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==Description==
 
==Description==
The keyword was introduced as a replacement of the baggage that the [[creature type]] ''[[Wall]]'' carried. Walls could not attack. Much later, the decision was made to keyword the "cannot attack" ability and make sure that all Walls had defender so that functionality wouldn't change. Defender was introduced with ''[[Champions of Kamigawa]]'' and was retroactively added to all Walls. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtgcom/daily/mr144|Change For the Better|[[Mark Rosewater]]|October 04, 2004}}</ref> ''[[Ninth Edition]]'' was the first core set after that change was made. Once the keyword existed, it also allowed us to put the ability on non-Wall ceatures.<ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/evergreen-eggs-ham-2015-06-08|Evergreen Eggs & Ham|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 8, 2015}}</ref>
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The keyword was introduced as a replacement of the baggage that the [[creature type]] ''[[Wall]]'' carried. Walls could not attack. Much later, the decision was made to keyword the "cannot attack" ability and make sure that all Walls had defender so that functionality wouldn't change. Defender was introduced with ''[[Champions of Kamigawa]]'' and was retroactively added to all Walls. <ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/change-better-2004-10-04|Change For the Better|[[Mark Rosewater]]|October 04, 2004}}</ref> ''[[Ninth Edition]]'' was the first core set after that change was made. Once the keyword existed, it also allowed us to put the ability on non-Wall ceatures.<ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/evergreen-eggs-ham-2015-06-08|Evergreen Eggs & Ham|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 8, 2015}}</ref>
   
 
==Rules==
 
==Rules==

Revision as of 07:09, 3 May 2016

Defender
Keyword Ability
Type Static
Introduced Alpha (mechanic)
Champions of Kamigawa (keyword)
Last used Evergreen
Reminder Text Defender (This creature can't attack.)
Statistics 217 cards
{W}23% {U}19% {B}14% {R}13% {G}11%
Artifact 13%, Multicolor 10%
Scryfall Search
keyword:"Defender"
This article is about the about the ability Defender. For the player, see Defending player.

Defender is a static ability that renders a creature unable to attack.

Description

The keyword was introduced as a replacement of the baggage that the creature type Wall carried. Walls could not attack. Much later, the decision was made to keyword the "cannot attack" ability and make sure that all Walls had defender so that functionality wouldn't change. Defender was introduced with Champions of Kamigawa and was retroactively added to all Walls. [1] Ninth Edition was the first core set after that change was made. Once the keyword existed, it also allowed us to put the ability on non-Wall ceatures.[2]

Rules

From the Comprehensive Rules (March 8, 2024—Fallout)

  • 702.3. Defender
    • 702.3a Defender is a static ability.
    • 702.3b A creature with defender can’t attack.
    • 702.3c Multiple instances of defender on the same creature are redundant.

Before defender was introduced all Walls were unable to attack as a definition of their creature type. Now creatures with Defender can potentially lose the ability and attack - this would have been a rules-hassle before. However, Defender has introduced some confusion as well, because not all cards that refer to Walls or non-Walls have been changed.

Whenever confusion arises, always see the Oracle Card Reference or Gatherer for clarification.

Rulings

  • Changing a creature's type no longer affects whether it can attack. A Wall that becomes a non-Wall will still have the defender ability. Likewise, a non-Wall that becomes a Wall won't have the defender ability.

Examples

Cards that grant defender

Enchantments

Creatures

Equipment

Cards that circumvent defender

Creatures with defender that may be able to attack

References

  1. Template:NewRef
  2. Template:NewRef

External links

Template:Keywords and abilities