Unquestioned Authority MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant

Key Takeaways

  1. Immediate card draw sustains hand balance, offering a strategic edge through maintained resources.
  2. Enabling unblockable creatures facilitates faster victories and supports aggressive playstyles.
  3. Though not an instant, its immediate board impact significantly alters the course of gameplay.

Text of card

When Unquestioned Authority comes into play, draw a card. Enchanted creature has protection from creatures.

"Only the Ancestor should be revered." —Mystic heretic


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Unquestioned Authority, as any other aura, sticks to a creature giving you more power on board. But its true strength lays in the “when it enters battlefield, draw a card” ability, providing a player immediate compensation for the used card, thus maintaining a balanced hand.

Resource Acceleration: Having a creature with Unquestioned Authority doesn’t directly speed up your resource gain. However, the assurance of your creature avoiding blocks can lead to quicker games, bringing you closer to victory. In addition to the card draw, it essentially multiplies your available resources by allowing more open, aggressive strategies.

Instant Speed: Though Unquestioned Authority is not an instant card, its impact is often felt immediately. The outcome is immediate when it’s placed on a creature with “Haste”, or placed during the first main phase allowing the creature to attack in the same round. Unpredictability and swift results make it comparable to many instant speed spells.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unquestioned Authority doesn’t require discarding a card, but its one-time effect means that once played, the option to benefit from this powerful enchantment ends. It can be frustrating if you’re limited on ways to recover or duplicate it from your graveyard.

Specific Mana Cost: The cost of Unquestioned Authority includes one white mana which can be restrictive for multicolored decks. This requirement might make it less versatile and potentially unable to fit in decks outside of the white archetype.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Unquestioned Authority offers a wonderful protection and draw effect, it demands a three mana investment, two of any color and one white. There might be other cards in the MTG universe that provide similar advantages with fewer mana costs, which can influence the deck building decisions of players focusing on efficiency.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Unquestioned Authority is a highly versatile card. It’s a reliable source of card draw as its presence ensures immediate cantrip. It also offers a robust aura to creatures, making them unblockable which can be beneficial in many deck structures.

Combo Potential: This card’s potential for combo play is substantial. It pairs well with cards that benefit from being unblockable or have auras attached. A clever player can create supercharged combos due to its ability to create an open attack lane or even bypass guardians.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where control is king, Unquestioned Authority shines. As it presents consistent threat to control-focused opponents, ignoring most defenders, it proves its worth in gameplay value. This card’s relevance is undeniably noteworthy, making it a worthy addition to any player’s arsenal.


How to beat

The Unquestioned Authority is a distinctive card in Magic: The Gathering that can give one of your creatures the boost it needs to bypass any type of defense. Its ability to grant protection to any enchanting creature from the color of your choice sets it distinct from other Aura cards. Imagine slipping through enemy lines without fear of reprisal. Quite an asset, isn’t it? But what if you’re on the receiving end of this card?

You could use targeted removal spells that are not color-specific to deal with the creature enchanted with Unquestioned Authority. Cards like Murder in black magic can help, as it destroys any targeted creature regardless of its protection. Additionally, implementing global effects that can eliminate all creatures, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, can also be a sound strategy.

Alternatively, cards like Naturalize that can directly destroy target artifact or enchantment can help take out the Unquestioned Authority itself. Understanding these strategies can equip you to handle situations involving this card more effectively. Remember, the goal in MTG is not just to understand and use your cards effectively but also to foresee potential threats from your opponent’s end and prepare for them accordingly.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the synergies and strategies of MTG with a closer look at Unquestioned Authority. Perfecting your gameplay means not only mastering the cards you hold but understanding their interaction with the vast array of MTG cards available. Whether it’s enhancing your deck, streamlining your tactics, or simply expanding your collection with versatile cards, every detail counts. Unquestioned Authority is a prime example of a card that offers immediate benefits and potential for powerful combos. Enhance your knowledge and gameplay – continue exploring with us and make every match an exhibit of skill and strategic prowess.


Cards like Unquestioned Authority

Unquestioned Authority is an enchantment aura in Magic: The Gathering, a notable member of the protection tactic category. A card similar in comparison is Spirit Mantle, which also grants protection from creatures. However, the allure of Unquestioned Authority comes from its mild cost and the bonus mechanic, allowing the enchanted creature to draw a card upon entering the battlefield.

In the same thematic vein, we encounter Diplomatic Immunity. This enchantment also offers shroud, a universal protective feature, but it doesn’t provide the added advantage of card draw, making Unquestioned Authority a more attractive option. Yet another close kin is Spectra Ward. While Spectra Ward gives broader protection and power boost, it demands a much higher mana investment, thus slowing down its gameplay pace.

To summarize, after analyzing and evaluating the nuanced differences and benefits of similar cards, Unquestioned Authority undoubtedly emerges as a top-tier enchantment in Magic: The Gathering, thanks to its protective offerings and card draw benefits.

Spirit Mantle - MTG Card versions
Diplomatic Immunity - MTG Card versions
Spectra Ward - MTG Card versions
Spirit Mantle - Magic 2012 (M12)
Diplomatic Immunity - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Spectra Ward - Magic 2015 (M15)

Cards similar to Unquestioned Authority by color, type and mana cost

Damping Field - MTG Card versions
Farmstead - MTG Card versions
Cooperation - MTG Card versions
Noble Steeds - MTG Card versions
Aura of Silence - MTG Card versions
Empyrial Armor - MTG Card versions
Cessation - MTG Card versions
Arrest - MTG Card versions
Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Samite Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Pariah - MTG Card versions
Tattoo Ward - MTG Card versions
Sparring Regimen - MTG Card versions
Shielded by Faith - MTG Card versions
The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Cage of Hands - MTG Card versions
Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - MTG Card versions
Guardian's Magemark - MTG Card versions
Celestial Dawn - MTG Card versions
Damping Field - Antiquities (ATQ)
Farmstead - Summer Magic / Edgar (SUM)
Cooperation - Ice Age (ICE)
Noble Steeds - Alliances (ALL)
Aura of Silence - Commander 2015 (C15)
Empyrial Armor - Weatherlight (WTH)
Cessation - Urza's Legacy (ULG)
Arrest - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Glorious Anthem - Junior Super Series (PSUS)
Samite Sanctuary - Prophecy (PCY)
Pariah - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Tattoo Ward - Odyssey (ODY)
Sparring Regimen - Strixhaven: School of Mages Promos (PSTX)
Shielded by Faith - Signature Spellbook: Gideon (SS2)
The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty (NEO)
Oblivion Ring - Magic Online Theme Decks (TD0)
Cage of Hands - Commander Legends (CMR)
Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - The List (PLST)
Guardian's Magemark - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Celestial Dawn - Time Spiral Timeshifted (TSB)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Unquestioned Authority MTG card by a specific set like Judgment and Conspiracy, 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 Unquestioned Authority and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Unquestioned Authority Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2002-05-27 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-05-27JudgmentJUD 311997normalblackAlex Horley-Orlandelli
22014-06-06ConspiracyCNS 852003normalblackZoltan Boros
32018-08-09Commander 2018C18 782015normalblackZoltan Boros
42020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 3892015normalblackZoltan Boros
52022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 2602015normalblackAlex Horley-Orlandelli

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Unquestioned Authority has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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