Defenestrate MTG Card
2021-09-24 - Number 95
2022-01-28 - Number 95
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Destroy target creature without flying.
The chaplain would perhaps have found some small comfort had he known that the replacement window would be named in his honor.
Cards like Defenestrate
Defenestrate holds a unique position among creature removal spells in Magic: The Gathering. It shares a common goal with classic removal spells such as Doom Blade, which targets non-black creatures, or Go for the Throat, focusing on non-artifact creatures. Defenestrate’s distinctive feature, however, is its limitation to destroy only creatures without flying, potentially a nod to its flavorful title.
There’s also Walk the Plank, which similarly destroys a non-flying creature, but it costs more mana and is a sorcery, not an instant, which can impact strategic timing. Yet another comparison can be made with the likes of Dead Weight—an aura that gives a creature -2/-2. While not always a definitive removal, it can handle small flyers that Defenestrate can’t reach.
Each of these spells offers different advantages and limitations. Defenestrate shines by being an instant speed interaction and for its low mana cost, making it an appealing choice within Magic: The Gathering’s suite of creature removals, especially in a deck geared towards dealing with grounded threats promptly and efficiently.
Cards similar to Defenestrate by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Defenestrate. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Orzhov Midrange | Historic | Other | MTGA Pauper: Historic Pauper Tournament (6 Jan '24) |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Defenestrate provides a targeted creature removal, helping you eliminate key threats on your opponent’s side of the board. Removing an opponent’s creature can disrupt their strategy and swing the game in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Although Defenestrate doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, by effectively handling opponent creatures, it allows you to maintain board control. This can indirectly lead to resource acceleration as you press the advantage and make more efficient plays.
Instant Speed: As a quick spell, Defenestrate can be cast at any time during your turn or your opponent’s turn. This flexibility lets you adapt to the game’s changing dynamics, using it as a surprise defense or an offensive step during an opponent’s end phase.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In the case of Defenestrate, one drawback is that there’s no discard requirement, but this can highlight the limitations of the card when comparing it to others that might offer additional benefits, such as removal plus card draw, for discarding as part of the cost.
Specific Mana Cost: Defenestrate’s casting cost requires three black mana symbols, which makes it less flexible in multicolored decks that may struggle with generating the necessary black mana at the right time. This can be a severe hindrance in formats where mana bases are stretched over multiple colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of three black mana for a simple destroy effect on creatures without flying, it might be considered inefficient. There are other removal options available at a lower cost or that can offer broader removal capabilities, impacting this card’s competitiveness in the current metagame.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Defenestrate offers an efficient removal option for creature-heavy decks. With the ability to target only creatures without flying, it seamlessly fits into black-dominated or multicolored decks that aim to keep the battlefield clear of terrestrial threats.
Combo Potential: In decks that revolve around creature control, Defenestrate can be a key enabler for death-trigger synergies. Pairing it with cards that benefit from creatures dying can enhance your overall strategy and fuel powerful interactions on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: As the game environment frequently includes formidable non-flying creatures, Defenestrate remains a relevant inclusion. Its presence can deter opponents from committing too heavily to a ground-based offense and may shift the balance in your favor during games.
How to Beat Defenestrate
Defenestrate is a unique removal spell in Magic: The Gathering that targets creatures without flying at a low mana cost. Its restriction to non-flyers can be seen as a downside when compared with other removal spells like Doom Blade, which can target any nonblack creature. However, Defenestrate’s lower cost makes it a more accessible option in the early game.
Comparatively, spells like Murder offer more flexibility by allowing you to destroy any creature at the cost of three mana. While Murder is not tied to the flying attribute, its higher mana cost could be a deciding factor when choosing the right removal spell for your deck.
To effectively counter Defenestrate, incorporating flying creatures in your deck is a straightforward tactic. Another strategy is to utilize creature spells that provide indestructibility or protection from black spells, rendering Defenestrate ineffective. In doing so, you safeguard your key creatures from this particular removal and maintain your board presence, turning the narrow scope of Defenestrate to your advantage.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Defenestrate MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Defenestrate and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Defenestrate Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Darek Zabrocki.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-09-24 | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | MID | 95 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Darek Zabrocki | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 95 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Darek Zabrocki |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Defenestrate has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |