Homicide Investigator MTG Card
2024-02-09 - Number 86
2024-02-09 - Number 343
2024-02-10 - Number 86p
2024-02-10 - Number 86s
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Detective |
| Abilities | Investigate |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Whenever one or more nontoken creatures you control die, investigate. This ability triggers only once each turn. (Create a Clue token. It's an artifact with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.")
In her line of work, the dead are often better sources than the living.
Cards like Homicide Investigator
Homicide Investigator enters the roster of intriguing creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. It shares some traits with Thraben Inspector, which also provides utility in scrutinizing the game state owing to its clue-generating ability. However, the Investigator goes a step further by offering the potential to develop game control through its conditional creature destruction ability, contrasting the Inspector’s solely economic advantage.
In parallel with Seeker of the Way, Homicide Investigator maneuvers through the battlefield but distinguishingly focuses on criminal elimination over life gain. And while Bygone Bishop investigates through card draw advantage when casting creature spells, our Homicide Investigator gets its edge through the direct handling of threats, which redefines board dynamics more selectively than the broader card advantage that the Bishop entails.
Thus, when evaluating Homicide Investigator in the continuum of creature cards with added value, it emerges as a tactically versatile option in player arsenals, enabling not just passive gains but also active board influence.
Cards similar to Homicide Investigator by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Homicide Investigator. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Orzhov Midrange | Standard | Orzhov Midrange | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 22, 2024 |
 | Decklist | Free form | 86#CS |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Homicide Investigator card provides an insightful mechanic that can potentially unravel an opponent’s strategy by granting you access to additional information and cards from their graveyard. Leveraging their resources can tilt the scales in your favor during the match.
Resource Acceleration: By utilizing its ability to interact with graveyard mechanics, Homicide Investigator can effectively turn any death on the battlefield into an opportunity for you. This can accelerate your game plan by unlocking new avenues of play or reanimating pivotal creatures that can change the game state to your advantage.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of activating Homicide Investigator’s abilities at instant speed allows you to adapt and respond to the ebb and flow of the game. This responsiveness is key in maintaining the upper hand and capitalizing on the precise moment to disrupt your opponent’s moves or strengthen your position on the board.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For Homicide Investigator’s skills to be utilized, a player often has to discard a card. This can severely impact your hand, especially if you’re already running low on cards and need to maintain options to respond to the evolving game state.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Homicide Investigator includes particular mana requirements that may not align with all deck compositions. Players running a multi-color deck or those that are mana-scarce might find it challenging to summon Homicide Investigator at the crucial moment.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that might be considered steep for its effects, the Homicide Investigator can be a heavy draw on your resources, especially in the early game. There are alternatives in the game that may accomplish similar investigative tasks or creature control at a more economical mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Homicide Investigator offers a unique toolkit for decks that thrive on investigation and resourceful play. Its ability to analyze and adapt to the board state makes it a shrewd inclusion for players who enjoy strategy and flexibility in their game plan.
Combo Potential: This card shines in setups with synergies that revolve around clues, tokens, or sacrificing mechanisms. Its role can be pivotal in enabling combinations that propel you towards victory by exploiting game mechanics centered around detective themes.
Meta-Relevance: Acknowledging the prevalence of creature-heavy lineups, Homicide Investigator can become indispensable. It grants players the edge in a meta where understanding your opponent’s creatures and leveraging that knowledge can decisively swing the momentum in your favor.
How to beat
The Homicide Investigator is a strategic card that poses a unique challenge on the battlefield. It’s designed to control the pace of the game by creating an incentive for your opponent to carefully consider their creature removal decisions. When facing this card, it’s essential to look for alternative ways to bypass its abilities. One effective strategy includes the use of exile effects, preventing the card from triggering its investigation ability when creatures die.
Counterplay can also involve deploying graveyard disruption to limit the benefits derived from creature deaths. Look for tactics that minimize the card’s impact by avoiding direct destruction of your opponent’s creatures. Instead, focus on exiling, bouncing, or shuffling them into the library. Meanwhile, prioritize building a board presence that doesn’t rely heavily on creature removal or that can benefit from your opponent’s creatures being sent to the graveyard.
In essence, mastering the game against Homicide Investigator involves creative deck building and strategic gameplay that can circumvent its tracking abilities, keeping you one step ahead in the investigative game of cat and mouse.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Homicide Investigator 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 Homicide Investigator and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Homicide Investigator Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2024-02-09 and 2024-02-10. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor | MKM | 86 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jodie Muir | |
| 2 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor | MKM | 343 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Robert Hovey | |
| 3 | 2024-02-10 | Murders at Karlov Manor Promos | PMKM | 86p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jodie Muir | |
| 4 | 2024-02-10 | Murders at Karlov Manor Promos | PMKM | 86s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jodie Muir |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Homicide Investigator has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Standardbrawl | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |