---
name: "Defiler of Instinct"
mana_cost: "{2}{R}{R}"
cmc: 4
type_line: "Creature — Phyrexian Kavu"
colors: ["R"]
color_identity: ["R"]
keywords: ["First strike"]
set: "DMU"
set_name: "Dominaria United"
collector_number: "119"
rarity: "rare"
artist: "Steven Belledin"
oracle_id: "590137df-af61-4e93-b6f1-3a2e438b8037"
canonical_url: "https://avascry.com/printing/defiler-of-instinct-dmu"
legalities:
  commander: "legal"
  standard: "not_legal"
  modern: "legal"
  pioneer: "legal"
  legacy: "legal"
  vintage: "legal"
  pauper: "not_legal"
  penny: "legal"
---

# Defiler of Instinct
- **Mana Cost:** `{2}{R}{R}` (CMC: 4)
- **Type:** Creature — Phyrexian Kavu
- **Power/Toughness:** 4/4
- **Keywords:** First strike

## Oracle Text
First strike
As an additional cost to cast red permanent spells, you may pay 2 life. Those spells cost {R} less to cast if you paid life this way. This effect reduces only the amount of red mana you pay.
Whenever you cast a red permanent spell, this creature deals 1 damage to any target.

## Top 4096-Dim Neural Synergies
1. [Ruby Leech](/printing/ruby-leech-inv.md) — Creature — Leech
2. [Hardened Berserker](/printing/hardened-berserker-dtk.md) — Creature — Human Berserker
3. [Knockout Blow](/printing/knockout-blow-snc.md) — Instant
4. [Defiler of Faith](/printing/defiler-of-faith-dmu.md) — Creature — Phyrexian Human
5. [Defiler of Flesh](/printing/defiler-of-flesh-dmu.md) — Creature — Phyrexian Horror
6. [Force of Rowan](/printing/force-of-rowan-unk.md) — Instant

## Printing Details
- **Set:** Dominaria United (DMU) #119
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Artist:** Steven Belledin
- **Total Printings:** 16 across all historical editions

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