This 1996 Alliances expansion card features the Unlikely Alliance enchantment, offering strategic defensive utility for Magic: The Gathering collectors.
1996 • Magic: The Gathering • Alliances
No listings available right now.
| Condition | Value | Source | Trend | Price Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$0.22 | Guide Estimate | +4.8% | ||
Raw / Ungraded
TCGplayer Market (reference) · Guide Estimate evidence · captured Oct 29, 2026
Released in 1996 as part of the Alliances expansion, Unlikely Alliance holds card number 20 in the set. This uncommon enchantment card is a staple for players who appreciate strategic depth and defensive maneuvers within Magic: The Gathering. The card requires a single white mana to cast, making it accessible early in the game while providing significant tactical value. Its primary effect allows a controller to designate a nonattacking, nonblocking creature and grant it a +0/+2 bonus until the end of the turn. This ability is particularly useful for stabilizing a board state or protecting key units from removal spells, embodying the strategic flexibility that defined early white mana designs. Collectors of vintage Magic: The Gathering cards often seek out cards from the Alliances set due to its distinct mechanical innovations and historical significance in the game's evolution. Unlikely Alliance stands out for its straightforward yet effective text, which encourages creative deck building and tactical decision-making. The card's design reflects the era's focus on complex interactions and player choice, making it a fascinating piece for those studying the game's history. Whether you are building a vintage collection or exploring the roots of modern gameplay, this card offers a window into the creative direction of Magic: The Gathering during its second year of existence. The interplay between offense and defense is a core theme in the game, and Unlikely Alliance exemplifies this balance. Its enduring appeal lies in its simplicity and effectiveness, traits that continue to resonate with both new and experienced players. By adding this card to your collection, you gain a tangible connection to the strategic foundations of one of the most enduring trading card games in history.
We'll pre-fill the product details from this catalog entry, so your listing lands on this exact page. Just add photos of your copy, pick its condition, and set your price.
The catalog profile below summarizes the card identity, featured subject, and notable collectible traits.
The core identity of the card within the set.
The subject, team, league, and sport context tied to this card.
Featured
Unlikely Alliance
Game
Magic: The Gathering
Rarity, print treatment, and game-specific stats for this card.
Uncommon
Phil Foglio
Card Stock
English
{1}{W}
Enchantment
W
Abilities, attacks, oracle text, and flavor text printed on the card.
{1}{W}: Target nonattacking, nonblocking creature gets +0/+2 until end of turn.
"Strange alliances are alliances still, and provide the same protection." —King Darien of Kjeldor
FAQ
Unlikely Alliance is an Enchantment card from the Alliances expansion. It costs one generic mana and one white mana to cast, and its effect grants a target nonattacking, nonblocking creature +0/+2 until the end of the turn.
The Alliances set was released in 1996 as the third main set in the Alpha/Beta/Unlimited era of Magic: The Gathering. It introduced new mechanics and expanded the strategic possibilities for players using mono-white and mono-blue strategies.
Collectors value Unlikely Alliance for its role in the early strategic evolution of Magic: The Gathering. As part of the Alliances expansion, it represents a period of experimental design that helped shape the competitive landscape of the game in its formative years.
Browse sets, compare artwork, and track your collection.