Deflect — Riftbound Rules
Section 809 — 11 rules
- 809.1.
- Deflect is a Passive Ability keyword.
- 809.1.a.
- It is 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 choose me cost an amount of Power equal to [Deflect Value] more to play as an additional cost for each time they choose me."
- 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 permanent that has this ability. See rule 349. Playing Cards for more information.
- 809.2.
- If a Unit 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 permanent has Deflect, is a characteristic of the permanent and may be checked or referenced by other Game Effects.
Related FAQ (2)
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.
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.