Unyielding Gatekeeper MTG Card
2024-02-09 - Number 35
2024-02-09 - Number 392
2024-02-10 - Number 35p
2024-02-10 - Number 35s
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Elephant Cleric |
| Abilities | Disguise |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Disguise (You may cast this card face down for as a 2/2 creature with ward . Turn it face up any time for its disguise cost.) When Unyielding Gatekeeper is turned face up, exile another target nonland permanent. If you controlled it, return it to the battlefield tapped. Otherwise, its controller creates a 2/2 white and blue Detective creature token.
Cards like Unyielding Gatekeeper
The Unyielding Gatekeeper brings a unique dynamic to creature control in Magic: The Gathering. Comparable to cards like Pendelhaven Guardian, it serves a protective role. However, where it stands out is in its ability to not just defend but also chip away at an opponent’s resources with its discard effect. Pendelhaven Guardian, contrasts in that it boosts creatures’ toughness with no additional effect.
Reflecting on Gatekeeper of Malakir, there’s a striking resemblance in function — both disrupt the adversary’s field by dictating sacrifices. Yet, Unyielding Gatekeeper demands this sacrifice each time it blocks, a recurring advantage that Gatekeeper of Malakir, limited to its kicker ability, doesn’t offer regularly. Another parallel can be drawn with Burglar Rat; though both provoke discards, the Rat lacks the recurrent blocking impact of the Unyielding Gatekeeper.
Assessing the tactical benefits, Unyielding Gatekeeper earns its place in MTG decks that thrive on disrupting the opponent’s strategies repeatedly. Its blend of continuous control firmly establishes it as a noteworthy option for players valuing attrition and defense in their gameplay.
Cards similar to Unyielding Gatekeeper by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Unyielding Gatekeeper. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Decklist | Free form | Torino Tournament - Murders at Karlov Manor | |
 | Boros Aggro | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 09 2024 | |
 | Azorius Tempo | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 13 2024 | |
 | Naya Winota | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 13 2024 | |
 | Selesnya Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 11 2024 | |
 | Mono-White Death & Taxes | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 13 2024 | |
 | Death and Taxes | Legacy | Death and Taxes | Legacy Challenge 32 2024-03-17 |
 | Boros Initiative | Legacy | Boros Initiative | Legacy League 2024-02-28 |
 | Orzhov Control | Standard | Orzhov Midrange | MTG SEA Championships Thailand Open Season 2 Round 3 |
| Mardu Stoneblade | Legacy | Mardu Stoneblade | Legacy Qualifier 2024-03-01 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Unyielding Gatekeeper provides a unique twist on gaining card advantage. Instead of drawing cards directly, it disrupts your opponent’s strategy by forcing them to choose between surrendering valuable cards from their hand or letting you draw. This puts pressure on your adversary and can lead to significant card quality gains for you over time.
Resource Acceleration: While Unyielding Gatekeeper itself might not produce additional mana or tokens, its ability can indirectly lead to resource acceleration. By potentially reducing your opponent’s resources, you maintain the pace of your own development while hindering theirs. This creates a comparative acceleration in your favor as you can execute your game plans more efficiently.
Instant Speed: The capability to activate Unyielding Gatekeeper’s ability at instant speed grants you great flexibility during gameplay. This allows you to fully utilize your mana each turn, keeping your options open until the optimal moment arises to interfere with your opponent’s plans. Additionally, it plays well with the element of surprise, letting you disrupt your opponent at a time when they might think they are safe to make a play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Unyielding Gatekeeper forces a discard upon entering the battlefield. This can be particularly taxing if your hand is already depleted, and it might unintentionally provide your opponent with graveyard synergies, turning this drawback into an advantage for them.
Specific Mana Cost: With a precise mana requirement that includes blue and green, this card may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks that also operate outside these colors. Decks that aren’t centered on Simic colors could find it challenging to consistently meet the casting cost, which reduces the card’s versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring three mana, including two that are color-specific, can be seen as costly, especially when compared to other cards in the same category that provide similar effects for less mana. This can slow down your tempo, leaving you potentially vulnerable to faster strategies.
Reasons to Include Unyielding Gatekeeper in Your Collection
Versatility: Unyielding Gatekeeper lends itself to a variety of deck builds with its low casting cost and unique ability to control opponent movements. It’s an asset in decks that aim to dictate the pace of the game.
Combo Potential: With its ETB (Enter the Battlefield) trigger affecting each opponent, it can be part of synergistic plays in multiplayer formats. Pairing with cards that manipulate creature count can multiply its impact.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment rich with creature-based strategies, Unyielding Gatekeeper can be a key sideboard card or even main deck material in specific builds, proving its worth in the evolving game landscape.
How to beat
Unyielding Gatekeeper presents a unique tactical challenge for MTG players. This creature is not only resilient in combat but also capable of disrupting opponents’ strategies with its annoying tax-like ability. To outmaneuver this obstacle, consider deploying creatures with flying or other evasion abilities, rendering the Gatekeeper’s block ability practically useless. Another efficient tactic entails utilizing removal spells that can bypass the creature’s tax, such as those with the “can’t be countered” clause or that provide a secondary effect even if you can’t pay the tax.
Adapting your game plan can also prove effective. Prioritize casting your most important spells when the opponent is tapped out or lacks sufficient mana to activate the Gatekeeper’s ability. Alternatively, bait out the taxing effect with less crucial spells to pave the way for more significant plays. Remember, patience and strategic timing are pivotal in outlasting the Gatekeeper’s presence on the battlefield.
Ultimately, defeating this card hinges on a combination of deck adaptability, strategic spell casting, and leveraging the edges provided by evasion and precise removal. In doing so, the advantage that Unyielding Gatekeeper provides can be significantly mitigated or even turned to your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Unyielding Gatekeeper MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor and Murders at Karlov Manor, 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 Unyielding Gatekeeper 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
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Printings
The Unyielding Gatekeeper Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2024-02-09 and 2024-02-10. Illustrated by Borja Pindado.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor | MKM | 35 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Borja Pindado | |
| 2 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor | MKM | 392 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Borja Pindado | |
| 3 | 2024-02-10 | Murders at Karlov Manor Promos | PMKM | 35p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Borja Pindado | |
| 4 | 2024-02-10 | Murders at Karlov Manor Promos | PMKM | 35s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Borja Pindado |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Unyielding Gatekeeper has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Standardbrawl | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |