Defense Grid
Eighth Edition 296★ • rare
- Set
- Eighth Edition
- Collector number
- 296★
- Rarity
- Rare
- Mana cost
- 2 generic mana
- Type
- Artifact
- Colors
- Colorless
- Artist
- Mark Tedin
- Finish
- Foil
What it does
Each spell costs 3 generic mana more to cast except during its controller's turn.
"A good deal of tyranny goes by the name of protection."— Crystal Eastman, "Equality or Protection"
Where you can play it
- StandardNot legal
- PioneerNot legal
- ModernLegal
- LegacyLegal
- VintageLegal
- CommanderLegal
- PauperNot legal
- BrawlLegal
- HistoricLegal
- TimelessLegal
- Penny DreadfulLegal
- OathbreakerLegal
Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Card text via Scryfall. Not approved or endorsed by Wizards. As of the last catalogue refresh.
Where to find one
Search for Defense Grid on the marketplaces collectors use.
Listings from external marketplaces. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
Where it came from
Defense Grid was first introduced in the Urza's Saga set in 1998, designed as a powerful artifact to punish opponents who attempted to play spells during a player's turn. It serves as a tactical stabilizer in Magic: The Gathering, specifically countering the reactive playstyles of control decks that rely on instant-speed interaction. By increasing the mana cost of spells cast outside of one's own turn, it forces opponents to commit resources inefficiently, fundamentally shifting the tempo of a match.
The version from Eighth Edition, released in 2003, marks the card's entry into the game's Core Set, which served as a bridge between older mechanics and newer players. The artwork, provided by Greg Staples, emphasizes the grid's mechanical and imposing nature through a sleek, industrial aesthetic. It was received as a quintessential utility artifact, prized by competitive players for its ability to dictate the flow of interaction and protect a player's strategic maneuvers during their main phase.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real cards collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Defense Grid
Defense Grid is a card in the Magic: The Gathering catalog on collecto.rs. Eighth Edition 296★ • rare. Catalog data is sourced from Scryfall. No public cards collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Defense Grid on collecto.rs?
Defense Grid doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Defense Grid?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your card, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other magic: the gathering collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Defense Grid catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Defense Grid is sourced from Scryfall. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs cards tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your cards is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every card you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
