Deftblade Elite MTG Card

Legions (LGN)
2003-02-03 - Number 12

Vintage Masters (VMA)
2014-06-16 - Number 23

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Soldier
Abilities	Provoke
Power	1
Toughness	1

Key Takeaways

Deftblade Elite thrives in white decks, excelling in early play and combat control.
Its provoke ability lets sharp players sway combat outcomes to their advantage.
In creature-centric metas, Deftblade Elite can become a pivotal battlefield asset.

Text of card

Provoke (When this attacks, you may have target creature defending player controls untap and block it if able.) : Prevent all combat damage that would be dealt to and dealt by Deftblade Elite this turn.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The ability of Deftblade Elite to provoke enemy creatures can be strategically used to remove key blockers or threats, indirectly ensuring you maintain pressure on the board while potentially drawing out opponent’s spells or abilities pre-emptively.

Resource Acceleration: Although Deftblade Elite itself doesn’t directly generate additional resources, its low mana cost allows players to deploy other cards alongside it more easily, effectively smoothing out mana curve and maintaining a tempo advantage.

Instant Speed: While the card’s provoke ability isn’t activated at instant speed, the flexibility Deftblade Elite offers in combat can impact board states similarly to instant speed interactions. The capability to choose which creatures block it during combat allows smart players to dictate the pace and outcome of combat phases, akin to executing a well-timed instant.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Deftblade Elite doesn’t have a discard cost itself, it does require certain resources to utilize its full potential. Leveraging its provoke ability often means keeping certain cards in hand that can boost its power or protect it, limiting your ability to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Deftblade Elite requires white mana for both its casting and ability costs, potentially restricting its playability to mono-white or two-color decks where white is prominent, thereby constraining deck-building options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Deftblade Elite’s casting cost is low, fully utilizing its provoke ability might require a considerable mana investment over multiple turns. This can be comparatively high when one considers the payoff of simply controlling combat, especially in formats where the board state can be managed more efficiently by other means.

Reasons to Include Deftblade Elite in Your Collection

Versatility: Deftblade Elite is a highly adaptable card that can slide into multiple white-based deck archetypes. Its low mana cost makes it an excellent early-game play, allowing for a quick establishment of board presence.

Combo Potential: Thanks to its provoke ability, Deftblade Elite can force unfavorable battles for your opponent and create openings for combat tricks or synergies with other cards that benefit from creatures entering combat.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies predominate, Deftblade Elite’s unique combat manipulation offers strategic advantages, potentially disrupting your opponent’s plans and establishing a favorable position on the battlefield.

How to beat

Deftblade Elite is a unique creature card that brings strategic combat tricks to the battlefield in MTG. What makes it stand out is the ability to provoke enemy creatures, forcing them into unfavorable battles. This can disrupt an opponent’s plans, especially if they were reliant on their creature’s abilities during their own turn.

To effectively outmaneuver Deftblade Elite, consider employing removal spells that can take it out before the provoke ability can be activated, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile. Additionally, spells that grant hexproof or shroud to your creatures, such as Blossoming Defense or Lightning Greaves, can prevent Deftblade Elite from targeting them, nullifying its tactical advantage. It’s also wise to include creatures in your deck that benefit from being targeted, thereby turning Deftblade Elite’s ability against your opponent.

While Deftblade Elite has the potential to control combat, careful deck building and strategic play can mitigate its influence on the game, ensuring that this card doesn’t dictate the pace of the battlefield. By anticipating and preparing for its abilities, you can ensure that Deftblade Elite doesn’t cut your chances of victory.

Cards like Deftblade Elite

Deftblade Elite holds a unique position within Magic: The Gathering’s roster of one-mana creatures. In comparison to other one-drop soldiers like Elite Vanguard, Deftblade Elite offers more than just raw power. Where Elite Vanguard excels with its 2/1 stats, Deftblade Elite brings tactical versatility to the battlefield with its provoke ability, which allows it to selectively control combat engagements.

Another card to mention is Loyal Sentry, which, while sharing the same mana cost, takes a defensive approach, destroying any creature it blocks. Deftblade Elite, on the contrary, creatively maneuvers around potential blockers with its combat control. Despite the Sentry’s power in defense, Deftblade Elite’s active provoke ability can shape the battlefield proactively.

In the realm of low-cost creatures, Deftblade Elite stands out. Its ability to force opponents’ creatures into disadvantageous battles makes it a formidable tool for white weenie strategies. While not as straightforward in aggression as Elite Vanguard or as defensively oriented as Loyal Sentry, Deftblade Elite’s proactive control of enemy units carves its distinct niche in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Deftblade Elite by color, type and mana cost

Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions

Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Deftblade Elite MTG card by a specific set like Legions and Vintage Masters, 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 Deftblade Elite and other MTG cards: