In the gloriously unpredictable universe of Magic: The Gathering, inspirations for deck-building are as varied as the colors of mana itself. On a seemingly ordinary day, a spark was lit in my creative cauldron when I stumbled upon a whimsical deck box on Etsy. It wasn’t just any box, but a miniature replica of the Mystery Machine, complete with its iconic teal hue, cheerfully gaudy flowers, and an irresistible retro vibe. Though it called to me on an utterly impractical level—where would I put it?—I knew it was the perfect home for an equally groovy deck that I had yet to create. Thus began my quest for a Scooby-Doo inspired Commander deck that would be a mystery in itself.
Creating a new deck demanded not just the right mechanics but a spirit of camaraderie akin to that of the famed Mystery Inc. gang. How, you ask, does one capture their relentless clue-chasing spirit in cardboard form? The answer lay in the keyword ‘Investigate.’ This mechanic allows you to conjure Clue tokens, which, for a mere two mana, can be sacrificed to draw a card. A perfect metaphor for mystery-solving—finding a clue, interpreting it, and drawing closer to the truth with each insight into the labyrinthine paths of each game.
Selecting the commander was a formidable task, as it had to be akin to Fred’s resourcefulness, Velma’s intellect, and Daphne’s adaptability all rolled into one—oh, toss in a pinch of Shaggy and Scooby’s courage-under-fire. The valiant title went to Morska, Undersea Sleuth, hailing from the realm of Murders at Karlov Manor. Not only does Morska provide limitless hand capacity—a fitting option for anybody bent on unveiling secrets—but she also dispenses a free Clue token each turn and grows stronger with every additional card drawn. Her green, white, and blue color identity promises a versatile blend of play styles reminiscent of the interwoven roles of the Scooby gang: green sets the stage with mana acceleration, blue digs up clues with meticulous investigation, and white maintains order, wielding potent removal and protection.
As any true aficionado knows, the Scooby-Doo gang operates like a tightly-knit crew each with distinct roles, and so must this deck to mirror that methodical ingenuity. Tireless Tracker brings an encouraging influx of clues when land spots appear vacant on your battlefield. Thorough Investigation awards your valiant attacks with additional clues as if each victory in battle brings you closer to solving the case. Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse ensures all your card-drawing efforts bear tangible creatures to populate your side of the battlefield. By the midgame, you’ll realize you’ve amassed not just a motley array of creatures but a flourishing artifact strategy, ready to transition smoothly if your primary tactics hit a roadblock.
Gameplay unfurls like a classic episode, laden with Scooby-esque charm. Initially, the key is in setup: your opening moves aim at creating a robust mana base. Cultivate and Farseek guide you through this journey, meticulously laying the groundwork. Morska, like the anchor character she is, is pivotal. When she graces the battlefield, the machinery goes into overdrive. You generate clues, all the while keeping mana at the ready, strategically cracking clues at pivotal moments to fuel the card draw engine. Since Morska thrives on multiple turns of drawing, you are urged to act at opportune times, mirroring the suspenseful tiptoeing across a creaky, ghost-infested manor.
Victory could wear many guises: growing Morska to massive proportions through Commander damage, or orchestrating a token uprising led by Jolrael’s frolicking army of creatures. With an artful grasp of artifacts, your innocuous Clues can transform into a formidable advantage to wrap up the game with triumph.
More than a deck, it embodies the very spirit of Friendship and detective storytelling entwined within the Scooby-Doo universe. Laden with mystery and an investigative spirit, each game becomes not just a series of moves, but a narrative that unfolds, complete with clues, red herrings, and that climactic unmasking of victory. Shuffling up this uniquely thematic deck feels like setting off in the Mystery Machine—ready to tackle another mystifying adventure, knowing that every card and every play brings a touch of that classic, cartoon-style sleuthing magic.