Gleam of Authority MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Bolster,Enchant |
| Released | 2015-03-27 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Dragons of Tarkir |
| Set code | DTK |
| Number | 19 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jakub Kasper |
Text of card
Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets +1/+1 for each +1/+1 counter on other creatures you control. Enchanted creature has vigilance and ", : Bolster 1." (To bolster 1, choose a creature with the least toughness among creatures you control and put a +1/+1 counter on it.)
Cards like Gleam of Authority
Gleam of Authority stands out as a distinct enchantment within Magic: The Gathering’s world of creature buffs. This enchantment can often be likened to Ethereal Armor that also grants a power boost based on the number of enchantments in play. Yet, Gleam of Authority goes further by providing a vigilance ability and a bolster mechanic, empowering the weakest creature you control every time you cast another enchantment. This results in a dynamic shift in board presence that Ethereal Armor doesn’t offer.
Another comparable card is Daybreak Coronet, which bestows considerable enhancements, but requires your creature to be already enchanted, a limitation Gleam of Authority does not impose. Moreover, Gleam of Authority has the recurring benefit of strengthening your creatures progressively, thereby providing an ongoing tactical advantage as the game unfolds.
Reflecting upon these comparisons, Gleam of Authority holds a special place among enchantments in Magic: The Gathering, offering both immediate and cumulative benefits for a long-term strategy. Its unique blend of vigilance and bolstering continues to make it a compelling choice for enhancing creatures on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Gleam of Authority by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gleam of Authority not only boosts a creature’s power but also synergizes with +1/+1 counters, enabling potent interactions with decks focused on counter manipulation. This can lead to drawing more cards or strengthening your creatures far beyond their base stats, depending on your deck’s mechanics.
Resource Acceleration: While Gleam of Authority may not directly generate mana or tokens, it does accelerate your resource pool by empowering your creatures to a formidable presence. A stronger creature can lead to a quicker victory, effectively shortening the game and minimizing the need for additional resources.
Instant Speed: One of Gleam of Authority’s strengths is its ability to be cast at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to surprise your opponents during combat or at the end of their turn. This can significantly shift the tide in your favor, particularly in tightly contested games where timing is critical.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Gleam of Authority offers significant benefits, it necessitates having a creature to enchant, which can be problematic if your board is clear, effectively rendering it a dead card in hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Gleam of Authority’s casting cost requires white mana, which might not align with multicolor deck strategies that have a limited white mana base, thereby restricting its versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of one white and one generic mana, plus the ongoing investment to bolster the enchanted creature, it can consume valuable mana resources that could be directed towards more impactful plays, particularly in the early game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Gleam of Authority stands out due to its ability to amplify both the offensive and defensive capabilities of creatures. Its ability to bolster creatures with +1/+1 counters synergizes well across various deck archetypes focusing on counter strategies.
Combo Potential: This enchantment offers significant combo potential in decks that proliferate or double counters. When equipped on creatures with vigilance, it not only increases their size but also allows them to serve as robust blockers, turning them into formidable threats on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies prevail, Gleam of Authority can transform already potent creatures into dominant forces. The vigilance boon it grants can change the dynamic of games, making it a relevant addition to collections targeting current and future creature-centric metas.
How to beat
Gleam of Authority is a distinctive enchantment that bolsters creatures in Magic: The Gathering, and overcoming it can be pivotal to a player’s strategy. Much like other aura cards, one effective tactic is to remove the enchanted creature, thereby rendering Gleam of Authority useless. You can achieve this by using instant-speed removal spells that can disrupt your opponent’s plan before they fully benefit from the buff the aura provides.
Another approach is countering Gleam of Authority as it tries to hit the board. Blue players might keep a Counterspell handy for this exact scenario. This preemptive move can save you from having to deal with a potentially game-ending buffed creature later on. For those not in blue, there’s the option of enchantment removal such as Disenchant or Naturalize, which can strip away auras and other troublesome permanents with ease. The idea is to keep your opponent’s board clear and maintain control, preventing any creature from becoming a threat too big to handle.
In summary, whether it’s through direct creature removal, countering, or dealing with the enchantments themselves, staying ahead of the game and removing key pieces like Gleam of Authority before they can influence the match is essential. With these strategies, you can tame the gleam and keep the game under your command.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gleam of Authority MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir, 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 Gleam of Authority and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gleam of Authority has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gleam of Authority card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-02-25 | Bolster itself doesn’t target any creature, though some spells and abilities that bolster may have other effects that target creatures. For example, you could put counters on a creature with protection from white with Aven Tactician’s bolster ability. |
| 2015-02-25 | You determine which creature to put counters on as the spell or ability that instructs you to bolster resolves. That could be the creature with the bolster ability, if it’s still under your control and has the least toughness. |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.