Check out Magic The Gathering: Murders at Karlov Manor cards, mechanics & more

Check out Magic The Gathering: Murders at Karlov Manor cards, mechanics & more
Wizards of the Coast

Written by 

Lloyd Coombes

Last updated 

16th Jan 2024 18:00

It's been a huge year for Magic The Gathering. The long-running card game is about to hit its 99th expansion with Murders at Karlov Manor, but more than that, it feels like it's broken through into the mainstream more than ever before.

Whether you had your first slice of the 'Color Pie' because the Doctor Who crossover intrigued you, or you liked the idea of delving into caves with dinosaurs, or you're just looking to get ready for next year's Fallout sets or the Final Fantasy one that'll follow after, it's a great time to start playing.

Still, just before the expansion counter ticks over into triple digits, we have cases to solve. Murders at Karlov Manor will add new mechanics to the returning Ravnica region, as well as new characters.

What is Murders at Karlov Manor in Magic The Gathering?

As per Wizards of the Coast's latest blog post, "Alquist Proft and the Ravnican Agency of Magicological Investigations need to uncover a murderer.

"With a string of murders (and attempted murders) across Ravnica, the race is on to uncover who's next—and who's behind it all."

Now, I'm no detective, but given the cast list here includes characters with names like 'Massacre Girl, Known Killer' and 'Judith, Carnage Connoisseur', I think it may take some time to deduce who it is that's been snuffing characters out.

Check out just a few of the cards below:

Karlov Manor 2 0011 Izoni Center Of The Web Main
Karlov Manor 2 0009 Kellan Inquisitive Prodigy Main
Karlov Manor 2 0001 Trostani Three Whispers Main
Karlov Manor 2 0010 Kaya Spirits Justice Main
Karlov Manor 2 0007 Kylox Visionary Inventor Main
Karlov Manor 2 0002 Tolsimir Midnights Light Main
Karlov Manor 2 0000 Warleaders Call Main
Karlov Manor 2 0008 Krenko Baron Of Tin Street Main
Karlov Manor 2 0003 Teysa Opulent Oligarch Main
Karlov Manor 2 0004 Not On My Watch Main
Karlov Manor 2 0005 Massacre Girl Known Killer Main
Karlov Manor 2 0006 Long Goodbye Main Promo
Karlov Manor 2 0012 Crime Novelist Main
Karlov Manor 2 0013 Case Of The Ransacked Lab Main
Karlov Manor 2 0014 Branch Of Vitu Ghazi Main
Karlov Manor 2 0015 A Killer Among Us Main
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Magic The Gathering's Murders at Karlov Manor mechanics

Karlov Manor 0000 Scene Of The Crime Main
Karlov Manor 0007 Agrus Kos Spirit Of Justice Main
Karlov Manor 0001 Judith Carnage Connoisseur Main
Karlov Manor 0002 Etrata Deadly Fugitive Main
Karlov Manor 0006 Aurelias Vindicator Main
Karlov Manor 0005 Auspicious Arrival Main
Karlov Manor 0004 Axebane Ferox Main Bundlepromo
Karlov Manor 0003 Case Of The Filched Falcon Main
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Thankfully, the Investigate mechanic returns, letting you more speedily get through your deck by drawing cards.

Players can also cast cards face down as part of the new Disguise mechanic, triggering effects when they're flipped (how very Yu-Gi-Oh).

Cases are another mechanic, working similarly to Sagas, with multiple steps. One ability is active at all times, but another can be triggered by "solving" the case via a condition.

You can collect Evidence, too, and cards used as evidence can trigger additional effects.

All of this should help you identify a Suspect, applying "Suspected" to a creature, giving them Menace and removing their ability to block until it leaves the battlefield of its Suspected status is removed by an effect.

Murders at Karlov Manor meta puzzles

Wizards is also making the lofty promise of 'Mystery Files' puzzles that'll be rolled out each day from pre-release, while new dossier-style cards will also debut. Check out one below:

Rakdos Patron of Chaos dossier card from Murders at Karlov Manor
Click to enlarge

It's ambitious, with 12 puzzles and 1 'meta puzzle' to be solved. Starting January 16, players can visit the Ravnica Detective Agency website to find clues.

Play Boosters explained

Play Booster contents infographic
Click to enlarge
Image via WOTC

Murders at Karlov Manor will see the debut of a new 'Play Booster' pack type that's somewhat of a crossover between the Draft and Set Boosters.

These include 14 cards and one non-playable card, which can be anything from a Token to an ad, or an art card.

There's a detailed breakdown of the Play Booster contents on the Wizards blog, but a quick rundown is as follows:

  • 6 Common cards
  • 1 Common or 1 Card from The List
  • 3 Uncommons
  • 1 Wildcard
  • 1 Main set Rare or Mythic Rare
  • 1 Foil of any rarity
  • 1 Basic Land
  • 1 Non-Playable card

It'll be interesting to see how the community reacts, and many of the slots include 'Booster Fun', which could be extended or alternate artwork.

What is Ravnica: Clue Edition?

Ravnica Clue Edition Box
Click to enlarge

If you've played Clue (or Cluedo, as it's more commonly known in the UK) and have a hankering to solve a mystery with friends, you may find that Ravnica: Clue Edition is right up your suspicious dark alley.

Offering a blend of the multiplayer board game and an array of brand new cards and revamped classics (never thought I'd see a 'Lead Pipe' artefact in Magic The Gathering), it could be a great way to introduce friends to the hobby, or just be a great game in its own right.

We'll find out more when Wizards reveals new information in January.

When does Murders at Karlov Manor launch?

Massacre Girl art from Magic The Gathering's Murders at Karlov Manor set
Click to enlarge

Wizards of the Coast appears to have identified Magic's rise in popularity (how could it not?) and is now pushing new products out pretty aggressively.

Lost Caverns of Ixalan only debuted on November 17, but the three-month release schedule remains intact with Murders at Karlov Manor arriving on February 9, 2024. Pre-release kicks off on February 2, 2024.

There's been plenty of blowback in the community for the rate at which new sets and boxed products are dropping but, as a new MTG player myself, I adored Lost Caverns of Ixalan so am hoping Wizards can keep the same level of quality here.

As for Ravnica: Clue Edition, you'll find that from February 23, 2024. You can preorder it here.

For more on card games, check out our rundown of the best digital card games in 2023. GGRecon uses affiliate links, if you purchase any products from our links we may earn a commission.

Lloyd Coombes
About the author
Lloyd Coombes
Lloyd is GGRecon's Editor-in-Chief, having previously worked at Dexerto and Gfinity, and occasionally appears in The Daily Star newspaper. A big fan of loot-based games including Destiny 2 and Diablo 4, when he's not working you'll find him at the gym or trying to play Magic The Gathering.
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