive play.


How to Beat Forensic Gadgeteer

In the strategic landscape of Magic: The Gathering, facing Forensic Gadgeteer can pose an interesting challenge. This artifact creature card is known for its ability to potentially bolster a player’s assault phase by turning other artifacts into sizeable threats. To counter this mechanical marvel, players should prioritize removing it quickly from the board, minimizing its impact on the battlefield. Tactics such as using targeted removal spells are highly effective. For instance, spells like “Doom Blade” or “Path to Exile” can efficiently eliminate the Forensic Gadgeteer before it starts translating your opponent’s artifacts into considerable power.

Another strategy lies in the realm of counter-spells. With a card like “Negate” or “Dissolve,” you can prevent Forensic Gadgeteer from ever entering the battlefield. If the Gadgeteer does manage to land, controlling artifact presence is key. Artifact destruction spells such as “Shatter” or “Abrade” can keep your opponent’s artifact count low, significantly dampening the Gadgeteer’s potential. Finally, board wipes like “Wrath of God” reset the playing field entirely, rendering the Gadgeteer’s ability irrelevant. The key to victory is anticipating and disrupting your adversary’s plans, ensuring the Forensic Gadgeteer never gets the chance to turn the tide of the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Forensic Gadgeteer 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 Forensic Gadgeteer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Forensic Gadgeteer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2024-02-09 and 2024-02-10. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12024-02-09Murders at Karlov ManorMKM 572015NormalBlackVolkan Baǵa
22024-02-09Murders at Karlov ManorMKM 3422015NormalBlackVance Kelly
32024-02-10Murders at Karlov Manor PromosPMKM 57p2015NormalBlackVolkan Baǵa
42024-02-10Murders at Karlov Manor PromosPMKM 57s2015NormalBlackVolkan Baǵa

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Forensic Gadgeteer has restrictions

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