---
name: "Defensive Formation"
mana_cost: "{W}"
cmc: 1
type_line: "Enchantment"
colors: ["W"]
color_identity: ["W"]
keywords: []
set: "PLST"
set_name: "The List"
collector_number: "USG-9"
rarity: "uncommon"
artist: "Greg Staples"
oracle_id: "9386f4d3-aa72-4849-8921-83740762dc0e"
canonical_url: "https://avascry.com/printing/defensive-formation-plst"
legalities:
  commander: "legal"
  standard: "not_legal"
  modern: "not_legal"
  pioneer: "not_legal"
  legacy: "legal"
  vintage: "legal"
  pauper: "not_legal"
  penny: "not_legal"
---

# Defensive Formation
- **Mana Cost:** `{W}` (CMC: 1)
- **Type:** Enchantment

## Oracle Text
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*

## Top 4096-Dim Neural Synergies
1. [Assault Formation](/printing/assault-formation-tdc.md) — Enchantment
2. [Turn the Tables](/printing/turn-the-tables-dst.md) — Instant
3. [Camouflage](/printing/camouflage-2ed.md) — Instant
4. [Defend the Hearth](/printing/defend-the-hearth-ths.md) — Instant
5. [Kjeldoran Royal Guard](/printing/kjeldoran-royal-guard-7ed.md) — Creature — Human Soldier
6. [Safeguard](/printing/safeguard-tmp.md) — Enchantment

## Printing Details
- **Set:** The List (PLST) #USG-9
- **Rarity:** Uncommon
- **Artist:** Greg Staples
- **Total Printings:** 11 across all historical editions

## Format Legalities
Commander: `legal` | Standard: `not_legal` | Modern: `not_legal` | Pioneer: `not_legal` | Legacy: `legal` | Vintage: `legal` | Pauper: `not_legal` | Penny: `not_legal`