Defeat
Sorcery
Destroy target creature with power 2 or less.
- CMC
- 2
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- B
- Rarity
- common
- Set
- Dragons of Tarkir
- Price
- $0.06
- EDHREC rank
- #27051
Defeat is a two-mana instant that destroys target creature or planeswalker with no conditions attached — clean, unconditional, and immediately relevant. The cost is that cheaper and broader options exist at the same or lower price point, making Defeat a budget placeholder rather than a first choice.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | legal |
| pioneer | legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
In Commander, Defeat competes in a crowded field of unconditional two-mana removal, and it mostly loses that competition — Infernal Grasp, Heartless Act, and Go for the Throat all trade less or do more. Defeat earns a slot when you've already filled those slots and still need depth, or when a planeswalker clause matters against a specific table. In Pauper, the common restriction narrows the competition meaningfully and Defeat becomes a more credible inclusion in black control shells. In Legacy and Vintage, the card is legal but never sees play — those formats demand efficiency Defeat simply doesn't provide. Pioneer and Modern have better options at the same mana cost, so Defeat stays on the shelf there too.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.06 bulk tier
At $0.06, Defeat is deep bulk — you're paying essentially nothing for functional removal. Price stability is a non-issue at this tier; it will stay near-free as long as printings remain plentiful.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.