Deflecting Palm 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
The next time a source of your choice would deal damage to you this turn, prevent that damage. If damage is prevented this way, Deflecting Palm deals that much damage to that source's controller.
Complete guide
Deflecting Palm is a powerful defensive instant that turns an opponent's aggression into their own demise. Instead of merely stopping an attack, it redirects the impact, making it a favorite for Boros players looking to punish big finishers.
What It Does
Deflecting Palm creates a prevention shield for the next time a chosen source would deal damage to you this turn. It does not target, meaning it can be used against sources with Hexproof or Shroud. Once the damage is prevented, Deflecting Palm itself deals an equal amount of damage to that source's controller.
How It Resolves Step by Step
First, you cast the spell and it goes on the stack. Upon resolution, you choose a source of damage; this could be a creature, a spell, or even a land. The effect then waits for the next time that source would deal damage to you. When that damage event occurs, it is prevented entirely, and a new instance of damage is dealt by Deflecting Palm to the source's controller as part of the same effect.
Common Mistakes
A common error is thinking Deflecting Palm 'redirects' the original damage. It does not; Deflecting Palm is the source of the new damage, which means abilities like Lifelink or Deathtouch on the original source do not apply to the damage dealt back to the opponent. Additionally, you must choose the source as the spell resolves, not when you cast it.
When to Play It
Timing is crucial. You should cast Deflecting Palm before the damage is actually dealt, typically during the Declare Blockers step or in response to a big burn spell. Since it only prevents the *next* time damage would be dealt, it is most effective against single large hits rather than many small creatures.
Interaction examples
If an opponent attacks you with an 11/11 creature, you cast Deflecting Palm and choose that creature as the source. When damage is dealt, you take 0 damage, and the opponent is dealt 11 damage by Deflecting Palm.
Swords to PlowsharesIf your opponent attempts to use Swords to Plowshares on your creature to stabilize their life total, Deflecting Palm cannot interact with it because Swords to Plowshares causes life gain, not damage. Deflecting Palm only prevents and reflects damage.
Path to ExileIf an opponent attacks with a creature and you cast Path to Exile on it, the creature is exiled and deals no damage. If you had cast Deflecting Palm instead, you would have prevented the damage and dealt it back to the opponent. Using both is usually redundant unless you need to remove the creature and deal damage simultaneously.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Deflecting Palm
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If multiple prevention and/or replacement effects are trying to apply to the same damage, the player who would be dealt damage chooses the order in which to apply them.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Deflecting Palm doesn't target any permanent or player. You choose a source of damage as Deflecting Palm resolves.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Deflecting Palm
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.