Pathway Arrows MTG Card


Pathway Arrows - Battle for Zendikar
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact — Equipment
Abilities Equip
Released2015-10-02
Set symbol
Set nameBattle for Zendikar
Set codeBFZ
Number225
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byKev Walker

Key Takeaways

  1. Pathway Arrows offer board control and card advantage by leveraging every creature’s defensive potential.
  2. Low cost and instant speed equip make it a surprise factor and resource-efficient gameplay tool.
  3. Its dependency on creatures and colorless mana activation can limit its use in diverse decks.

Text of card

Equipped creature has ", : This creature deals 1 damage to target creature. If a colorless creature is dealt damage this way, tap it."Equip

Also called "pathway stones," hedron shards can immobilize Eldrazi on contact.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Pathway Arrows itself doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it gives you the ability to use every creature as a potential deterrent for opposition, indirectly preserving your board state and maintaining card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: This equipment costs very little to play and to equip, which means it won’t set you back much in terms of mana resources. This efficient use of mana can accelerate your game plan by allowing you to allocate resources elsewhere.

Instant Speed: Pathway Arrows can be equipped at instant speed, providing flexibility and surprise interaction during your opponent’s turn. Reacting to your opponent’s moves by equipping it to an unsuspecting creature can shift the dynamics of the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Pathway Arrows requires equipping to a creature, which can set you back in card advantage if your creature is removed from the battlefield before utilizing the equipment.

Specific Mana Cost: While the cost to play Pathway Arrows is minimal, its activation requires colorless mana, which could compete with other mana demands in a multicolor deck.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Investing mana to both cast and activate Pathway Arrows might overshadow its potential, especially when faster or more impactful removal options are available in the game.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Pathway Arrows can be a flexible addition to decks focused on creature control. It can be equipped to any creature and potentially be used each turn to whittle down opponents’ creatures, disrupting their board presence.

Combo Potential: With the right creatures, like those with deathtouch, Pathway Arrows elevates from a simple ping tool to a lethal threat, capable of removing even the most formidable creatures your opponent controls.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies dominate, Pathway Arrows becomes an essential tool. As it can keep the battlefield clean and swing the tide of the game with its repeated use under the proper setup.


How to beat

Pathway Arrows can be a subtle yet potent tool in a Magic: The Gathering player’s arsenal, offering repeatable creature removal when combined with deathtouch creatures. However, conquering this card requires strategic play and clever deck building. The real Achilles’ heel for Pathway Arrows lies in its dependence on creatures being on the battlefield. Artifact removal spells like Naturalize or Disenchant can dismantle the equipment setup and leave your opponent’s strategy in shambles. Additionally, countering creatures with deathtouch or utilizing cards with indestructible traits can render the arrows practically harmless. By preempting your opponent’s combos and keeping a keen eye on their board state, you can effectively invalidate the advantage that Pathway Arrows could provide.

Beyond disruptively targeting the artifact itself, maintaining board control and tempo can ensure Pathway Arrows never becomes the thorn in your side. Whether through creature removal or all-encompassing board wipes like Wrath of God, maintaining the initiative will limit the effectiveness of such combo-oriented cards and keep your path to victory clear.


Cards like Pathway Arrows

Pathway Arrows finds its niche in Magic: The Gathering as a unique equipment card, similar to the likes of Viridian Longbow. Both cards can be attached to creatures to pick off opposing creatures with their tap ability. However, Pathway Arrows requires a creature with defender, which is a condition not shared by the slightly more straightforward Viridian Longbow.

Another card that shares some similarities is Hermetic Study. This card turns any creature into a pinger capable of direct damage each turn. Unlike Pathway Arrows, Hermetic Study doesn’t restric the creature type, potentially offering more versatility. Basilisk Collar is a card that often comes up in discussions about equipment with impact. While it doesn’t directly deal damage, when paired with a creature like Goblin Sharpshooter or any deathtouch creature, it creates a potent combination that can wreak havoc on the battlefield.

While Pathway Arrows might not see as much play as these other options, it provides an interesting strategic layer in games. Its synergy with creatures that have defender or those that benefit from being tapped can set the stage for unexpected game plays in MTG, demonstrating its unique standing within the realm of equipment cards.

Viridian Longbow - MTG Card versions
Hermetic Study - MTG Card versions
Basilisk Collar - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sharpshooter - MTG Card versions
Viridian Longbow - Mirrodin (MRD)
Hermetic Study - Urza's Saga (USG)
Basilisk Collar - Worldwake (WWK)
Goblin Sharpshooter - Onslaught (ONS)

Cards similar to Pathway Arrows by color, type and mana cost

Glasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Wooden Sphere - MTG Card versions
Sol Ring - MTG Card versions
Iron Star - MTG Card versions
Black Vise - MTG Card versions
Urza's Chalice - MTG Card versions
Ivory Cup - MTG Card versions
Brass Man - MTG Card versions
Mana Vault - MTG Card versions
Soul Net - MTG Card versions
The Rack - MTG Card versions
Helm of Chatzuk - MTG Card versions
Obelisk of Undoing - MTG Card versions
Feldon's Cane - MTG Card versions
Throne of Bone - MTG Card versions
Meekstone - MTG Card versions
Thran Foundry - MTG Card versions
Cursed Scroll - MTG Card versions
Candelabra of Tawnos - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Dreadnought - MTG Card versions
Glasses of Urza - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Wooden Sphere - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Sol Ring - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Iron Star - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Black Vise - Revised Edition (3ED)
Urza's Chalice - Masters Edition (ME1)
Ivory Cup - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Brass Man - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Mana Vault - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Soul Net - Fifth Edition (5ED)
The Rack - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Helm of Chatzuk - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Obelisk of Undoing - Rinascimento (RIN)
Feldon's Cane - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Throne of Bone - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Meekstone - World Championship Decks 2000 (WC00)
Thran Foundry - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Cursed Scroll - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Candelabra of Tawnos - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Phyrexian Dreadnought - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pathway Arrows MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar, 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 Pathway Arrows and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pathway Arrows has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

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