Defabricate MTG Card


Defabricate allows artifact recovery from the graveyard, significantly impacting resource advantage during play. Playing Defabricate at instant speed offers strategic adaptability, crucial for countering opponents’ moves. The card’s specific mana requirements may limit its use to certain deck builds that can support the cost.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Choose one — • Counter target artifact or enchantment spell. If a spell is countered this way, exile it instead of putting it into its owner's graveyard. • Counter target activated or triggered ability.


Cards like Defabricate

Defabricate is an intriguing addition to the suite of artifact interaction spells in Magic: The Gathering. This card echoes the functionality of cards such as Demystify and Naturalize, which also allow players to remove key artifacts or enchantments from the game. Defabricate distinguishes itself by only targeting artifacts but compensates with the added benefit of creating a 3/3 colorless Golem artifact creature token upon successful destruction of an artifact.

Consider comparing Defabricate to Shatter, another classic spell that solely targets artifacts. Shatter accomplishes the removal task for one less mana but lacks the creature creation aspect that Defabricate offers. This can be a significant trade-off, especially in artifact-heavy metas where that additional board presence is invaluable. Oxidize provides a similar comparison, offering the upside of costing even less and having the “cannot be regenerated” clause, but it similarly misses the creature token reward.

In sum, Defabricate offers a unique balance between artifact removal and board development. Against a backdrop of more straightforward artifact removal spells, its golem-creating ability gives it a sweet spot among MTG options for players looking to dismantle their opponent’s strategies while simultaneously fortifying their own position.

Demystify - MTG Card versions
Naturalize - MTG Card versions
Shatter - MTG Card versions
Oxidize - MTG Card versions
Demystify - MTG Card versions
Naturalize - MTG Card versions
Shatter - MTG Card versions
Oxidize - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Defabricate 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
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
Vision Skeins - MTG Card versions
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
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
Vision Skeins - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Defabricate. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Izzet ControlIzzet Control StandardIzzet ControlBoa Qualifier #1 (standard)
Hidden StringsHidden Strings PioneerHidden StringsPioneer Preliminary 2024-01-06
Dimir MidrangeDimir Midrange StandardDimir Midrange2023Players Convention Aichi 2023 Standard Open

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Defabricate confers a substantial edge by letting you pull an artifact of your choice into your hand from your graveyard. This recycling of valuable resources propels you forward in the game while depleting your opponent’s leverage.

Resource Acceleration: Besides its retrieval capability, this card fuels your mana pool. By returning an artifact to your hand, you can replay it, potentially accelerating your resource generation and giving you a decisive upper hand in the match.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Defabricate at instant speed provides immense strategic flexibility. It allows you to adapt swiftly to the state of play, reassembling your game plan on the fly or disrupting your opponent’s strategy when they least expect it.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Defabricate has an additional cost that necessitates discarding a card. This could put you at a disadvantage, particularly in the late game when every card in hand is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: A noticeable aspect of Defabricate is its specific mana requirements, needing both white and blue. This may restrict its integration only to decks that can reliably generate both colors of mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Defabricate’s cost is somewhat elevated, taking up a significant portion of your mana resources in the early to mid-game. This can slow your game plan, as there may be alternative cards that offer similar utility at a lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Defabricate in Your Collection

Versatility: Defabricate can seamlessly adapt to a wide array of deck types. This card is particularly useful in artifact-focused strategies, where dismantling an opponent’s key pieces while bolstering your own board state can be game-changing.

Combo Potential: As a tool that interacts with the artifact aspect of the game, Defabricate shines. It has the capacity to synergize with decks that exploit artifact sacrifices or graveyard retrieval, enabling intricate combos and unexpected plays.

Meta-Relevance: With a metagame that frequently features artifact-heavy decks, having a card like Defabricate ready means you’re well-equipped to counter and pivot in such an environment, making it an essential piece of tech in various competitive formats.


How to beat

Defabricate is a recent addition to Magic: The Gathering, challenging players with its artifact removal capabilities. Combatting cards like Defabricate requires a tactical approach, understanding that artifacts form the foundational strategy for many decks. To counter this, diversifying your strategy beyond heavy reliance on artifacts is prudent. Similarly, cards with abilities to protect artifacts or that can swiftly recur them from the graveyard can be potent. Employing counterspells or using deck designs that are less vulnerable to targeted removal can also help maintain your board presence.

Playing around Defabricate involves timing the deployment of your artifacts. Instead of playing out your valuable artifacts early, you might wait until you have the means to counter potential removal, either through spells or abilities that can negate or redirect the effect. Furthermore, adopting a wider variety of threats in your deck ensures that removing one artifact won’t disrupt your overall game plan. Hence, while Defabricate can disrupt certain strategies, it can be mitigated with careful deck construction and strategic play.


BurnMana Recommendations

Unraveling the dynamics of Defabricate offers a fresh perspective on artifact play in MTG. With its dual nature of resource recuperation and instant speed play, it’s clear this card is more than just removal—it’s a strategic enabler. Grasping its strengths and potential pitfalls is key to making savvy decisions during deck building and gameplay. For those keen on optimizing their decks and keen to tap into the latest strategies, Defabricate is a card to consider. Dive deeper with us into the intricacies of MTG and refine your deck to its utmost potential, whether you’re battling in casual circles or aiming for the top in competitive play.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Defabricate // Defabricate MTG card by a specific set like The Brothers' War Art Series and The Brothers' War, 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 Defabricate // Defabricate and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Defabricate // Defabricate Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-11-18 and 2022-11-18. Illustrated by Uriah Voth.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-11-18The Brothers' War Art SeriesABRO 92015Art seriesBorderlessUriah Voth
22022-11-18The Brothers' WarBRO 452015NormalBlackUriah Voth

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Defabricate has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Defabricate card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2022-10-14 Activated abilities contain a colon. They're generally written "
-ost:
-ffect]." Some keyword abilities (such as equip and unearth) are activated abilities and will have colons in their reminder text.
2022-10-14 The last mode can target delayed triggered abilities. Notably, it can target the delayed triggered ability that exiles an unearthed permanent at the beginning of the next end step. If that delayed triggered ability is countered, the unearthed permanent remains on the battlefield indefinitely. It will still be exiled, however, if it would die or otherwise leave the battlefield for any other reason.
2022-10-14 Triggered abilities use the word "when," "whenever," or "at." They're often written as "
-rigger condition],
-ffect]."
2022-10-14 Turn-based actions and special actions like the normal card draw, combat damage, or turning a face-down creature face up can't be targeted. Mana abilities also can't be targeted.