Infinite Authority MTG Card


Infinite Authority - Legends
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant
Released1994-06-01
Set symbol
Set nameLegends
Set codeLEG
Number22
Frame1993
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byDouglas Shuler

Key Takeaways

  1. Infinite Authority grants both creature control and potential card advantage, altering the game’s dynamics.
  2. Demands specific mana types and a discard, posing strategic deck building and gameplay considerations.
  3. Its unique life gain and control features can significantly impact creature-centric metagames.

Text of card

All creatures with toughness 3 or less blocking target creature or blocked by target creature are destroyed at end of combat. At the end of the turn put a +1/+1 counter on the target creature for each creature destroyed in this manner during the turn. Counters remain on creature even if enchantment leaves play.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Infinite Authority provides a significant boost in maintaining card superiority. When you enchant a creature with this aura, you not only reduce the effectiveness of an opponent’s creature but also potentially gain access to additional cards if that creature was a source of card draw for them.

Resource Acceleration: The ability to tap the enchanted creature for a burst in resources offers a distinct form of resource acceleration. Controlling when and how to tap it allows for strategic planning and can lead to a formidable presence on the board.

Instant Speed: While Infinite Authority is not an instant itself, its lasting control effect can act as a deterrent against opponents’ instant-speed tricks. By limiting their options, you indirectly gain the advantage of tempo at a speed that suits your game plan.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For players eager to harness the power of Infinite Authority, they face the tricky hurdle of having to discard a card. This added requirement can backfire particularly when your hand is already struggling for resources, making it a challenging trade-off to consider.

Specific Mana Cost: Infinite Authority demands not just any mana, but a particular slice of the mana pie. Its casting cost requires a precise combination of mana types that may not seamlessly fit into every deck’s strategy, possibly resulting in it being a dead draw in a game where mana flexibility is crucial.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Infinite Authority can be a game changer, its effectiveness comes at a steep price. The investment of a substantial amount of mana to get its effects into play might have you weighing other options. Cards with lower mana costs could potentially deliver similar benefits more efficiently, leaving Infinite Authority overshadowed in competitive play.


Reasons to Include Infinite Authority in Your Collection

Versatility: Infinite Authority is a unique enchantment that can adapt to various deck styles. Its ability to control an opponent’s creature until it deals damage gives it flexibility in both offensive and defensive roles.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combination setups, as it not only disrupts your opponent’s board but can also be used synergistically with strategies that profit from controlling opponents’ creatures, like sacrifice or tap/untap mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments where creatures dictate the pace of play, Infinite Authority can serve as a key control piece. Its ability to neutralize key threats can turn the tide of battle in metagames dominated by creature-heavy strategies.


How to beat

Infinite Authority is a unique enchantment in Magic: The Gathering that can turn the tides in creature-heavy matchups. When attached, it not only neutralizes an opposing creature’s combat contributions by preventing it from attacking, but it also lets you gain life equal to that creature’s power whenever it blocks or becomes blocked. To tackle this card, you’ll want to consider removal spells for enchantments such as Disenchant or Naturalize to directly dismantle Infinite Authority. Bypassing the need for combat with alternative win conditions, such as mill strategies or direct damage, can also effectively sidestep Infinite Authority’s influence. Additionally, employing creatures with the “can’t be blocked” ability allows you to continue applying pressure despite the presence of Infinite Authority on the battlefield. In summary, well-timed enchantment removal, non-combat win conditions, and elusive creatures are key to overcoming the constraints imposed by Infinite Authority in your games.


Cards like Infinite Authority

Infinite Authority in Magic: The Gathering finds itself in a unique position among Aura enchantments that control creatures. Its closest relatives include cards like Pacifism and Arrest, which similarly restrict a creature’s ability to engage in combat. Infinite Authority, however, stands out by granting the controller life gain equal to the enchanted creature’s power whenever it blocks.

Examining Control Magic, another card with creature command abilities, we see that although it completely takes over an opponent’s creature, it doesn’t offer the life gain that Infinite Authority provides. There’s also Faith’s Fetters, which not only incapacitates a creature but can target any permanent and brings a one-time life boost—a different approach compared to the repeatable benefit from Infinite Authority.

Delving deeper, we can see that the deck-building implications and in-game tactics offered by Infinite Authority contrast with these other options, giving it a distinctive edge. Its blend of creature suppression and continuous life gain creates a powerful defense strategy that can outpace many single-use control spells or creature-stealing effects in the MTG metagame.

Pacifism - MTG Card versions
Arrest - MTG Card versions
Control Magic - MTG Card versions
Faith's Fetters - MTG Card versions
Pacifism - MTG Card versions
Arrest - MTG Card versions
Control Magic - MTG Card versions
Faith's Fetters - MTG Card versions

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

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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

Where to buy

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

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Infinite Authority has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Infinite Authority 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 enchanted creature gets a +1/+1 counter for each creature that triggers the ability.
2006-10-15 Moving the enchantment after the ability triggers will not affect which creatures are affected.

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