Suspect
| Suspect | |
|---|---|
|
[[File:{{#setmainimage:MTGA Suspect.png}}|70x70px]] | |
| Keyword Action | |
| Introduced | Murders at Karlov Manor |
| Last used | Ravnica: Clue Edition |
| Reminder Text | Suspect (A suspected creature has menace and can't block.) |
| Statistics |
15 cards  6.7%  40%  40%  13.3% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"Suspect" | |
- Not to be confused with Suspect counter.
Suspect is a keyword action introduced in Murders at Karlov Manor.[1][2] It creates a designation on a creature that encourages attacking.
Description
Cards may "suspect" a creature, after which it is suspected: it gains menace and loses the ability to block. Much like goad, it is incentivized to attack, given its new abilities. Creatures that are suspected remain so until they leave the battlefield or an effect removes its suspected status.
As menace is a positive mechanic, you may want to suspect your own creatures. But as "can't block" is a negative characteristic, you also may suspect creatures you don't control. Specific cards interact with suspected creatures, and they may be targets for specific effects.
A punch card with "suspected" indicators appears in booster packs for Murders at Karlov Manor.[3]
Rules
From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- 701.58. Suspect
- 701.58a Certain spells and abilities instruct a player to suspect a creature. That creature becomes suspected until it leaves the battlefield or until a spell or ability causes it to no longer be suspected.
- 701.58b Suspected is a designation a permanent can have. Only permanents can have the suspected designation. Suspected is neither an ability nor part of the permanent’s copiable values.
- 701.58c A suspected permanent has menace and “This creature can’t block” for as long as it’s suspected.
- 701.58d A suspected permanent can’t become suspected again.
Rulings
- When an effect suspects a creature, it becomes suspected. It gains menace and "This creature can't block" for as long as it's suspected. It stays suspected until it leaves the battlefield or another effect causes it to no longer be suspected.[4]
- If a suspected creature loses all abilities, it will lose menace and "This creature can't block," but it won't stop being suspected.
- Being suspected isn't a copiable value. If a permanent becomes a copy of a suspected creature, it won't be suspected.
- If a creature is already suspected, suspecting it again won't have any effect.
- There's no limit to the number of creatures that can be suspected simultaneously. Suspecting a new creature doesn't cause other creatures to stop being suspected.
Example
Example
Person of Interest 
Creature — Human Rogue
2/2
When Person of Interest enters the battlefield, suspect it. Create a 2/2 white and blue Detective creature token. (A suspected creature has menace and can’t block.)
Cards that remove suspect
- Absolving Lammasu
- Airtight Alibi
- Deadly Complication
- Eliminate the Impossible
- Frantic Scapegoat (only removes suspect from itself)
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.
- ↑ 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.