Riftbound Deflect: what it does
GlossaryDeflect is a Riftbound keyword that makes a card or ability more expensive for an opponent to target you or the permanent with it. "Deflect [X]" adds X Power, of any domain, as a mandatory extra cost every time an opponent's spell or ability chooses that target — a tax on being singled out, not a hard block.
How the Deflect tax works
Deflect doesn't stop a spell or ability from targeting the protected permanent — it adds an extra, mandatory cost the opponent has to pay to do it, on top of whatever the card normally costs. That extra Power can be of any domain regardless of what the targeting spell's own cost is in, so it's a flat tax rather than a domain-matching puzzle. If a Deflect unit is targeted more than once by the same effect, the tax applies for each instance.
Why Deflect matters against removal
Deflect is most valuable on a unit your opponent actually wants to remove or debuff — every point of Deflect makes their answer that much less efficient, and stacking Deflect from multiple sources compounds. It's a softer defensive tool than Shield or Tank: it doesn't change combat math, it changes whether removal is worth casting at all. See the Combat Keywords guide for how it fits a defensive plan.
Baccai Sandspinner is a real, officially revealed Vendetta card printed with Deflect — open it to see the exact printed rules text and its live price across stores.
Every Deflect card
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Deflect FAQ
What does Deflect do in Riftbound?
Deflect makes an opponent's spells and abilities pay extra Power — any domain — as a mandatory cost every time they target the card with Deflect.
Does Deflect stop targeting outright?
No — it's a tax, not a block. The opponent can still target the Deflect card if they pay the extra cost.
Can Deflect's Power cost be paid with any domain?
Yes — Deflect's added cost is domain-agnostic, so it's paid the same way regardless of what colours the targeting card itself needs.