Murder Investigation MTG Card
2013-02-01 - Number 21
2015-07-17 - Number 27
2022-12-02 - Number 219
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchant creature you control When enchanted creature dies, put X 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens onto the battlefield, where X is its power.
"Every death has a web of consequences. Our job is to find the spider."
Cards like Murder Investigation
Murder Investigation stands out within the arsenal of Magic: The Gathering’s enchantments. It shares thematic kinship with cards like Kaya’s Ghostform, which also are designed to capitalize on a creature’s demise. Murder Investigation attaches to a creature you control and creates a number of 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens equal to that creature’s power when it dies. This ability is unique compared to Kaya’s Ghostform, which instead returns the enchanted creature or planeswalker back to the battlefield when it would die.
Looking at others, we discover Bastion of Remembrance, which triggers whenever a creature you control dies, like Murder Investigation. However, Bastion of Remembrance provides a consistent life drain effect against the opponent rather than amassing a token army. Another close relative in function is Open the Graves, which creates 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens whenever a nontoken creature you control dies, offering a different type of token advantage.
Each card proposes its own strategy upon a creature’s demise, yet Murder Investigation holds its ground with the potential for a substantial token swarm, adding considerable value to creatures in your MTG deck before their inevitable sacrifice.
Cards similar to Murder Investigation by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When you play Murder Investigation, the ability to create X 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens where X is the power of the creature that died can lead to a significant surge in your board presence. This can quickly turn the tide of a game by giving you not just one, but potentially multiple units from a single card.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly a mana accelerator, the tokens generated from this enchantment act as an indirect form of resource acceleration. Deploying multiple creatures after an empowered ally’s fall can propel you ahead, opening opportunities for aggressive strategies or defensive setups without spending additional mana on creature spells.
Instant Speed: Murder Investigation’s deployment at sorcery speed may initially seem like a drawback. However, its true potential shines in its reactionary nature. The enchantment sets a trap for your opponent: any removal they use results in you gaining a miniature army, effectively making them think twice about targeting your creatures. This strategic aspect adds depth to your game plan and leverages the timing of card plays in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: This card does not permit you to willingly discard from your hand, potentially leading to missed opportunities for strategic planning or reducing your ability to control game tempo.
Specific Mana Cost: Murder Investigation necessitates both generic and white mana, possibly deterring players with multi-colored or non-white decks from using this card in their deck construction.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While only costing two mana, in a game where speed can be crucial, there are alternatives that might reinforce your board presence or disrupt opponents more efficiently for the same or less mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Murder Investigation is a unique enchantment card that can be slotted into various deck archetypes. Its ability to generate creature tokens upon the enchanted creature’s demise offers a defensive strategy to deter opponents from removing your key creatures.
Combo Potential: This card excels in combinations that capitalize on token generation or benefit from creatures dying. Pairing it with cards that have sacrifice effects can quite effectively turn a negative situation into an advantage, ensuring continuous board presence.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that involves a lot of creature-based strategies or where removal spells are prevalent, Murder Investigation helps maintain your foothold by turning every loss into a new opportunity. It ensures that a powerful creature’s elimination is not the end of your game plan.
How to Beat
Murder Investigation stands out in Magic: The Gathering as an enchantment that clings to a creature, promising a surge of Soldier tokens upon the enchanted creature’s demise. The card shines in the tactic of overwhelming opponents with a legion of tokens, reminiscent of mechanics seen in other token-generating staples such as Sigil of the Empty Throne.
Much like the strategy adopted against Sigil of the Empty Throne, the best way to undermine Murder Investigation is to manage enchantments and creatures simultaneously. Resorting to removal spells such as Disenchant that target enchantments before the creature falls, or using exile effects like Path to Exile to bypass the death trigger altogether, can efficiently subvert this card’s advantages. This preemptive approach ensures that Murder Investigation doesn’t reach its full potential, keeping your opponent’s token army at bay.
Employing creature control strategies, such as imposing summoning sickness through cards like Authority of the Consuls or tapping creatures down with Amber Prison, can limit the effectiveness of the Murder Investigation. By maintaining control of the board and leveraging these techniques, players can effectively counter the card and prevent their opponents from capitalizing on its benefits.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Murder Investigation MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash and Magic Origins, 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 Murder Investigation 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Murder Investigation Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2013-02-01 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Igor Kieryluk.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2013-02-01 | Gatecrash | GTC | 21 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk | |
| 2 | 2015-07-17 | Magic Origins | ORI | 27 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk | |
| 3 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 219 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Murder Investigation has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Murder Investigation card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-01-24 | If another player gains control of either Murder Investigation or the enchanted creature (but not both), Murder Investigation will be enchanting an illegal permanent. The Aura will be put into its owner’s graveyard as a state-based action. |
| 2013-01-24 | To determine how many Soldier tokens are created, use the power of the enchanted creature as it last existed on the battlefield. |