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Arcades, the Strategist

{1}{G}{W}{U}

Legendary Creature — Elder Dragon

PLSTThe List#M19-212mythic
Border
black
Security stamp
oval
Frame
2015
Pull rate
~1 in 121–1200
Illustrator
Even Amundsen
Found in
Mystery Booster 2 Booster Pack · Innistrad Crimson Vow Set Booster Pack · 3 more
Printings4CombosIn 1
CommanderLegalModernLegalStandardNot legal
Format legality
AlchemyNot legal
BrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
Competitive BrawlLegal
DuelLegal
Future StandardNot legal
GladiatorLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
Old SchoolNot legal
PauperNot legal
Pauper CommanderNot legal
PennyLegal
PioneerLegal
PreDHNot legal
PremodernNot legal
StandardNot legal
Standard BrawlNot legal
TimelessLegal
Tiny LeadersNot legal
VintageLegal
Flying, vigilance Whenever a creature you control with defender enters, draw a card. Each creature you control with defender assigns combat damage equal to its toughness rather than its power and can attack as though it didn't have defender.
3/5
FlyingVigilance

Plays as: Card Draw · Etb Value

Market · per finishspark updated 10h ago · prices as of 2026-07-12
Nonfoil+3.6%
$2.31
$1.44 low-$1.06 gap
Cheapest playable copy$2.31· across 4 printings

Rulings

2 · latest Mar 19, 2021 · one tap opens all
  • WotCMar 19, 2021

    Arcades's last ability doesn't actually change any creature's power. It changes only the amount of combat damage it assigns. All other rules and effects that check power or toughness use the real values. For example, Rabid Bite won't cause a creature with defender to deal damage equal to its toughness.

  • WotCMar 19, 2021

    If Arcades leaves the battlefield after a creature with defender has attacked, that creature remains an attacking creature, although it will assign damage equal to its power.

Open in:ScryfallTCGplayer(affiliate)EDHREC