Paragon of Fierce Defiance MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Warrior
Released	2014-07-18
Set symbol
Set name	Magic 2015
Set code	M15
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	158
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Slawomir Maniak

Key Takeaways

It provides card advantage, accelerating resources and offers instant speed responses to influence the game’s flow.
Demands a discard upon use and comes with a specific mana cost, potentially limiting its broader utility.
Despite its mana cost, its versatility, combo potential, and meta-relevance justify consideration for any collection.

Text of card

Other red creatures you control get +1/+1. , : Another target red creature you control gains haste until end of turn. (It can attack and this turn.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Paragon of Fierce Defiance allows you to potentially gain an upper hand by creating situations where you can outmaneuver your opponent with multiple options from a single card. This can lead to significant advantages as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: The ability to quickly escalate your resource pool is what sets this card apart. It enables faster deployment of your strategy by boosting your mana resources, allowing you to play high-impact spells sooner than expected.

Instant Speed: The quick reflexes afforded by an instant speed spell like Paragon of Fierce Defiance mean it can be cast not only on your turn but also in response to an opponent’s actions, keeping them on their toes and often gaining you strategic advantages at crucial moments.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Paragon of Fierce Defiance makes you discard a card upon playing it, which can set you back if your hand is already depleted or if you’re forced to part with a crucial piece of your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a precise combination of colored mana to cast. It’s costed at one red, making it somewhat restrictive and less flexible for multicolor decks that may struggle to consistently produce the necessary mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost on the higher side, Paragon of Fierce Defiance may compete with other powerful spells or creatures in your deck. There are times when the impact on the board doesn’t quite justify the investment, especially when facing faster-paced decks or when you need to stabilize early in the game.

Reasons to Include Paragon of Fierce Defiance in Your Collection

Versatility: Paragon of Fierce Defiance is designed to synergize well with a variety of deck archetypes. Its flexible cost and proactive abilities make it a formidable inclusion in both aggressive and control-oriented decks.

Combo Potential: This card can serve as a key piece in combos, especially in decks that focus on +1/+1 counters or those that capitalize on its ability to deal damage directly to opponents or creatures. Its combination of offensive and defensive capabilities allows for dynamic play sequences.

Meta-Relevance: With a game environment that often shifts between aggressive combat phases and strategic board presence, Paragon of Fierce Defiance holds a solid position. It adapts well to the current trends and can be an asset against a range of common strategies found in competitive play.

How to beat

Paragon of Fierce Defiance is one of those potent cards that can make a significant impact on the battlefield with its prowess in bolstering your creatures’ strength. To effectively counter this card, one must focus on timing and resource management. Removal spells are your best bet—casting them before the buff to your opponent’s creatures can take effect essentially neutralizes the threat. Cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile are efficient answers, provided they are used wisely and preemptively.

Another reliable approach is to take control of the game early on, preventing your opponent from establishing their board presence. This could involve using counter spells like Cancel or Mana Leak to stop Paragon of Fierce Defiance from hitting the field in the first place, or setting up early defenses that can withstand enhanced attacks. Keep in mind that a systematic removal strategy might also be necessary, targeting not just the Paragon but also the creatures it aims to empower. Balance and foresight are crucial in maintaining the upper hand against such a formidable adversary.

Evaluating your deck’s interaction with Paragon of Fierce Defiance is crucial. Ensure that you have built-in protections and countermeasures for such enhancements. A well-timed bounce spell or board wipe can reset your opponent’s progress, giving you a valuable reprieve and an opportunity to seize control of the match.

Cards like Paragon of Fierce Defiance

The Paragon of Fierce Defiance is a unique option for players looking to enhance their decks with a solid creature card in Magic: The Gathering. With similarities to cards such as Boros Reckoner, players are given a creature that can deal damage back when it’s dealt damage. Yet, the Paragon brings its own twist to the table, often offering additional buffing capabilities to other creatures you control.

Comparable to the Paragon is the renowned card, Spitemare, which, like Boros Reckoner, dishes out damage as it receives it. However, it lacks the potential of a color-specific benefit that Paragon of Fierce Defiance provides, targeting specifically red or green creatures for that extra muscle in battle. Another card that echoes the Paragon’s features is Truefire Captain, right down to the synergy with red spells and abilities, though it doesn’t exert the same influence over other creatures.

Thus, as we sift through the characteristics and weigh the standouts against their kin, the Paragon of Fierce Defiance holds its ground as a strong contender in the battlefield bolstering array of Magic: The Gathering cards, especially for those with a tendency to back their creature-based assaults with vigorous support.

Cards similar to Paragon of Fierce Defiance by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions

Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Paragon of Fierce Defiance MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2015, 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 Paragon of Fierce Defiance and other MTG cards: