MTG now has a Columbo inspired card for its murder mystery set

Final-Word Phantom is a brilliantly disruptive card that allows players to set up a perfect next-turn counterattack.

MTG’s Murders at Karlov Manor set has drawn on references to beloved pop-culture detectives like Sherlock Holmes and the Scooby gang.

Thinking Cap and Sophia, Dogged Detective will definitely have their fans when Murders at Karlov Manor launches on February 9. But of all these gumshoes, the unassuming Columbo might just have delivered the strongest detective crossover of this set.

Final-Word Phantom provides incredible interrupts

WOTC

While the luxurious mustache on this spirit Creature may put players more in mind of Hercule Poirot, the Columbo comparisons are clear in both the card’s flavor text and its mechanics.

‘Just one more thing’ is a near-verbatim reproduction of Columbo’s favored catchphrase, and when deploying this card, players can catch their opponents off-guard with a similar last-minute gambit.

The benefits of playing during opponents’ end steps cannot be overstated. Flash is one of MTG’s most versatile abilities, and Final-Word Phantom granting a pseudo-flash to all your cards is a momentary miracle.

While opponents can still respond to your plays at instant speed, any interaction at sorcery speed that would normally be done to clear away your field is unable to be cast. Keeping your lands untapped and then sneaking in a whole turn’s worth of setup that can almost immediately be paid off on your next turn will leave you at a significant advantage.

Any of your creatures cast at this point will be ready and raring to fight as soon as it becomes your upkeep, getting around the usual summoning sickness restriction and enabling you to start swinging for the win.

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