Trail of Evidence MTG Card


Generates card advantage by translating each instant or sorcery spell into valuable Clue tokens for drawing. Provides flexibility with instant-speed Clue generation, enhancing strategic play and resource maximization. Demands specific mana and potentially competes with other three-mana cards, posing a strategic consideration.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment
Abilities Investigate

Text of card

Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, investigate. (Put a colorless Clue artifact token onto the battlefield with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.")

"Every answer seems to lead to a more terrifying question." —Jace Beleren


Cards like Trail of Evidence

Trail of Evidence holds its ground among distinctive investigatory enchantments within Magic: The Gathering. Like its counterpart Metallurgic Summonings, this card stands out for supporting a control style of play. Where Trail of Evidence shines is in the production of Clue tokens—artifacts that can be sacrificed for card draw—whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, a mechanic that echoes the card’s sleuth theme.

Comparable to the nuances between card draw spells, Mechanics such as those found in Ongoing Investigation also prompt card draw, but via creature damage to a player, diverging from Trail of Evidence’s non-combat approach. Then we have Ghirapur Æther Grid, which doesn’t produce Clue tokens for card draw but rather taps two artifacts you control to deal damage to any target, thereby offering an alternate utility for numerous artifacts you may acquire.

In evaluating the advantages each card brings to the table, Trail of Evidence secures a foundational spot within decks that heavily lean on instants and sorceries. It provides a steady investigative undertone to the game, enabling players to convert their maneuvers into potential card advantage with each spell they cast.

Metallurgic Summonings - MTG Card versions
Ongoing Investigation - MTG Card versions
Metallurgic Summonings - MTG Card versions
Ongoing Investigation - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Trail of Evidence by color, type and mana cost

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Feedback - MTG Card versions
In the Eye of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Undertow - MTG Card versions
Mana Vortex - MTG Card versions
Energy Flux - MTG Card versions
Gaseous Form - MTG Card versions
Mesmeric Trance - MTG Card versions
Soul Barrier - MTG Card versions
Puppet Master - MTG Card versions
Teferi's Realm - MTG Card versions
Propaganda - MTG Card versions
Intruder Alarm - MTG Card versions
Equilibrium - MTG Card versions
Mana Breach - MTG Card versions
Checks and Balances - MTG Card versions
Douse - MTG Card versions
Veiled Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Charisma - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Study - MTG Card versions
Traveler's Cloak - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Trail of Evidence provides steady card advantage. Every time you cast an instant or sorcery spell, you receive a Clue token, which can be sacrificed later to draw a card, ensuring you have a consistent flow of options.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly increasing mana, the Clue tokens from Trail of Evidence can be converted into card draws, accelerating your resource availability by providing more actions per turn.

Instant Speed: The ability to generate Clue tokens works at instant speed since it triggers on casting instants or sorceries. This means you can strategically plan your spells during your opponent’s turn, maximizing your turn efficiency and keeping the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Trail of Evidence doesn’t involve a direct discard, but it does require players to cast instant or sorcery spells to reap its benefits, which can indirectly deplete your hand over time.

Specific Mana Cost: This enchantment’s cost demands two specific blue mana, potentially limiting its incorporation in multi-colored decks that need flexible mana resources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including those two blue, Trail of Evidence competes with other card-draw engines or control elements that may offer more immediate value or impact on the game state.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Trail of Evidence offers exceptional adaptability within a variety of blue-based decks. Its ability to create clues with every instant or sorcery you cast means it seamlessly aligns with strategies that are spell-heavy and can turn every cast into a potential card draw.

Combo Potential: This enchantment shines in its ability to synergize with artifact matters themes. Integrating Trail of Evidence into a deck can evolve into myriad combos, especially those exploiting clue tokens for direct value or as part of a sacrifice mechanic.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame that values incremental advantage and synergistic play, Trail of Evidence can provide a reliable source of card advantage. For control or combo decks that operate within this space, the steady flow of clues ensures that you maintain resource superiority over your opponents.


How to beat

Trail of Evidence is a unique enchantment card that rewards players for casting spells in Magic: The Gathering. This card changes the dynamics of the game by generating clue tokens each time you cast an instant or sorcery spell, providing a steady stream of card draw possibilities. The key to overcoming Trail of Evidence lies in either preventing the casting of these kinds of spells entirely or disrupting the accumulation of clue tokens.

Countering the spells that would trigger Trail of Evidence is one strategy. Removal of the enchantment itself is also effective, with cards like Disenchant or Naturalize. Furthermore, players can use graveyard disruption tactics against decks that rely on instants and sorceries, such as Tormod’s Crypt or Leyline of the Void. Denying your opponent the opportunity to capitalize on Trail of Evidence’s mechanic is crucial, whether it’s through strategic use of counterspells, enchantment removal, or graveyard hate.

Ultimately, like any enduring strategy in Magic: The Gathering, the capacity to adapt and counter the cards and tactics your opponents bring to the table is the hallmark of a seasoned player. Disrupting the synergistic relationship Trail of Evidence creates with spell casting will be a genuine test of your adaptability and strategic acumen.


BurnMana Recommendations

The strategic depth of MTG often lies in understanding cards like Trail of Evidence, which bolster your plays with extra card draw capabilities. Key to enhancing your deck’s performance, it’s essential to recognize the power of incremental advantage cards like this offer in your spell-casting arsenal. If you aim to optimize your deck’s engine or are intrigued by the prospects of crafting a control-centric strategy, learning around Trail of Evidence’s strengths and potential combos is invaluable. Take your gameplay to new heights by deepening your knowledge and mastery over such resource-multiplying enchantments. For further insights and advanced strategies, we welcome you to explore more with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Trail of Evidence MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Mystery Booster, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Trail of Evidence and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Trail of Evidence Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Daniel Ljunggren.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-04-08Shadows over InnistradSOI 932015NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 5292015NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren
32020-09-26The ListPLST SOI-932015NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Trail of Evidence has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Trail of Evidence card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2016-04-08 If you sacrifice a Clue for another card’s cost or effect, such as that of Angelic Purge or Tamiyo’s Journal, you can’t also pay and sacrifice it to draw a card.
2016-04-08 The token is named Clue and has the artifact subtype Clue. Clue isn’t a creature type.
2016-04-08 The tokens are normal artifacts. For example, they can be sacrificed to cast Angelic Purge or targeted by Root Out.