---
name: "Nature Shields Its Own"
mana_cost: "N/A"
cmc: 0
type_line: "Ongoing Scheme"
colors: []
color_identity: []
keywords: []
set: "OARC"
set_name: "Archenemy Schemes"
collector_number: "32★"
rarity: "common"
artist: "John Stanko"
oracle_id: "42154243-377f-4453-9d24-3c7f0e7ec550"
canonical_url: "https://avascry.com/printing/nature-shields-its-own-oarc"
legalities:
  commander: "not_legal"
  standard: "not_legal"
  modern: "not_legal"
  pioneer: "not_legal"
  legacy: "not_legal"
  vintage: "not_legal"
  pauper: "not_legal"
  penny: "not_legal"
---

# Nature Shields Its Own
- **Mana Cost:** `N/A` (CMC: 0)
- **Type:** Ongoing Scheme

## Oracle Text
(An ongoing scheme remains face up until it's abandoned.)
Whenever a creature attacks and isn't blocked, if you're the defending player, create a 0/1 green Plant creature token that's blocking that creature.
When four or more creatures attack you, abandon this scheme at end of combat.

## Top 4096-Dim Neural Synergies
1. [Sprouting Phytohydra](/printing/sprouting-phytohydra-dis.md) — Creature — Plant Hydra
2. [Flash Foliage](/printing/flash-foliage-dis.md) — Instant
3. [Arboria](/printing/arboria-dmr.md) — World Enchantment
4. [Jungle Barrier](/printing/jungle-barrier-ima.md) — Creature — Plant Wall
5. [Shield Sphere](/printing/shield-sphere-me1.md) — Artifact Creature — Wall
6. [Barbed Foliage](/printing/barbed-foliage-mir.md) — Enchantment

## Printing Details
- **Set:** Archenemy Schemes (OARC) #32★
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Artist:** John Stanko

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

## Official Rulings
- *(2010-06-15)* You’re the defending player if a creature is attacking you or a planeswalker you control.
- *(2010-06-15)* The Plant token blocks the attacking creature even if the block couldn’t legally be declared (for example, if the attacking creature has flying).
- *(2010-06-15)* Putting a blocking creature onto the battlefield doesn’t trigger “Whenever a creature blocks” abilities. It also won’t check blocking restrictions, costs, or requirements.
- *(2010-06-15)* For each unblocked creature attacking you, you must put a Plant token onto the battlefield blocking it, even if you don’t want to.
- *(2010-06-15)* Putting a blocking creature onto the battlefield will trigger “When this creature becomes blocked by a creature” abilities. It will also trigger “When this creature becomes blocked” abilities in this case, because the attacking creature had not yet been blocked that combat.
- *(2010-06-15)* The last ability triggers only if four or more creatures were declared as attackers during your opponents’ declare attackers step. Only creatures attacking you are counted; creatures attacking your planeswalkers are not. The creatures may be controlled by different players.