Delif's Cone MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact |
| Released | 1994-11-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Fallen Empires |
| Set code | FEM |
| Number | 84 |
| Frame | 1993 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Mark Tedin |
Text of card
oc T: Sacrifice Delif's Cone. If target creature you control attacks and is not blocked, you may choose to gain its power in life. If you do so, it deals no damage to opponent this turn.
"Where is it written that beasts must cause pain?" —Delif, *Ponderings*
Cards like Delif's Cone
Delif’s Cone offers players a unique form of protection in the world of Magic: The Gathering. Comparable to other defensive artifacts like Shield Sphere, which can block any number of attacks without costing any mana, Delif’s Cone stands out by giving you the option to thwart an attack without losing a creature. While Shield Sphere can be used repeatedly but loses defense points with each block, Delif’s Cone requires a sacrifice after a single use but can be a game-saver in a pinch.
When thinking about other similar cards, Prismatic Strands comes to mind with its ability to prevent damage from a certain color—though at the cost of mana and being limited to a color. Delif’s Cone requires no mana, allowing for surprise plays. Then, there’s Fog, a green staple that prevents all combat damage for a turn. While Fog affects the entire battlefield, Delif’s Cone’s protection is targeted but also has the added flexibility of activation timing due to its artifact nature.
Each option carries inherent strategic uses, and Delif’s Cone finds its niche by providing immediate single-use damage prevention without a mana requirement, which could complement various playing styles and defensive strategies within Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Delif's Cone by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Delif’s Cone is not traditionally known for providing direct card advantage, but it offers a unique interaction by potentially saving a key creature from harm. This can translate to a form of card advantage as it helps maintain your board presence.
Resource Acceleration: Although Delif’s Cone does not provide typical resource acceleration like generating mana or treasure tokens, it affords you the strategic acceleration of retaining a vital creature on the field that could be crucial for your game-winning strategy.
Instant Speed: As an artifact with the ability to be activated at instant speed, Delif’s Cone offers flexible defense. This allows you to adapt to the dynamic landscape of a game by securing the protection of a creature at a critical moment without telegraphing your plans to the opponent beforehand.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Delif’s Cone demands a card to be discarded when activated. This mandatory action could set players back, especially if their hand is already depleted or they have crucial cards they cannot afford to lose.
Specific Mana Cost: Delif’s Cone has an activation cost that requires colorless mana. This specificity can potentially hinder the card’s integration into decks that struggle to generate such mana or prefer to use their resources elsewhere.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Delif’s Cone provides a protective ability, it comes at the cost of four mana. This cost is considered steep, particularly when compared to other defensive options available in the game that may provide greater value or versatility for a similar, if not lower, investment.
Reasons to Include Delif’s Cone in Your Collection
Versatility: Delif’s Cone is a card that can serve multiple functions in a deck. Its ability to protect your creatures by sacrificing it adds a valuable defensive layer, especially useful in decks that focus on key creatures or have a strong need for board presence maintenance.
Combo Potential: With its sacrifice outlet, Delif’s Cone opens up possibilities for combo plays in decks that capitalize on sacrifice mechanics. It can become an integral piece in engines looking to exploit death triggers or needing an artifact to sacrifice at a moment’s notice.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where removal spells and board wipes are prevalent, Delif’s Cone provides a cost-effective method to safeguard your creatures. This makes it a timely addition to any collection, as it helps to navigate the challenges posed by opponents’ strategies revolving around destroying or damaging your creatures.
How to beat
Delif’s Cone is one of those niche artifacts in Magic the Gathering that can subtly shift the tide of battle. Sometimes underestimated, this unassuming card can be used to save your creatures from destruction or even from being targeted. It’s a low-cost investment with the potential for high impact, especially in the early stages of the game.
To navigate around Delif’s Cone, it’s essential to anticipate its activation. Cards with hexproof can bypass the protection it offers, rendering it ineffective as a shield. Additionally, employing removal spells that don’t target, such as board wipes, can clear the way without Delif’s Cone’s influence being a factor. Watch for the opportune moment when mana is spent and Delif’s Cone is less likely to be activated, and strike with targeted removal then.
In essence, while Delif’s Cone might offer your opponent a strategic edge in safeguarding their creatures, understanding its mechanics and knowing when to deploy your resources can render its abilities moot. Successfully beating this card hinges on smart timing, patience, and making sure your deck is equipped to handle artifacts and their accompanying tricks.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Delif's Cone MTG card by a specific set like Fallen Empires, 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 Delif's Cone 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Delif's Cone has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Delif's Cone card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | If you use the ability after blockers are declared, it won’t trigger at all. So you want to use it before blockers are declared. |
| 2004-10-04 | This card has an activated ability that creates a triggered ability which watches the target creature. |
| 2013-04-15 | An ability that triggers when something “attacks and isn’t blocked” triggers in the declare blockers step after blockers are declared if (1) that creature is attacking and (2) no creatures are declared to block it. It will trigger even if that creature was put onto the battlefield attacking rather than having been declared as an attacker in the declare attackers step. |