Cabal Patriarch MTG Card
2001-10-01 - Number 120
2023-08-04 - Number 140
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Wizard |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
o B, Sacrifice a creature: Target creature gets -2/-2 until end of turn. o B, Remove a creature card in your graveyard from the game: Target creature gets -2/-2 until end of turn.
Cards like Cabal Patriarch
Cabal Patriarch enters the vast pantheon of graveyard manipulating cards in MTG. While it’s uniqueness lies in its ability to exile a creature card from your graveyard to destroy target creature, we look towards Faceless Butcher for a comparable effect of creature control. Unlike Cabal Patriarch, Faceless Butcher temporarily removes creatures from play without resorting to the graveyard. However, it doesn’t offer the same level of direct destruction that Cabal Patriarch provides.
Visiting a similar niche, we encounter Nekrataal, a classic option that delivers immediate creature removal upon entering the battlefield. Though its use is restricted to nonartifact, nonblack creatures, Nekrataal showcases straightforward removal like our subject card does. But, what sets Cabal Patriarch apart is the repeatable nature of its ability, provided you have sufficient creatures in your graveyard to fuel its power. Then there’s the formidable Visara the Dreadful, who shares the feature of targeted creature destruction without the graveyard dependence. Visara offers a repeatable ability as well, but free of additional costs once on the battlefield.
In evaluating their various characteristics and assessing their tactical advantages in gameplay, Cabal Patriarch stands out with its graveyard synergy and the capacity to repeatedly control the field, solidifying its role in decks built around recursive power and control strategies.
Cards similar to Cabal Patriarch by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Cabal Patriarch can be a source of advantage by repeatedly using its ability to discard a creature card for a targeted creature removal. This translates to potential card advantage as you are able to control the board state while maintaining your own threats.
Resource Acceleration: While this card itself does not directly accelerate resources, its ability to control the board can indirectly lead to resource acceleration. By removing key pieces of your opponent’s strategy, you can slow them down and accelerate your own game plan.
Instant Speed: The activated ability of Cabal Patriarch can be used at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to threats or actions taken by your opponent during their turn. This level of control helps you maintain dominance over the pace of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For Cabal Patriarch’s activated abilities, you are compelled to discard cards. This can reduce your hand size significantly, potentially hampering your strategy if the game drags on or if you face an opponent that pressures your resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Cabal Patriarch demands a heavy mana investment with a specific demand for black mana. This means your deck must be heavily skewed towards black to consistently play and utilize this creature, potentially limiting deck-building versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that stretches towards the higher end of the spectrum, Cabal Patriarch can be slower to get onto the battlefield compared to other options. This may not align well with faster-paced strategies or against decks that are designed to suppress your mana development.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Cabal Patriarch can seamlessly adapt to various playstyles. It can serve as a formidable commander in a black-centric deck or as a high-impact creature in reanimator strategies.
Combo Potential: This card is capable of synergizing with graveyard-centric mechanics, paving the way for intricate combinations. Sacrificing creatures to remove opponents’ threats can turn the tide of any match.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta teeming with creature-based decks, Cabal Patriarch offers not just a robust body but a way to systematically dismantle your opponents’ forces, maintaining its relevance across different game formats.
How to beat
The Cabal Patriarch is a card that can be a menacing presence on the battlefield in MTG. With its formidable ability to exile creatures from the graveyard to destroy target creature, players must strategize carefully to combat this looming threat effectively. To tackle the Patriarch, it’s crucial to limit the number of creatures that go to the graveyard, thereby restricting its ammunition. Employing graveyard hate cards like Relic of Progenitus or Scavenging Ooze can help keep graveyards empty and the Patriarch’s power in check.
Another strategy involves utilizing instant-speed removal spells that can target and eliminate the Patriarch before its ability is activated. Counterspells also play a significant role when facing such a high-impact creature, by preventing it from ever entering the battlefield. Additionally, enchantments like Pacifism can neutralize the Patriarch without sending it to the graveyard, circumventing its powerful ability and rendering it harmless.
Ultimately, while the Cabal Patriarch may demand meticulous planning and response, there are multiple avenues to mitigate its influence in the game. Through careful deck construction and timing of spells, players can overcome this formidable adversary and maintain control of the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cabal Patriarch MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and Commander Masters, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Cabal Patriarch and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Cabal Patriarch Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Mark Zug.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-10-01 | Odyssey | ODY | 120 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 2 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 140 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cabal Patriarch has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |