Can a creature with defender block?

Yes. Blocking is what it's for. Defender only stops it from attacking.

Can a creature with defender use tap abilities?

Yes. Tapping for an ability isn't attacking. The usual rule still applies: you need to have controlled it since the start of your turn.

Can a creature with defender ever attack?

Only if it loses defender, or if an effect lets it attack as though it didn't have defender.

What happens if an effect says all creatures must attack?

The creature with defender doesn't attack. A rule that says a creature can't attack always wins over one that says it must.

Defender — what does it mean?

This creature can't attack.

Defender appears on 312 cards.

How does Defender work?

Defender is a static ability with one rule: a creature with defender can't attack. Everything else about it is normal. It can block, it can deal damage, and if it has an ability with the tap symbol, you can use it (as long as you've controlled it since the start of your turn, like any creature).

Creatures with defender usually have low power and high toughness. They're there to hold the ground: a 0/4 can stop a 3/3 every turn and never die, because damage wears off in the cleanup step at the end of each turn. Others exist mainly for their abilities, like making mana or drawing cards.

Defender is a restriction, and restrictions beat requirements. If an effect says all your creatures attack this turn if able, the creature with defender stays home. If it loses defender, it can attack. There are also effects that let creatures with defender attack as though they didn't have it. Multiple instances of defender on the same creature don't change anything.

An example at the table

Your opponent attacks with a 3/3 and a 2/2. You have a 0/4 with defender and block the 3/3. The 0/4 takes 3 damage and survives, since 3 is less than its toughness of 4. The 2/2 gets through and you lose 2 life. At the end of the turn, the damage on your 0/4 wears off. On your own turn you can't attack with it, but if it has a tap ability, you can use that. When the next attack comes, it's ready to block again.

Cards with Defender

Crashing DrawbridgeIllustration: Mark Behm

Wall of OmensIllustration: James Paick

Electrostatic FieldIllustration: Dan Murayama Scott

Thermo-AlchemistIllustration: Raymond Swanland

The Walls of Ba Sing SeIllustration: Arthur Yuan

Common mistakes

Thinking a creature with defender can't block or use its abilities. Defender only stops it from attacking.
Thinking an effect that forces creatures to attack also applies to a defender. It can't attack, so it stays put.
Thinking defender means you can't be attacked. It only says something about that one creature, not about you or your other permanents.

Frequently asked questions

Can a creature with defender block?: Yes. Blocking is what it's for. Defender only stops it from attacking.
Can a creature with defender use tap abilities?: Yes. Tapping for an ability isn't attacking. The usual rule still applies: you need to have controlled it since the start of your turn.
Can a creature with defender ever attack?: Only if it loses defender, or if an effect lets it attack as though it didn't have defender.
What happens if an effect says all creatures must attack?: The creature with defender doesn't attack. A rule that says a creature can't attack always wins over one that says it must.

Official rule: Comprehensive Rules 702.3. More on where this rulebook comes from under Sources.

Often seen with

Flying Reach Transform Mill Surveil

← All 303 keywords

Which cards with Defender do you own? →

Last updated: 26 October 2026