Unyielding Gatekeeper MTG Card


Gatekeeper’s instant speed ability offers mana optimization and disrupts opponents with surprising plays. Specific mana cost for this card can limit its inclusion in diverse deck builds. With strategic use, Unyielding Gatekeeper can become a powerful element in maintaining board control.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Elephant Cleric
Abilities Disguise
Power 3
Toughness 2

Text of card

Disguise (You may cast this card face down for as a 2/2 creature with ward . Turn it face up any time for its disguise cost.) When Unyielding Gatekeeper is turned face up, exile another target nonland permanent. If you controlled it, return it to the battlefield tapped. Otherwise, its controller creates a 2/2 white and blue Detective creature token.


Cards like Unyielding Gatekeeper

The Unyielding Gatekeeper brings a unique dynamic to creature control in Magic: The Gathering. Comparable to cards like Pendelhaven Guardian, it serves a protective role. However, where it stands out is in its ability to not just defend but also chip away at an opponent’s resources with its discard effect. Pendelhaven Guardian, contrasts in that it boosts creatures’ toughness with no additional effect.

Reflecting on Gatekeeper of Malakir, there’s a striking resemblance in function — both disrupt the adversary’s field by dictating sacrifices. Yet, Unyielding Gatekeeper demands this sacrifice each time it blocks, a recurring advantage that Gatekeeper of Malakir, limited to its kicker ability, doesn’t offer regularly. Another parallel can be drawn with Burglar Rat; though both provoke discards, the Rat lacks the recurrent blocking impact of the Unyielding Gatekeeper.

Assessing the tactical benefits, Unyielding Gatekeeper earns its place in MTG decks that thrive on disrupting the opponent’s strategies repeatedly. Its blend of continuous control firmly establishes it as a noteworthy option for players valuing attrition and defense in their gameplay.

Gatekeeper of Malakir - MTG Card versions
Burglar Rat - MTG Card versions
Gatekeeper of Malakir - MTG Card versions
Burglar Rat - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Unyielding Gatekeeper by color, type and mana cost

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Flumph - MTG Card versions
Soltari Priest - MTG Card versions
Luminarch Aspirant - MTG Card versions
White Knight - MTG Card versions
Soul Shepherd - MTG Card versions
Soltari Monk - MTG Card versions
Talon Sliver - MTG Card versions
Keeper of the Light - MTG Card versions
Faith Healer - MTG Card versions
Angelic Page - MTG Card versions
Avenger en-Dal - MTG Card versions
Royal Falcon - MTG Card versions
Spirit Weaver - MTG Card versions
Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions
Stoneforge Mystic - MTG Card versions
Drannith Magistrate - MTG Card versions
Leonin Lightscribe - MTG Card versions
Silver Knight - MTG Card versions
Longbow Archer - MTG Card versions
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions
Flumph - MTG Card versions
Soltari Priest - MTG Card versions
Luminarch Aspirant - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Unyielding Gatekeeper. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free formTorino Tournament - Murders at Karlov Manor
Boros AggroBoros Aggro GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 09 2024
Azorius TempoAzorius Tempo GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 13 2024
Naya WinotaNaya Winota GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 13 2024
Selesnya MidrangeSelesnya Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 11 2024
Mono-White Death & TaxesMono-White Death & Taxes GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 13 2024
Death and TaxesDeath and Taxes LegacyDeath and TaxesLegacy Challenge 32 2024-03-17
Boros InitiativeBoros Initiative LegacyBoros InitiativeLegacy League 2024-02-28
Orzhov ControlOrzhov Control StandardOrzhov MidrangeMTG SEA Championships Thailand Open Season 2 Round 3
Mardu StonebladeMardu Stoneblade LegacyMardu StonebladeLegacy Qualifier 2024-03-01

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Unyielding Gatekeeper provides a unique twist on gaining card advantage. Instead of drawing cards directly, it disrupts your opponent’s strategy by forcing them to choose between surrendering valuable cards from their hand or letting you draw. This puts pressure on your adversary and can lead to significant card quality gains for you over time.

Resource Acceleration: While Unyielding Gatekeeper itself might not produce additional mana or tokens, its ability can indirectly lead to resource acceleration. By potentially reducing your opponent’s resources, you maintain the pace of your own development while hindering theirs. This creates a comparative acceleration in your favor as you can execute your game plans more efficiently.

Instant Speed: The capability to activate Unyielding Gatekeeper’s ability at instant speed grants you great flexibility during gameplay. This allows you to fully utilize your mana each turn, keeping your options open until the optimal moment arises to interfere with your opponent’s plans. Additionally, it plays well with the element of surprise, letting you disrupt your opponent at a time when they might think they are safe to make a play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Unyielding Gatekeeper forces a discard upon entering the battlefield. This can be particularly taxing if your hand is already depleted, and it might unintentionally provide your opponent with graveyard synergies, turning this drawback into an advantage for them.

Specific Mana Cost: With a precise mana requirement that includes blue and green, this card may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks that also operate outside these colors. Decks that aren’t centered on Simic colors could find it challenging to consistently meet the casting cost, which reduces the card’s versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring three mana, including two that are color-specific, can be seen as costly, especially when compared to other cards in the same category that provide similar effects for less mana. This can slow down your tempo, leaving you potentially vulnerable to faster strategies.


Reasons to Include Unyielding Gatekeeper in Your Collection

Versatility: Unyielding Gatekeeper lends itself to a variety of deck builds with its low casting cost and unique ability to control opponent movements. It’s an asset in decks that aim to dictate the pace of the game.

Combo Potential: With its ETB (Enter the Battlefield) trigger affecting each opponent, it can be part of synergistic plays in multiplayer formats. Pairing with cards that manipulate creature count can multiply its impact.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment rich with creature-based strategies, Unyielding Gatekeeper can be a key sideboard card or even main deck material in specific builds, proving its worth in the evolving game landscape.


How to beat

Unyielding Gatekeeper presents a unique tactical challenge for MTG players. This creature is not only resilient in combat but also capable of disrupting opponents’ strategies with its annoying tax-like ability. To outmaneuver this obstacle, consider deploying creatures with flying or other evasion abilities, rendering the Gatekeeper’s block ability practically useless. Another efficient tactic entails utilizing removal spells that can bypass the creature’s tax, such as those with the “can’t be countered” clause or that provide a secondary effect even if you can’t pay the tax.

Adapting your game plan can also prove effective. Prioritize casting your most important spells when the opponent is tapped out or lacks sufficient mana to activate the Gatekeeper’s ability. Alternatively, bait out the taxing effect with less crucial spells to pave the way for more significant plays. Remember, patience and strategic timing are pivotal in outlasting the Gatekeeper’s presence on the battlefield.

Ultimately, defeating this card hinges on a combination of deck adaptability, strategic spell casting, and leveraging the edges provided by evasion and precise removal. In doing so, the advantage that Unyielding Gatekeeper provides can be significantly mitigated or even turned to your favor.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Unyielding Gatekeeper MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor and Murders at Karlov Manor, 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 Unyielding Gatekeeper and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Unyielding Gatekeeper Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2024-02-09 and 2024-02-10. Illustrated by Borja Pindado.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12024-02-09Murders at Karlov ManorMKM 352015NormalBlackBorja Pindado
22024-02-09Murders at Karlov ManorMKM 3922015NormalBlackBorja Pindado
32024-02-10Murders at Karlov Manor PromosPMKM 35p2015NormalBlackBorja Pindado
42024-02-10Murders at Karlov Manor PromosPMKM 35s2015NormalBlackBorja Pindado

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Unyielding Gatekeeper has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
StandardbrawlLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal