Crimestopper SpriteHow it works & interactions with other cards

What it Does

Crimestopper Sprite is a 3-mana blue creature with Flying that specializes in crowd control. Its core ability triggers when it enters the battlefield, allowing you to tap a target creature. However, it features an optional additional cost: you may collect evidence 6 by exiling cards with a total mana value of 6 or greater from your graveyard. If you do, you also place a stun counter on the target, preventing it from untapping during its controller's next untap step.

Resolution Step-by-Step

When you cast Crimestopper Sprite, you first decide whether to collect evidence 6. If you choose to do so, you exile the necessary cards from your graveyard as you pay costs. Once the Sprite enters the battlefield, its triggered ability goes on the stack, and you choose a target creature. When the ability resolves, the target creature becomes tapped. If evidence was collected during the casting process, a stun counter is placed on that creature. If the creature was already tapped, the stun counter is still applied.

Common Mistakes

A common misconception is that you must target an untapped creature; however, the ability can target a creature that is already tapped just to apply the stun counter. Additionally, players often forget that collecting evidence is part of the casting cost. Opponents cannot wait for you to announce the spell and then exile your graveyard to stop you; once you start the casting process, they cannot take actions until the spell is fully cast and paid for.

When to Play It

You should play Crimestopper Sprite when you need to neutralize an aggressive attacker or a creature with powerful activated abilities. It is particularly effective in decks that can quickly fill the graveyard with high-mana-value spells to ensure the collect evidence cost can be met. Use it defensively to buy time or offensively to remove a key blocker for a turn.

Interaction examples

Freezing the Golem

Solemn Simulacrum

If your opponent controls a Solemn Simulacrum, you can cast Crimestopper Sprite and collect evidence 6. Upon entering, the Sprite targets the Golem. The Solemn Simulacrum is tapped, and a stun counter is placed on it. During the opponent's next untap step, the Golem will not untap; instead, one stun counter will be removed.

Doubling the Investigation

Roaming Throne

With Roaming Throne on the battlefield (having chosen 'Faerie'), Crimestopper Sprite's enters-the-battlefield ability triggers twice. If you collected evidence while casting the Sprite, you can target two different creatures (or the same creature twice). Each target will be tapped and receive a stun counter. If you target the same creature twice, it will receive two stun counters, meaning it will remain tapped for its next two untap opportunities.

Solo Flight

Even without other cards, Crimestopper Sprite is a useful tool. If your graveyard is empty, you can still cast it as a 3-mana 2/1 flyer. Its ability will trigger and tap an opponent's creature, though no stun counter will be added since evidence was not collected. This can still be used to tap a blocker before your combat phase.