Deflection — ruling 1

If a spell targets multiple things, you can’t target it with Deflection, even if all but one of those targets has become illegal.

Deflection — ruling 2

If a spell targets the same player or object multiple times, you can’t target it with Deflection.

Deflection — ruling 3

The target of a spell that targets another spell on the stack can be changed to any other spell on the stack, even if the new target will resolve before the spell does.

Deflection — ruling 4

You can’t make a spell which is on the stack target itself.

Deflection — ruling 5

You can choose to make a spell on the stack target this spell (if such a target choice would be legal had the spell been cast while this spell was on the stack). The new target for the deflected spell is not chosen until this spell resolves. This spell is still on the stack when new targets are selected for the spell.

Deflection — ruling 6

Once the spell resolves, the new target is considered to be targeted by the deflected spell. This will trigger any effects which trigger on being targeted.

Deflection — ruling 7

This does not check if the current target is legal. It just checks if the spell has a single target.

Deflection — ruling 8

You choose the spell to target on announcement, but you pick the new target for that spell on resolution.

Deflection : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Deflection 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

Change the target of target spell with a single target.

How it works : Deflection

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1February 1, 2009· Wizards of the Coast
If a spell targets multiple things, you can’t target it with Deflection, even if all but one of those targets has become illegal.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2February 1, 2009· Wizards of the Coast
If a spell targets the same player or object multiple times, you can’t target it with Deflection.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3October 4, 2004· Wizards of the Coast
The target of a spell that targets another spell on the stack can be changed to any other spell on the stack, even if the new target will resolve before the spell does.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4October 4, 2004· Wizards of the Coast
You can’t make a spell which is on the stack target itself.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5October 4, 2004· Wizards of the Coast
You can choose to make a spell on the stack target this spell (if such a target choice would be legal had the spell been cast while this spell was on the stack). The new target for the deflected spell is not chosen until this spell resolves. This spell is still on the stack when new targets are selected for the spell.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6October 4, 2004· Wizards of the Coast
Once the spell resolves, the new target is considered to be targeted by the deflected spell. This will trigger any effects which trigger on being targeted.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7October 4, 2004· Wizards of the Coast
This does not check if the current target is legal. It just checks if the spell has a single target.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8October 4, 2004· Wizards of the Coast
You choose the spell to target on announcement, but you pick the new target for that spell on resolution.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#9October 4, 2004· Wizards of the Coast
If there is no other legal target for the spell, this does not change the target.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#10October 4, 2004· Wizards of the Coast
This only targets the spell being changed, not the original or new target of the spell it is affecting.
No other card is named in this ruling.

Interactions with other cards

These cards' text mentions Deflection.

Divine Deflection

Prevent the next X damage that would be dealt to you and/or permanents you control this turn. If damage is prevented this way, Divine Deflection deals that much damage to any target.