Defense of the Heart MTG Card


Grants a commanding edge by fetching two creatures upon meeting its trigger conditions. Enables surprising plays with instant-speed effects and dynamic battlefield entries. Rapidly enhances board presence, bypassing hefty mana costs for creature plays.
Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

During your upkeep, if one of your opponents controls three or more creatures, sacrifice Defense of the Heart, search your library for up to two creature cards, and put those creatures into play. Shuffle your library afterward.


Cards like Defense of the Heart

Defense of the Heart is an intriguing enchantment in Magic: The Gathering that shines in creature-heavy decks. It can be likened to cards like Natural Order, facilitating the cheating of creatures onto the battlefield without paying their mana costs. Unlike Natural Order, which requires a sacrifice as part of its casting cost, Defense of the Heart only triggers when an opponent controls three or more creatures, allowing for a crucial tactical advantage without immediate loss of board presence.

Moreover, Tooth and Nail stands as a comparable option, featuring a versatile entwine mechanic that enables players to search for creatures and put them into play. Although it has a high mana cost, it offers more immediate control over the creatures you fetch as opposed to the conditional trigger of Defense of the Heart. Lastly, Lurking Predators is another enchantment that reacts to opponent’s actions, specifically spell casting, by potentially putting creatures into play. However, its random element contrasts with the precision of Defense of the Heart’s tutor effect.

Ultimately, each of these cards presents a distinct approach to deploying powerful creatures. While Natural Order and Tooth and Nail offer immediate results, Defense of the Heart’s delayed gratification can lead to a game-winning swing, showcasing its unique place among MTG’s creature-cheating repertoire.

Natural Order - MTG Card versions
Tooth and Nail - MTG Card versions
Lurking Predators - MTG Card versions
Natural Order - MTG Card versions
Tooth and Nail - MTG Card versions
Lurking Predators - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Defense of the Heart by color, type and mana cost

Living Lands - MTG Card versions
Titania's Song - MTG Card versions
Arboria - MTG Card versions
Cyclone - MTG Card versions
Primal Order - MTG Card versions
Splintering Wind - MTG Card versions
Barbed Foliage - MTG Card versions
Preferred Selection - MTG Card versions
Aluren - MTG Card versions
Sporogenesis - MTG Card versions
Vernal Equinox - MTG Card versions
Foster - MTG Card versions
Overlaid Terrain - MTG Card versions
Rowen - MTG Card versions
Epic Struggle - MTG Card versions
Court of Bounty - MTG Card versions
Eidolon of Blossoms - MTG Card versions
Greater Good - MTG Card versions
Arasta of the Endless Web - MTG Card versions
Upwelling - MTG Card versions
Living Lands - MTG Card versions
Titania's Song - MTG Card versions
Arboria - MTG Card versions
Cyclone - MTG Card versions
Primal Order - MTG Card versions
Splintering Wind - MTG Card versions
Barbed Foliage - MTG Card versions
Preferred Selection - MTG Card versions
Aluren - MTG Card versions
Sporogenesis - MTG Card versions
Vernal Equinox - MTG Card versions
Foster - MTG Card versions
Overlaid Terrain - MTG Card versions
Rowen - MTG Card versions
Epic Struggle - MTG Card versions
Court of Bounty - MTG Card versions
Eidolon of Blossoms - MTG Card versions
Greater Good - MTG Card versions
Arasta of the Endless Web - MTG Card versions
Upwelling - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Gruul ComboGruul Combo GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Defense of the Heart card is known for swinging the balance of a game by tutoring for not just one, but two creature cards once the trigger condition is met. This ability to pull key creatures from your library directly onto the battlefield bypasses the need to draw them naturally, resulting in a significant advantage over your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: By cheating creatures into play, Defense of the Heart allows players to skip past their mana costs. This can effectively lead to a surge in board presence and resource utilization, as mana that would have been spent casting those creatures can now be allocated elsewhere.

Instant Speed: Although Defense of the Heart is an enchantment, the creatures it puts onto the battlefield can have instant-speed effects or enter during the upkeep, which can catch an opponent unprepared. The ability to bring in creatures with flash or abilities that can be activated at any time adds a dynamic element of surprise and immediate impact to the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Defense of the Heart necessitates careful hand management, particularly as it doesn’t generate card advantage when played. Holding back creatures to meet its trigger conditions can lead to a disheartening discard if your hand is full.

Specific Mana Cost: This enchantment carries a specific mana requirement of two green mana which may not always be easily met in multi-colored decks, potentially restricting its inclusion to mainly green-centric builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a CMC (Converted Mana Cost) of four, Defense of the Heart can be a sizeable investment in the early game. Given its conditional trigger, other ramp or creature-related cards might offer more immediate board impact or value for the same or lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Defense of the Heart is a unique enchantment that slots comfortably into creature-heavy decks. It shines in Commander formats, where its condition is easily met, and brings exceptional value to the table the moment four or more creatures are lying in wait on your opponents’ battlegrounds.

Combo Potential: This card is a combo enabler. With its trigger, you can search your deck for any two creatures, setting up game-ending pairs on the spot. From classic combos like Kiki-Jiki and Zealous Conscripts to any powerful creature tandem, this card’s potential is as limitless as your library.

Meta-Relevance: As the meta ebbs and flows with creature-based strategies, Defense of the Heart’s significance escalates. It’s a formidable threat that opponents must answer or risk facing the most menacing creatures from your collection unleashed onto the battlefield in unison.


How to beat

Defense of the Heart is a powerful enchantment that can turn the tides of a Magic: The Gathering game by fetching formidable creatures from a player’s library. Its trigger, activating during the upkeep if an opponent controls three or more creatures, can be a looming threat. To effectively counter this card, players should manage the number of creatures on their side of the battlefield, keeping the count below three to prevent the enchantment from triggering.

Another strategy is to prioritize removal or counterspells in your deck to handle Defense of the Heart directly. Efficient enchantment removal cards like Naturalize or Disenchant can be indispensable tools in dismantling such enchantments before they activate. For blue players, countering it with spells like Counterspell or Negate when it’s played is key. One might also consider using cards that strip away your opponent’s creatures like Wrath of God to reset the battlefield. This nullifies the condition that Defense of the Heart needs to achieve its purpose.

Dealing with Defense of the Heart requires careful consideration of board state and timely intervention. By maintaining creature control and including targeted removal, you can thwart your opponent’s strategy and keep this game-changing card from overwhelming your defenses.


BurnMana Recommendations

When it comes to deep strategic impact and the ability to pivot the game to your favor, Defense of the Heart stands out as a top-tier card among MTG aficionados. As you’ve seen, its card advantage, resource acceleration, and the strategic edge it provides in creature-heavy metas make it a must-have in green-based decks, particularly in Commander format. Understanding the pros and cons, including managing potential downsides, is key in leveraging its full potential. If you’re eager to harness the power of this enchantment, explore further strategies and card synergies with us. Sharpen your game and outwit your opponents by adding Defense of the Heart to your arsenal today.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Defense of the Heart MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy and Judge Gift Cards 2016, 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 of the Heart and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Defense of the Heart Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 1999-02-15 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by 5 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-02-15Urza's LegacyULG 1001997NormalBlackRebecca Guay
22016-01-01Judge Gift Cards 2016J16 72015NormalBlackJack Wang
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 11801997NormalBlackRebecca Guay
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 10392015NormalBorderlessFajareka Setiawan
52020-09-26The ListPLST ULG-1001997NormalBlackRebecca Guay
62023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine: Enchanting TalesWOT 512015NormalBorderlessOlena Richards
72023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine: Enchanting TalesWOT 1002015NormalBorderlessHisashi Momose
82023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine Art SeriesAWOE 812015Art seriesBorderless
92023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine: Enchanting TalesWOT 802015NormalBorderlessHisashi Momose

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Defense of the Heart has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Defense of the Heart 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 In a multiplayer game, it triggers if at least one opponent controls three or more creatures.
2004-10-04 This triggered ability only triggers if your opponent controls 3 or more creatures at the beginning of upkeep. This condition is checked again on resolution.
2004-10-04 You choose how many cards to put onto the battlefield during the resolution after you look through your library. You do not choose as the ability goes on the stack.
2010-06-15 If this card is not on the battlefield at the time it resolves, then you can’t sacrifice it. You still perform the search and put any creature cards you find onto the battlefield.