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Defender is one of the original mechanics in Magic: The Gathering, first introduced in the Alpha set. Although it was not officially named until the 2004 Champions of Kamigawa set, defender has been a staple mechanic ever since. As an evergreen keyword, it consistently appears in new card releases.
Even with its long history, the number of cards featuring defender is relatively limited compared to other long-standing mechanics. The small pool of defender cards is intentional, as they generally serve less purpose outside of Limited formats and can often feel less useful than other abilities.
Understanding Defender
Creatures with defender cannot attack; their role is strictly to block. These creatures typically have low power but high toughness, which makes them suitable for defense rather than offense. In most cases, having defender is seen as a disadvantage since the inability to attack often outweighs the benefits of high toughness.
The Wall creature type automatically has defender. Before the mechanic received its formal name, all Walls had this ability. If a Wall card doesn’t explicitly mention it, it has been adjusted to include defender.
To counterbalance the inherent limitations of creatures with defender, many possess useful abilities or effects. For example, a creature may have deathtouch, ensuring that it trades favorably with stronger attackers, or it may provide consistent damage over time.
While they typically can’t attack, some cards allow defenders to strike as though they didn’t have this limitation. When this occurs, they often deal damage based on their toughness instead of their power.
This alternative damage mechanic is called “backbone.” While not an official keyword, it was named on Magic: Arena in 2020 and often accompanies cards allowing defenders to attack.
You can also give the defender ability to other creatures, commonly seen in Auras designed to deprive opponents of their ability to attack. This effect occasionally merges with the ability to disable all of the enchanted creature’s other abilities.
Maximizing the Use of Defender
Generally, creatures with defender do not stand alone effectively. Outside of Limited formats, there’s usually little reason to include them in your deck. However, you can create a strong deck tailored specifically around this mechanic.
Many cards support the defender creature type, enabling cohesive strategies. A defender deck is especially effective in Commander, where you have access to the widest array of cards. If you’re searching for a suitable commander, Arcades, the Strategist is an excellent choice, allowing your defenders to attack and drawing cards when defender creatures enter the battlefield.
High Alert and Assault Formation both grant defenders the ability to attack while using their toughness for damage. Towering Titan provides major boosts based on toughness and trample if you sacrifice a defender. Overgrown Battlement and Axebane Guardian can generate mana equal to the number of defenders you control, making them effective mana producers for a defender-focused deck.
When playing with a lot of defenders, you can effectively protect your life total from attackers unless your opponent has a massive board presence. With high toughness, defenders can comfortably block most attacking creatures without the threat of being defeated in combat.
Top Cards Featuring Defender
Tree of Perdition
Tree of Perdition has seen competitive play, not for its casting but rather for its ability to be sent to the graveyard and then exiled using Agatha’s Soul Cauldron to transfer its effect to another creature, creating a potent combo.
Using a creature with only one toughness, you can easily reduce your opponent’s life total to one and then close the game with simple burn damage. Alternatively, you can win by attacking with any creature that can inflict at least one damage.
Thermo-Alchemist
Thermo-Alchemist is a standout card in burn strategies, as every burn spell can untap it and deal more damage. Its significant toughness makes it durable in combat, allowing it to remain on the battlefield.
While many defenders struggle to impact gameplay, Thermo-Alchemist shines. With the right combination of burn spells, it’s possible to deal a substantial portion of an opponent’s life total in a single turn.
Sunscape Familiar
Sunscape Familiar straightforwardly reduces the cost of green and blue spells by one. This mechanic is crucial to the Familiars archetype in the Pauper format, enabling infinite loops that generate unlimited tokens, and it can also facilitate substantial card draws.
Furthermore, Sunscape Familiar is considered only a mono-white card, allowing it to be played in decks that limit colors to white and green. This flexibility can be quite advantageous.
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