Investigate
| Investigate | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Keyword Action | |
| Introduced | Shadows over Innistrad |
| Last used | Fallout |
| Reminder Text |
Investigate (Create a Clue token. It's an artifact with " , Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.") |
| Storm Scale | 4[1] |
| Scryfall Statistics | |
Investigate is a keyword action introduced in Shadows over Innistrad (2016).[2][3][4]
Description
To investigate, you create a Clue token. Clues are colorless artifacts, which have the ability ", Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card."
Investigate sometimes is triggered when specific things happen. For example, Tireless Tracker lets you investigate when a land enters the battlefield under your control, and Ulvenwald Mysteries lets you investigate when a nontoken creature you control dies. Some cards also have abilities that trigger when a Clue is sacrificed. This makes the decision of when to sacrifice a Clue more interesting, and so in some cases sacrificing Clues as soon as possible is not necessarily the best play.
History
In 2021, investigate was reused in Innistrad: Midnight Hunt[5].
By 2022, investigate and clue tokens had become deciduous.[6] It also was a main mechanic for Murders at Karlov Manor where it was used in several ways (e.g. as a trigger, on spells, etc.).[7]
Fae Offering and Academy Manufactor from Modern Horizons 2 were the first cards to create Clue tokens without investigating (as these cards simultaneously create other predefined tokens along with Clues). As a consequence, the Clue token also became a predefined token.[8][9] However, investigate won't be made obsolete.[10]
Avatar: The Last Airbender is the first set to have standalone Clue creation without investigating or being parceled with other tokens. Chris Mooney explained that this was done to reduce the number of keywords in the set, and to make its use more in line with the design of other predefined tokens.[11][12] Investigate can still be used in other sets, if it is flavorfully appropriate. However, investigate has lost its deciduous status.[1]
Rules
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (November 14, 2025—Avatar: The Last Airbender)
- Investigate
- A keyword action that creates a Clue artifact token. See rule 701.16, “Investigate.”
From the Comprehensive Rules (November 14, 2025—Avatar: The Last Airbender)
- 701.16. Investigate
- 701.16a “Investigate” means “Create a Clue token.” See rule 111.10f.
Examples
Example
Expose Evil 
Instant
Tap up to two target creatures.
Investigate. (Create a Clue token. It's an artifact with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.")
References
- ↑ a b Mark Rosewater (November 9, 2025). "Now that Clues can stand alone, where is Investigate on the Storm Scale now?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Matt Tabak (March 7, 2016). "Shadows over Innistrad Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (March 21, 2016). "Chasing Shadows, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Dave Humpherys (March 21, 2016). "Developing Shadows over Innistrad". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-01-20.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (September 6, 2021). "Happy Hunt-ing, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-09-06.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (March 28, 2022). "Deciduous". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 16, 2024). "Getting Away with Murders at Karlov Manor, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Jess Dunks (June 18, 2021). "Comprehensive Rules Changes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (September 27, 2021). "Ifwhen un keywording investigate...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (September 27, 2021). "Since you guys are moving away from investigate...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Magic: the Gathering® - Avatar: The Last Airbender™ - Debut Aftershow (Video). Weekly MTG. YouTube (October 29, 2025).
- ↑ Chris Mooney (November 26, 2025). "Designing Magic: The Gathering® - Avatar: The Last Airbender™: Allies, Clues, and Lessons". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.