Unlikely Aid MTG Card

Offers tactical advantage by protecting key creatures, maintaining board control and momentum. Provides indirect resource acceleration, bolstering creatures that influence mana or card flow. Grants instant speed surprise, swinging combat in your favor or thwarting removal spells.

War of the Spark (WAR)
2019-05-03 - Number 109

Unlikely Aid - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)

Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
2020-04-24 - Number 103

Arena Beginner Set (ANB)
2020-08-13 - Number 64

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant

Text of card

Target creature gets +2/+0 and gains indestructible until end of turn. (Damage and effects that say "destroy" don't destroy it.)

"No one will ever ride me again, Gideon. Expect no further favors." —Rakdos

Cards like Unlikely Aid

Unlikely Aid is a unique instant for those delving into the depths of black and green decks in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relative in functionality might be Rush of Vitality, which also offers a boost in toughness and the invaluable addition of lifelink. Where these two cards diverge, however, is in their secondary effects; Unlikely Aid provides indestructibility for a turn, while Rush of Vitality increases power.

Another card worth mentioning is Blossoming Defense, which gives a creature not only a power boost but also hexproof from opponents’ spells. It’s an effective option for protecting a key creature from targeted removal.

Then there’s God’s Willing, granting protection from a color of your choice rather than outright indestructibility. This can make a creature unblockable or safeguard it against certain spells and abilities, adding a layer of strategic defense.

To surmise, Unlikely Aid serves as a handy tool in MTG for those crucial moments, safeguarding your creatures while offering a surprise element during combat. It shines with its instant speed flexibility, providing a pivotal edge during tight skirmishes on the battlefield.

Cards similar to Unlikely Aid by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When looking at Unlikely Aid, the advantage might not be immediately apparent because it doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards. However, it provides a subtler type of advantage by protecting a key creature on the battlefield, which can maintain your board presence and keep your engine running smoothly.

Resource Acceleration: Although Unlikely Aid doesn’t accelerate your resources in the traditional sense of providing additional mana, using it to shield an important creature can indirectly lead to resource acceleration. By ensuring your mana-generating or card-drawing creatures survive, you can pull ahead of your opponent in subsequent turns.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of instant speed is where Unlikely Aid truly shines. It allows you to wait until the most opportune moment during the battle to surprise your opponent and turn the tides. Whether you’re fending off removal or unexpectedly winning combat, the instant nature of this card is a valuable asset in any duel.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlikely Aid may seem like a handy combat trick, but the need to discard a card can set back your hand, especially when every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both black and another mana, Unlikely Aid demands a commitment to colors, potentially limiting its inclusion to decks that can reliably produce both.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost of casting Unlikely Aid isn’t the most mana-efficient for the protection it offers, possibly making it a less attractive choice compared to lower-cost alternatives in a game where tempo is key.

Reasons to Include Unlikely Aid in Your Collection

Versatility: Unlikely Aid is a low-cost instant that offers protection and a slight boost in power. This makes it a useful addition to various decks, from aggressive strategies that aim to preserve key creatures to defensive setups wanting to surprise opponents during combat.

Combo Potential: The card works well in tandem with creatures that have on-damage effects or with strategies that revolve around sacrificing creatures for a greater purpose, as it can ensure those creatures survive combat to be utilized efficiently.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the prevalence of removal spells in most metagames, Unlikely Aid serves as an inexpensive countermeasure. It keeps your critical creatures in play longer, allowing for sustained pressure or the preservation of vital combo pieces.

How to beat

Unlikely Aid is an intriguing instant spell in the arsenal of Magic: The Gathering strategies. This card provides a swift defensive advantage, offering both a power boost and indestructibility to your creatures when they’re in a pinch. The surprise element of Unlikely Aid can quickly turn the tides of a battle by making a creature not just stronger but also invulnerable to damage and destruction effects for the turn.

To effectively counter Unlikely Aid, timing is crucial. Pay close attention to your opponent’s mana and card availability. When you suspect they hold this card, consider playing around it by holding off on using your removal spells until your opponent is tapped out or when it’s less impactful. This can force your opponent into a position where they must choose between using Unlikely Aid defensively or being unable to respond to your actions effectively.

Another strategy is to leverage effects that don’t destroy but rather exile or bounce creatures to their owner’s hand, sidestepping the protective shield Unlikely Aid provides. By adjusting your tactic and incorporating versatile responses, you can neutralize the advantage Unlikely Aid gives your opponent, thereby maintaining control of the game’s pace and outcome.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Unlikely Aid MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark and Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, 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 Unlikely Aid and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Unlikely Aid Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2019-05-03 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2019-05-03	War of the Spark	WAR	109	2015	Normal	Black	Viktor Titov
2	2020-04-24	Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths	IKO	103	2015	Normal	Black	Randy Vargas
3	2020-08-13	Arena Beginner Set	ANB	64	2015	Normal	Black	Viktor Titov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Unlikely Aid has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Alchemy	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal