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Arcades, the Strategist: Defenders
Price tag $3.53

Legendary Creature — Elder Dragon

Magic color symbol for G Magic color symbol for W Magic color symbol for U
Bant

Playstyle & Strategy

Toughness Matters 48% Defenders 25% Walls 13% Aggro 3% Card Draw 1%
View Average Decklist

New Cards

Recent-set cards that Arcades, the Strategist players are trying out in Defenders decks.

Chelonian Tackle Chelonian Tackle
+3% Synergy $0.17
Primo, the Unbounded Primo, the Unbounded
+2% Synergy $1.76
Mind into Matter Mind into Matter
+1% Synergy $0.40
Erode Erode
0% Synergy $8.54
Turbulent Wilderness Turbulent Wilderness
0% Synergy $6.52

High Synergy Cards

The highest-synergy picks for Arcades, the Strategist's Defenders builds — cards that lean hardest into the Defenders theme.

Overgrown Battlement Overgrown Battlement
+86% Synergy $0.30
Wall of Denial Wall of Denial
+85% Synergy $0.47
Axebane Guardian Axebane Guardian
+84% Synergy $0.31
High Alert High Alert
+77% Synergy $0.41
Tetsuko Umezawa, Fugitive Tetsuko Umezawa, Fugitive
+75% Synergy $0.15
Stalwart Shield-Bearers Stalwart Shield-Bearers
+75% Synergy $1.76
Wall of Blossoms Wall of Blossoms
+74% Synergy $0.30
Wall of Omens Wall of Omens
+72% Synergy $0.26
The Pride of Hull Clade The Pride of Hull Clade
+72% Synergy $1.53
Sunscape Familiar Sunscape Familiar
+70% Synergy $3.24

Top Cards

The staple cards most Arcades, the Strategist Defenders decks run as their core.

Assault Formation Assault Formation
+68% Synergy $0.30
Crashing Drawbridge Crashing Drawbridge
+66% Synergy $0.78
Tower Defense Tower Defense
+65% Synergy $0.19
Slaughter the Strong Slaughter the Strong
+65% Synergy $0.21
Crystal Barricade Crystal Barricade
+61% Synergy $1.20
Wall of Frost Wall of Frost
+61% Synergy $0.28
Hover Barrier Hover Barrier
+59% Synergy $0.42
Sylvan Caryatid Sylvan Caryatid
+59% Synergy $0.63
Dusk // Dawn Dusk // Dawn
+57% Synergy $0.32
Swords to Plowshares Swords to Plowshares
+1% Synergy $1.44

Game Changers

High-impact bombs that can take over a Arcades, the Strategist Defenders game on their own.

Aura Shards Aura Shards
+13% Synergy $28.28
Teferi's Protection Teferi's Protection
0% Synergy $51.92
Cyclonic Rift Cyclonic Rift
-2% Synergy $41.26
Fierce Guardianship Fierce Guardianship
-4% Synergy $56.78
Worldly Tutor Worldly Tutor
-4% Synergy $26.55
Enlightened Tutor Enlightened Tutor
-5% Synergy $36.16
Rhystic Study Rhystic Study
-6% Synergy $69.44
Smothering Tithe Smothering Tithe
-7% Synergy $53.72
Farewell Farewell
-11% Synergy $5.86

Creatures

Creatures that carry the Defenders plan in Arcades, the Strategist decks, from early pressure to payoff.

Shield-Wall Sentinel Shield-Wall Sentinel
+57% Synergy $0.33
Perimeter Captain Perimeter Captain
+56% Synergy $1.42
Wall of Junk Wall of Junk
+54% Synergy $0.28
Jeskai Barricade Jeskai Barricade
+54% Synergy $0.42
Vine Trellis Vine Trellis
+53% Synergy $1.17
Weathered Sentinels Weathered Sentinels
+53% Synergy $0.83
The Walls of Ba Sing Se The Walls of Ba Sing Se
+52% Synergy $26.27
Wall of Tanglecord Wall of Tanglecord
+49% Synergy $0.36
Tree of Redemption Tree of Redemption
+48% Synergy $0.47
Wall of Stolen Identity Wall of Stolen Identity
+46% Synergy $5.60
Walking Bulwark Walking Bulwark
+46% Synergy $0.16
Wall of Runes Wall of Runes
+44% Synergy $0.22
Shield Sphere Shield Sphere
+42% Synergy $10.04
Wingmantle Chaplain Wingmantle Chaplain
+41% Synergy $0.31
Angelic Wall Angelic Wall
+37% Synergy $0.20
Wall of Glare Wall of Glare
+36% Synergy $0.56
Wall of Roots Wall of Roots
+35% Synergy $0.26
Corrupted Shapeshifter Corrupted Shapeshifter
+35% Synergy $0.21
Drift of Phantasms Drift of Phantasms
+35% Synergy $0.35
Carven Caryatid Carven Caryatid
+34% Synergy $0.21
Flumph Flumph
+33% Synergy $1.67
Towering Titan Towering Titan
+31% Synergy $0.30
Fog Bank Fog Bank
+30% Synergy $0.15
Fortified Rampart Fortified Rampart
+30% Synergy $0.20
Mnemonic Wall Mnemonic Wall
+30% Synergy $0.22
Resolute Watchdog Resolute Watchdog
+28% Synergy $0.28
Wall of Mulch Wall of Mulch
+27% Synergy $0.24
Riptide Turtle Riptide Turtle
+26% Synergy $0.09
Suspicious Bookcase Suspicious Bookcase
+24% Synergy $0.32
Wall of Shards Wall of Shards
+24% Synergy $7.15
Steel Wall Steel Wall
+23% Synergy $0.17
Orator of Ojutai Orator of Ojutai
+23% Synergy $0.19
Gatecreeper Vine Gatecreeper Vine
+23% Synergy $0.21
Jungle Barrier Jungle Barrier
+22% Synergy $0.29
Bedrock Tortoise Bedrock Tortoise
+22% Synergy $2.21
Plagon, Lord of the Beach Plagon, Lord of the Beach
+21% Synergy $1.48
Glacial Wall Glacial Wall
+20% Synergy $0.35
Rampart Architect Rampart Architect
+20% Synergy $0.28
Wall of Tears Wall of Tears
+20% Synergy $0.74
Guard Gomazoa Guard Gomazoa
+17% Synergy $0.56
Towering Viewpoint Towering Viewpoint
+17% Synergy $0.21
Fecund Greenshell Fecund Greenshell
+16% Synergy $0.81
Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa
+15% Synergy $0.28
Wall of Essence Wall of Essence
+15% Synergy $0.30
Wall of Nets Wall of Nets
+15% Synergy $5.27
Rigo, Streetwise Mentor Rigo, Streetwise Mentor
+14% Synergy $0.30
Portcullis Vine Portcullis Vine
+14% Synergy $0.11
Geist of the Archives Geist of the Archives
+13% Synergy $0.27
Amaranthine Wall Amaranthine Wall
+12% Synergy $0.26
Sokrates, Athenian Teacher Sokrates, Athenian Teacher
+11% Synergy $0.38

Instants

Instant-speed interaction and tricks that keep Arcades, the Strategist's Defenders deck ahead.

Eerie Interlude Eerie Interlude
+26% Synergy $7.09
Bar the Door Bar the Door
+26% Synergy $0.20
Akroma's Will Akroma's Will
+18% Synergy $16.26
Counterspell Counterspell
+16% Synergy $3.43
Negate Negate
+14% Synergy $0.14
Ghostway Ghostway
+12% Synergy $4.89
Solidarity Solidarity
+10% Synergy $0.27
Beast Within Beast Within
+9% Synergy $0.46
Dovin's Veto Dovin's Veto
+9% Synergy $3.25
Bant Charm Bant Charm
+9% Synergy $0.24
Return to Nature Return to Nature
+8% Synergy $0.24
Unbreakable Formation Unbreakable Formation
+7% Synergy $1.14
Aegis of the Heavens Aegis of the Heavens
+7% Synergy $0.15
Flawless Maneuver Flawless Maneuver
+5% Synergy $21.48
Heroic Intervention Heroic Intervention
+4% Synergy $13.39
Naturalize Naturalize
+4% Synergy $0.16
Nature's Claim Nature's Claim
+3% Synergy $1.03
Krosan Grip Krosan Grip
+3% Synergy $1.60
Generous Gift Generous Gift
+1% Synergy $1.62
Stroke of Midnight Stroke of Midnight
+1% Synergy $0.36
Growth Spiral Growth Spiral
0% Synergy $0.32
Mana Drain Mana Drain
0% Synergy $52.75
Eladamri's Call Eladamri's Call
-2% Synergy $10.93
Path to Exile Path to Exile
-4% Synergy $1.05
Arcane Denial Arcane Denial
-7% Synergy $1.46
Swan Song Swan Song
-7% Synergy $7.86
An Offer You Can't Refuse An Offer You Can't Refuse
-16% Synergy $2.26

Sorceries

Sorceries that push the Defenders game plan forward for Arcades, the Strategist.

Fell the Mighty Fell the Mighty
+51% Synergy $0.21
Expel the Interlopers Expel the Interlopers
+28% Synergy $0.30
Wave of Reckoning Wave of Reckoning
+26% Synergy $0.77
Last March of the Ents Last March of the Ents
+16% Synergy $33.13
Rampant Growth Rampant Growth
+14% Synergy $0.42
The Battle of Bywater The Battle of Bywater
+14% Synergy $2.90
Destined Confrontation Destined Confrontation
+10% Synergy $0.24
Reunion of the House Reunion of the House
+10% Synergy $0.26
Raise the Past Raise the Past
+8% Synergy $0.48
Retribution of the Meek Retribution of the Meek
+8% Synergy $8.03
Triumph of the Hordes Triumph of the Hordes
+6% Synergy $13.71
Return to the Ranks Return to the Ranks
+5% Synergy $0.82
Cultivate Cultivate
+4% Synergy $0.30
Kodama's Reach Kodama's Reach
+4% Synergy $1.14
Ascend from Avernus Ascend from Avernus
+4% Synergy $1.92
Farseek Farseek
+1% Synergy $0.71
Bala Ged Recovery Bala Ged Sanctuary Bala Ged Recovery
+1% Synergy $6.57
Austere Command Austere Command
-1% Synergy $0.94
Nature's Lore Nature's Lore
-3% Synergy $2.31
Three Visits Three Visits
-10% Synergy $5.51

Utility Artifacts

Artifacts that add consistency and utility to Arcades, the Strategist Defenders decks.

Rammas Echor, Ancient Shield Rammas Echor, Ancient Shield
+43% Synergy $10.96
Meekstone Meekstone
+43% Synergy $12.20
Lightning Greaves Lightning Greaves
+18% Synergy $3.93
Slagwurm Armor Slagwurm Armor
+18% Synergy $1.04
Swiftfoot Boots Swiftfoot Boots
+11% Synergy $2.99
Colfenor's Urn Colfenor's Urn
+8% Synergy $0.28
Mirror Shield Mirror Shield
+5% Synergy $0.50
Robe of Stars Robe of Stars
+3% Synergy $13.76
Panharmonicon Panharmonicon
+2% Synergy $7.28

Enchantments

Enchantments that reinforce the Defenders strategy in Arcades, the Strategist decks.

Brave the Sands Brave the Sands
+51% Synergy $6.53
Stoneskin Stoneskin
+40% Synergy $1.75
Angelic Chorus Angelic Chorus
+19% Synergy $7.68
Primal Rage Primal Rage
+15% Synergy $7.29
Unnatural Growth Unnatural Growth
+14% Synergy $2.67
The Birth of Meletis The Birth of Meletis
+12% Synergy $0.31
Assemble the Players Assemble the Players
+12% Synergy $0.34
Spidersilk Armor Spidersilk Armor
+10% Synergy $2.86
Angelic Shield Angelic Shield
+10% Synergy $0.23
Rolling Stones Rolling Stones
+8% Synergy $1.47
Guardian Project Guardian Project
+7% Synergy $12.08
Sight of the Scalelords Sight of the Scalelords
+7% Synergy $0.42
Restricted Office // Lecture Hall Restricted Office // Lecture Hall
+6% Synergy $0.18
Serra's Blessing Serra's Blessing
+5% Synergy $0.95
Smile at Death Smile at Death
+5% Synergy $3.82
Vault 75: Middle School Vault 75: Middle School
+5% Synergy $0.34
Treefolk Umbra Treefolk Umbra
+5% Synergy $0.22
True Conviction True Conviction
+4% Synergy $5.04
Teferi's Ageless Insight Teferi's Ageless Insight
+2% Synergy $3.91
Ghostly Prison Ghostly Prison
-1% Synergy $3.94
Propaganda Propaganda
-2% Synergy $3.52

Planeswalkers

Planeswalkers that back up Arcades, the Strategist's Defenders game plan.

Huatli, the Sun's Heart Huatli, the Sun's Heart
+24% Synergy $0.38
Teyo, the Shieldmage Teyo, the Shieldmage
+21% Synergy $0.27
Teyo, Geometric Tactician Teyo, Geometric Tactician
+10% Synergy $9.15

Utility Lands

Non-basic lands that pull extra weight in Arcades, the Strategist Defenders decks.

Access Tunnel Access Tunnel
+31% Synergy $0.38
Reliquary Tower Reliquary Tower
+9% Synergy $2.76
Rogue's Passage Rogue's Passage
+5% Synergy $0.36
Temple of the False God Temple of the False God
-1% Synergy $0.32
Yavimaya, Cradle of Growth Yavimaya, Cradle of Growth
-4% Synergy $15.55
Otawara, Soaring City Otawara, Soaring City
-6% Synergy $31.72
Boseiju, Who Endures Boseiju, Who Endures
-7% Synergy $53.40

Mana Artifacts

Mana rocks and fixing to power out Arcades, the Strategist's Defenders strategy.

Azorius Signet Azorius Signet
+12% Synergy $0.24
Selesnya Signet Selesnya Signet
+12% Synergy $0.43
Simic Signet Simic Signet
+10% Synergy $0.26
Arcane Signet Arcane Signet
+4% Synergy $0.46
Chromatic Lantern Chromatic Lantern
+4% Synergy $1.31
Commander's Sphere Commander's Sphere
+4% Synergy $0.25
Decanter of Endless Water Decanter of Endless Water
+3% Synergy $4.11
Sol Ring Sol Ring
+1% Synergy $1.40
Thought Vessel Thought Vessel
-1% Synergy $2.60
Talisman of Unity Talisman of Unity
-1% Synergy $6.04
Talisman of Curiosity Talisman of Curiosity
-3% Synergy $0.45
Talisman of Progress Talisman of Progress
-3% Synergy $0.35
Fellwar Stone Fellwar Stone
-4% Synergy $0.60

Lands

The mana base behind Arcades, the Strategist's Defenders decks.

Seaside Citadel Seaside Citadel
+11% Synergy $0.34
Azorius Guildgate Azorius Guildgate
+11% Synergy $0.13
Selesnya Guildgate Selesnya Guildgate
+10% Synergy $0.14
Simic Guildgate Simic Guildgate
+10% Synergy $0.13
Overgrown Farmland Overgrown Farmland
+7% Synergy $2.36
Deserted Beach Deserted Beach
+7% Synergy $5.38
Tranquil Landscape Tranquil Landscape
+6% Synergy $0.22
Blossoming Sands Blossoming Sands
+6% Synergy $0.20
Thornwood Falls Thornwood Falls
+6% Synergy $0.12
Tranquil Cove Tranquil Cove
+6% Synergy $0.13
Hengegate Pathway Mistgate Pathway Hengegate Pathway
+6% Synergy $4.52
Branchloft Pathway Boulderloft Pathway Branchloft Pathway
+5% Synergy $2.97
Barkchannel Pathway Tidechannel Pathway Barkchannel Pathway
+5% Synergy $4.35
Plains Plains
+4% Synergy $0.07
Glacial Fortress Glacial Fortress
+4% Synergy $0.34
Evolving Wilds Evolving Wilds
+4% Synergy $0.39
Terramorphic Expanse Terramorphic Expanse
+4% Synergy $0.26
Forest Forest
+3% Synergy $0.08
Island Island
+3% Synergy $0.07
Sunpetal Grove Sunpetal Grove
+3% Synergy $0.63
Azorius Chancery Azorius Chancery
+3% Synergy $0.32
Brokers Hideout Brokers Hideout
+3% Synergy $0.82
Command Tower Command Tower
+2% Synergy $0.25
Spara's Headquarters Spara's Headquarters
+2% Synergy $14.05
Bountiful Promenade Bountiful Promenade
+2% Synergy $16.20
Sea of Clouds Sea of Clouds
+2% Synergy $18.75
Dreamroot Cascade Dreamroot Cascade
+2% Synergy $0.75
Selesnya Sanctuary Selesnya Sanctuary
+2% Synergy $0.25
Prairie Stream Prairie Stream
+1% Synergy $0.26
Hinterland Harbor Hinterland Harbor
0% Synergy $0.28
Rejuvenating Springs Rejuvenating Springs
0% Synergy $8.09
Yavimaya Coast Yavimaya Coast
-1% Synergy $0.28
Simic Growth Chamber Simic Growth Chamber
-1% Synergy $0.33
Port Town Port Town
-1% Synergy $0.22
Fabled Passage Fabled Passage
-1% Synergy $1.02
Canopy Vista Canopy Vista
-2% Synergy $0.29
Hallowed Fountain Hallowed Fountain
-3% Synergy $8.39
Adarkar Wastes Adarkar Wastes
-3% Synergy $0.34
Fortified Village Fortified Village
-3% Synergy $0.21
Temple Garden Temple Garden
-4% Synergy $7.78
Temple of Mystery Temple of Mystery
-5% Synergy $0.24
Temple of Enlightenment Temple of Enlightenment
-5% Synergy $0.25
Breeding Pool Breeding Pool
-6% Synergy $11.06
Flooded Strand Flooded Strand
-6% Synergy $15.52
Temple of Plenty Temple of Plenty
-6% Synergy $0.26
Windswept Heath Windswept Heath
-7% Synergy $11.42
Misty Rainforest Misty Rainforest
-7% Synergy $36.10
Brushland Brushland
-8% Synergy $1.20
Exotic Orchard Exotic Orchard
-9% Synergy $0.36
Flooded Grove Flooded Grove
-9% Synergy $0.30

Similar Commanders

The following Commanders share a similar playing style, strategy, or theme like Arcades, the Strategist: Defenders.

The Pride of Hull Clade The Pride of Hull Clade
Rasaad yn Bashir Dungeon Delver Rasaad yn Bashir // Dungeon Delver
Rasaad yn Bashir Sword Coast Sailor Rasaad yn Bashir // Sword Coast Sailor
Rasaad yn Bashir Candlekeep Sage Rasaad yn Bashir // Candlekeep Sage
Rasaad yn Bashir Cloakwood Hermit Rasaad yn Bashir // Cloakwood Hermit
Rasaad yn Bashir Far Traveler Rasaad yn Bashir // Far Traveler
Rasaad yn Bashir Feywild Visitor Rasaad yn Bashir // Feywild Visitor
Rasaad yn Bashir Flaming Fist Rasaad yn Bashir // Flaming Fist
Rasaad yn Bashir Folk Hero Rasaad yn Bashir // Folk Hero
Rasaad yn Bashir Inspiring Leader Rasaad yn Bashir // Inspiring Leader
Rasaad yn Bashir Master Chef Rasaad yn Bashir // Master Chef
Rasaad yn Bashir Noble Heritage Rasaad yn Bashir // Noble Heritage
Rasaad yn Bashir Raised by Giants Rasaad yn Bashir // Raised by Giants
Rasaad yn Bashir Shameless Charlatan Rasaad yn Bashir // Shameless Charlatan
Baldin, Century Herdmaster Baldin, Century Herdmaster
Geralf, Visionary Stitcher Geralf, Visionary Stitcher
Esior, Wardwing Familiar Ikra Shidiqi, the Usurper Esior, Wardwing Familiar // Ikra Shidiqi, the Usurper
Plagon, Lord of the Beach Plagon, Lord of the Beach
Esior, Wardwing Familiar Prava of the Steel Legion Esior, Wardwing Familiar // Prava of the Steel Legion
Rasaad yn Bashir Clan Crafter Rasaad yn Bashir // Clan Crafter
Arcades Sabboth Arcades Sabboth
Akiri, Line-Slinger Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa Akiri, Line-Slinger // Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa
Bill the Pony Bill the Pony
Ms. Bumbleflower Ms. Bumbleflower
Sophia, Dogged Detective Sophia, Dogged Detective
The Fifth Doctor Leela, Sevateem Warrior The Fifth Doctor // Leela, Sevateem Warrior
Doran, the Siege Tower Doran, the Siege Tower
Ellie and Alan, Paleontologists Ellie and Alan, Paleontologists
Kodama of the East Tree Rebbec, Architect of Ascension Kodama of the East Tree // Rebbec, Architect of Ascension
Rasaad yn Bashir Veteran Soldier Rasaad yn Bashir // Veteran Soldier
Kellan, the Kid Kellan, the Kid
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa Sakashima of a Thousand Faces // Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa
Felothar the Steadfast Felothar the Steadfast
Angus Mackenzie Angus Mackenzie
Betor, Kin to All Betor, Kin to All
Tadeas, Juniper Ascendant Tadeas, Juniper Ascendant
Rasaad yn Bashir Agent of the Iron Throne Rasaad yn Bashir // Agent of the Iron Throne
Rasaad yn Bashir Agent of the Shadow Thieves Rasaad yn Bashir // Agent of the Shadow Thieves
Rasaad yn Bashir Dragon Cultist Rasaad yn Bashir // Dragon Cultist
Rasaad yn Bashir Guild Artisan Rasaad yn Bashir // Guild Artisan