Quick Answer

Defensive Stance is a common Enchantment — Aura from NPH (NPH) costing {U}. Current price: $0.06 USD. Legal in Modern. Legal in Commander.

Defensive Stance MTG card

Defensive Stance

Enchantment — Aura

Card Text

Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets -1/+1.

"It isn't for fighting. It's for when the fighting's gone bad." —Kara Vrist, Mirran resistance

Card Stats

common CMC: 1.0 NPH NPH 🎨 Dan Murayama Scott
Enchant

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$0.06
Normal
Buy
TCGPlayer
$0.22
Foil
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.35
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.49
Foil
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.03
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.11
Foil
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-04

Format Legality

Commander Legal
Duel Legal
Legacy Legal
Modern Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Pauper Legal
Paupercommander Legal
Penny Legal
Predh Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Community Stats

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Often Played With

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Defensive Stance? Basics

Defensive Stance is a Enchantment — Aura card from the Magic: The Gathering trading card game.

Its ability reads: "Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets -1/+1."

How much mana does Defensive Stance cost to cast? Basics

Defensive Stance has a mana cost of {U}, which equals 1.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires U mana to cast.

What does mana cost mean in Magic: The Gathering? Basics

Mana cost is the amount and type of mana required to cast a spell in Magic: The Gathering.

Defensive Stance's mana cost of {U} means you need to pay that much mana from your lands or other sources.

Colored symbols (W=White, U=Blue, B=Black, R=Red, G=Green) must be paid with that specific color, while numbers can be paid with any color.

What is converted mana cost (CMC) or mana value? Basics

Converted mana cost (now officially called "mana value") is the total amount of mana in a card's mana cost, regardless of color.

Defensive Stance has a mana value of 1.0. This is important for effects that care about a spell's total cost, like cascade or cards that say "mana value 3 or less."

What is oracle text? Basics

Oracle text is the official, current rules text for a Magic card as maintained by Wizards of the Coast. It supersedes any printed text on older cards.

Defensive Stance's current oracle text is: "Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets -1/+1."

What is the current price of Defensive Stance? Pricing

The current market price for Defensive Stance is approximately $0.06 USD on TCGPlayer.

A foil copy costs approximately $0.22 USD.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €0.03 EUR.

Where can I buy Defensive Stance? Pricing

You can purchase Defensive Stance from major MTG retailers including:

Prices vary by condition and printing. Check multiple sellers to find the best price.

What is the difference between normal and foil cards? Pricing

Foil cards have a shiny, holographic finish that makes them more collectible. They are functionally identical to normal cards but typically cost more due to their rarity and visual appeal.

Defensive Stance normal: $0.06 | foil: $0.22

Is Defensive Stance legal in Standard? Legality

Format legality information for Defensive Stance in Standard is not available.

Standard is a rotating format that only allows cards from the most recent sets.

Is Defensive Stance legal in Modern? Legality

Defensive Stance is Legal in Modern format.

Modern includes all cards printed in a standard-legal set from 8th Edition forward.

Is Defensive Stance legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Defensive Stance is Legal in Commander (EDH) format.

Commander is a casual multiplayer format where you build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature.

Is Defensive Stance legal in Pioneer? Legality

Format legality information for Defensive Stance in Pioneer is not available.

Pioneer is a non-rotating format that includes all standard-legal sets from Return to Ravnica forward.

Is Defensive Stance legal in Legacy? Legality

Defensive Stance is Legal in Legacy format.

Legacy allows almost all cards ever printed, with a substantial ban list for balance.

Is Defensive Stance legal in Vintage? Legality

Defensive Stance is Legal in Vintage format.

Vintage is the most permissive format, allowing almost all cards with only a minimal ban list. Some powerful cards are "Restricted" (limited to 1 copy).

Is Defensive Stance legal in Pauper? Legality

Defensive Stance is Legal in Pauper format.

Pauper only allows cards that have been printed at common rarity in a paper or online set.

What is format legality in MTG? Legality

Format legality indicates which official MTG formats allow a card to be played:

  • Legal: Card is allowed in the format
  • Banned: Card is prohibited from play
  • Restricted: Limited to 1 copy (Vintage only)
  • Not Legal: Card was never part of that format's card pool

Different formats have different banned lists based on power level and game balance.

What set is Defensive Stance from? Details

This printing of Defensive Stance is from NPH (NPH), with collector number 34.

Defensive Stance may also appear in other MTG sets with different art or special treatments.

What is Defensive Stance's rarity? Details

Defensive Stance is a common card in NPH.

Card rarity affects both availability and price. From rarest to most common: Mythic Rare → Rare → Uncommon → Common.

Who illustrated Defensive Stance? Details

Defensive Stance was illustrated by Dan Murayama Scott.

Magic: The Gathering features artwork from hundreds of talented artists, and many cards have been reprinted with new art over the years.

💬 Card Discussion

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