[SCD] Path of Bravery

[Pendulum]

So, is it just me or is this card kind of amazing? The fact that it's an Anthem (albeit a situational one) PLUS a lifegain engine for aggro puts Wx Weenie (I'm thinking Selesnya shell for now) well-positioned to win races vs. other aggressive strategies, even if the Anthem gets shut off. It never seems like it will be a dead card, at least coming out of the SB for the aggro matchups. Thoughts?

[DerWille]

I'm split on how I feel about this card. I really want to like this card and I can see where it has potential, but I don't think it's good for a W/x aggro deck because the deck has better plays for turn 3, mainly Frontline Medic or Silverblade Paladin. The first lets you push through damage without losing material and the other will usually end the game in a turn or two. Even as a 4th turn play, I'm not sure if it works. R/w will probably run Hellrider. G/w will run Advent of the Wurm. Even a white focused Boros deck might prefer Restoration Angel just for the shenanigans that card brings (reset soulbinds, save creatures, be an annoying 3/4 flier).

This puts as some sort of 5th turn play, but by then, against another aggro deck, you're either already ahead or close
to losing. In a stalled board state, it would only be an anthem effect if you can somehow stay above 20 life. I'd rather use the slots that Path of Bravery took up for Brave the Elements. With that card, I can just gain protection from whatever has the most blockers or the most dangerous blocker and push through enough damage for the win.

Craig Wescoe came up with a Junk Tokens deck that made use of it and that feels like a better home for it. It can act as Intangible Virtue 5 to 8 and put the game out of reach by exploiting spells that generate more than 1 token like Gather the Townsfolk and Lingering Souls. He uses Path to Bravery in the second deck in this article http://magic.tcgplayer.com/db/article.asp?ID=11257


He runs a 1 of Blood Baron of Vizkopa in the sideboard because Path of Bravery helps turn it on and gives a game ender. However, I think Archangel of Thune just might be better for his list and this card. Every time your creatures attack, you basically get a Gavony Township proc and then post combat, the angel procs again.