Deflect — Riftbound Rules

809.1.

Deflect is a Passive Ability keyword.

809.1.a.

It is normally present on Permanents.

809.1.b.

It is formatted as "Deflect [X]".

809.1.b.1.

The X is referenced in the functional text of the ability.

809.1.b.2.

The X is referred to as the Deflect Value.

809.1.b.3.

If X is omitted, it is presumed to be 1.

809.1.c.

It is functionally short for "Spells and abilities an opponent controls that target [me/this] cost an amount of Power equal to [Deflect Value] more to play as an additional cost for each time they choose [me/this]."

809.1.c.1.

The Power used to pay this cost may always be of any Domain. Example: A Fury spell targets an Order unit with Deflect. The Power used to pay the Deflect cost can be any Domain; it does not need to match the Domain of the spell or the target.

809.1.d.

It is an effect that imposes a Mandatory Additional Cost on Spells and Abilities that choose the Game Object that has this ability. See rule 349. Playing Cards for more information.

809.2.

If a Game Object has Deflect, or has been granted Deflect, and is granted Deflect by an additional source, the Deflect Value of all granted Deflect keywords is summed.

809.3.

Deflect, and whether or not a Game Object has Deflect, is a characteristic of the permanent and may be checked or referenced by other Game Effects.

Related FAQ (3)

What about Deflect costs? Aren't those optional now?

No. Deflect is a mandatory additional cost, meaning you must pay it if you want to finalize a spell or ability that chooses something with Deflect.

If Icathian Rain chooses a unit at Heisho, Shell of the World and five units elsewhere, how many times do I pay for Deflect?

Not at all. While your spell or ability chooses a unit at Heisho, you ignore Deflect while paying for it — Deflect is treated as inactive on all units, since Heisho doesn't specify whose Deflect to ignore. This applies only to that spell or ability; at least one of its targets must be a unit at Heisho.

Does Deflect trigger when an opponent plays Bullet Time or another spell that damages all enemy units at a battlefield?

Deflect (rule 809) imposes a Mandatory Additional Cost only on opponents' spells and abilities that "choose" the permanent with Deflect. Spells like Bullet Time deal damage to all enemy units at a battlefield as a group, without individually choosing each unit, so they do not impose Deflect's additional cost. Deflect's Power surcharge only applies when an opponent's spell or ability specifically chooses the Deflecting permanent as one of its choices.