Scene of the Crime MTG Card


Grants two cards’ worth of clues, bolstering card advantage for strategic hand management. Instantly casts at crucial moments, disrupting opponents and enhancing player’s board state. Demands discarding and specific mana, possibly hindering deck flexibility and efficiency.
Scene of the Crime - Murders at Karlov Manor
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact Land — Clue
Released2024-02-09
Set symbol
Set nameMurders at Karlov Manor
Set codeMKM
Number267
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJokubas Uogintas

Text of card

Scene of the Crime enters the battlefield tapped. : Add . , Tap an untapped creature you control: Add one mana of any color. , Sacrifice Scene of the Crime: Draw a card.


Cards like Scene of the Crime

Scene of the Crime in Magic: The Gathering invites intriguing gameplay dynamics, akin to Investigate mechanics seen in other cards like Thraben Inspector. Scene of the Crime excels in providing not just one but two Clue tokens, doubling the potential card draw compared to its one-token counterpart. Moreover, it bypasses the need for a creature to trigger the effect, a limitation present in Thraben Inspector’s design.

In the realm of token generation, Tireless Tracker stands out for its capacity to create Clue tokens while also getting stronger. However, Scene of the Crime ensures an immediate and guaranteed token creation without needing to landfall, which Tireless Tracker requires for its trigger. Byrd, Stitcher’s Apprentice is another variant, creating token copies of creatures, but Scene of the Crime focuses solely on card advantage through its Clue tokens rather than the diverse utility offered by creature tokens.

Assessing the value in different contexts, Scene of the Crime offers a robust card advantage through its multiple tokens. For players aiming to bolster their card-drawing capabilities without the constraints of specific triggers or the pursuit of varied token types, Scene of the Crime presents itself as a solid choice within Magic: The Gathering’s pool of token-producing spells.

Thraben Inspector - MTG Card versions
Tireless Tracker - MTG Card versions
Thraben Inspector - MTG Card versions
Tireless Tracker - MTG Card versions

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Chrome Mox - MTG Card versions
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Spellbook - MTG Card versions
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Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free formHoliday Night Magic
Azorius MidrangeAzorius Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 06 2024
Boros ConvokeBoros Convoke StandardBoros ConvokeStandard League 2024-02-25
UGUG StandardTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 19, 2024
AffinityAffinity ModernAffinityModern Preliminary 2024-02-14 (1)
Esper ControlEsper Control GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 06 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Scene of the Crime allows players to investigate twice, which effectively means drawing two additional cards. This supports incremental card advantage crucial for keeping a well-stocked hand throughout the game.

Resource Acceleration: The two Clue tokens provided by Scene of the Crime can be converted into additional mana sources. When used strategically, they foster resource acceleration, enabling players to cast more significant spells sooner than usual.

Instant Speed: Casting Scene of the Crime at instant speed provides flexible play, allowing players to choose the best moment for usage, such as in response to an opponent’s actions, potentially disrupting their strategy while fortifying their own position.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Scene of the Crime necessitates parting with a card from your hand, potentially depleting crucial tactical resources or surrendering card advantage at pivotal moments in the match.

Specific Mana Cost: This magic card demands an exact blend of mana types to cast—white and black—restricting its incorporation to decks that can reliably access both colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Allocating four mana may outweigh the benefits provided, especially since alternative options exist offering similar investigative abilities at a lower cost threshold, thereby ensuring a more nimble deck performance.


Reasons to Include Scene of the Crime in Your Collection

Versatility: Scene of the Crime is a valuable card for a variety of decks. Its ability to investigate, creating clue tokens, lends itself to deck strategies that capitalize on artifacts or incremental card advantage. The card is capable of fitting into diverse gameplans and remains a flexible option during deck construction.

Combo Potential: With Scene of the Crime’s connection to clue tokens, it opens up avenues for combos, particularly in decks that interact with artifacts. These synergies can be harnessed to fuel draw mechanics or boost the effects of cards reliant on artifacts being played or sacrificed, making it a strategic asset.

Meta-Relevance: As the meta shifts and adapts, Scene of the Crime maintains relevance. In a game state where controlling the pace and maintaining card flow are crucial, this card’s ability to consistently provide resources makes it a contender in various matches and its inclusion strategic for staying ahead.


How to Beat Scene of the Crime

Scene of the Crime is a unique card in the MTG universe, inviting players into a detective-style gameplay. By providing clues and rewarding diligent investigation, it weaves a different sort of tactical layer into the match. Understanding its mechanics is essential to tackling this card effectively. It benefits the player who cast it by generating clues, but these can become a double-edged sword if appropriately strategized against.

Beat Scene of the Crime by focusing on disruption and control elements. Employing spells that force your opponent to sacrifice permanents can quickly diminish the value they get from their clues. Aggressive artifact removal also cuts short any advantage garnered from Scene of the Crime. Exchange control and enchantment destruction are also effective since they can neutralize or redirect the benefits of the clues. In certain situations, speeding up your play to outpace the incremental value of Scene of the Crime can apply pressure and keep an opponent from fully utilizing their investigative leads.

Remember, while Scene of the Crime has the potential to turn a game around, with the right approach and a good understanding of its intricacies, you can ensure it doesn’t derail your path to victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Scene of the Crime 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 Scene of the Crime and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Scene of the Crime has restrictions

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