Pathbreaker IbexHow it works & interactions with other cards

A Stampeding Trigger

Pathbreaker Ibex features a triggered ability that fires off the moment it is declared as an attacker. This ability checks the greatest power among creatures you currently control at the time the ability resolves. It then applies a bonus to all your creatures, including itself, granting them trample and a power/toughness boost equal to that highest power value.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you declare Pathbreaker Ibex as an attacker during the Declare Attackers step. The ability is put onto the stack. When the ability begins to resolve, the game looks at every creature you control and identifies the highest power among them. If that value is negative, the game treats X as zero. Finally, every creature you control gets +X/+X and trample until the end of the turn. Note that because the boost happens during the Declare Attackers step, your creatures will have these new stats before your opponent chooses blockers.

Timing and Buffs

A common mistake is assuming X is 'locked in' when you declare the attack. X is determined only when the ability resolves. If you have a way to increase a creature's power while the Ibex trigger is still on the stack, you can significantly increase the value of X. Conversely, if your opponent destroys your largest creature in response to the trigger, X will be recalculated based on your new strongest remaining creature.

Strategic Deployment

Pathbreaker Ibex is most effective in 'go-wide' strategies where you have many small creatures that can benefit from a massive stat boost. Since the Ibex itself has a base power of 3, at minimum it will usually give your team +3/+3 and trample, provided it is your strongest creature and hasn't been debuffed. It is an excellent finisher that punishes opponents who cannot interact with your board at instant speed.

Interaction examples

Overwhelming the Plants

Avenger of Zendikar

With Avenger of Zendikar and several 0/1 Plant tokens on the field, attacking with Pathbreaker Ibex is devastating. When the Ibex attacks, the ability checks your creatures. Since Avenger of Zendikar has 5 power, X becomes 5. All your 0/1 Plants immediately become 5/6 creatures with trample, creating a lethal board state from seemingly harmless tokens.

The Untiring Charge

Seedborn Muse

Seedborn Muse ensures your creatures are untapped and ready to defend, but Pathbreaker Ibex turns them into an offensive powerhouse. If you attack with both, the Ibex trigger looks at your board. If Seedborn Muse is your strongest creature (2 power), the Ibex and Muse both get +2/+2 and trample. While Seedborn Muse provides utility, the Ibex provides the reach needed to end the game through combat.