Collect evidence
| Collect evidence | |
|---|---|
|
[[File:{{#setmainimage:MTGA Collect Evidence.png}}|70x70px]] | |
| Keyword Action | |
| Introduced | Murders at Karlov Manor |
| Last used | Modern Horizons 3 |
| Reminder Text | Collect evidence N (Exile cards with total mana value N or greater from your graveyard.) |
| Statistics |
23 cards  4.3%  21.7%  13%  8.7%  26.1%  4.3%  4.3%  8.7%  4.3%  4.3% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"Collect evidence" | |
Collect evidence is a keyword action introduced in Murders at Karlov Manor.[1][2][3]
Description
Collecting evidence involves a player exiling any number of cards from their graveyard with combined mana value equal to, or greater than, N (the evidence number).
Collecting is done as a cost, mechanically similar to Bargain or Kicker, where doing so is optional and gives a bonus to the spell if "evidence is collected". It can also be used on Ward costs.[4]
History
Collect evidence was also used in Ravnica: Clue Edition, and made a quick reappearance in Modern Horizons 3 where is was used as an alternative cost for Bestow on Detective's Phoenix.
Rules
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- Collect Evidence
- A keyword action. To “collect evidence N” means to exile any number of cards from your graveyard with total mana value N or greater. See rule 701.57, “Collect Evidence.”
From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- 701.57. Collect Evidence
- 701.57a To “collect evidence N” means to exile any number of cards from your graveyard with total mana value N or greater.
- 701.57b If a player is given the choice to collect evidence but is unable to exile cards with total mana value N or greater from their graveyard (usually because there aren’t enough cards to do so) they can’t choose to collect evidence.
- 701.57c A spell that has an ability that allows a player to collect evidence as an additional cost to cast it may have another ability that refers to whether evidence was collected. These abilities are linked. See rule 607, “Linked Abilities.”
Rulings
- If you can't exile enough cards to meet or exceed the required mana value, you can't choose to collect evidence at all.[5]
- Once you've announced that you're casting a spell, players can't take actions until you've finished doing so. Notably, opponents can't try to remove cards from your graveyard to stop you from collecting evidence.
Example
Example
Analyze the Pollen
Sorcery
As an additional cost to cast this spell, you may collect evidence 8. (Exile cards with total mana value 8 or greater from your graveyard.)
Search your library for a basic land card. If evidence was collected, instead search your library for a creature or land card. Reveal that card, put it into your hand, then shuffle.
References
- ↑ Matt Tabak (January 16, 2024). "Murders at Karlov Manor Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 22, 2024). "Getting Away with Murders at Karlov Manor, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 22, 2024). "How is collect evidence different from delve". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Murders At Karlov Manor Debut Aftershow. (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (January 16, 2024).
- ↑ Eric Levine (January 25, 2024). "Murders at Karlov Manor Release Notes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.