Defender
Defender is a static keyword ability that says that the creature with defender can’t attack.
The keyword was introduced as a replacement for 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 allowed the ability to be put on non-Wall creatures.
This also prevents issues with the Changeling mechanic, as a creature that counts as every creature type is also considered a Wall (and be unable to attack as a result under the old rule).
All colors can have defender. It used to be primary only in white as it is the most defensive color. Lately, blue has also become primary.
From the Comprehensive Rules (November 8, 2024—Edge of Eternities)
- 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.
History
Defender in Practice
Defender is intended to put in place big noticeable blocker and mitigate attackers as well offering other abilities such as tap abilities and mana sources.
Sylvan Caryatid is a great Defender creature, isn’t particularly aggressive but aims to persist in board as a multicolor mana source.
EDH Commandars as Arcades play around the Defender archetype, and cards like Doran, the siege tower exchange combat damage with their Toughness, making it a great card to gain advantage from high toughness creatures.
