Unlikely Alliance MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Released | 1996-06-10 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alliances |
| Set code | ALL |
| Number | 20 |
| Frame | 1993 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Phil Foglio |
Key Takeaways
- Generates card advantage and ramps up mana through Treasure tokens, fueling faster and diverse plays.
- Offers tactical flexibility with instant speed casting, making it valuable for strategic game pacing.
- Balances utility with constraints like specific mana requirements and potentially high casting cost.
Text of card
o1o W: Target non-attacking, non-blocking creature gets +0/+2 until end of turn.
"Strange alliances are alliances still, and provide the same protection." —King Darien of Kjeldor
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Unlikely Alliance facilitates maintaining a robust hand size, offering an opportunity to draw additional cards. This can help players stay ahead in the game by providing more options and responses to the evolving state of the match.
Resource Acceleration: This card contributes to resource acceleration by providing players with two Treasure tokens upon resolution. These tokens can be instrumental in ramping up mana capabilities or assisting in casting costs of various colors, thereby enhancing a player’s ability to deploy threats or answers more quickly.
Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Unlikely Alliance adds a layer of flexibility to gameplay. Players can strategically choose to cast it on an opponent’s turn, preserving mana for potential counters or needed spells, making it a valuable addition to decks that prize tactical adaptability and timing.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Unlikely Alliance card requires players to discard a card to fulfill its activation condition. When your hand is already limited, the cost of discarding can hinder your game, leaving you at a disadvantage by depleting your options prematurely.
Specific Mana Cost: To cast Unlikely Alliance, a precise combination of mana is needed, including a red and a blue. This can present a challenge in decks that aren’t fine-tuned to generate such a specific mana requirement, potentially causing delays or restricting its playability to specific deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Unlikely Alliance has a mana value that can be considered high for the benefits it provides. With alternative cards offering similar or superior effects at a lower mana cost, it may not always be the most mana-efficient choice for your deck, which could influence the overall pacing and efficacy of your gameplay strategy.
Reasons to Include Unlikely Alliance in Your Collection
Versatility: Unlikely Alliance brings flexibility to any deck by providing dual-colored mana symbols that help in casting a broader range of spells and fitting smoothly into multicolored decks.
Combo Potential: This card works well in synergistic strategies, enhancing decks that capitalize on ally mechanics or require a blend of different colors for combo enablers.
Meta-Relevance: With a constantly evolving metagame, a card like Unlikely Alliance could adapt to various scenarios, proving beneficial in a meta that favors diverse mana bases and multicolored deck constructions.
How to beat
Unlikely Alliance is a noteworthy card that can often create challenging situations for opponents in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. The ability to forge an immediate bond with another creature, boosting it with sudden power increases, can quickly turn the tides of a duel. This card particularly shines in formats that prioritize creature-based strategies, where establishing a robust presence on the battlefield is key.
However, strategic plays can dismantle this alliance. Cards that efficiently deal with multiple creatures at once, commonly known as board wipes, are effective counters. Moreover, instant-speed removals that target either the bonded creature or its new ally before combat deals damage can sever the Unlikely Alliance. Effective enchantment removal spells are also pivotal in removing the alliance outright, preventing the escalation of your opponent’s forces.
Ultimately, when facing an Unlikely Alliance, it’s essential to remain adaptable and proactive. Keeping removal spells at the ready and prioritizing threats can ensure that this temporary partnership doesn’t lead to a permanent defeat.
Cards like Unlikely Alliance
Unlikely Alliance is a novel entry in the world of MTG’s creature spells, sharing a space with cards that blend creature benefits with other strategic advantages. Cards such as Weaponcraft Enthusiast stand out in this comparison. Enthusiast, like Unlikely Alliance, brings additional creatures into play, though it relies on the Fabricate mechanic instead of Alliance’s condition of drawing a card.
Zooming in on similar mechanics, Murmuring Mystic delves into the theme of casting noncreature spells to generate creatures, parallel to Unlikely Alliance’s card draw based creature generation. However, Mystic produces creatures consistently with every cast spell, while Unlikely Alliance is restricted by the player’s ability to draw cards. Another comparable card is Young Pyromancer, which also populates the board with creatures as you play spells, fueling strategies that leverage spells over creature cards.
Assessing the landscape, Unlikely Alliance finds its niche in MTG by delivering creatures through card drawing – an aspect that is distinctive and can synergize well with decks emphasizing draw power. It offers a versatile and potentially powerful strategy for players looking to capitalize on both creature presence and hand advantages.
Cards similar to Unlikely Alliance by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Unlikely Alliance MTG card by a specific set like Alliances, 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 Unlikely Alliance and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Unlikely Alliance has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Unlikely Alliance card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | The bonus is not lost if the creature later becomes an attacker or blocker. The limitation is just there to prevent the effect from being used late in an attack. |
