Defiler of Instinct MTG Card


Defiler of Instinct grants card advantage and can exponentially ramp up your red spell output. It accelerates resource tempo, letting you cast red creatures at potentially lower costs. The card’s instant-speed empowerment can bolster your reactionary strategies during pivotal turns.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Phyrexian Kavu
Abilities First strike
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

First strike As an additional cost to cast red permanent spells, you may pay 2 life. Those spells cost less to cast if you paid life this way. This effect reduces only the amount of red mana you pay. Whenever you cast a red permanent spell, Defiler of Instinct deals 1 damage to any target.


Cards like Defiler of Instinct

In the universe of Magic: The Gathering, Defiler of Instinct holds its territory alongside some formidable kin. It’s a member of a family of powerful creatures that boast the potential of altering the course of a game. A comparable card is Anger, a creature known for giving your creatures haste as long as it resides in your graveyard along with a mountain, it’s this indirect advantage that aligns it with the Defiler’s innate ability to grant haste to your red creatures.

Another adept of the battlefield is Fires of Yavimaya, an enchantment that echoes the Defiler’s haste-granting prowess, covering all your creatures without color restriction. The trade-off here is in the enchantment’s vulnerability to a wider range of removal compared to the sturdy presence of a creature. Also, the Defiler’s ability to reduce the casting cost of some of your spells cannot be overlooked, distinguishing it from the continuous, yet single-faceted boost from the Fires of Yavimaya.

Assessing the strategic diversity they offer, Defiler of Instinct establishes its place in MTG as a dual-threat option, bolstering your offenses quickly while easing your mana curve. It’s these dual advantages that make it stand out among its counterparts.

Anger - MTG Card versions
Fires of Yavimaya - MTG Card versions
Anger - MTG Card versions
Fires of Yavimaya - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Defiler of Instinct by color, type and mana cost

Dragon Whelp - MTG Card versions
Keldon Warlord - MTG Card versions
Crimson Manticore - MTG Card versions
Márton Stromgald - MTG Card versions
Reckless Embermage - MTG Card versions
Wildfire Emissary - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Giant - MTG Card versions
Rathi Dragon - MTG Card versions
Mogg Bombers - MTG Card versions
Warmonger - MTG Card versions
Bloodfire Kavu - MTG Card versions
Whipkeeper - MTG Card versions
Anger - MTG Card versions
Nalathni Dragon - MTG Card versions
Everquill Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Goblin Goon - MTG Card versions
Lesser Gargadon - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions
Ogre Taskmaster - MTG Card versions
Dragon Whelp - MTG Card versions
Keldon Warlord - MTG Card versions
Crimson Manticore - MTG Card versions
Márton Stromgald - MTG Card versions
Reckless Embermage - MTG Card versions
Wildfire Emissary - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Giant - MTG Card versions
Rathi Dragon - MTG Card versions
Mogg Bombers - MTG Card versions
Warmonger - MTG Card versions
Bloodfire Kavu - MTG Card versions
Whipkeeper - MTG Card versions
Anger - MTG Card versions
Nalathni Dragon - MTG Card versions
Everquill Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Goblin Goon - MTG Card versions
Lesser Gargadon - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions
Ogre Taskmaster - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Grinning Ignus ComboGrinning Ignus Combo PioneerTemur Grinning Ignus ComboNRG Series $10,000 Showdown - Chicagoland, Illinois (Pioneer)
Mono-Red MidrangeMono-Red Midrange GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Defiler of Instinct excels in granting strategic leverage by potentially cascading into free spells off the top of your library every time you cast a red spell, thus multiplying your resources and overwhelming opponents.

Resource Acceleration: As a momentum booster, this card offers resource acceleration by reducing the mana cost of red creature spells you cast, allowing you to deploy threats faster and more efficiently, intensifying the pressure on your adversary.

Instant Speed: Although this creature operates at sorcery speed, it empowers instant-speed red spells in your deck by augmenting the card advantage each time you cast them, keeping you prepared and reactive during the most critical moments of play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When casting Defiler of Instinct, you may face the challenge of having to discard other valuable cards from your hand, making it a difficult choice especially when your hand size is already dwindling. This could potentially set you back by losing crucial resources needed later in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Defiler of Instinct demands a specific combination of mana types to get it on the battlefield. The cost involves both red and generic mana, which might not always align smoothly with your mana base, particularly if you’re running a multi-color deck that can’t consistently produce the required red mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although the abilities of the Defiler of Instinct can be game-changing, it comes with a comparatively high mana cost. In a fast-paced game, where efficiency is key, having to pay four mana might slow you down. It competes with other powerful four-mana options that are potentially more impactful upon their immediate entry into play.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Defiler of Instinct proves to be a multifaceted addition to any deck looking for aggressive plays. It easily adapts to various archetypes that focus on leveraging creature abilities or direct damage strategies.

Combo Potential: This card thrives in combinations, amplifying the damage of red spells or creature abilities. Its intrinsic synergy with other red cards can lead to explosive turns that overwhelm opponents quickly.

Meta-Relevance: Given the current focus on fast-paced games, Defiler of Instinct can be a game changer, fitting well into decks that aim to disrupt the board and maintain pressure against a wide array of opponents.


How to Beat Defiler of Instinct

The Defiler of Instinct card presents a unique challenge on the battlefield due to its ability to give creatures you control haste and reduce the cost of red spells. Navigating around this formidable card involves both foresight and strategy. Key tactics include utilizing removal spells such as Path to Exile or Murder to quickly dispatch this creature before it can have an impactful effect on the game.

Additionally, counter spells such as Negate or Mana Leak can prevent Defiler of Instinct from ever hitting the battlefield. For those preferring creature interactions, cards like Brimaz, King of Oreskos can provide both a solid defense and an offense that doesn’t rely on spells, reducing the Defiler’s impact. It’s also beneficial to manage your battlefield with board wipes such as Wrath of God to reset the field and minimize the advantage the Defiler of Instinct could provide to your opponent.

A cautious approach and the right mix of spells are key to contain the threat posed by Defiler of Instinct and secure your victory. Understanding and anticipating your opponent’s moves will turn the tide in your favor, ensuring that the Defiler’s boost to your opponent’s red spells and creature haste becomes a non-issue.


BurnMana Recommendations

MTG players understand that knowledge leads to victory. The Defiler of Instinct is a blend of resource acceleration and card advantage that can shape the pace of a duel. Given its ability to cascade into cascading spells and reduce costs, the Defiler is a powerful ally in red-centric strategies. Yet, its high mana cost and discard condition suggest a need for careful deck construction. Embrace the journey of mastery, integrate the Defiler into your arsenal, and adapt your gameplay to unleash its full potential. If you’re intrigued by the tactical depth this card provides, amplify your experience with us and discover how to turn Defiler of Instinct into a driving force for triumph.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Defiler of Instinct MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Dominaria United Promos, 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 Defiler of Instinct and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Defiler of Instinct Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2022-09-09 and 2022-09-09. Illustrated by Steven Belledin.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 1034462015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
22022-09-09Dominaria United PromosPDMU 119s2015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
32022-09-09Dominaria UnitedDMU 4062015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
42022-09-09Dominaria UnitedDMU 1192015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
52022-09-09Dominaria United PromosPDMU 119p2015NormalBlackSteven Belledin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Defiler of Instinct has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-09-09 Some players may make the mental shortcut that the Defilers effectively turn one of the colored mana symbols in the spell’s cost into a Phyrexian colored mana symbol. Despite the similarity in function, this ability does not cause the spells to have Phyrexian mana symbols in their costs. Sorry, Rage Extractor!
2022-09-09 You may only pay the additional cost once per permanent spell.