Union of the Third Path MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 3 |
Rarity | Common |
Type | Instant |
Released | 2022-11-18 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | The Brothers' War |
Set code | BRO |
Number | 31 |
Frame | 2015 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Robin Olausson |
Text of card
Draw a card, then you gain life equal to the number of cards in your hand.
Terisia City at last opened its ivory towers to all who sought respite from the endless war.
Cards like Union of the Third Path
Union of the Third Path is an intriguing card that finds its place within the realm of creature enhancement in Magic: The Gathering. It stands shoulder to shoulder with cards like Sigil Blessing, which also offers a boost to your creatures in play. Union of the Third Path sets itself apart by granting not only a power and toughness increase but also the unique ability to protect a creature from a type of spell until the end of the turn.
When we parallel it with cards like Gods Willing, we see that both can shield a creature, but Gods Willing is limited to offering protection from a chosen color while giving scry 1 as a bonus. Union of the Third Path provides a more robust defense by protecting from a broader range of spells, regardless of color. Battleground Geist is another similar card due to its power enhancement aspect, but it lacks the protective feature, focusing instead on boosting spirits you control.
In essence, when comparing utility and versatility, Union of the Third Path delivers a unique blend of enhancement and defense, marking its territory within Magic: The Gathering as a card that could play pivotal in creature-focused strategies.
Cards similar to Union of the Third Path by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Union of the Third Path. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jeskai Ephemerate | Pauper | Jeskai Ephemerate | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-05-11 | |
WBG | Pauper | Pauper Challenge 64 2024-05-19 | ||
Bant Control | Modern | Bant Control | Modern Super Qualifier 2024-05-19 | |
WUB | Pauper | Pauper Challenge 64 2024-05-19 | ||
WB | Pauper | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-05-10 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Union of the Third Path is designed to offer players significant card advantage. Engaging with its mechanics enables you to potentially outmaneuver your opponent by amassing an army of tokens, each a copy of a creature in your graveyard. This influx of creatures can overwhelm opponents and also serves as a way to effectively reuse your best creatures, even after they’ve been dealt with.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly increasing your mana pool, the ability to create creatures can indirectly accelerate your resource development. By bringing creatures onto the battlefield that have mana abilities or other effects that can ramp or fix mana, this card has the potential to significantly improve your board state and expedite your victory.
Instant Speed: The true power of Union of the Third Path shines at instant speed, which grants flexibility during gameplay. This allows strategic players to wait until the end of an opponent’s turn to create a creature token, keeping mana uncommitted during their own turn to bluff counterspells or removals, thereby creating psychological pressure and tactical advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Union of the Third Path necessitates the sacrifice of a creature card, which can deplete your hand and potentially weaken your board state when you’re pressed for resources. This cost becomes particularly burdensome when your hand is already running lean, forcing tough decisions about resource management.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting requirements are stringent, demanding both white and green mana. It is inherently restrictive, making it less versatile and harder to incorporate into multicolored decks that may not support these colors or mana stability.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a demanding converted mana cost, Union of the Third Path requires a significant investment that could be prohibitive in the early game. When assessing value against other card choices, players might find that the mana could be better spent on cards with immediate board impact or lower-cost strategies that can be executed more swiftly.
Reasons to Include Union of the Third Path in Your Collection
Versatility: Union of the Third Path is a card that can seamlessly integrate into a wide array of decks. Its ability to potentially manipulate life totals gives it an edge in strategies that pivot around life gain or loss, making it a multifunctional inclusion.
Combo Potential: This card holds promise for those looking to engineer intricate combos. Its interaction with cards that have lifelink or similar life-changing mechanics can lead to powerful synergies that may tip the scales in your favor during a game.
Meta-Relevance: Due to its adaptable nature, Union of the Third Path can be a timely addition, especially if the meta is currently geared towards prolonged gameplay. It can provide strategic advantages by altering life totals at crucial moments, disrupting your opponent’s game plan.
How to beat
Union of the Third Path is a card that demands attention for its ability to bypass traditional gameplay mechanics. It’s a unique enchantment, providing a sense of inevitability by allowing a creature with lesser power than your own to be swapped with a more powerful one from your hand. It feels somewhat similar in concept to the sneak attack, cleverly circumventing the need for casting from one’s hand.
To counter this compelling effect, consider disruption techniques that focus on enchantment removal. Cards such as Disenchant or Naturalize offer a direct way to handle such threats. Additionally, countering Union of the Third Path when it’s cast can prevent this intricate strategy from taking root, using counter spells like Negate. Since the enchantment relies on the power of creatures in both the battlefield and hand, handling potential threats proactively through discard effects or creature removal can minimize Union’s impact on the game. Therefore, maintaining card advantage and disrupting the opponent’s resources can be key strategies in outpacing the Union of the Third Path’s potent effect.
In essence, staying one step ahead by neutralizing or preempting Union’s activation is the most effective method to render this strategic enchantment inert. With careful planning and strategic execution, overcoming Union of the Third Path’s ability becomes a winnable challenge.
BurnMana Recommendations
Understanding the unique capabilities of Union of the Third Path can guide MTG enthusiasts to creatively enhance their gameplay. Contemplating its strengths and limitations, we recommend considering how it may fit your deck’s strategy and mana curve. Its innate ability to clone creatures from the graveyard at instant speed makes it a formidable tool against unsuspecting opponents. However, the card’s need for specific colored mana and its higher cost must be weighed. Incorporate this card wisely, and it may bring a significant tide turn in matches. Delve into more intricacies of gameplay and gather insights on strategic deck building with us as we explore the vast realms of MTG and continuously refine our tactics for victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Union of the Third Path MTG card by a specific set like The Brothers' War, 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 Union of the Third Path and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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 Union of the Third Path has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Standard | Legal |
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Alchemy | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Future | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Explorer | Legal |
Brawl | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |