Investigate

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Investigate
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Icon Investigate.png}}|70x70px]]
Keyword Action
Introduced Shadows over Innistrad
Last used New Capenna Commander
Reminder Text Investigate (Create a colorless Clue artifact token with "{2}, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.")
Storm Scale 4[1]
Statistics
47 cards
{W} 21.3% {U} 29.8% {B} 2.1% {G} 21.3% {W/U} 4.3% {U/B} 2.1% {R/G} 2.1% {W/B} 2.1% {R/W} 2.1% {G/U} 4.3% {M} 2.1% {artifact symbol} 4.3% {land symbol} 2.1%
Scryfall Search
keyword:"Investigate"

Investigate is a keyword action introduced in Shadows over Innistrad[2][3][4] and reused in Innistrad: Midnight Hunt[5].

Description

To investigate, you put a Clue token onto the battlefield. Clues are colorless artifacts, which have the ability "{2}, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card."

Investigate sometimes is triggered when specific things happen. For example, you get to investigate whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control or a nontoken creature you control dies. There is also a number of cards that trigger when a Clue is sacrificed. It makes the decision of when to sacrifice a Clue more interesting. You don't always do it as soon as possible.

Fae Offering from Modern Horizons 2 was the first card to create Clue tokens without investigating. As a consequence, the Clue token became a predefined token.[6][7] However, Investigate won't be obsoleted.[8]

Investigate and clue tokens are considered to be deciduous.[9]

Rules

From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)

Investigate
A keyword action that creates a Clue artifact token. See rule 701.36, “Investigate.”

From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)

  • 701.36. Investigate
    • 701.36a “Investigate” means “Create a Clue token.” See rule 111.10f.

Examples

Example

Expose Evil {1}{W}
Instant
Tap up to two target creatures.
Investigate. (Create a colorless Clue artifact token with "{2}, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.")

References

  1. Mark Rosewater (June 28, 2016). "I already miss investigate. Storm scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  2. Matt Tabak (March 7, 2016). "Shadows over Innistrad Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. Mark Rosewater (March 21, 2016). "Chasing Shadows, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. Dave Humpherys (March 21, 2016). "Developing Shadows over Innistrad". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. Mark Rosewater (September 6, 2021). "Happy Hunt-ing, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. Jess Dunks (June 18, 2021). "Comprehensive Rules Changes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. Mark Rosewater (September 27, 2021). "Ifwhen un keywording investigate...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  8. Mark Rosewater (September 27, 2021). "Since you guys are moving away from investigate...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  9. Mark Rosewater (March 28, 2022). "Deciduous". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.