What it does
Investigate means you create a Clue token—a colorless artifact with "
, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card." Each instance of investigate makes one Clue, so "investigate twice" gives you two separate tokens. Clues sit on the battlefield until you pay to crack them, turning excess mana into card advantage later.
The most common misunderstanding is treating Clues as fragile or expiring—they don't. They're permanent artifacts that stick around, which means they synergize with sacrifice outlets, artifact-matters effects (like affinity, Improvise, or Urza), and "draw a card" triggers. Tapping out for a Clue earlier doesn't lose you the card; you bank it.
In Commander, investigate shines as inevitability and flexibility: store value on the battlefield, then convert it during slow turns. Watch for artifact synergies and beware that Clues are vulnerable to artifact wipes before you cash them in.
, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card." Each instance of investigate makes one Clue, so "investigate twice" gives you two separate tokens. Clues sit on the battlefield until you pay to crack them, turning excess mana into card advantage later.
The most common misunderstanding is treating Clues as fragile or expiring—they don't. They're permanent artifacts that stick around, which means they synergize with sacrifice outlets, artifact-matters effects (like affinity, Improvise, or Urza), and "draw a card" triggers. Tapping out for a Clue earlier doesn't lose you the card; you bank it.
In Commander, investigate shines as inevitability and flexibility: store value on the battlefield, then convert it during slow turns. Watch for artifact synergies and beware that Clues are vulnerable to artifact wipes before you cash them in.Iconic cards with Investigate
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