Misdirection MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Enables maintaining card advantage and disrupting opponent’s strategies without using extra cards.
  2. Misdirection at instant speed offers strategic defense and surprise during critical game phases.
  3. The discard requirement and blue mana specificity could limit its versatility in some decks.

Text of card

You may remove a blue card in your hand from the game instead of paying Misdirection's mana cost. Target spell with a single target targets another target instead.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Misdirection enables a strategic shift of target spells without expending an additional card from your hand, effectively maintaining your card advantage in long games.

Resource Acceleration: By potentially redirecting an opponent’s spell that targets your assets, Misdirection acts as a preventative measure, safeguarding your resources and thus indirectly contributing to acceleration by preserving board state.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Misdirection offers the flexibility to disrupt opponents’ strategies during crucial phases of their turn, providing a reactive tool to protect your interests or capitalize on their moves.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Misdirection commands you to discard a nonland card as part of its alternate casting cost. This can be a steep price, especially if your hand is already dwindling or composed of crucial pieces you can’t afford to lose.

Specific Mana Cost: Misdirection’s casting cost requires two blue mana, making it a color-specific card. For players running multicolor decks or those with a limited amount of blue mana sources, fitting Misdirection into the deck could prove challenging.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a standard casting cost of three generic and two blue mana, Misdirection is relatively costly for a reactive spell. Decks striving for efficiency might find it difficult to justify the mana investment when other lower-cost alternatives are available for protecting their game plan.


Reasons to Include Misdirection in Your Collection

Versatility: Misdirection is known for its flexibility, capable of being slotted into various decks. This card excels in blue-based control or combo decks, where unexpected protection or interaction alteration is key.

Combo Potential: At its core, this card has the capability to redirect key spells that may target your precious permanents or even your own spells. This can lead to surprising shift in the game’s momentum, playing well with strategies revolving around stack manipulation.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where instant spells and critical targeted effects are prevalent, Misdirection can be a game-changer. The ability to change a spell’s target without spending mana can blindside opponents and completely turn the tides of a match.


How to beat

Misdirection is a powerful card that can turn the tides of a game by redirecting a spell to a new target. Overcoming this blue instant can be tricky, but there are strategies to mitigate its impact. One effective approach is to bait out Misdirection with a less crucial spell before casting your more vital spells. Keep a track of your opponent’s mana pool, as Misdirection requires at least one blue mana to be cast.

Another method is to play spells that cannot be countered or redirected, such as those with the ability “can’t be countered.” Additionally, including cards in your deck that provide hexproof or shroud to your permanents can protect them from becoming unintended targets of Misdirection. Plays that involve multiple spell casts in a single turn can also overwhelm a player relying on Misdirection, as they can typically only afford to redirect one of them.

Always remain observant of the game state; if your opponent has open blue mana and enough cards in hand, they could be holding onto Misdirection. Plan your turns carefully to either force it out when it’s least damaging or when you’re prepared with a countermeasure. With thoughtful gameplay, Misdirection can be overcome, allowing you to maintain control of the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the intricate dance of MTG strategy where Misdirection plays a pivotal role in commanding the flow of the game. Embrace the art of subterfuge and master the timing of this instant to shield your board or embroil opponents in their own spells. Are you aiming to refine your deck with cards that twist the arc of battle in your favor? Perhaps you’re interested in developing strategies that outwit and outplay your adversaries. We encourage your continued exploration of tactical plays and deck synergies. Align with us to discover more about Misdirection and other defining cards, enhancing your gameplay to its zenith.


Cards like Misdirection

Misdirection adds a unique twist to the array of counterspells available in Magic: The Gathering. Players might draw parallels with the popular Force of Will, both providing a way to counter a spell without paying its mana cost under certain conditions. Yet, Misdirection stands out by allowing the change of a spell’s target instead of outright countering it. This provides a layer of strategic depth, as you can turn an opponent’s spell against them.

Similarly, Redirect offers a cost-effective way to alter the trajectory of a spell, but Misdirection rises above with its alternative casting condition, which can be a lifesaver in a pinch. Comparing these two, one might favor Redirect for its lower overall cost, however, the flexibility of Misdirection’s free-cast mechanic often proves more valuable in crucial moments.

In essence, Misdirection provides a dynamic tool in a player’s arsenal that can pivot the outcome of a game by cleverly reassigning threats. It meshes disruption and surprise, making it a compelling choice among its counterparts. By examining its use in various situations, Misdirection secures a prominent spot for itself in the realm of interactive and defensive spells.

Force of Will - MTG Card versions
Redirect - MTG Card versions
Force of Will - Alliances (ALL)
Redirect - Magic 2011 (M11)

Cards similar to Misdirection by color, type and mana cost

Force of Will - MTG Card versions
Desertion - MTG Card versions
Evacuation - MTG Card versions
Double Take - MTG Card versions
Sunder - MTG Card versions
Submerge - MTG Card versions
Gush - MTG Card versions
Fervent Denial - MTG Card versions
Perplexing Test - MTG Card versions
Graven Lore - MTG Card versions
Access Denied - MTG Card versions
Jace's Ingenuity - MTG Card versions
Spin into Myth - MTG Card versions
Counterbore - MTG Card versions
Traumatic Visions - MTG Card versions
Whiplash Trap - MTG Card versions
Archive Trap - MTG Card versions
Mysteries of the Deep - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Geyser - MTG Card versions
Lost in the Mist - MTG Card versions
Force of Will - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Desertion - Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)
Evacuation - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander (LCC)
Double Take - Unglued (UGL)
Sunder - The List (PLST)
Submerge - World Championship Decks 2000 (WC00)
Gush - Eternal Weekend (PEWK)
Fervent Denial - Odyssey (ODY)
Perplexing Test - Wilds of Eldraine Commander (WOC)
Graven Lore - Kaldheim Promos (PKHM)
Access Denied - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Jace's Ingenuity - Magic 2015 (M15)
Spin into Myth - Future Sight (FUT)
Counterbore - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Traumatic Visions - Conflux (CON)
Whiplash Trap - Commander 2020 (C20)
Archive Trap - The List (PLST)
Mysteries of the Deep - Worldwake (WWK)
Quicksilver Geyser - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)
Lost in the Mist - Innistrad (ISD)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Misdirection MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques and World Championship Decks 2001, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Misdirection and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Misdirection Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 1999-10-04 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-10-04Mercadian MasquesMMQ 871997normalblackPaolo Parente
22001-08-08World Championship Decks 2001WC01 ab87sb1997normalgoldPaolo Parente
32002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 624612015normalblackMathias Kollros
42014-06-06ConspiracyCNS 1022003normalblackMathias Kollros
52017-10-24Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. GoblinsDDT 152015normalblackMathias Kollros
62019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 4322015normalblackMathias Kollros
72019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 12722015normalblackRovina Cai
82020-09-26The ListPLST DDT-152015normalblackMathias Kollros

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Misdirection has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Misdirection card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2004-10-04 If there is no other legal target for the spell, this does not change the target.
2004-10-04 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.
2004-10-04 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.
2004-10-04 This does not check if the current target is legal. It just checks if the spell has a single target.
2004-10-04 This only targets the spell being changed, not the original or new target of the spell it is affecting.
2004-10-04 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.
2004-10-04 You can’t make a spell which is on the stack target itself.
2004-10-04 You choose the spell to target on announcement, but you pick the new target for that spell on resolution.

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