Path of the Schemer MTG Card
2023-04-21 - Number 115
2023-04-21 - Number 28
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Mill |
Text of card
Each player mills two cards. Then you put a creature card from a graveyard onto the battlefield under your control. It's an artifact in addition to its other types. Will of the Planeswalkers — Starting with you, each player votes for planeswalk or chaos. If planeswalk gets more votes, planeswalk. If chaos gets more votes or the vote is tied, chaos ensues.
Cards like Path of the Schemer
Path of the Schemer is a captivating addition to the library of enchantments in Magic: The Gathering. It traces lines of similarity with enchantments such as Dark Prophecy, which rewards the player for creature deaths with card draw. Path of the Schemer, however, takes a more nuanced approach, allowing the player to choose from either scrying, drawing a card, or regaining life whenever a nontoken creature they control dies.
In relation to other cards, Grim Haruspex must be mentioned. It offers card draw on nontoken creature death as well, yet it differs by being a creature itself rather than an enchantment. Its mono-black identity also makes it more restricted in deck inclusion compared to the multicolored Path of the Schemer. Midnight Reaper is another card that resembles Path of the Schemer by providing creature death-triggered card draw, but it also deals damage to the player, adding a risk-reward factor not present in the scheming enchantment.
Assessing the array of options Magic: The Gathering provides, Path of the Schemer establishes its value by granting a flexible choice rather than a singular outcome, accommodating different strategies and scenarios a player may encounter during the game.
Cards similar to Path of the Schemer by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Path of the Schemer adeptly manipulates the deck by allowing you to scry two, ensuring that your next draws are more controlled and impactful. This subtle yet powerful effect can dramatically improve the quality of your draws and help cycle through your deck to find critical pieces.
Resource Acceleration: By providing an alternative casting cost through its connive ability, this card can help streamline your plays. It allows for a more efficient use of mana, enabling you to deploy other threats or keep mana open for reactive plays more readily.
Instant Speed: Its capability to be played at instant speed gives you a significant strategic advantage. You can wait for the perfect moment to act, keeping your opponent guessing and allowing you to respond to events as they unfold with the utmost precision.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Path of the Schemer forces players to discard a card from their hand as part of its cost. This can be particularly taxing when your hand is already running low, essentially making the card’s use a sacrifice that might backfire in terms of card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: The card’s mana cost is aligned with a specific color identity, requiring a set amount of black mana. This limits its flexibility, making it less viable in decks that do not run heavily on black mana or multicolored decks with a tight mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Path of the Schemer presents a unique effect, its mana cost is on the higher side when compared to other cards offering similar abilities. Players might find other alternatives that are more cost-effective, leading to potential underutilization in competitive play where efficiency is key.
Reasons to Include Path of the Schemer in Your Collection
Versatility: Path of the Schemer easily integrates into a variety of decks, particularly those that revolve around hand manipulation and incremental advantage. Its ability to subtly shift game dynamics makes it a tool for many playstyles.
Combo Potential: Its unique effect, providing incremental value with each plot counter, sets the stage for powerful synergies. Players can engineer combos that capitalize on these counters, enhancing strategies centered around growth over time.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where strategic depth and adaptability are key, Path of the Schemer finds relevance. It aligns well with decks that aim to outmaneuver opponents through cunning and forethought, especially in a meta that rewards elaborate game plans.
How to beat
Path of the Schemer is an intriguing card that brings strategic complexity to the battlefield. This card offers a unique advantage by granting bonuses based on the number of cards in hand, therefore, maintaining a full grip can significantly power up the effects it provides. To counteract this, one effective strategy is to compel the card’s controller to deplete their hand. Employing discard effects can hinder the card’s effectiveness, putting you in a more favorable position.
Decks with aggressive strategies can also overwhelm Path of the Schemer by putting pressure early on in the game. This card requires setup time to maximize its potential. By speeding up your play, you reduce the window for Path of the Schemer to dominate. Additionally, direct removal spells that bypass the hand-size-based protection can remove it from play, diluting the controlled environment it thrives in.
Ultimately, understanding the mechanism behind Path of the Schemer is key to dismantling its strategy. Efficiently managing your resources, maintaining pressure, and employing disruption techniques can all contribute to tipping the scales in your favor, ensuring that the path laid out by this scheming card leads to your victory, not your opponent’s.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Path of the Schemer MTG card by a specific set like March of the Machine Commander and March of the Machine Commander, 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 Path of the Schemer and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Path of the Schemer Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-04-21 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by Josu Hernaiz.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-04-21 | March of the Machine Commander | MOC | 115 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josu Hernaiz | |
| 2 | 2023-04-21 | March of the Machine Commander | MOC | 28 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josu Hernaiz |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Path of the Schemer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Path of the Schemer card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-04-14 | The creature card you put onto the battlefield may be one that was just milled, or it may be one that was already in a graveyard. |