Kozilek's Pathfinder MTG Card

Kozilek's Pathfinder - Oath of the Gatewatch

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Eldrazi
Released	2016-01-22
Set symbol
Set name	Oath of the Gatewatch
Set code	OGW
Power	5
Toughness	5
Number	5
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	James Zapata

Key Takeaways

Card advantage is significant with Pathfinder’s capability to affect game dynamics while on the board.
Its colorless nature enables integration into diverse deck builds, enhancing resource consistency.
Instant speed blocking manipulation with this card introduces unexpected combat twists, challenging opponents.

Text of card

: Target creature can't block Kozilek's Pathfinder this turn. ( represents colorless mana.)

"We didn't know where it came from or where it was going. All we knew was that we did not matter." —Akiri, kor line-slinger

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kozilek’s Pathfinder can be a considerable threat on the board, often requiring multiple cards from your opponent to be dealt with. Its ability to potentially clear the way for other creatures to attack unblocked can translate into a more favorable board state, making each of your cards more impactful.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing resource acceleration, the Pathfinder’s colorless identity ensures that it slots seamlessly into any deck, helping you maintain a consistent resource utilization across various deck types without the need for specific mana fixing.

Instant Speed: The power to make a creature unable to block at instant speed provided by Kozilek’s Pathfinder creates dynamic gameplay, allowing you to react to blockers mid-combat, potentially leading to surprising turns and disrupting your opponent’s strategy during the heat of battle.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For Kozilek’s Pathfinder to be a key part of your strategy, careful planning around its ability to be effective is essential. Without the discard requirement, players would have an easier time maximizing the value of each card in hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring colorless mana means that Kozilek’s Pathfinder may not integrate effortlessly into all decks. For those that don’t routinely generate colorless mana, this can be a stumbling block to playing the card efficiently, if at all.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Six mana is significant in the fast-paced world of MTG. While Kozilek’s Pathfinder offers undeniable benefits, its high mana cost makes it a late-game play, leaving players potentially vulnerable in the early to mid-game stages.

Reasons to Include Kozilek’s Pathfinder in Your Collection

Versatility: Kozilek’s Pathfinder can be a formidable addition to any deck that emphasizes colorless creatures or Eldrazi strategies. Its ability to make creatures unable to block can turn the tide of battle in your favor.

Combo Potential: This card holds enormous potential for combos, especially in decks that generate a lot of colorless mana. Its ability can work in tandem with cards that capitalize on unblocked attackers or benefit from creatures tapping.

Meta-Relevance: Kozilek’s Pathfinder’s relevance in the current meta can be situational but quite strong in a game state that’s heavy on creature-based defense. Its bulk and unique mechanic can often bypass formidable defenses, making it a valuable asset against particular deck types.

How to beat

Kozilek’s Pathfinder is a formidable creature card in MTG, known for its ability to render blockers ineffective, paving the way for unobstructed attacks. This colorless creature from Oath of the Gatewatch expansion can become a real nuisance if left unchecked on the battlefield. It boasts a significant amount of toughness that makes it difficult to remove through damage alone.

To effectively counter Kozilek’s Pathfinder, one strategy is to use removal spells that don’t depend on dealing damage. These could include cards like Path to Exile or Murderous Rider that can exile or destroy the creature without triggering any of its abilities. Another approach is to exploit its vulnerability to enchantment-based removal, applying cards like Pacifism to neutralize its impact without having to remove it from the board entirely. Finally, countering it before it hits the battlefield with spells like Negate or Essence Scatter can ensure that Kozilek’s Pathfinder never gets a chance to demonstrate its power.

In summary, while Kozilek’s Pathfinder has the potential to dominate games, understanding its weaknesses and utilizing the appropriate removal spells or countermeasures can maintain the balance of play and keep this giant at bay.

Cards like Kozilek's Pathfinder

Kozilek’s Pathfinder stands out amongst the myriad of creatures within Magic: The Gathering. As a behemoth from the Oath of the Gatewatch set, it shares some traits with other hefty colorless creatures such as Ulamog’s Crusher. Both deploy a significant presence on the battlefield with their ability to pressure opponents. The Crusher, however, takes it a step further with an Annihilator ability that forces sacrifices upon attack, a feature not seen in the Pathfinder.

Looking at Endbringer, another formidable creature in the colorless category, we see a variety of utilities. Unlike Kozilek’s Pathfinder, which can ensure its attacks are unblocked for a colorless mana, Endbringer offers card draw, direct damage, and creature tapping with its abilities. However, it comes with a heftier casting cost and upkeep requirements.

By weighing the pros and cons, Kozilek’s Pathfinder is a solid choice for those looking to include a reliable and accessible creature that can fit into various deck builds that favor evasion tactics over more costly options that provide additional abilities.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kozilek's Pathfinder MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch, 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 Kozilek's Pathfinder and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kozilek's Pathfinder has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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