Sample Collector: Breaking Symmetry for Maximum Impact

In TCG ·

Sample Collector illustration: a vigilant Troll Detective amid green mana and scattered evidence

Image courtesy of Scryfall.com

Breaking symmetry for maximum impact with a Troll Detective

In the crowded corridors of Murders at Karlov Manor, not every green creature is about brute force and stomping over barriers. Some bend the flow of the game by reframing what counts as progress. Sample Collector is one such card—a green 3-mana myth for the modern era that turns a straightforward attack into a clever data-gathering operation. This uncommon visitor from the set’s noirish halls demonstrates how subtle mechanics can create one-sided advantages, letting you push ahead while your opponent scrambles to keep up 🧙‍♂️🔥.

At first glance, Sample Collector is a sturdy 2/3 for {2}{G}. It’s not the flashiest stat line, but its true power hides in the triggered choice: when it attacks, you may collect evidence 3 by exile cards from your graveyard whose total mana value is 3 or greater. Then you may put a +1/+1 counter on a creature you control. The equation is elegantly green: you trade a portion of your graveyard’s memories for a growing force on the battlefield. The more disciplined you are about what you exile, the more you can empower your team, turning each attack into a potential tempo swing. This is symmetry-breaking done with style, a reminder that tempo win conditions aren’t always about overwhelming numbers—they’re about thoughtful, incremental advantage 🧩.

“Whatever broke out of here is at least half bear... and I’d say some lizard as well.”

That flavor text from Sample Collector sets the tone for how to think about the card as an investigative tool as much as a creature. You aren’t just pressing for damage; you’re collecting evidence, building a narrative, and steering the battlefield toward a place where your threats compound faster than your opponent can answer. In practice, you’ll want to pair this Troll Detective with other green creatures that benefit from +1/+1 counters or from temporary surges in board presence, creating a domino effect that grows more efficient with each swing 🧙‍♂️.

Strategic angles: how to maximize the mechanic

  • Plan your exile carefully. To collect evidence 3, exile graveyard cards with total mana value 3 or more. That means you can dip into a mix of low-cost spells and higher-impact threats—just ensure you’re not erasing your own engine in the process. Think about what you’re willing to sacrifice to accelerate your board later in the game.
  • Attack as a catalyst, not just a threat. Because the effect triggers on attack, Sample Collector shines in a setup where you already have or anticipate a robust alpha strike. Each attack is a chance to stage a growth moment on one of your creatures, transforming a simple combat step into a strategic milestone 🔥.
  • Target your buffs wisely. The +1/+1 counter goes on a creature you control, so you’ll want a resilient battery—one that can survive trades or become a damaging menace as you pile on counters. In green, that typically means resilient bodies with synergy, not just raw power.
  • Pair with graveyard-friendly spells and effects. If your deck already has efficient ways to fill the graveyard or to retrieve value from it later, Sample Collector becomes an accelerant. The synergy is about converting resource debts into cumulative future value, a hallmark of green’s long game 🧙‍♂️.

The beauty of this approach is that it doesn’t demand a complete overhaul of your strategy. It simply reframes how you think about attacking and resource budgeting. You might find yourself prioritizing blocks that enable you to push through an extra point of damage or planning a sequence where an early attack with Sample Collector creates the platform for a late-game counter storm. The card’s green color identity and its “Collect evidence” keyword emphasize a theme of deciphering a mystery while the board quietly reveals the culprit—the opponent’s fragile defenses reacting to the pressure you’ve built with a growing army of familiars and allies ⚔️.

From a design perspective, Sample Collector embodies a contemporary MTG trend: turning signature mechanics into tempo engines. The ability to exile from the graveyard to fuel a buff creates a natural tension between risk and reward. You’re taking cards out of the grave to justify bringing new power to the battlefield. This is a compact idea with outsized impact, and it’s hard not to smile at the mental image of a determined Troll Detective tallying clues while your side edges ahead—one clue, one counter, one more swing at a time 🎨🎲.

Collectors and players appreciate the card’s accessibility in both paper and digital formats, with a manageable mana cost, a memorable flavor, and the potential for meaningful impact across a variety of Green-aligned decks. Even in an era where some cards loom as finishers, Sample Collector offers a thoughtful alternative: a strategic tempo piece that rewards proactive play and careful planning. The illustration by Borja Pindado reinforces the noir vibe, giving the card a distinctive look that pairs well with the investigative theme. The fact that it’s available in both foil and non-foil printings just adds to its collectability, even if the current market price remains modest at a few cents to a handful of dollars depending on the print and condition 🧑‍🎨💎.

Protected play, real-world gear

While you plot your next move on the tabletop, you can keep your real-world game setup equally tight. A clear silicone phone case with a slim profile from our partner shop balances form and function for players who value portability without bulk—the kind of practical gear that makes casual sessions feel a little more like a premiere event. Check out the product below and keep your devices as sharp as your plays.

Clear Silicone Phone Case Slim Profile Durable Flexible

More from our network