Pacifism

Pacifism

Duel Decks Anthology: Divine vs. Demonic Common
Mana Cost: {1}{W}
Type: Enchantment — Aura
Pacifism Text:
Enchant creature Enchanted creature can't attack or block.
Flavor:
Even those born to battle could only lay their blades at Akroma's feet.
Artist: Matthew D. Wilson
Collector Number: 17
Release Date: 2014-12-05
Art crop

Full Analysis

Generated on 2025-06-29T16:49:40.065050 • Legacy Format

Pacifism: A Control Aura with Unparalleled Impact

TL;DR Summary

Pacifism is an enchantment aura that, when attached to a creature, prevents it from attacking or blocking. This card has been a staple in many white and token-based decks for its ability to control the board and protect its own creatures.

Detailed Card Mechanics and Interactions

Pacifism is an enchantment aura, meaning it can be attached to any creature with a +1/+1 counter or other enchantments that provide a benefit. When enchanted, the creature cannot attack or block, making Pacifism a powerful tool for controlling the board and protecting its own creatures.

One key interaction of Pacifism is with other control-oriented cards in Magic. For example, pairing it with Serra Angel can create an unstoppable board presence, as Serra Angel's ability to attack and deal damage while its opponent cannot block it makes it nearly untouchable. Additionally, Pacifism interacts with other creatures' abilities that rely on the creature being able to attack or block, such as Elvish Mystic.

Strategic Uses, Combos, and Synergies

Pacifism is often used in white decks that focus on controlling the board and protecting their own creatures. It's particularly effective in combination with other control-oriented cards like Serra Angel or Gideon Jura, as these creatures can create an unstoppable board presence.

A popular combo involving Pacifism is pairing it with Ajani, Caller of the Pride, a creature that creates tokens when attacked by an opponent's creature. When Pacifism is attached to Ajani, its token generation ability is negated, making it much less effective at creating threats on the board.

Another strategic use for Pacifism is as an "anti-aggro" card. By attaching Pacifism to a creature that cannot be blocked by smaller creatures, players can prevent their opponent from using aggressive strategies to attack them.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Pacifism is often included in white and token-based decks, where its ability to control the board and protect its own creatures is most valuable. It's also commonly paired with other control-oriented cards like Serra Angel or Gideon Jura, as these creatures can create an unstoppable board presence.

In more aggressive whiter decks, Pacifism may be used to anchor a creature that will eventually attack and deal damage to the opponent's life total. For example, it could be paired with Seraph of Heliod to create a formidable attacking force.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

Pacifism is generally considered to be a viable card in Standard formats, particularly in control-oriented decks that focus on controlling the board and protecting their own creatures. In recent years, it has seen play in many white and token-based lists, often paired with other control-oriented cards like Serra Angel or Gideon Jura.

However, Pacifism is not as commonly played in Modern formats, where aggressive strategies and more powerful creatures are often preferred. That being said, it's still possible to find success with Pacifism in certain lists that focus on controlling the board and protecting their own creatures.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

As an enchantment aura, Pacifism can be attached to any creature with a +1/+1 counter or other enchantments that provide a benefit. It's also worth noting that Pacifism cannot be countered by spells like Counterspell, as it's a static ability that affects the enchanted creature regardless of whether the player is attacking or not.

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

The artwork for Pacifism depicts a serene and peaceful scene, with a woman in white robes surrounded by creatures. The flavor text reads "Protect your flock," suggesting that the enchantment's effect is meant to safeguard and defend its owner's creatures from harm.

Historically, Pacifism has been included in many sets since its release in Onslaught in 2002. It's considered one of the card's most iconic aspects, as it provides a clear and simple benefit to its enchanted creature that makes it stand out among other control-oriented cards.

Conclusion Summary

In conclusion, Pacifism is a powerful enchantment aura that can greatly benefit white decks that focus on controlling the board and protecting their own creatures. Its ability to prevent its enchanted creature from attacking or blocking makes it an effective tool for disrupting opponents' strategies and creating threats on the board.

By pairing Pacifism with other control-oriented cards like Serra Angel or Gideon Jura, players can create unstoppable board presences that make them nearly untouchable. Its anti-aggro applications also provide a unique strategic use for the card, as it prevents opponents from using aggressive strategies to attack.

Overall, Pacifism remains a staple in many white decks and control-oriented lists, offering a clear and simple benefit to its enchanted creature that makes it stand out among other options.

Key Considerations

When building a deck around Pacifism, consider the following key considerations:

  • Pairing Pacifism with creatures that provide a +1/+1 counter or other enchantments that provide a benefit.
  • Combining Pacifism with control-oriented cards like Serra Angel or Gideon Jura to create an unstoppable board presence.
  • Using Pacifism as an "anti-aggro" card to prevent opponents from using aggressive strategies to attack.
  • Considering the limitations of Pacifism in Modern formats, where more powerful creatures and aggressive strategies are often preferred.

Conclusion

Pacifism is a powerful enchantment aura that can greatly benefit white decks that focus on controlling the board and protecting their own creatures. Its ability to prevent its enchanted creature from attacking or blocking makes it an effective tool for disrupting opponents' strategies and creating threats on the board. By pairing Pacifism with other control-oriented cards and considering its limitations, players can create a formidable deck that dominates the competition.