Pathbreaker Wurm MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Wurm
Abilities	Soulbond
Released	2012-05-04
Set symbol
Set name	Avacyn Restored
Set code	AVR
Power	6
Toughness	4
Number	188
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Nils Hamm

Key Takeaways

Card synergies create value with heavy-hitting creatures, enhancing board presence and drawing power.
Ramp strategies benefit from Pathbreaker Wurm’s strength, adding resource acceleration to your deck.
Instant-speed interactions with the Wurm enable strategic plays and disruptive potential during games.

Text of card

Soulbond (You may pair this creature with another unpaired creature when either enters the battlefield. They remain paired for as long as you control both of them.) As long as Pathbreaker Wurm is paired with another creature, both creatures have trample.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When you play the Pathbreaker Wurm, it can synergize with other cards that benefit from high-powered creatures, effectively turning it into a tool that generates additional value with each creature played. This can often lead to gaining an upper hand as you leverage sizeable creatures to overpower opponents and draw into more potent spells or threats.

Resource Acceleration: The Pathbreaker Wurm’s substantial power can be highly advantageous for strategies that revolve around ramping up quickly. In decks that utilize cards that convert creature power into mana or other resources, Pathbreaker Wurm will efficiently fuel your game plan, accelerating your access to more significant and more impactful plays earlier in the match.

Instant Speed: While the Pathbreaker Wurm itself does not operate at instant speed, it pairs well with spells and abilities that do. The ability to flash in creatures or activate abilities that bolster or exploit the Wurm’s presence during the opponent’s turn can provide a strategic edge, creating unexpected blockers or enabling surprise interactions that can dramatically alter the state of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While not a feature of Pathbreaker Wurm specifically, a discard requirement is a setback for any card that has it because it forces you to lose another piece of your hand which could be crucial for your game strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Pathbreaker Wurm requires a specific mana alignment with its green color cost, which may not seamlessly fit into all deck types, potentially limiting its versatility and integration within multi-colored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing a total of six mana with a considerable amount being green, Pathbreaker Wurm can be seen as a substantial investment. When considering this high mana cost, it’s important to weigh its battlefield impact against other creatures or spells that could potentially offer more immediate or versatile benefits.

Reasons to Include Pathbreaker Wurm in Your Collection

Versatility: Pathbreaker Wurm is flexible enough to be slotted into a variety of green-based decks, it shines particularly in those that focus on creature synergies and ramp strategies.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with decks that utilize creatures with +1/+1 counters or effects that benefit from high-power creatures, maximizing its impact during gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: With Pathbreaker Wurm, your collection gets a tool that harmonizes with current game dynamics involving creature-heavy or green ramp builds, ensuring its practical utility in diverse match-ups.

How to beat

Facing the Pathbreaker Wurm on the battlefield is a significant challenge. This creature’s power lies in its formidable attack, bolstered by its soulbond ability, which can pair it with another creature to grant both the same strength. When going head-to-head against this card, one strategy is to prevent it from bonding. Disruption tactics like removal spells or bounce effects can unpair the Wurm before it links up or disrupt it post-bond.

Targeted removal such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile are excellent tools for handling the Wurm before it becomes an overwhelming force. Controlling the board with counterspells to prevent it from entering play in the first place also proves effective. Another approach involves overriding the benefit of their pairing with board wipes like Wrath of God to reset the playing field and remove all creatures at once.

Utilize efficient creatures with deathtouch or ones that can block and survive the combat with the Wurm, such as those with high toughness or indestructible abilities. The key is to stay one step ahead and manage the board proactively to ensure the Pathbreaker Wurm doesn’t seal the game in your opponent’s favor.

Cards like Pathbreaker Wurm

Pathbreaker Wurm is an intriguing green creature card that finds its place among the vast array of beaters within the Magic: The Gathering universe. When we look at cards like Battering Wurm, we notice similarities such as the potential for significant damage output. Battering Wurm, however, benefits from the bloodthirst mechanic which can increase its power, unlike Pathbreaker Wurm which maintains consistent stats.

Another creature to consider is Stampeding Rhino. Similar to Pathbreaker Wurm, it’s a powerful creature intent on breaking through enemy lines. The Rhino, with trample, allows excess damage to carry over to the opponent, a trait also seen in Pathbreaker Wurm, highlighting their ability to be threats even when blocked. Comparatively, though, the Rhino is slightly less flexible due to a lack of additional abilities or interactions. Lastly, there is the Affectionate Indrik, whose fight mechanic upon entering the battlefield allows it to remove problematic creatures, something Pathbreaker Wurm cannot directly do.

Overall, Pathbreaker Wurm holds its ground in the realm of green creatures due to its straightforward strength and potential for powerful synergies, especially when paired with cards that grant it additional abilities or enhancements.

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

Verdeloth the Ancient - MTG Card versions

Nemata, Grove Guardian - MTG Card versions

Kodama of the East Tree - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pathbreaker Wurm MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored, 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 Wurm and other MTG cards: