Defiant Strike MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Defiant Strike offers card draw and maintains hand flow, crucial for continued strategic plays.
  2. It can unexpectedly strengthen creatures at instant speed, providing combat surprises.
  3. Though restricted to white mana, its low cost ensures easy deck integration.

Text of card

Target creature gets +1/+0 until end of turn. Draw a card.

"Stand where the whole battle can see you. Strike so they'll never forget." —Anafenza, khan of the Abzan


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Defiant Strike gives you the upper hand by letting you draw a card, maintaining the flow of options in your hand.

Resource Acceleration: With a low casting cost, Defiant Strike helps cycle through your deck, bringing you closer to your crucial resources without depleting your mana pool.

Instant Speed: The instant nature of Defiant Strike means you can enhance a creature unexpectedly during combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn, keeping your strategy flexible.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Defiant Strike does not make the player discard a card, so this con does not apply to this particular card.

Specific Mana Cost: While Defiant Strike has a low mana cost, it does require white mana specifically, potentially limiting its integration outside of white or multicolored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Defiant Strike offers a cantrip effect and a minor power boost at a low cost, there are alternative spells in MTG that may grant larger power increases or additional effects for a similar or even lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Defiant Strike in Your Collection

Versatility: Defiant Strike is a cost-effective card that can be seamlessly incorporated into a variety of decks, particularly those that emphasize swift and decisive plays. Its ability to provide a power boost and card draw in a single move makes it a valued addition to any arsenal.

Combo Potential: This spell not only buffs your creatures temporarily but also helps to cycle through your deck, paving the way for powerful combo plays. It can be a key component to synergize with prowess or heroic abilities, setting the stage for devastating turns.

Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-changing landscape of the metagame, Defiant Strike maintains relevance by offering a low-cost option to modify the battlefield dynamics while keeping your hand replenished. It’s a nimble tool that can adapt to a range of competitive environments.


How to beat

Defiant Strike is an intriguing combat trick in Magic: The Gathering, often catching opponents off guard by unexpectedly boosting a creature’s power and drawing a card. This efficient spell can swing battles in your favor and provide card advantage for a single white mana.

To effectively counter Defiant Strike, it is vital to anticipate the moments your opponent may have this trick up their sleeve, typically during the combat phase when creatures are attacking or blocking. Instant-speed removal spells or damage prevention methods can mitigate the effects of Defiant Strike, removing the targeted creature before the spell resolves or rendering the additional power boost inconsequential.

Moreover, spells that counteract noncreature spells can nullify Defiant Strike entirely. Having a counterspell ready or a way to strip the opponent’s hand of combat tricks through discard mechanics can dissuade them from relying too heavily on such tactics. Understanding when to hold back removal or counters for crucial moments is key to outmaneuvering the strategy behind Defiant Strike and maintaining control of the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the art of MTG means understanding the subtle interplays of cards like Defiant Strike. Its strength in card draw and low mana cost makes it a strategic asset in many white or multicolored decks. Always be on the lookout for opportunities to surprise your opponent and turn the tides with instant-speed plays. Balancing the inclusion of versatile cards that cater to your playstyle is the cornerstone of a well-rounded collection. If you’re keen on refining your deck-building skills and learning how to effectively use Defiant Strike to its full potential, journey with us further into the strategic depths of MTG.


Cards like Defiant Strike

Defiant Strike holds its place in Magic: The Gathering as a lightweight, yet potent combat trick often found in aggressive white decks. Not unlike other cantripping spells, it allows a player to draw a card, promoting fluid gameplay. However, it contrasts with the traditional card advantage spells by amplifying a creature’s power rather than solely focusing on hand replenishment.

Analogous to Defiant Strike, Expedite grants a creature haste in addition to the card draw, aligning with a quick-paced strategy but diverging with the immediate combat advantage Defiant Strike provides. Comparatively, Shelter offers more by giving a creature protection from a color of choice and drawing a card, yet it requires more mana, demanding a deeper investment than Defiant Strike’s single white mana cost.

While there are similar spells in Magic: The Gathering, Defiant Strike remains distinct with its low-cost advantage, making it a formidable option for bolstering creatures without losing card momentum. Whether you require a quick boost in power or the ability to cycle through your deck, Defiant Strike represents an efficient blend of both worlds in a concise package.

Expedite - MTG Card versions
Shelter - MTG Card versions
Expedite - Oath of the Gatewatch (OGW)
Shelter - Odyssey (ODY)

Cards similar to Defiant Strike by color, type and mana cost

Death Ward - MTG Card versions
Blaze of Glory - MTG Card versions
Healing Salve - MTG Card versions
Swords to Plowshares - MTG Card versions
Purelace - MTG Card versions
Righteousness - MTG Card versions
Indestructible Aura - MTG Card versions
Glyph of Life - MTG Card versions
Warning - MTG Card versions
Heal - MTG Card versions
Anoint - MTG Card versions
Rally the Troops - MTG Card versions
Enlightened Tutor - MTG Card versions
Pollen Remedy - MTG Card versions
Sacred Rites - MTG Card versions
Pay No Heed - MTG Card versions
Path to Exile - MTG Card versions
Piety Charm - MTG Card versions
Hallow - MTG Card versions
Pure Intentions - MTG Card versions
Death Ward - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Blaze of Glory - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
Healing Salve - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Swords to Plowshares - Murders at Karlov Manor Commander (MKC)
Purelace - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Righteousness - Jumpstart 2022 (J22)
Indestructible Aura - Chronicles (CHR)
Glyph of Life - Legends (LEG)
Warning - Ice Age (ICE)
Heal - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Anoint - Tempest (TMP)
Rally the Troops - Portal Second Age (P02)
Enlightened Tutor - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Pollen Remedy - Planeshift (PLS)
Sacred Rites - The List (PLST)
Pay No Heed - Torment (TOR)
Path to Exile - March of the Machine Commander (MOC)
Piety Charm - Onslaught (ONS)
Hallow - Darksteel (DST)
Pure Intentions - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Defiant Strike MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir and War of the Spark, 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 Defiant Strike and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Defiant Strike Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2014-09-26 and 2021-04-23. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-09-26Khans of TarkirKTK 72015normalblackAnastasia Ovchinnikova
22019-05-03War of the SparkWAR 92015normalblackGabor Szikszai
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 732015normalblackGabor Szikszai
42020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 152015normalblackGabor Szikszai
52020-09-26The ListPLST WAR-92015normalblackGabor Szikszai
62021-04-23Strixhaven Mystical ArchiveSTA 662015normalborderlessAmayagido
72021-04-23Strixhaven Art SeriesASTX 62s2015art_seriesborderlessDominik Mayer
82021-04-23Strixhaven Art SeriesASTX 622015art_seriesborderlessDominik Mayer
92021-04-23Strixhaven Mystical ArchiveSTA 32015normalborderlessDominik Mayer

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Defiant Strike has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Defiant Strike card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2020-06-23 If the target creature is an illegal target by the time Defiant Strike tries to resolve, the spell won't resolve. You won't draw a card.

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