Stave Off MTG Card
2011-07-15 - Number 36
2014-06-06 - Number 83
2014-09-05 - Number 61
2019-11-07 - Number 246
2020-09-26 - Number DDN-61
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Target creature gains protection from the color of your choice until end of turn. (It can't be blocked, targeted, dealt damage, or enchanted by anything of that color.)
Cards like Stave Off
Stave Off is a versatile tool in Magic: The Gathering for protecting prized creatures on the battlefield. It’s akin to cards like Gods Willing, which also grants protection from a color of your choice for a single creature. The distinction lies in the scry ability Gods Willing offers, providing an edge by allowing a peek at the next card. Stave Off, without the scry feature, honours simplicity and direct defense.
Another parallel comes with Emerge Unscathed, which not only shields a creature in similar fashion but has the rebound mechanic, giving you a second opportunity to cast the spell. This gives Emerge Unscathed a recurring advantage, though at no immediate extra cost, unlike Stave Off, which is a one-time safeguard. There is also Shelter, which costs more mana but offers the additional benefit of drawing a card, thus expanding your hand while defending your creature.
In analysing these protective spells, Stave Off holds its ground with its straightforward, cost-efficient approach, making it a reliable inclusion in decks that value the preservation of key creatures on the board without the need for additional effects or higher mana investments.
Cards similar to Stave Off by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Stave Off doesn’t directly draw cards, it can be considered a form of conditional card advantage. By saving a creature from removal or a detrimental block, you effectively negate an opponent’s card without losing your own, maintaining your board presence.
Resource Acceleration: Stave Off may not provide mana or tokens, yet it plays a key role in resource protection. Ensuring your key creatures remain on the battlefield can be crucial for maintaining the tempo and leading to faster victory.
Instant Speed: The true power of Stave Off lies in its instant speed, allowing you to respond to threats at a moment’s notice. This flexible timing can disrupt opponent strategies and turns, making Stave Off an unexpected form of interaction during crucial phases of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Stave Off offers a quick solution for creature protection, it demands a card slot in your hand that might otherwise be kept for more versatile spells.
Specific Mana Cost: Stave Off requires white mana, which might not be readily available in decks that aren’t heavily invested in white or those that play a wide array of colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: In a game where efficiency is key, spending one mana to protect a single creature may not always be the best use of resources, especially when there are alternative spells with broader effects or lower casting costs.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Stave Off provides an essential service in a variety of deck builds. As an instant, it can protect key creatures from removal or unfavorable combat scenarios. Being able to dictate the pace of interaction is powerful in formats where timing is crucial.
Combo Potential: In decks that focus on abilities triggered by targeting their own creatures, Stave Off can be a handy tool. It fits nicely into strategies revolving around Heroic or Prowess abilities, where casting spells on your creatures rewards you with beneficial effects.
Meta-Relevance: If creature-based strategies are dominant in the current meta, having access to protection can be the difference between maintaining board presence and falling behind. Stave Off can safeguard your investments against targeted spells and abilities, making it a noteworthy inclusion for players intent on navigating such environments successfully.
How to beat
Stave Off is a notable combat trick in the world of Magic: The Gathering, offering a unique blend of protection and versatility. This instant allows a player to select any creature and grant it protection from the color of their choice until end of turn. It’s a common choice for players looking to shield key creatures from targeted spells or block unfavorable attacks.
To effectively counter Stave Off, it’s critical to anticipate its use and adapt your strategy accordingly. Holding onto removal that doesn’t target, such as board wipes or effects that force sacrifices, can circumvent the card’s protective measure. Alternatively, using cards that negate spell abilities or employing counterspells when Stave Off is cast ensures that the opponent’s creature remains vulnerable. Additionally, focus on strengthening your board presence to render the temporary protection less impactful.
In summary, while Stave Off can be a game-changer in battles of wits and timely interaction, understanding and preparing for its potential application will help ensure that it doesn’t become a stumbling block in your path to victory. Knowing the right countermeasures and when to deploy them could be the difference between a setback and a mastered challenge in your gameplay experience.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Stave Off MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2012 and Conspiracy, 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 Stave Off and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Stave Off Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2011-07-15 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Mark Zug.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011-07-15 | Magic 2012 | M12 | 36 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 2 | 2014-06-06 | Conspiracy | CNS | 83 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 3 | 2014-09-05 | Duel Decks: Speed vs. Cunning | DDN | 61 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 246 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | DDN-61 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Stave Off has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Stave Off card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-09-22 | You choose the target as part of casting the spell. You choose what color the target gains protection from when the spell resolves. |