On the Trail MTG Card
2024-02-09 - Number 349
2024-02-09 - Number 39
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
Whenever you draw your second card each turn, you may put a land card from your hand onto the battlefield tapped.
Where the victim's journey ends, the investigator's begins.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: On the Trail is a boon for players seeking card advantage. Its mechanism for snagging a clue token whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control means you can gradually build a stockpile of cards, setting you up for future turns.
Resource Acceleration: This card provides a consistent method of resource acceleration. Each clue token generated is a potential new draw, fueling your hand and giving you more options to play each turn. This smooth acceleration can lead to a significant advantage as the game progresses.
Instant Speed: Reactivity is key in MTG, and On the Trail offers that by being an instant. It allows you to adapt to the evolving game state, potentially generating clue tokens even during your opponent’s turn. This can lead to surprise advantages and unexpected turns.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: On the Trail necessitates losing a card from your hand, which can be particularly taxing when you’re already struggling to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost demands both green and white mana, potentially restricting its inclusion to decks that can reliably produce both colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost being notably steep for its effect, one could argue that there are alternative cards that might serve a similar function without the heavy mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: “On the Trail” offers incredible flexibility in deck-building, being a solid choice for many green-based decks that seek to maintain a strong board presence with creature spells.
Combo Potential: This card shines by allowing you to fetch basic Forest cards, enabling landfall triggers or supporting decks that capitalize on having numerous lands in play or creatures that benefit from forests entering the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In formats where keeping a consistent land drop is crucial, “On the Trail” ensures you meet your curve requirements, making it a strategic addition in a landscape filled with ramp-centric and land-focused strategies.
How to beat
On the Trail is an intriguing card that can set the pace of MTG games by providing a steady flow of clue tokens, which in turn offer card advantage. To effectively counter this card, it’s essential to manage the token generation or employ artifact removal strategies. Cards such as Naturalize or Abrade can directly target and destroy not only On the Trail but also the clue tokens it generates. Timing these spells efficiently to interrupt your opponent’s flow of resources is key.
Another strategy is to apply pressure with an array of threats that demand immediate answers. This forces the opponent to choose between creating and cracking clue tokens or addressing the threats on the board. Aggressive decks can often outpace the value generated by On the Trail, rendering the clue tokens less impactful as the game progresses. In short, fast plays and targeted removal give you a solid foothold against the slow, incremental benefits offered by On the Trail.
Ultimately, while On the Trail can be a powerful tool in the right deck, it’s not unbeatable. By employing these strategies, you can keep the advantage on your side of the battlefield and maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase On the Trail MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor Commander and Murders at Karlov Manor 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 On the Trail 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 On the Trail Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2024-02-09 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by Erikas Perl.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor Commander | MKC | 349 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Erikas Perl | |
| 2 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor Commander | MKC | 39 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Erikas Perl |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where On the Trail has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |