Bolt Bend — ruling 1

If a spell or ability targets multiple things, you can't target it with Bolt Bend, even if all but one of those targets have become illegal.

Bolt Bend — ruling 2

You don't choose the new target for the spell or ability until Bolt Bend resolves. You must change the target if possible. However, you can't change the target to an illegal target. If there are no legal targets to choose from, the target isn't changed. It doesn't matter if the original target has somehow become illegal itself.

Bolt Bend — ruling 3

The single target that the target spell or ability targets doesn't have to be a creature you control with power 4 or greater.

Bolt Bend — ruling 4

To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you're paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The mana value of the spell remains unchanged, no matter what the total cost to cast it was.

Bolt Bend — ruling 5

Once you've cast Bolt Bend, losing control of all creatures with power 4 or greater won't affect the spell or cause you to pay more mana.

Bolt Bend — ruling 6

If a spell or ability targets the same player or object multiple times, you can't target it with Bolt Bend.

Bolt Bend — ruling 7

Once you announce that you're casting Bolt Bend, no player may take actions until the spell has been paid for. Notably, opponents can't try to change whether you control a creature with power 4 or greater.

Bolt Bend : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Bolt Bend is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

This spell costs less to cast if you control a creature with power 4 or greater. Change the target of target spell or ability with a single target.

How it works : Bolt Bend

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1November 8, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
If a spell or ability targets multiple things, you can't target it with Bolt Bend, even if all but one of those targets have become illegal.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2November 8, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
You don't choose the new target for the spell or ability until Bolt Bend resolves. You must change the target if possible. However, you can't change the target to an illegal target. If there are no legal targets to choose from, the target isn't changed. It doesn't matter if the original target has somehow become illegal itself.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3November 8, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
The single target that the target spell or ability targets doesn't have to be a creature you control with power 4 or greater.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4November 8, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you're paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The mana value of the spell remains unchanged, no matter what the total cost to cast it was.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5November 8, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
Once you've cast Bolt Bend, losing control of all creatures with power 4 or greater won't affect the spell or cause you to pay more mana.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6November 8, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
If a spell or ability targets the same player or object multiple times, you can't target it with Bolt Bend.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7November 8, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
Once you announce that you're casting Bolt Bend, no player may take actions until the spell has been paid for. Notably, opponents can't try to change whether you control a creature with power 4 or greater.
No other card is named in this ruling.