Pathbreaker Ibex MTG Card


Pathbreaker Ibex grants massive power boosts, making each creature a potential game-winner. High mana cost poses a challenge, but it compensates with its impactful board presence. Effective in various MTG strategies, a must-have for players looking to dominate through creature power.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Goat
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Whenever Pathbreaker Ibex attacks, creatures you control gain trample and get +X/+X until end of turn, where X is the greatest power among creatures you control.

"My skills are wasted here." —Juruk, Kalonian tracker


Cards like Pathbreaker Ibex

Pathbreaker Ibex holds its own as a formidable force when it comes to creature buffs in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to not only give other creatures you control a significant boost, but also provide them with trample puts it in a unique position on the battlefield. It can be compared to the likes of Craterhoof Behemoth, another powerhouse that also offers a similar end-game strategy. While the Behemoth confers an immediate and potentially game-ending buff to creatures without needing to attack, the Ibex requires a combat phase to trigger its ability.

Considering Overrun as another parallel, this spell grants creatures a smaller bonus alongside trample for a single turn. The Ibex, however, continues to contribute its buff each time it attacks, hence providing repeated value. We also see the resemblance with the card Triumph of the Hordes, which gives creatures a smaller boost, trample, and infect. The Ibex lacks infect but compensates by potentially yielding a larger power surge based on the highest power among creatures you control.

Despite the alternatives available, Pathbreaker Ibex’s ability to turn any creature into a major threat with each swing certainly makes it stand out as a card that can decisively impact the tide of the game.

Craterhoof Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Overrun - MTG Card versions
Triumph of the Hordes - MTG Card versions
Craterhoof Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Overrun - MTG Card versions
Triumph of the Hordes - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Pathbreaker Ibex by color, type and mana cost

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Craw Wurm - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Liege - MTG Card versions
Wiitigo - MTG Card versions
Autumn Willow - MTG Card versions
Ancient Silverback - MTG Card versions
Sulam Djinn - MTG Card versions
Verdeloth the Ancient - MTG Card versions
Nemata, Grove Guardian - MTG Card versions
Gang of Elk - MTG Card versions
Kavu Howler - MTG Card versions
Crashing Centaur - MTG Card versions
Giant Warthog - MTG Card versions
Rhox - MTG Card versions
Kodama of the East Tree - MTG Card versions
Terra Stomper - MTG Card versions
Feral Throwback - MTG Card versions
Brontotherium - MTG Card versions
Elvish Aberration - MTG Card versions
Force of Nature - MTG Card versions
Fangren Pathcutter - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Pathbreaker Ibex stands out as a powerful creature that can significantly impact the board by potentially transforming any creature into a formidable threat. It offers a form of card advantage by effectively amplifying the value of other creatures you control, turning them into game-ending powerhouses during combat.

Resource Acceleration: While Pathbreaker Ibex does not inherently accelerate resources through mana production or cost reduction, its ability to exponentially increase the power of your creatures can expedite your path to victory. In a sense, it accelerates your game plan by leveraging the resource of existing board presence into a potentially unstoppable offensive force.

Instant Speed: Although Pathbreaker Ibex’s ability is not at instant speed, its relevance comes at the declaration of attackers during combat, a critical phase where timing can be everything. By giving your creatures a surprise boost in power and trample, it can simulate the sudden impact often associated with instant-speed spells, catching opponents off guard and effectively changing the tide of battle in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Pathbreaker Ibex does not have a direct discard requirement, its sheer power often forces players to reserve or discard other cards in anticipation of its game-changing effect, thereby reducing hand resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Pathbreaker Ibex requires a significant amount of green mana, with a cost of 4 generic and 2 green mana. This specificity can restrict its inclusion in multicolored decks that may not have as consistent access to green mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total converted mana cost of six, Pathbreaker Ibex is considered to have a high mana cost. This can delay its deployment on the battlefield, causing players to potentially fall behind opponents playing cards with a lower mana curve.


Reasons to Include Pathbreaker Ibex in Your Collection

Versatility: Pathbreaker Ibex is a highly adaptable card suitable for numerous commander strategies. It can helm the charge in both aggressive and mid-range decks, proving to be an asset when you need to turn the tables with a significant boost in power and toughness for your creatures.

Combo Potential: This creature thrives in synergy-rich environments, working seamlessly with decks that amplify creature abilities. Its combination with cards that increase its power or provide numerous creatures to the board can create an insurmountable force for your opponent.

Meta-Relevance: Given its intrinsic ability to escalate the effectiveness of your creature assaults, Pathbreaker Ibex confirms its relevancy in many metas. It particularly shines in multiplayer settings where it can break through stalemates and propel your board state to a winning condition.


How to beat

Overcoming the challenge posed by Pathbreaker Ibex in Magic: The Gathering requires a strategic approach. The card is a powerhouse, known for its ability to significantly amplify the threat level of your creature base upon attacking. This can result in overwhelming your defenses if left unchecked. Therefore, the key is to prevent it from exploiting its goad ability which grants your creatures massive power and trample.

Effective strategies include utilizing removal spells that can target and eliminate Pathbreaker Ibex before the attack phase begins. Direct removal spells such as Swords to Plowshares, Path to Exile, or Doom Blade can dispatch the Ibex swiftly. Alternatively, counter magic like Counterspell or Negate can prevent the creature from hitting the battlefield in the first place. Additionally, keeping your board clear of significant creature counts can minimize the impact of its ability. If that fails, having instant-speed interaction to disrupt the Ibex’s attack can prove crucial.

Being prepared with a suite of answers is essential when facing an opponent wielding the Pathbreaker Ibex. Prioritizing its immediate removal or countering it effectively ensures it won’t turn the tides of the game against you.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the MTG arena, it’s clear that Pathbreaker Ibex is a creature that demands attention with its board-altering abilities. Whether you’re rallying for a powerful onslaught or strategizing for control, this card is a potent ally. Its synergy in creature-heavy decks and commanding presence in a game’s decisive moments underline its importance in a well-rounded collection. If your deck thrives on amplifying creature strength and seeks that crushing combat step that turns the tide, the Ibex is your harbinger of victory. Elevate your gameplay and strengthen your command with insights that turn each match into a noteworthy conquest. Discover more and let the Pathbreaker Ibex guide your path to triumph.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pathbreaker Ibex MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2015 and Legendary Cube Prize Pack, 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 Pathbreaker Ibex and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Pathbreaker Ibex Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2015-11-13 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-11-13Commander 2015C15 382015NormalBlackChristopher Moeller
22015-11-18Legendary Cube Prize PackPZ1 842015NormalBlackChristopher Moeller
32017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 1322015NormalBlackChristopher Moeller
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 3072015NormalBorderlessCrocodile Jackson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pathbreaker Ibex has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2015-11-04 The value of X is calculated as Pathbreaker Ibex’s ability resolves. Notably, if you attack with two Pathbreaker Ibex (and control no other creatures), the first ability to resolve will give those Ibex +3/+3. The second ability will then give them +6/+6.
2017-07-14 If this creature’s power is negative as its ability resolves, X is considered to be 0. (This is a change from previous rulings.)