In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, where spells fly like confetti in a wizard’s parade and creatures are just as likely to be dragons as they are to be disgruntled squirrels, inspiration can hit like the flash of a lightning bolt card. My own epiphany came rather unexpectedly, in the form of a whimsical Etsy find—a deck box meticulously crafted to look like none other than the iconic Mystery Machine, that rolling symbol of nostalgia from Scooby-Doo. With its vibrant teal paint job and psychedelic flower decals, this box practically screamed adventure. Thus began my mission to build a commander deck worthy of its newfound home, a deck steeped in mystery-solving intrigue.
The crux of my quest was to craft a deck that not only captured the essence of Scooby and the gang but also functioned as a living, breathing puzzle. The task was daunting: How does one embody the sleuthing spirit of those meddling kids in card form? Enter the “Investigate” mechanic, arguably the perfect analog for a game of clue-chasing. This ability spawns Clue tokens—artifacts you can sacrifice for a couple of mana to draw a card. Each draw symbolically unravels another layer of the enigma, mirroring the unfolding mysteries of a Scooby-Doo episode.
A mystery-themed deck needs a lead investigator, and under the spotlight roars Morska, Undersea Sleuth from the Murders at Karlov Manor set. With a dossier fit for the detective genre, Morska sidesteps the burden of maximum hand size, conjures a Clue token gratis each turn, and powers up as her owner delves deeper into their deck with each additional card draw. Her affiliation with green, white, and blue mana unlocks an arsenal of tactical advantages: green for burgeoning mana reserves, blue for masterminding clue-gathering strategies, and white for regulation through removal and defense mechanisms, ensuring the smooth roll of this cardboard Mystery Machine.
The assembly of supporting cards would make Shaggy and Scooby’s jaws (not to mention their constant hoagie sandwiches) drop. Tireless Tracker steps up to perpetuate a cascade of clues tied to land plays, while Thorough Investigation incentivizes bold attacks with additional Clue incentives. Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse transforms voluminous card draws into an army of creature tokens, suggesting that the Velmas and Freds might find themselves outnumbered by a hoard of ferocious fauna if played right.
From the get-go, the deck hums with the kinetic energy of preparation, summoning cards like Cultivate and Farseek to lay the groundwork for Morska’s grand entrance. Once this commander hits the board, the deck transitions into overdrive, firing on all pistons as it generates clues, conserves mana, and selects the ideal moments to crack open those artifacts for fresh cards. Morska’s ability thrives on flexibility, allowing resourceful players to bide their time, amplifying her power during opponents’ conclusions of turns, ready to react with counterspells or strategic maneuvers at a second’s notice.
Each turn resembles a Scooby-Doo escapade, with the gang stealthily traversing their way through spectral mansions and fog-laden forests, every clue unveiling more of the overarching plot. And just like the classic cartoon, there’s more than one way to wrap up the narrative. Morska herself can congeal into a monumental figure, achieving victory through accumulating Commander damage. Alternatively, a stampede of tokens might engulf the opposing forces, or a well-executed artifact strategy could transform Clue tokens into an indomitable edge.
Regardless of the chosen path to triumph, winning with this deck feels intensely satisfying, akin to exposing the plot twist of a “who-done-it” that cleverly ropes in the audience. But this deck transcends mere mechanics; it captures the very spirit of an investigation. Beyond the paper and ink, it delivers a narrative each time it’s shuffled and shared around the gaming table, enveloping players in its mystery, clues and ‘eureka!’ moments.
Reflective of a mid to high casual tier, the deck finds itself a snug fit into friendly play groups—ever unpredictable, often enlightening, but reliably a worthwhile journey. It doesn’t merely win matches; it weaves a storyline that unfolds across each game, echoing the familiar cadence of its animated inspiration. In essence, when players take the helm of this Scooby-Doo-inspired Commander deck, they’re not just participating in a game but engaging in a tale where the ultimate reveal lies ahead in the unknowable, foggy distance, waiting to be discovered as tirelessly as the Mystery Machine’s crew hunted those elusive phantoms.
