Defile MTG Card


Defile excels in swamp-heavy decks, allowing for potent threat removal at a low cost. Its instant speed and mana efficiency give control players strategic gameplay advantages. Limited effectiveness in multi-color decks reduces its versatility compared to other spells.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn for each Swamp you control.

The only shortcut in a bog is to the bottom.


Cards like Defile

Defile distinguishes itself within the realm of monoblack removal spells in MTG. As a one-mana instant spell, it resonates with fans of efficiency and precision, offering spot removal that scales with the number of Swamps you control. Compared to other removal options like Doom Blade or Go for the Throat, which provide a flat effect regardless of land count, Defile adds a dynamic aspect to gameplay that rewards a Swamp-heavy deck build.

Another parallel can be drawn with Tragic Slip, which can potentially give a creature -13/-13, contingent on a morbid trigger. Although this morbid condition can be more restrictive compared to Defile’s land-centric approach, it comes with the added advantage of being able to bypass indestructible creatures. Mutilate also shares thematic similarities, providing a swath of destruction that scales with Swamps. However, Mutilate affects all creatures and is at sorcery speed, unlike the instant flexibility that Defile offers.

To wrap things up, Defile brings its unique scaling removal capability into sharp focus. It underscores the potent strategic depth achievable with low-cost spells in MTG, especially within decks optimized through land synergy and instant-speed interaction.

Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Tragic Slip - MTG Card versions
Mutilate - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Tragic Slip - MTG Card versions
Mutilate - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Defile by color, type and mana cost

Howl from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Dark Ritual - MTG Card versions
Sacrifice - MTG Card versions
Darkness - MTG Card versions
Marsh Gas - MTG Card versions
Deathlace - MTG Card versions
Gravebind - MTG Card versions
Misinformation - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Tutor - MTG Card versions
Dredge - MTG Card versions
Vendetta - MTG Card versions
Coffin Purge - MTG Card versions
March of Wretched Sorrow - MTG Card versions
Fatal Push - MTG Card versions
Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight - MTG Card versions
Fade from Memory - MTG Card versions
Duh - MTG Card versions
Aesthetic Consultation - MTG Card versions
Stop That - MTG Card versions
Disembowel - MTG Card versions
Howl from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Dark Ritual - MTG Card versions
Sacrifice - MTG Card versions
Darkness - MTG Card versions
Marsh Gas - MTG Card versions
Deathlace - MTG Card versions
Gravebind - MTG Card versions
Misinformation - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Tutor - MTG Card versions
Dredge - MTG Card versions
Vendetta - MTG Card versions
Coffin Purge - MTG Card versions
March of Wretched Sorrow - MTG Card versions
Fatal Push - MTG Card versions
Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight - MTG Card versions
Fade from Memory - MTG Card versions
Duh - MTG Card versions
Aesthetic Consultation - MTG Card versions
Stop That - MTG Card versions
Disembowel - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Golgari GardensGolgari Gardens PauperGolgari GardensPauper Preliminary 2024-04-22
BRGBRG PauperPauper League 2024-04-22
BGBG PauperPauper League 2024-04-25
Jund GardensJund Gardens PauperGolgari GardensPauper Challenge 64 2024-04-28
PestilencePestilence PauperPestilencePauper Preliminary 2024-04-22
BG GardensBG Gardens PauperGolgari Gardens5° Tappa - Season 7 - Road to Paupergeddon Spring edition 2024 @ Lega Pauper Martesana

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Defile offers a significant increase in card efficiency, particularly in mono-black decks where swamp count is high. It empowers players to eliminate a greater threat than the usual one-for-one trade, tipping the scales in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly contributing to resource acceleration, Defile enables efficient use of mana. At a single black mana cost, you maintain the potential to interact without setting back your own board development.

Instant Speed: The capability to cast Defile at instant speed provides a strategic depth to gameplay. Control players can navigate their opponents’ turns with more agility, keeping their options flexible until the moment action is most impactful.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike other removal spells, Defile requires you to hold onto swamps to ensure its effectiveness, which can indirectly force players to discard strategically held cards when hand size becomes an issue.

Specific Mana Cost: Defile’s potency is tied to the number of Swamps you control, rendering it less versatile in multicolor decks that may not have the luxury of a high Swamp count.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Defile itself has a low mana cost, its true cost comes in the form of requiring a substantial number of Swamps in play to be impactful, which can lead to a higher overall mana investment compared to other removal options.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Defile thrives in mono-black decks where mana base consistency ensures its full potential. The card scales with the game, providing a targeted removal that adapts to both early threats and formidable creatures later on.

Combo Potential: It pairs excellently with cards that benefit from death triggers or graveyard interactions, enhancing strategies around sacrifice and recursion.

Meta-Relevance: With a format leaning towards creature-centric decks, Defile serves as an efficient and flexible tool to maintain board control at a very low mana cost.


How to beat

Defile is a potent removal spell in Magic: The Gathering, particularly in mono-black decks that thrive on swamp synergy. Its power scales with the number of swamps you control, making it a flexible and often low-cost solution for taking out creatures. However, there are ways to weaken its impact on the battlefield. To circumvent the threat of Defile, consider running fewer creatures and incorporating more non-creature spells into your strategy. This reduces your vulnerability to creature-targeting removal.

Another effective tactic is to boost the toughness of your creatures beyond the reach of Defile’s damage. Utilizing spells or abilities that grant your creatures temporary or permanent toughness increases can safeguard them against this destructive spell. Additionally, having instant-speed creature protection, such as indestructibility or hexproof, can save your creatures last-minute and render Defile useless.

Ultimately, though Defile can be a formidable tool for removal in the right deck, understanding its mechanics and preparing your own deck with protective measures or alternative strategies can greatly diminish its power over your gameplay.


BurnMana Recommendations

Gleaning insights from Defile’s strengths and weaknesses is essential for any MTG enthusiast striving to optimize their deck. With its cost-efficiency and scalability, this card shines in mono-black environments, bolstering the power of swamp-based strategies. To mitigate its downsides, consider diversifying your gameplay approach with varied threats to diminish its impact. Deckbuilders, strategists, and competitive players alike are invited to explore the depths of Defile’s potential. If you’re ready to refine your deck-building skills and learn nuanced strategies that turn the tide of battle in your favor, delve deeper with us. Mastery awaits.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Defile MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Modern Horizons, 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 Defile and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Defile Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2019-06-14 and 2022-10-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 912691997NormalBlackJoe Slucher
22019-06-14Modern HorizonsMH1 862015NormalBlackJoe Slucher
32021-06-18Modern Horizons 1 TimeshiftsH1R 131997NormalBlackJoe Slucher
42022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 1992015NormalBlackStanton Feng
52022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 199★2015NormalBlackStanton Feng

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Defile has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal