Defense Grid MTG Card


Defense Grid discourages opponents from disrupting your turns, enhancing your strategic play. While not increasing resources, it efficiently utilizes mana to protect pivotal spells. It demands strategic deck building, favoring certain archetypes and can restrict flexibility.
Card setsReleased in 11 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Text of card

During each player's turn, spells played by another player cost an additional o3.

"We've managed to keep the goblins in their assigned areas, but there's little we can do about the smell." —Whip Tongue, viashino technician


Cards like Defense Grid

Defense Grid is an intriguing artifact in Magic: The Gathering, known for its unique ability to make spells cost more during other players’ turns. This is somewhat reminiscent of cards like Damping Sphere, which also increases spell costs, but in the context of how many spells have been played in a turn, rather than which turn it is.

Another card worth mentioning is War’s Toll, which doesn’t increase the mana cost, but restricts opponents’ choices by forcing them to attack with all creatures or tap out completely if they decide to cast even a single spell. Interestingly, while Defense Grid affects all opponents equally, War’s Toll demands a more strategic approach to the game.

Looking at the broader spectrum of control artifacts, we see Orbs of Warding, which provides a shield against not just spells but also abilities, from each opponent. Although it doesn’t hamper mana, it does offer a defensive utility that Defense Grid lacks. Thus, Defense Grid establishes itself amid these alternatives as a deterrent against opponents’ instant interactions, shaping the pace and flow of the game in your favor.

Damping Sphere - MTG Card versions
War's Toll - MTG Card versions
Orbs of Warding - MTG Card versions
Damping Sphere - MTG Card versions
War's Toll - MTG Card versions
Orbs of Warding - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Defense Grid by color, type and mana cost

Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
Winter Orb - MTG Card versions
Ankh of Mishra - MTG Card versions
Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
Nacre Talisman - MTG Card versions
Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Essence Bottle - MTG Card versions
Emerald Medallion - MTG Card versions
Scrying Glass - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Mask of Intolerance - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Web - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
Swiftfoot Boots - MTG Card versions
Ark of Blight - MTG Card versions
Surestrike Trident - MTG Card versions
Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions
Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
Winter Orb - MTG Card versions
Ankh of Mishra - MTG Card versions
Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
Nacre Talisman - MTG Card versions
Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Essence Bottle - MTG Card versions
Emerald Medallion - MTG Card versions
Scrying Glass - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Mask of Intolerance - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Web - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
Swiftfoot Boots - MTG Card versions
Ark of Blight - MTG Card versions
Surestrike Trident - MTG Card versions
Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Defense Grid. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mystic Forge ComboMystic Forge Combo LegacyMystic Forge ComboLegacy Preliminary 2024-03-25
BRBR LegacyLegacy Preliminary 2024-04-29 (1)
The EPIC GambleThe EPIC Gamble LegacyThe EPIC GambleLegacy Challenge 32 2024-03-23
HullDay Echo StompyHullDay Echo Stompy LegacyHullDay Echo StompyLegacy League 2024-04-16
Colorless ComboColorless Combo LegacyMystic Forge ComboWeekly Mont
WRWR LegacyLegacy Challenge 32 2024-03-30
Mono-Red StormMono-Red Storm LegacyThe EPIC GambleLegacy Mensal Taverna Nerd 23/04
DecklistDecklist Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While the Defense Grid doesn’t allow for direct card draw, it gives you strategic advantage. By inhibiting your opponents’ ability to cast spells on your turn, this card ensures your key plays go uninterrupted, maintaining the quality of your hand and resources.

Resource Acceleration: Though the Defense Grid doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it efficiently utilizes your existing mana. For a modest investment of two mana at casting, the Grid protects your resources by complicating your opponents’ spells during your crucial turns.

Instant Speed: The grid itself is not cast at instant speed. However, it complements an instant-speed strategy by safeguarding your turn and spells. Defensive measures taken during your turn allow for more aggressive, less restrained plays when it truly counts.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Defense Grid doesn’t necessitate discarding, its presence represents a sacrifice. It precludes the option to play other spells, as casting during the opponent’s turn becomes prohibitive, effectively demanding one to forgo potential actions or responses.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring two colorless mana may initially seem versatile, Defense Grid’s optimal utilization tends to lean towards decks with a focus on artifact synergies or those resilient to higher mana curves. This may inadvertently restrict the card to certain archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Defense Grid’s static ability certainly provides valuable protection, much like a deterrence shield. Yet with a casting cost of two mana, it demands a careful balance of your ramp strategies within the early game phase as you place an Economic ‘keep out’ sign rather than developing board presence or advancing your own game plan.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Defense Grid offers unique utility in a broad array of decks, ranging from controlling to combo archetypes. Its ability to deter opponents from casting spells during your turn provides a shield against most interactive strategies, allowing you to execute your game plan uninterrupted.

Combo Potential: When building around intricate combos, Defense Grid secures the critical turns you need to assemble your pieces without the threat of interruption. It’s a safeguard that ensures your key spells resolve by making them prohibitively expensive for opponents during your turn.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments dominated by instant-speed interaction and counter wars, Defense Grid shines by tipping the scales in your favor. Its presence on the board can severely limit opponents’ options, keeping your strategies viable and increasing your chances of prevailing against prevalent control setups.


How to beat

The Defense Grid is a unique artifact in Magic: The Gathering that modifies the strategic landscape of a game by increasing the mana cost of spells during other players’ turns. Overcoming this card means adapting your strategy to either operate within its confines or removing it from the battlefield entirely. A common method is employing instant-speed artifact destruction, such as Shatter or Naturalize, during your own turn, circumventing the Grid’s cost increase.

Another effective technique is to shift towards a strategy that relies on casting spells on your turn, thus rendering the Defense Grid’s effect moot. Cards that allow you to play at instant speed without actually being instants, like Vedalken Orrery, can also provide a way around the Grid’s restrictions. Lastly, creature-based strategies are largely unaffected, so emphasizing a board presence rather than trying to win through instant-speed interactions can be highly effective against a deck depending on Defense Grid for defense.

When planning to dismantle the advantages provided by Defense Grid, it’s crucial to consider both its strengths and weaknesses. Tailoring your gameplay to sidestep the Grid’s taxing effect can be the key to maintaining the upper hand and securing a triumph in your match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the intricacies of MTG cards like Defense Grid can elevate your gameplay and give you a competitive edge. Acknowledging both its advantages and potential drawbacks is crucial in mastering strategic deck building. Whether you’re aiming to shield your turn from interference or you’re looking to disrupt artifact-centered strategies, knowing how to utilize and counter cards like Defense Grid is key. Dive deeper into the strategy, explore alternative cards, and refine your approach to ensure your deck not only survives the meta but thrives within it. Curious to enhance your tactical play? Join us and expand your MTG expertise.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Defense Grid MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy and World Championship Decks 2000, 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 Defense Grid and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Defense Grid Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 1999-02-15 and 2022-11-18. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-02-15Urza's LegacyULG 1251997NormalBlackMark Tedin
22000-08-02World Championship Decks 2000WC00 nl125sb1997NormalGoldMark Tedin
32003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 2962003NormalWhiteMark Tedin
42003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 296★2003NormalBlackMark Tedin
52005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 2932003NormalWhiteMark Tedin
62005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 293★2003NormalBlackMark Tedin
72016-09-30Kaladesh InventionsMPS 342015NormalBlackJonas De Ro
82022-11-18The Brothers' War Art SeriesABRO 582015Art seriesBorderlessMark Tedin
92022-11-18The Brothers' War Retro ArtifactsBRR 76z1997NormalBlackMark Tedin
102022-11-18The Brothers' War Retro ArtifactsBRR 131997NormalBlackMark Tedin
112022-11-18The Brothers' War Retro ArtifactsBRR 761997NormalBlackMark Tedin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Defense Grid has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Defense Grid 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 additional cost can be reduced by effects that reduce costs, such as Sapphire Medallion.
2006-05-01 In Two-Headed Giant, spells don't cost extra on your own turn.