What does Case of the Stashed Skeleton do in Magic: The Gathering?

When this Case enters, create a 2/1 black Skeleton creature token and suspect it. (It has menace and can't block.) To solve — You control no suspected Skeletons. (If unsolved, solve at the beginning of your end step.) Solved — {1}{B}, Sacrifice this Case: Search your library for a card, put it into your hand, then shuffle. Activate only as a sorcery.

Case of the Stashed Skeleton | Murders at Karlov Manor Promos

Rulings

Each Case has two special keyword abilities: to solve and solved.

2024-02-02 • wotc

"To Solve — [condition]" means "At the beginning of your end step, if [condition] and this Case is not solved, it becomes solved."

2024-02-02 • wotc

The meaning of "solved" differs based on what type of ability follows it. "Solved — [activated ability]" means "[Activated ability]. Activate only if this Case is solved." Activated abilities contain a colon. They're generally written "[Cost]: [Effect]."

2024-02-02 • wotc

"Solved — [Triggered ability]" means "[Triggered ability]. This ability triggers only if this Case is solved." Triggered abilities use the word "when," "whenever," or "at." They're often written as "[Trigger condition], [effect]."

2024-02-02 • wotc

"Solved — [static ability]" means "As long as this Case is solved, [static ability]." Static abilities are written as statements, such as "Creatures you control get +1/+1" or "Instant and sorcery spells you cast cost {1} less to cast."

2024-02-02 • wotc

"To solve" abilities will check for their condition twice: once when the ability would trigger, and once when it resolves. If the condition isn't true at the beginning of your end step, the ability won't trigger at all. If the condition isn't true when the ability resolves, the Case won't become solved.

2024-02-02 • wotc

Once a Case becomes solved, it stays solved until it leaves the battlefield.

2024-02-02 • wotc

Cases don't lose their other abilities when they become solved.

2024-02-02 • wotc

Being solved is not part of a permanent's copiable values. A permanent that becomes a copy of a solved Case is not solved. A solved Case that somehow becomes a copy of a different Case stays solved.

2024-02-02 • wotc

When an effect suspects a creature, it becomes suspected. It gains menace and "This creature can't block" for as long as it's suspected. It stays suspected until it leaves the battlefield or another effect causes it to no longer be suspected.

2024-02-02 • wotc

If a suspected creature loses all abilities, it will lose menace and "This creature can't block", but it won't stop being suspected.

2024-02-02 • wotc

Being suspected isn't a copiable value. If a permanent becomes a copy of a suspected creature, it won't be suspected.

2024-02-02 • wotc

If a creature is already suspected, suspecting it again won't have any effect.

2024-02-02 • wotc

There's no limit to the number of creatures that can be suspected simultaneously. Suspecting a new creature doesn't cause other creatures to stop being suspected.

2024-02-02 • wotc

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