Mysterious Pathlighter MTG Card


Pathlighter amplifies adventure cards, offering a combo-rich strategy for dynamic gameplay. It demands careful mana management and may affect hand size without draw support. Integrates well in adventure-focused decks, potentially swaying competitive outcomes.
Mysterious Pathlighter - Throne of Eldraine
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Faerie
Abilities Flying
Released2019-10-04
Set symbol
Set nameThrone of Eldraine
Set codeELD
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number22
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byKimonas Theodossiou

Text of card

Flying Each creature you control that has an Adventure enters the battlefield with an additional +1/+1 counter on it. (It doesn't need to have gone on the adventure first.)

For good or ill, most fae can't resist meddling in the adventures of any knight they meet.


Cards like Mysterious Pathlighter

The allure of Mysterious Pathlighter lies in its unique ability to bolster the Adventures of other creatures, making it a distinctive piece on the chessboard of Magic: The Gathering. Within the realm of enhancing creatures, we can draw parallels to cards like Thunderous Orator. Like Pathlighter, the Orator gains additional abilities based on other creatures’ characteristics, although it doesn’t focus on Adventures specifically. It too thrives on the synergy with a diverse board state.

Diving deeper into Adventure-related cards, Faerie Guidemother represents another strand of this rich tapestry. While it’s a one-shot effect granting a creature a temporary boost and the gift of flight, Mysterious Pathlighter continues to empower Adventure creatures consistently as long as it remains on the field. It’s a sustained advantage that can tip the scales over time.

Finally, comparing to Shepherd of the Flock, another Adventure card, Shepherd provides direct utility by returning a permanent to its owner’s hand, offering protection and reusability for value plays. Yet, Shepherd does not provide the persistent stat enhancements to all Adventurers that Mysterious Pathlighter presents. As we explore these parallels, it becomes evident that Mysterious Pathlighter stands out with its unique role in decks centered around Adventures, heralding a strategic depth in creature-based synergies.

Thunderous Orator - MTG Card versions
Thunderous Orator - MTG Card versions

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Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Snow Hound - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Benalish Knight - MTG Card versions
Regal Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Wild Griffin - MTG Card versions
Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions
Dogged Hunter - MTG Card versions
Diving Griffin - MTG Card versions
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions
Field Marshal - MTG Card versions
Kithkin Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Hookmaster - MTG Card versions
Zhalfirin Commander - MTG Card versions
Silverblade Paladin - MTG Card versions
Emancipation Angel - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mysterious Pathlighter helps enhance your library’s potency by synergizing with adventure cards, offering a proactive strategy to gain an edge in card utility. When supported by creatures with adventure, this card ensures that the value of every drawn card reaches its full potential.

Resource Acceleration: This card reliably accelerates your gameplay by allowing your adventure creatures to hit the battlefield with extra strength and toughness, setting up for more impactful turns sooner. This not only speeds up your resource development but also your path to victory.

Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, Mysterious Pathlighter can augment creatures with instant speed adventures. It effectively turns the otherwise standard sorcery-speed advantage of an adventure into a surprise tactic, creating opportunities for unsuspected plays and turning the tide during critical moments of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Mysterious Pathlighter requires you to discard a card to use its ability. This can lead to a depleted hand, making it difficult to maintain card advantage in the game unless you have adequate card draw support in your deck.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting Mysterious Pathlighter demands a precise combination of mana, including one white mana. This specific mana requirement can sometimes restrict deck-building options, as it may not fit smoothly into multi-colored decks that are strained on white mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For three mana, a player might anticipate an immediate impact on the game, but the Mysterious Pathlighter’s value is contingent on the presence and performance of other Adventure cards in your deck, which can be inconsistent. Therefore, it may not always be the most mana-efficient choice compared to other three-cost creatures or enchantments that provide more predictable benefits.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mysterious Pathlighter enhances various deck types by giving a boost to your adventurous creatures. Its ability to increase the power and toughness of cards with Adventure makes it a flexible addition to decks that capitalize on that mechanic.

Combo Potential: This card seamlessly integrates with Adventure cards to form powerful interactions. Its effect can significantly bolster your creatures embarking on adventures, playing well into strategies that exploit such synergies.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where Adventure decks are prevalent, Mysterious Pathlighter can be a game-changer. Its utility in supporting key mechanics can sway the outcome of matches, making it a pertinent choice for competitive play.


How to beat

Mysterious Pathlighter enhances the power of Adventure cards in any Magic: The Gathering deck, giving these cards a valuable boost as they work twice—first with their Adventure effect, and again when the creature enters the battlefield. To effectively counteract the advantages Pathlighter brings to the table, consider using strategies that limit the use of Adventure cards or negate the abilities altogether. Removal spells are your best friends here, as they can swiftly deal with Pathlighter before the buffs get out of hand.

Look into instant-speed removals, such as Assassin’s Trophy or Heartless Act, which can interrupt your opponent’s plans on their turn. Counterspells also work wonders, ensuring Mysterious Pathlighter never gets a chance to hit the field, preserving your board state and maintaining card advantage. It’s important to keep an eye on your opponent’s mana and play patiently. The key is to strike right before the Mysterious Pathlighter’s ability has the opportunity to impact the game, leaving your opponent without their desired synergy, and you in control of the match’s tempo.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mysterious Pathlighter MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine, 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 Mysterious Pathlighter and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mysterious Pathlighter has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mysterious Pathlighter card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2019-10-04 A creature with an Adventure you control that would enter the battlefield with no +1/+1 counters on it enters with one +1/+1 counter on it.
2019-10-04 An effect may refer to a card, spell, or permanent that “has an Adventure.” This refers to a card, spell, or permanent that has an adventurer card's set of alternative characteristics, even if they're not being used and even if that card was never cast as an Adventure.
2019-10-04 If an effect refers to a creature card, creature spell, or creature that has an Adventure, it won't find an instant or sorcery spell on the stack that's been cast as an Adventure.