Hisoka's Defiance MTG Card


Hisoka's Defiance - Champions of Kamigawa
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2004-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameChampions of Kamigawa
Set codeCHK
Number67
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byGreg Hildebrandt

Key Takeaways

  1. Offers card advantage and disrupts foes by returning creatures to their hand at instant speed.
  2. Demand for specific blue mana and card discard can limit its playability and versatility.
  3. Despite a higher mana cost, its potential in certain metagames makes it a worthy addition.

Text of card

Counter target Spirit or Arcane spell.

"With every passing day, the kami shape our world to suit their will. I, for one, would not see them succeed."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Hisoka’s Defiance enables the player to return up to two target creatures to their owner’s hand. This not only disrupts the opponent’s board presence but also can potentially provide card advantage by negating the resources spent by the opponent in casting those creatures.

Resource Acceleration: By returning creatures to the hand, it can delay the opponent’s strategy, effectively accelerating your own position in the game relative to theirs. Although not directly affecting mana, the tempo gained can be essential in outpacing the opposition.

Instant Speed: The instant speed of Hisoka’s Defiance allows for flexible play. It can be cast during the opponent’s turn to surprise them or after they’ve declared attackers, offering significant tactical advantages and making it a versatile tool in any match situation.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Hisoka’s Defiance commands you to part with another card from your hand, which could tilt the scales during moments when your options are scant, effectively dwindling your strategic arsenal.

Specific Mana Cost: With its allegiance to blue mana, this card demands a dedicated slot in your mana base. This could make it a clumsy fit in multicolored decks or those that operate on a tight color curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sporting a casting cost that might make you think twice, Hisoka’s Defiance sits at a point on the mana curve where players vie for impactful plays. In a realm where mana efficiency is king, it’s possible that its cost could eclipse its utility.


Reasons to Include Hisoka’s Defiance in Your Collection

Versatility: Hisoka’s Defiance is a flexible card, capable of being slotted into various blue-based decks. Its ability to counter a spell unless its caster pays an additional cost makes it a suitable inclusion for decks that aim to disturb the opponent’s tempo.

Combo Potential: This card is not only a reactive measure against your opponent’s spells but can also seamlessly fit into decks that thrive on casting instants and sorceries, enabling and supporting intricate combo plays.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the presence of spell-heavy decks in the current meta, Hisoka’s Defiance can play a crucial role in thwarting opponents’ strategies, keeping your deck competitive and proactive within the game’s ever-changing landscape.


How to Beat Hisoka’s Defiance

Hisoka’s Defiance stands out as a notable countermeasure against blue or red spells in Magic: The Gathering. Its specific targeting parameters can be the linchpin for strategic deck builders looking to shield critical plays from these colors. Yet, like any card, it has its vulnerabilities. To overcome Hisoka’s Defiance, flexibility in deck construction is key – incorporating spells outside the blue or red spectrum, or using cards with abilities that cannot be countered, ensures that your pivotal moves aren’t easily thwarted.

Another method is baiting out the Defiance with less critical spells, prompting its premature use. Utilizing instant-speed spells that can stack upon one another also circumvents the potential blockade Hisoka’s Defiance poses. By forcing the opponent to choose which spell to counter, you create opportunities for your more crucial spells to resolve. Lastly, simply including cards that function from the graveyard or have rebound effects can help mitigate the disruption caused by Hisoka’s Defiance, as it only targets spells on the stack, not abilities or spells returning from alternate zones.

In essence, defeating Hisoka’s Defiance requires a combination of alternative color utilizations, strategic baiting of counters, and the use of uncounterable or resilient spells to ensure your game plan isn’t derailed by a single interruption.


Cards like Hisoka's Defiance

Hisoka’s Defiance earns its place in the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering counter spells. Fans of traditional cancel techniques will find its predecessor in Counterspell, which serves a straightforward purpose with no frills – it simply counteracts the efforts of your opponent’s spell at an equitable cost. Hisoka’s Defiance adds a twist with its conditional casting, requiring that the target spell is blue. This specificity can be both a boon and a bane, depending on the matchup.

Then there’s Negate, which offers a broader scope, countering noncreature spells at a low cost. While it can handle a wider variety of threats, it lacks the authority to quash creatures that Hisoka’s Defiance might intercept if they’re blue. Finally, Ceremonious Rejection deserves a mention. Tailor-made to counter colorless spells, it tends to shine in environments rich with artifacts and Eldrazi creatures. While not a direct competitor to Hisoka’s Defiance, it highlights the importance of situational awareness in deck building.

Ultimately, Hisoka’s Defiance is a card that shines in matchups laden with blue spells. Its niche placement does not undermine its potential, as it may well provide the perfect foil to specific strategies within the diverse ecosystem of Magic: The Gathering.

Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Negate - MTG Card versions
Ceremonious Rejection - MTG Card versions
Counterspell - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Negate - Morningtide (MOR)
Ceremonious Rejection - Kaladesh (KLD)

Cards similar to Hisoka's Defiance by color, type and mana cost

Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Hurkyl's Recall - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - MTG Card versions
Lat-Nam's Legacy - MTG Card versions
Flash - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Rebound - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Hoodwink - MTG Card versions
Tidal Bore - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Aether Burst - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Early Frost - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Remand - MTG Card versions
Counterspell - Commander Masters (CMM)
Hurkyl's Recall - Antiquities (ATQ)
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - Throne of Eldraine (ELD)
Lat-Nam's Legacy - Alliances (ALL)
Flash - Mirage (MIR)
Boomerang - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Rebound - Stronghold (STH)
Memory Lapse - Strixhaven Mystical Archive (STA)
Hoodwink - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Tidal Bore - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Accumulated Knowledge - World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)
Aether Burst - Odyssey (ODY)
Impulse - Game Night: Free-for-All (GN3)
Cyclonic Rift - Commander Masters (CMM)
Thassa's Intervention - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Metamorphose - Scourge (SCG)
Echoing Truth - Modern Masters (MMA)
Early Frost - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Mana Leak - Double Masters 2022 (2X2)
Remand - Duel Decks: Jace vs. Vraska (DDM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hisoka's Defiance MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa, 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 Hisoka's Defiance and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hisoka's Defiance has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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