Defiler of Faith MTG Card


Generates 1/1 tokens with white spells, enhancing board presence and strategic depth in gameplay. Requires careful hand management to balance its powerful effects with the discard requirement. Defiler of Faith carves a niche in mono-white decks, leveraging token synergy and combo potential.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Phyrexian Human
Abilities Vigilance
Power 5
Toughness 5

Text of card

Vigilance As an additional cost to cast white permanent spells, you may pay 2 life. Those spells cost less to cast if you paid life this way. This effect reduces only the amount of white mana you pay. Whenever you cast a white permanent spell, create a 1/1 white Soldier creature token.


Cards like Defiler of Faith

Defiler of Faith stands out as a notable creature within the pantheon of white cards in Magic: The Gathering. It has parallels to other powerful creatures such as Benalish Marshal, which bestows a stat boost to your other creatures. Although Benalish Marshal affects a wider range of creatures by not being color-restricted, Defiler of Faith’s specificity to white spells can be an advantage in a mono-white deck, ensuring its buffs are consistently applied to the spells you cast.

Considering other creatures with similar effects, Knight of the White Orchid is another card that serves a dual purpose by increasing your land count alongside offering a body on the battlefield. While it doesn’t directly boost your creatures like Defiler of Faith, the additional lands can be crucial for maintaining tempo and casting those impactful white spells sooner. And then there’s Mentor of the Meek, which opts for card draw over blanket stat increases, rewarding you for playing creatures with lower power.

Evaluating these options, Defiler of Faith finds its niche by catering specifically to white-centric decks, offering buffs that can progressively strengthen your board presence with the casting of each white spell, especially in a dedicated strategy.

Benalish Marshal - MTG Card versions
Knight of the White Orchid - MTG Card versions
Mentor of the Meek - MTG Card versions
Benalish Marshal - MTG Card versions
Knight of the White Orchid - MTG Card versions
Mentor of the Meek - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Defiler of Faith by color, type and mana cost

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Shu Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Conclave Phalanx - MTG Card versions
Veteran Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Rashida Scalebane - MTG Card versions
Avenging Angel - MTG Card versions
Lancers en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Radiant, Archangel - MTG Card versions
Master Healer - MTG Card versions
Angel of Mercy - MTG Card versions
Serra Angel - MTG Card versions
Border Patrol - MTG Card versions
Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Sigardian Savior - MTG Card versions
Celestial Gatekeeper - MTG Card versions
Collector Protector - MTG Card versions
Kiyomaro, First to Stand - MTG Card versions
Belfry Spirit - MTG Card versions
Petra Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Barrenton Medic - MTG Card versions
Ivory Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Shu Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Conclave Phalanx - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Defiler of Faith is designed to bolster your hand by enabling you to potentially play more white spells. Whenever you cast a white spell, you get a 1/1 white Soldier creature token, effectively increasing your on-board presence with every spell cast.

Resource Acceleration: Each creature token you generate with Defiler of Faith has the potential to pave the way for bigger and more impactful plays. These tokens can be utilized as blockers, attackers, or even sacrificed if the strategy requires, thus providing a multipurpose resource that accelerates your game plan.

Instant Speed: While Defiler of Faith itself is not an instant, its ability triggers whenever you cast a white spell. This synergizes exceptionally with instant-speed white spells you may play on your opponent’s turn, allowing you to create creature tokens and strengthen your board state at any point within the game cycle.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Defiler of Faith prescribes a discard action, potentially depleting your hand and weakening your position if you can’t compensate for the card loss.

Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost demands a heavy investment in white mana, which could be restrictive for multicolor decks and diminish its versatility across different strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Boasting a substantial mana cost in relation to its impact on the game, Defiler of Faith might be overshadowed by lower-cost alternatives that provide a similar level of influence on the battlefield.


Reasons to Include Defiler of Faith in Your Collection

Versatility: Defiler of Faith is a card that offers flexibility across various deck archetypes. Its ability to generate tokens can be a substantial boon for strategies that capitalize on creature presence or sacrifice mechanics.

Combo Potential: With the integration of this card, players can potentially unlock powerful combinations, especially in decks geared towards utilizing creature tokens to fuel synergistic effects or as fodder for other card abilities.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment that’s teeming with creature-centric decks or where token strategies are prevalent, Defiler of Faith can serve as both an offensive and defensive asset. Its relevance to the current MTG gameplay scene makes it a worthwhile consideration for anyone looking to stay competitive.


How to beat

Defiler of Faith has the capacity to disrupt the battlefield with its enduring presence in Magic: The Gathering. To effectively counter this formidable card, one must approach with strategic precision. Enchantment removal spells are a player’s best avenue to diminish its influence. Cards like Disenchant or Mortify provide a swift resolution to the threats posed by Defiler of Faith, as they directly target problematic permanents.

Another tactic lies in the utilization of counterspells to prevent Defiler of Faith from ever touching the board. Denying your opponent the opportunity to cast this powerful creature can turn the tides in your favor. Cards such as Negate or Essence Scatter, are exemplary in their role as preventive measures. Control decks that capitalize on permission-based gameplay will find these tools particularly useful in maintaining dominance over such a high-impact card.

Lastly, engaging in combat with creatures that can either bypass or overpower Defiler of Faith is a solid strategy. Creatures with flying or other evasion abilities can outmaneuver Defiler of Faith’s terrestrial limitations, while larger creatures can simply overpower it in battle. By assessing and employing a mix of these tactics, players can successfully navigate the challenge posed by Defiler of Faith and continue to thrive in their MTG endeavors.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering Magic the Gathering often comes down to recognizing the perfect fit for your distinctive deck, and Defiler of Faith offers a compelling option for white spell enthusiasts. With its ability to create new creature tokens and expand your battlefield presence, the pros of this card can outweigh the cons in a focused strategy. Whether you’re tweaking an existing deck or building a new one, considering how Defiler of Faith can synergize with your game plan is crucial. Curious about maximizing its potential or discovering alternative strategies that could shake up your gameplay? Dive deeper into our hub of MTG knowledge and gain the insights to optimize your playstyle with Defiler of Faith and other influential cards.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Defiler of Faith MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Dominaria United, 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 Defiler of Faith and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Defiler of Faith Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2022-09-09 and 2022-09-09. Illustrated by Magali Villeneuve.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 1033942015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve
22022-09-09Dominaria UnitedDMU 3852015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve
32022-09-09Dominaria UnitedDMU 162015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve
42022-09-09Dominaria United PromosPDMU 16s2015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve
52022-09-09Dominaria United PromosPDMU 16p2015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Defiler of Faith has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-09-09 Some players may make the mental shortcut that the Defilers effectively turn one of the colored mana symbols in the spell’s cost into a Phyrexian colored mana symbol. Despite the similarity in function, this ability does not cause the spells to have Phyrexian mana symbols in their costs. Sorry, Rage Extractor!
2022-09-09 You may only pay the additional cost once per permanent spell.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.