Deflecting Swat
CMM · rare · Released 2023-08-04
Power
Tier shown as baseline → best-case (in its ideal shell). The score (-8 to 19) is a rank signal derived from tier + kind + atoms; browse by it on the cards page.
Derived from the 7 atoms below.
above rate
minor value alone
wants support
can take over a game
multiple modes
broadly useful
n/a
Commander Bracket
Archetypes
Roles
Risks
Mechanics
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Structural
Rationale
Deflecting Swat retargets any spell or ability for free when you control your commander, making it one of the most efficient protection tools in Commander — it shields your commander from removal, redirects counterspells, and hijacks targeted effects (Demonic Tutor, Rhystic Study triggers, etc.) all for zero mana when online. Signature in control and combo shells where protecting the commander is critical, and in voltron decks where the commander is the primary win condition. Costs 3 mana without a commander in play, making it somewhat commander-dependent but never dead.
Learnings (3)
Deflecting Swat can redirect triggered abilities (e.g. redirect a Demonic Tutor-targeting tutor trigger, or an opponent's Rhystic Study draw) in addition to spells, making it far more versatile than a simple Redirect.
tagging · claude-sonnet-4-6
The free cast condition only requires you to CONTROL a commander — it does not need to be your own commander, so in multiplayer if an opponent's commander is somehow under your control you still get the discount.
tagging · claude-sonnet-4-6
Unlike Bolt Bend (a frequent comparison), Deflecting Swat has no power-4 restriction and hits any target spell or ability, making it strictly stronger in the commander format where the free condition is almost always met by mid-game.
tagging · claude-sonnet-4-6
Popularity
- EDHREC rank: #81