Murders at Karlov Manor (MKM)
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February 2, 2024
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Justin
Find out which commons are best from Murders at Karlov Manor. Does black still have the strongest? Or does it finally get dethroned?
Image Credit: Magic the Gathering | Artist:
Ises
Click here for limited ratings of every card from Murders at Karlov Manor.
Every set has commons that define the format. Since most packs have at least 6 commons, these cards are the ones you'll have at your disposal most often. Knowing which to play, and which to avoid, will help you be more consistent in limited formats.
Galvanize happens to be the highest rated common in the entire set. It stands out as a highly efficient burn spell that, for a minimal mana investment, can escalate its damage to take down larger threats, positioning it as a valuable early selection in drafts.
Shock remains a reliable and efficient removal spell in the current format, adept at targeting creatures with 2 toughness, despite its slightly reduced effectiveness against creatures with ward 2.
Suspicious Detonation offers value as a 2 mana burn spell when fueled by clues, serving as an efficient answer to disguised creatures, with most decks likely to enable its discounted cost for enhanced utility.
This is a classic. Given its capacity for unconditionally removing any creature, often with added benefits making it more castable, this form of premium removal ranks highly and is prioritized over most other cards.
Slice from the Shadows offers versatility as a removal spell, capable of outright destruction or serving as a combat trick, with its uncounterable nature proving crucial in bypassing ward, though its higher mana cost limits its rating to that of a situationally useful, yet not exceptional, component in black decks.
Unscrupulous Agent, much like its predecessors that target the opponent's hand, offers early card advantage and potential lead, but its impact in the MKM format may vary due to limited sacrifice synergies and the common presence of stronger early creatures, positioning it as a variable pick depending on the draft context.
The Cold Case Cracker shines in the blue common lineup, delivering solid value as a 3/3 flier for 4 mana and further sweetening the deal by leaving a Clue on departure, proving its worth beyond initial expectations.
Crimestopper Sprite stands out by offering consistent value as a cost-effective flier capable of tapping a blocker, and while fully capitalizing on its potential may be challenging, its utility alone makes it a desirable addition to many decks.
Dramatic Accusation enhances blue's limited removal options by offering a method to "permanently" neutralize a creature, with an innovative escape clause that further secures its effectiveness by reducing vulnerability to bounce or enchantment removal.
While Bite Down on Crime's four-mana cost makes it a less-than-ideal removal in green, its potential for cost reduction and the strategic +2/+0 buff render it a serviceable, though not priority, inclusion in decks seeking versatile removal options.
Topiary Panther, as the sole landcycler in the set, offers green decks both mana consistency and evidence setup, doubling as a formidable late-game threat, making it a notably versatile card in green's arsenal.
Eavesdropper presents a compelling package as a 3/3 creature that comes with a Clue, providing substantial utility and flexibility for its mana cost, and proving to be a welcome addition to a wide range of decks.
Novice Inspector stands out as an essential one-drop for white decks across various formats, offering substantial early-game utility and card advantage through its investigate ability, making it a coveted inclusion in any quantity.
Makeshift Binding emerges as a highly effective removal option at three mana, capable of neutralizing any creature and granting an added bonus of two life, with the caveat that targeting creatures with ward may be more costly.
Inside Source, while initially seeming modest with its 1/1 and 2/2 for three mana, surprises by overperforming thanks to its ability to generate multiple bodies and a late-game relevant ability, establishing itself as a surprisingly effective addition among white commons.
#1 - Rating: 6.4 - Galvanize (Red)
#2 - Rating: 6.2 - Murder (Black)
#3 - Rating: 6.0 - Shock (Red)
#4 - Rating: 5.6 - Cold Case Cracker (Blue)
#5 - Rating: 5.4 - Novice Inspector (White)
#6 - Rating: 5.2 - Makeshift Binding (White)
#7 - Rating: 5.0 - Suspicious Detonation (Red)
#8 - Rating: 4.8 - Slice from the Shadows (Black)
#9 - Rating: 4.8 - Gearbane Orangutan (Red)
#10 - Rating: 4.8 - Bite Down on Crime (Green)
Red has a whopping four out of the Top 10 commons, White and Black have two each, and Blue and Green only coming in with one a piece.
Click here for limited ratings of every card from Murders at Karlov Manor.
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