Unity of Purpose MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Support |
| Released | 2016-01-22 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Oath of the Gatewatch |
| Set code | OGW |
| Number | 66 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jason Felix |
Key Takeaways
- Enhances card advantage by untapping creatures, enabling dual use in a single turn.
- Instant speed allows for surprising defensive maneuvers or ability reactivation.
- Restrictive mana cost and dependency on a substantial hand size can be cons.
Text of card
Support 2. (Put a +1/+1 counter on each of up to two target creatures.) Untap each creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it.
Faced with the novel problem of inspiring an army, Jace asked himself: "What would Gideon say?"
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Unity of Purpose contributes to your card advantage by untapping up to two creatures you control. This can be essential for reusing tap abilities or for having untapped blockers ready.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or resources, this card can indirectly accelerate your game plan by refreshing creatures that generate resources or have abilities that contribute to your board state when they are untapped.
Instant Speed: The fact that you can play Unity of Purpose at instant speed adds a layer of flexibility and surprise. You can adapt to the flow of the game, untap creatures after they’ve attacked to defend your life total or utilize their tap abilities a second time within a single turn cycle.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unity of Purpose requires a deep hand to make the most of its support ability, potentially leaving players in a bind if they need to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: With both blue and white mana required, Unity of Purpose may not seamlessly fit into all deck types, particularly those not aligned with Azorius synergy or multicolor support.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a combined mana cost of three, including one of each color, this card’s ability to untap and bolster a couple of creatures might not be as cost-effective when options for mass untapping or more impactful boosts exist at similar or lower costs.
Reasons to Include Unity of Purpose in Your Collection
Versatility: Unity of Purpose is a flexible addition to your card arsenal, aligning well with decks that capitalize on counters and untapping creatures for surprise defenses or additional attacks during your turn.
Combo Potential: In combination with cards that generate beneficial effects upon tapping or untapping, Unity of Purpose can serve as a pivotal piece in executing powerful plays and synergizing with intricate deck themes.
Meta-Relevance: This card shines in environments where tempo plays a key role. With the ability to react swiftly to the evolving battlefield, Unity of Purpose proves its worth in strategies designed to outpace the opponent by maximizing the utility of your creatures.
How to Beat Unity of Purpose
Unity of Purpose stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a spell that can quickly turn the tides of battle by untapping creatures and bolstering their strength through +1/+1 counters. Though it might seem daunting when a skilled opponent uses it to reinforce their defensive line or to craft an unexpected offensive surge, there are strategies to counteract this card’s effect.
The first approach is to limit your opponent’s creatures on the battlefield, which directly undermines Unity of Purpose’s potential. Removal spells like Fatal Push or board wipes like Wrath of God can effectively clear the way before your opponent has the chance to utilize Unity of Purpose. Moreover, spells that counter abilities, such as Stifle or Tale’s End, can be handy tools to disrupt the Unity of Purpose’s untap ability. Cards that prevent counters from being placed on creatures, such as Solemnity, also prove to be efficient in stunting the growth that Unity of Purpose promises.
By considering the strength of your removal spells and the timing of their deployment, you can craft a robust defense against Unity of Purpose. Understanding and anticipating this enchantment’s uses within the framework of the game is key to ensuring that it doesn’t become an overwhelming obstacle in your path to victory.
Cards like Unity of Purpose
Unity of Purpose is an intriguing card in the realm of support magic within Magic: The Gathering, fitting well with other spells aimed at bolstering your creatures. Its primary effect, untapping creatures and putting a +1/+1 counter on each, can be mirrored in cards like Strength of the Tajuru. However, Strength of the Tajuru allows you to choose any number of creatures and scales with the amount of mana invested, offering potentially a larger impact for a higher cost.
Another card with a similar theme is Inspiring Roar, which also puts a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control, but it lacks the untap feature that Unity of Purpose provides. This missing component means Inspiring Roar doesn’t offer the tactical flexibility of reacting to an opponent’s moves during their turn as Unity of Purpose does. Conversely, Echoing Courage targets creatures of a single type, potentially providing a substantial boost in tribal decks, yet it does not have the untapping utility either.
Vitality set against similar cards indicates that while other spells may provide broader power boosts or lower costs, Unity of Purpose holds a unique position by offering immediate tactical advantages in both creature strengthening and readiness.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Unity of Purpose MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch, 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 Unity of Purpose 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 Unity of Purpose has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Unity of Purpose card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-01-22 | If a spell with support has other abilities that target creatures, those abilities and the support ability can target the same creature. |
| 2016-01-22 | Support can target a creature you don’t control. |
| 2016-01-22 | You can’t put more than one +1/+1 counter on any one target using the support action. |
