Defender of the Order MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Cleric |
| Abilities | Morph |
| Released | 2003-02-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Legions |
| Set code | LGN |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 11 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Darrell Riche |
Key Takeaways
- Generates card advantage by protecting key creatures in critical moments during combat.
- Morph ability offers instant speed reactions and strategic flexibility in gameplay.
- Defender of the Order’s mana cost and discard requirement demand strategic deck building.
Text of card
Morph (You may play this face down as a 2/2 creature for . Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.) When Defender of the Order is turned face up, creatures you control get +0/+2 until end of turn.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Defender of the Order possesses the potential to generate considerable card advantage as it can potentially prevent the loss of your key creatures during combat or from targeted removal.
Resource Acceleration: Even though Defender of the Order doesn’t directly produce additional mana or resources, its role in safeguarding your creatures can indirectly lead to resource acceleration by maintaining board presence and not falling behind on the battlefield.
Instant Speed: What adds to Defender of the Order’s appeal is its morph ability which can be activated at instant speed, granting you the flexibility to respond effectively to threats during your opponent’s turn and making it a strategic asset in protecting your interests on the fly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging with Defender of the Order requires a clear strategy, especially as it mandates discarding a card. This may not mesh well with decks that aim to keep a full grip of cards, potentially putting you at a disadvantage when resources are already stretched thin.
Specific Mana Cost: Tailoring your mana base is key when incorporating this card into your deck, given its specific mana requirements. This can challenge deck flexibility, as you may need to skew your land choices or mana fixing options to consistently meet the casting cost.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With Defender of the Order, investment is significant when considering the mana cost. Players often evaluate alternative options that can offer a similar level of board impact or defensive heft without as hefty a mana commitment, making it a potentially less attractive choice in a competitive environment.
Reasons to Include Defender of the Order in Your Collection
Versatility: Defender of the Order offers unique flexibility in defense-oriented strategies. Its ability to reinforce and protect your other creatures makes it a solid inclusion for any deck aiming to establish a strong defense before delivering a powerful late-game punch.
Combo Potential: This card’s Morph ability enables surprise tactics and can be part of combos that take advantage of flipping creatures face-up. Whether you’re triggering ‘enters the battlefield’ effects or synergizing with cards that reward creature transformations, Defender of the Order has a home in inventive combo decks.
Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment that features aggro decks or ones that lean heavily on combat tricks, Defender of the Order can become an essential tool. It provides a way to survive the onslaught, stabilize your board, and frustrate opponents by negating their offensive advances.
How to Beat
Encountering Defender of the Order in Magic: The Gathering is like facing a bastion that steadfastly protects the battlefield. This resilient creature, known for its fortifying presence, can pose a challenge with its potential to counteract aggressive strategies. To surpass this obstacle, players need to adopt a multifaceted approach. Removal spells that bypass the defender ability, such as Wrath of God or Doom Blade, can effectively clear the path by eliminating the creature directly, avoiding its combat-centric defense mechanism.
Since Defender of the Order thrives in a deck built around creatures with the defender ability, transforming your strategy to exploit its static nature becomes key. Strategies to consider include employing creatures with flying or trample to circumvent ground-based defenders, or using spells that restrict the opponent’s ability to cast creature spells, thus limiting the reinforcements that Defender of the Order can stand alongside.
It’s also advisable to have flexible cards in your deck that can adapt to various scenarios. Cards like Pithing Needle can prevent key activated abilities, reducing the strategic advantage that Defender of the Order provides. In essence, overcoming this mighty shield requires a diverse deck, prepared for both direct confrontation and subtle, strategic plays.
Cards like Defender of the Order
Defender of the Order is an intriguing card from MTG that provides robust defense mechanisms for players. Its role is akin to that of stalwarts like Wall of Omens and Wall of Blossoms, each known for their defender trait that blocks incoming threats with ease. Yet what sets Defender of the Order apart is its Morph ability, allowing you to turn it face up and counter a multi-target spell or ability, something its Wall counterparts lack. This Morph ability adds a strategic layer to gameplay, giving players surprise defensive options.
Another comparable card is Guardians of Meletis. While it also boasts a strong toughness, it doesn’t have the same surprise factor or spell countering capabilities as Defender of the Order. Palladium Myr stands out in the comparison for its ability to produce mana, yet does not offer the same protective functionality. It’s clear that while many cards share the defender quality, Defender of the Order’s unique abilities make it notable for its flexible and potentially game-altering defensive plays.
Considering its unique blend of defense and interaction with spells, Defender of the Order can be a valuable asset, particularly when timing and unpredictability are important factors in deciding the outcome of a match in MTG.
Cards similar to Defender of the Order by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Defender of the Order MTG card by a specific set like Legions, 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 Defender of the Order and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Defender of the Order has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Defender of the Order 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 | The trigger occurs when you use the Morph ability to turn the card face up, or when an effect turns it face up. It will not trigger on being revealed or on leaving the battlefield. |
