Fangren Pathcutter MTG Card
2004-06-04 - Number 87
2005-08-22 - Number K15
2005-08-22 - Number K14
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Beast |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 6 |
Text of card
Whenever Fangren Pathcutter attacks, attacking creatures gain trample until end of turn.
"Tracking a fangren pack is easy. Catching up to one is fatal." —Viridian scout
Cards like Fangren Pathcutter
Fangren Pathcutter, a card from the world of Magic: The Gathering, shares some similarities with creatures that also prioritize strengthening other creatures on the battlefield. Its effect, allowing creatures with +1/+1 counters to gain trample, echoes the capabilities of cards like Tuskguard Captain. Both enhance the attack potential of sizeable creatures, but Fangren Pathcutter stands out by offering this boon to multiple creatures rather than just itself.
Another creature that has synergy with +1/+1 counters is Cytoplast Root-Kin. While it does not grant trample, it can move counters around to optimize the distribution among your creatures. This provides strategic flexibility compared to the straightforward power boost from the Pathcutter. Lastly, Primal Rage is a noncreature spell worth mentioning, as it provides a static ability granting all your creatures trample. Unlike the selective empowerment of Fangren Pathcutter, Primal Rage covers the whole field but at the cost of not contributing a body to the board.
The value of these cards largely depends on the specific deck’s strategy, but Fangren Pathcutter’s ability to turn any beefed-up creature into a considerable threat makes it a valuable asset, especially in decks revolving around +1/+1 counters.
Cards similar to Fangren Pathcutter by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Fangren Pathcutter has the potential to keep the cards flowing in your hand. When it attacks, you may pay two mana to tutor for a creature card with power 2 or less from your library and put it into your hand. This ability not only replenishes your hand but also consistently finds you answers or threats tailored to the evolving board state.
Resource Acceleration: By facilitating the retrieval of low-cost creatures from your deck, Fangren Pathcutter indirectly accelerates your resource development. Bringing in ramp creatures or value engines early on can significantly boost your mana curve and gameplay strategy, giving you a crucial edge in both tempo and available resources.
Instant Speed: While Fangren Pathcutter itself may not operate at instant speed, its influence on the battlefield demands fast responses from opponents. The ability to tutor for creatures ensures that you always have the opportunity to hold up mana for potential tricks and turns Fangren Pathcutter’s combat phase into a tactical decision point.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Fangren Pathcutter asks players to part with a precious card from their hand, which might put them at a disadvantage, especially if the match is drawing out and every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both green mana and generic mana, this card’s cost dictates its inclusion to specific deck archetypes, potentially limiting its versatility in multicolored deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At six mana to bring Fangren Pathcutter to the battlefield, some players may find the cost steep. There are creatures with lower mana costs that can provide similar or greater board impact earlier in the game.
Reasons to Include Fangren Pathcutter in Your Collection
Versatility: Fangren Pathcutter offers a unique skill set that can be appealing for green-based ramp or aggro decks. Its ability to render a creature unblockable by sacrificing a land encourages dynamic gameplay and can fit into various strategies that rely on creature-based combat.
Combo Potential: This card opens up opportunities for combinations with land recursion mechanics or effects that spawn multiple lands per turn. Pairing Fangren Pathcutter with effects that return lands from your graveyard to the battlefield can create an offensive loop, maximizing your unblockable attacks.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where blockers can dominate combat, having a creature like Fangren Pathcutter can give your deck an edge. This card can push through the final points of damage against decks that heavily rely on creating a defensive board state.
How to beat
Confronting a Fangren Pathcutter on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) can indeed be a challenge. This card has the ability to bolster creature attacks by making them unblockable if you control another creature with power 4 or greater. However, this doesn’t mean it’s invincible. One effective strategy is to control the board state by removing creatures with power 4 or more, thus negating the unblockability provided by Fangren Pathcutter.
Targeted removal spells, board wipes, or bounce spells can efficiently handle this task, by either permanently removing the threat or temporarily displacing it to disrupt your opponent’s strategy. Additionally, leverage cards that reduce the power of your opponent’s creatures below the threshold or use abilities like pacifism to neutralize Fangren Pathcutter itself. By understanding the terrain of MTG strategies and keeping the board clear, overcoming a powerful opponent wielding a Fangren Pathcutter can be achieved with planning and the right cards in your deck.
Vigilance and timely card plays are crucial so keep your removal handy and be ready to act. Knowing when to strike and disassemble a potentially unstoppable force can be the difference between victory and defeat in your MTG duels.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Fangren Pathcutter MTG card by a specific set like Fifth Dawn and Salvat 2005, 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 Fangren Pathcutter 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Fangren Pathcutter Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2004-06-04 and 2005-08-22. Illustrated by Rob Alexander.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2004-06-04 | Fifth Dawn | 5DN | 87 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 2 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | K15 | 2003 | Normal | White | Rob Alexander | |
| 3 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | K14 | 2003 | Normal | White | Rob Alexander |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Fangren Pathcutter has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |