Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast #1289: Lessons Learned – Murders at Karlov Manor
Oct 31, 2025
Dive into the design journey of Murders at Karlov Manor! Explore the challenges of blending a murder mystery with Magic’s unique world. Learn about the naming issues and audience reception that shaped the set's evolution. Discover how the team chose Ravnica as the mysterious backdrop and the delicate balance of mechanics like Disguise and Investigate. Reflect on the lessons learned, from product changes to the struggles of new creature types, showcasing the importance of experimentation in game design!
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Genre Needs A Strong Environmental Fit
- Genres can shape a set but murder mystery is more plot-driven than environmental.
- A mystery works better on a known world with recognizable stakes and characters.
Marry Genre To A Familiar World
- When using a genre, marry it to an existing, resonant world to give the plot weight.
- Don’t let the genre consume the set; make it an element, not the whole cake.
Which Mystery Mechanics Worked
- The set introduced many mystery mechanics: Disguise, Suspect, Investigate, Collect Evidence, Cases.
- Some mechanics (Disguise, Investigate, Collect Evidence, Cases) worked well while others added clutter and complexity.