Novice Inspector MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Detective |
| Abilities | Investigate |
| Released | 2024-02-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Murders at Karlov Manor |
| Set code | MKM |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 29 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Fajareka Setiawan |
Text of card
When Novice Inspector enters the battlefield, investigate. (Create a Clue token. It's an artifact with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.")
"If the perfect evidence appears at your feet, your first task is to rule out misdirection." —The Ravnican Agency of Magicological Investigations handbook
Cards like Novice Inspector
Novice Inspector introduces a card advantage mechanic to Magic: The Gathering that echoes other resourceful creatures in the game. It shares similarities with the iconic Thraben Inspector by offering a Clue token upon entering the battlefield, which can later be sacrificed for card draw. While both cards present this ability, Novice Inspector requires you to control an artifact to activate its card draw, adding a deck-building consideration unique to it.
Another parallel can be drawn with Elvish Visionary. Although this card provides immediate card draw upon its arrival rather than a Clue token, it offers a similar overall effect — trading a creature’s presence on the board for an advancement in hand resources. On the other hand, the delayed card draw from Novice Inspector’s Clue token can be tactically beneficial, giving players the flexibility to choose when to draw the extra card.
Considering the synergy with artifact strategies, Novice Inspector can sometimes be a more fitting choice for those decks emphasizing artifacts. Comparatively, Thraben Inspector and Elvish Visionary offer their benefits in a broader range of decks. Each has its merits, but Novice Inspector’s potential in artifact-centric builds is worth exploring for players looking to optimize their in-game strategies.
Cards similar to Novice Inspector by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Novice Inspector. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Boros Convoke | Standard | Boros Convoke | Standard League 2024-04-24 |
 | Boros Synthesizer | Pauper | Boros Synthesizer | Pauper League 2024-04-24 |
 | Orzhov Midrange | Standard | Orzhov Midrange | Standard Preliminary 2024-04-24 (1) |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Novice Inspector offers players a welcoming avenue to card advantage. When this diligent character enters the battlefield, it prompts a clue to be placed alongside it, giving you an opportunity to draw a card at a future turn. This essentially means Novice Inspector could ultimately net you an additional card, ensuring you don’t run out of options as play progresses.
Resource Acceleration: In addition to its card-drawing capability, Novice Inspector aids in resource acceleration. Clues, like the one it creates, double as potential mana sources once sacrificed. This provides not just a boost in card access but also an incremental pace in ramping up your resources, subtly edging you ahead in the race for mana supremacy.
Instant Speed: While Novice Inspector itself may not be played at instant speed, the clues it brings can be sacrificed at any instant. This adaptability allows you to efficiently manage your mana, only cracking the clue when the timing is most resource-efficient, or when you’re searching for responses during your opponent’s turn. The inherent flexibility in deciding when to draw that extra card makes this card a tactically astute choice for decks that thrive on operating reactively.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Novice Inspector requires you to discard a card to activate certain abilities. This can be particularly taxing when your hand is already depleted, making it less than ideal in situations where you need to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: The Novice Inspector comes with a mana cost that includes white mana. This requirement may restrict its inclusion to specific archetypes, limiting its flexibility across various deck strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that might be considered steep for its stats and effects, Novice Inspector may not always be the most mana-efficient play. Other cards in the same cost bracket might offer greater impact or more immediate board presence.
Reasons to Include Novice Inspector in Your Collection
Versatility: Novice Inspector shines in its ability to be slotted into a wide range of decks. Its low casting cost makes it an approachable option for early game board presence while also providing card draw, a universally valuable resource.
Combo Potential: The clue token generated by the Novice Inspector upon entering the battlefield opens up numerous possibilities. It can fuel strategies synergistic with artifacts, enable improvise mechanics, or simply serve as card advantage to enable your game plan.
Meta-Relevance: As metas often fluctuate with decks that aim to outvalue opponents, Novice Inspector can hold its ground by offering consistent card draw. This can be particularly useful against control matchups where maintaining a steady flow of resources is key.
How to beat Novice Inspector
The Novice Inspector is an intriguing creature card offering players a distinct advantage in the game of Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to investigate upon entering the battlefield presents card advantage, giving players an extra clue token that could be sacrificed for card draw later in the match. This can overlay an extra layer of strategy in matches where information and card advantage are pivotal.
To effectively counter the Novice Inspector, it is essential to hamper its investigate synergy. Cards with abilities to control or remove creatures upon entry can minimize its impact. Spells like Fatal Push or Shock can be efficient at removing the Novice Inspector before its clue token generation becomes a recurring advantage. On the other hand, utilizing graveyard interaction to inhibit recurring advantages from cards like it becomes crucial, and leveraging effects that exile rather than destroy can prevent further use from graveyard-based strategies.
Moreover, enchantments that restrict the ability to utilize the investigate mechanic can nullify the impact of the Novice Inspector. As a cost-effective creature, the card holds the potential for early board presence. In essence, a swift response is key, and maintaining board control is paramount for a player aiming to dominate a match despite the exploratory benefits that Novice Inspector provides.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Novice Inspector MTG card by a specific set like 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 Novice Inspector 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Novice Inspector has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Standardbrawl | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |