Heroic Defiance MTG Card


Offers card advantage by removing threats and preserving player resources at a critical junction. Flexibility at instant speed allows for tactical responses and potential game-changing moments. Combining with certain creatures can unlock synergies, making it a valuable addition to themed decks.
Heroic Defiance - Planeshift
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant
Released2001-02-05
Set symbol
Set namePlaneshift
Set codePLS
Number6
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byTerese Nielsen

Text of card

Enchanted creature gets +3/+3 unless it shares a color with the most common color among all permanents or a color tied for most common.

"Wear courage as your armor. Wield honor as your blade." —Gerrard


Cards like Heroic Defiance

Heroic Defiance stands as a robust choice in Magic: The Gathering for players looking to protect and empower their creatures. It invites comparisons to cards like Gods Willing, which also offers protection from a color of your choice. However, Heroic Defiance steps further by granting a +1/+1 boost in addition to protection, enhancing both the offensive and defensive capabilities of your creature.

Another card with a similar protective ethos is Sheltering Light, precisely offering indestructibility. Yet it doesn’t give the offensive edge that Heroic Defiance does. Joining the ranks is also Adamant Will, providing a +2/+2 advantage and indestructibility at a similar cost. While it lacks the color protection given by Heroic Defiance, it offers a greater power boost which could be decisive during combat.

Comparatively, Heroic Defiance carves out a distinct niche for its dual functionality. It not only insulates your creature from harm but it also turns it into a more formidable opponent. The fine balance of defense and offense makes Heroic Defiance a card that can swing the momentum in your favor within the play environment of Magic: The Gathering.

Gods Willing - MTG Card versions
Sheltering Light - MTG Card versions
Adamant Will - MTG Card versions
Gods Willing - MTG Card versions
Sheltering Light - MTG Card versions
Adamant Will - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Heroic Defiance by color, type and mana cost

Blessing - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: White - MTG Card versions
Island Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Crusade - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Blue - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Artifacts - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Red - MTG Card versions
Energy Storm - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Black - MTG Card versions
Ward of Lights - MTG Card versions
Gossamer Chains - MTG Card versions
I'm Rubber, You're Glue - MTG Card versions
Absolute Grace - MTG Card versions
Seal of Cleansing - MTG Card versions
Absolute Law - MTG Card versions
Sacred Ground - MTG Card versions
Pacifism - MTG Card versions
Hypochondria - MTG Card versions
Soulcatchers' Aerie - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Green - MTG Card versions
Blessing - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: White - MTG Card versions
Island Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Crusade - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Blue - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Artifacts - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Red - MTG Card versions
Energy Storm - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Black - MTG Card versions
Ward of Lights - MTG Card versions
Gossamer Chains - MTG Card versions
I'm Rubber, You're Glue - MTG Card versions
Absolute Grace - MTG Card versions
Seal of Cleansing - MTG Card versions
Absolute Law - MTG Card versions
Sacred Ground - MTG Card versions
Pacifism - MTG Card versions
Hypochondria - MTG Card versions
Soulcatchers' Aerie - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Green - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Heroic Defiance excels in providing card advantage by potentially removing two threats with one card. This can swing the game in your favor by depleting your opponent’s resources while maintaining your own.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana, Heroic Defiance can accelerate your game plan by freeing up resources. Saving your creatures from removal or negating an opponent’s attack without additional mana investment allows you to develop your board with less resistance.

Instant Speed: The strength of Heroic Defiance lies in its flexibility at instant speed. This timing enables you to adapt to your opponent’s actions, creating surprise “blowouts” that can turn the tide of the game when least expected.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Heroic Defiance necessitates discarding a card, which can poses a setback during critical gameplay when hand size is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Heroic Defiance includes white, potentially restricting its integration in multicolored or off-theme decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher than average mana cost for its effect, players might find alternatives that provide similar benefits with less resource investment.


Reasons to Include Heroic Defiance in Your Collection

Versatility: Heroic Defiance offers a unique mix of both protective and aggressive elements that can be integrated into decks focusing on creature-based strategies. Its ability to grant indestructibility and a power boost makes it a flexible card in both offensive and defensive situations.

Combo Potential: Combining this card with creatures that have tap abilities or those that benefit from being targeted by spells can unlock powerful synergies. It can enhance strategies that revolve around “heroic” mechanics, or in simply allowing your creatures to survive board wipes and fight another turn.

Meta-Relevance: In a format where direct removal and sweepers are prevalent, Heroic Defiance can give you the upper hand by safeguarding your key creatures. Its capacity to turn a stable board state into a lethal threat aligns well with the pace of many current competitive formats.


How to beat Heroic Defiance

Heroic Defiance is a card that can bolster the battlefield presence by providing creatures with not only a boost in power but also the essential protection from a color of your choice until end of turn. This can turn the tide of combat in favor of the player casting Heroic Defiance, making it a formidable card to face during gameplay. The key to overcoming this card lies in timing and strategic removal.

Utilize instant speed removal spells that don’t target specific colors, or wait until the protection wears off to deploy your targeted removal. Sweepers are also effective, as they bypass the protection by not targeting. Additionally, countering Heroic Defiance before it takes effect can neutralize its impact entirely. Lastly, focus on non-combat strategies to outmaneuver opponents relying on Heroic Defiance, such as direct player damage, milling, or leveraging control elements until you can safely address their creatures. Understanding these strategies and incorporating versatile answers in your deck will help in dominating matches against decks featuring Heroic Defiance.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Heroic Defiance MTG card by a specific set like Planeshift, 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 Heroic Defiance and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Heroic Defiance has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal