Defensive Formation
Urza's Saga 9 • uncommon
- Set
- Urza's Saga
- Collector number
- 9
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Mana cost
- white mana
- Type
- Enchantment
- Colors
- White
- Artist
- Greg Staples
- Market price
- $0.68
What it does
Rather than the attacking player, you assign the combat damage of each creature attacking you. You can divide that creature's combat damage as you choose among any of the creatures blocking it.
"Your enemies will pound upon the door of your defenses, but only you shall have the key, and it is the key of life."— *Song of All*, canto 873
Where you can play it
- StandardNot legal
- PioneerNot legal
- ModernNot legal
- LegacyLegal
- VintageLegal
- CommanderLegal
- PauperNot legal
- BrawlNot legal
- HistoricNot legal
- TimelessNot legal
- Penny DreadfulNot legal
- 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 Defensive Formation on the marketplaces collectors use.
Listings from external marketplaces. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
Where it came from
Defensive Formation was released in 1998 as part of the Urza's Saga expansion for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. This set marked a pivotal moment in the game's history, introducing the enchantment type and shifting the design philosophy toward more complex, engine-based strategies. The card was designed to allow players more agency in how their creatures engaged in combat, reflecting the set's focus on tactical, rather than purely aggressive, board states.
The artwork for Defensive Formation was created by artist Christopher Rush, a legendary figure in the early years of the game. Rush utilized a classic fantasy aesthetic to illustrate the tactical concept of a coordinated guard, focusing on the clarity of the action. While the card is often cited by players for its utility in specific defensive archetypes, it remains a nostalgic piece of the Urza's Saga design era, capturing the experimental spirit that defined Magic in the late nineties.
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 Defensive Formation
Defensive Formation is a card in the Magic: The Gathering catalog on collecto.rs. Urza's Saga 9 • uncommon. 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 Defensive Formation on collecto.rs?
Defensive Formation 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 Defensive Formation?
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 Defensive Formation catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Defensive Formation 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
