Price$2.43 – $5.21
Buy on TCGplayerBolt Bend
Instant
LegalRank #582
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.
Why is this card good?
Bolt Bend is one of the best redirect effects available in red, and it shines in decks that naturally field beefy threats.
The cost reduction is the whole story: with a power-4+ creature out, this is just a single red mana to redirect a removal spell, a counter, or even a stolen-permanent/targeted tutor effect back at an opponent. That's a Misdirection on a budget, and red rarely gets interaction this efficient.
Who wants it: Voltron/Commander-damage decks (Krenko aside — think big-creature aggro), Gruul/Naya stompy, dragon and dinosaur decks, and any aggressive red deck that wants to protect its key threat from spot removal. Redirecting an opponent's "destroy target creature" onto their commander is brutally efficient tempo.
When NOT to play it: Token-swarm, go-wide, or spellslinger decks that don't reliably keep a 4-power creature in play — without the discount it's a clunky four-mana effect. Also weak against board wipes and sacrifice-based removal, since it only hits single-target spells/abilities.
Related cards
Deflecting Swat
Free redirection of a single-target spell or ability, often for zero mana with a commander.
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Changes target of any spell with a single target.
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Redirects a spell, with a free alternative cost.
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Cheap red spell redirection trap effect.
Bolt of Keranos
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Redirects and copies a spell at you in red.
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Redirects spell/ability targeting in black, similar protective role.
Fork
Red instant copying spells, related interactive role.
Reverberate
Red copy spell for protection or value redirection.