Alpha Authority MTG Card


Alpha Authority - Gatecrash
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant
Released2013-02-01
Set symbol
Set nameGatecrash
Set codeGTC
Number114
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byDave Kendall

Key Takeaways

  1. Alpha Authority equips creatures with hexproof, posing a durable threat to opponents and demanding response.
  2. Protecting vital creatures accelerates your strategy, offering a singular but powerful fortification.
  3. While mono-green decks align perfectly with its mana cost, multi-colored decks may find it restrictive.

Text of card

Enchant creature Enchanted creature has hexproof and can't be blocked by more than one creature.

Even the bitterest enemies of the Burning-Tree Clan respect the strength of Borborygmos's rule.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Alpha Authority can be a hidden gem when it comes to card advantage. While it doesn’t draw you extra cards directly, it ensures the longevity of your key creatures. It turns any creature into a must-answer threat, potentially causing your opponents to expend more resources than they’d like to cope with it.

Resource Acceleration: Alpha Authority may not produce additional mana or tokens, but it accelerates your game plan by protecting your most valuable creatures. Safeguarding a mana-producing creature can be pivotal, giving you a reliable source of resource acceleration.

Instant Speed: Although Alpha Authority is an enchantment played at sorcery speed, it complements instant-speed strategies by protecting creatures you’d typically flash in. It’s about preemptively setting the stage for secure plays later, enabling uninterrupted strategies at any phase of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Alpha Authority doesn’t directly demand discarding cards, but in a sense, it requires you to invest in protecting a single creature. This can be seen as a sort of discard, as your resources are narrowed down to fortifying one creature at the expense of broader board development.

Specific Mana Cost: Alpha Authority’s mana cost is entirely in green, which means it seamlessly fits into mono-green builds but may be less convenient for multicolored decks that run tight on green mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While only costing two mana might appear low, when you consider the need for early board presence and development in a typical game, dedicating those two mana to Alpha Authority might not be as efficient compared to other options that can more proactively affect the board state.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Alpha Authority can be a beneficial addition to decks that prioritize the protection and resilience of their creatures. Its ability to grant hexproof and prevent multiple blocks ensures that key creatures remain a persistent threat on the board.

Combo Potential: This enchantment pairs excellently with creatures that have benefits upon dealing combat damage to a player, as it facilitates unblocked attacks. Integrating Alpha Authority with such creatures can lead to powerful synergies and game-changing combos.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames filled with targeted removal and combat tricks, Alpha Authority increases the durability of your creatures. This resilience can be critical in maintaining board presence and executing your strategy effectively amidst a landscape of control and removal-heavy decks.


How to Beat Alpha Authority

Alpha Authority is a unique aura in Magic The Gathering that can turn a creature into an incredibly resilient threat. It grants a creature both hexproof, preventing opponents from targeting it with spells or abilities, and it can’t be blocked by more than one creature, effectively giving it a form of evasion. When you’re facing a creature enchanted with Alpha Authority, removal spells that typically don’t target, such as board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation, become particularly effective. These sweep the board clean without needing to target the protected creature.

Another strategy involves using cards that force the opponent to sacrifice creatures, like Diabolic Edict or Liliana of the Veil. There’s no targeting involved, which bypasses hexproof protection. You can also turn to enchantment removal to directly deal with Alpha Authority. Cards like Naturalize or Disenchant remove it from the battlefield, stripping the creature of its protective benefits. Remember that while Alpha Authority makes a creature tough to deal with, it doesn’t make them invincible. With the right tactics, you can overcome the challenge it presents and regain control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Alpha Authority can change the tide of the game by turning your creatures into formidable threats. Its protection means your vital creatures dodge removal spells, remain on the battlefield longer, and consistently pressure your opponents. Yet, every choice in deck building matters, and it’s about finding the right balance to enhance your strategy. Considering its advantages and challenges, we invite you to dive deeper, learning how Alpha Authority can fortify your deck or exploring alternatives for your MTG collection. Discover more synergies, strategies, and ways to optimize your game plan with our insights.


Cards like Alpha Authority

Alpha Authority offers Magic: The Gathering players a distinctive blend of advantages for their creatures. In the realm of enchantments, it draws parallels with cards like Aspect of Hydra, which augments a creature’s power based on your devotion to green. While Aspect of Hydra temporarily boosts power, Alpha Authority excels by giving a creature not just hexproof but also the inability to be blocked by more than one creature. This opens strategic avenues for powerful single-target attacks reminiscent of cards such as Canopy Cover.

Another notable comparison is with Ranger’s Guile. This instant spell provides a quick hexproof to dodge removals at a lower cost but lacks Alpha Authority’s enduring unblockable nature and long-term strategic benefits. On the defense side, Alpha Authority stands in contrast with the versatility of Blossoming Defense, which offers an immediate power boost and hexproof when you need it. However, again, it lacks the unblockable feature and the permanence of Alpha Authority’s protection.

Considering these comparisons, Alpha Authority deserves a nod for its dual functionality that not only shields a creature from targeted spells but also facilitates potential unobstructed damage, making it a formidable choice for players who seek to enhance single creatures in their MTG decks.

Aspect of Hydra - MTG Card versions
Canopy Cover - MTG Card versions
Ranger's Guile - MTG Card versions
Blossoming Defense - MTG Card versions
Aspect of Hydra - MTG Card versions
Canopy Cover - MTG Card versions
Ranger's Guile - MTG Card versions
Blossoming Defense - MTG Card versions

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Aspect of Wolf - MTG Card versions
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Lifeforce - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Touch - MTG Card versions
Night Soil - MTG Card versions
Sylvan Library - MTG Card versions
Primal Rage - MTG Card versions
Survival of the Fittest - MTG Card versions
Crosswinds - MTG Card versions
Fortitude - MTG Card versions
Tranquil Grove - MTG Card versions
Treetop Bracers - MTG Card versions
Root Cage - MTG Card versions
Elfhame Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Compost - MTG Card versions
Thoughtleech - MTG Card versions
Weaver of Harmony - MTG Card versions
Shigeki, Jukai Visionary - MTG Card versions
Fertile Ground - MTG Card versions
Mark of Sakiko - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

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

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Alpha Authority has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

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