Divert MTG Card


A cost-effective control tool, Divert shapes the match by repurposing opponents’ targeted spells. Its instant speed and low mana cost allow for strategic plays and deck fluidity. Divert’s potential trade-off is its discard cost, which might limit hand options.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Text of card

Change the target of target spell with a single target unless that spell's controller pays .

"What's the fun of being a wizard if you can't mess with people's heads?"


Cards like Divert

Divert is a unique spell in Magic: The Gathering, putting a clever twist on the classic mechanic of redirecting spells. Similar in concept to the card Misdirection, both allow players to change the target of a spell. However, Divert comes with a significantly lower casting cost requiring only one blue mana. This can make it key to surprising an opponent during a crucial moment without spending too much from your mana pool.

Redirect is another card that shares this ability with Divert but at a higher cost of two colorless and one red mana. It broadens the spectrum, allowing its user not just to target single but also multiple targets in one swoop. Yet, Divert maintains an advantage with its lower requirement easing its use in a tight mana situation. Swerve, altering the course by changing the target of target spell with a single blue and red mana cost stands out for its versatility of being able to fit into decks running both these colors.

Analyzing these options, Divert still affirms its position in the world of spell redirection in Magic: The Gathering. Its efficiency for cost and the strategic depth it adds to gameplay make it an often underestimated but valuable card in player’s arsenals.

Misdirection - MTG Card versions
Redirect - MTG Card versions
Swerve - MTG Card versions
Misdirection - MTG Card versions
Redirect - MTG Card versions
Swerve - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Divert by color, type and mana cost

Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
Jump - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Mind - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Siren's Call - MTG Card versions
Power Sink - MTG Card versions
Blue Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Spell Blast - MTG Card versions
Magical Hack - MTG Card versions
Twiddle - MTG Card versions
Riptide - MTG Card versions
Winter's Chill - MTG Card versions
Mind Bend - MTG Card versions
Denied! - MTG Card versions
Hydroblast - MTG Card versions
Whispers of the Muse - MTG Card versions
Ertai's Trickery - MTG Card versions
Force Spike - MTG Card versions
Opt - MTG Card versions
Envelop - MTG Card versions
Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
Jump - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Mind - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Siren's Call - MTG Card versions
Power Sink - MTG Card versions
Blue Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Spell Blast - MTG Card versions
Magical Hack - MTG Card versions
Twiddle - MTG Card versions
Riptide - MTG Card versions
Winter's Chill - MTG Card versions
Mind Bend - MTG Card versions
Denied! - MTG Card versions
Hydroblast - MTG Card versions
Whispers of the Muse - MTG Card versions
Ertai's Trickery - MTG Card versions
Force Spike - MTG Card versions
Opt - MTG Card versions
Envelop - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Divert ensures a one-for-one interaction, effectively neutralizing an opponent’s targeted spell while conserving your own resources. This can shift the momentum in your favor and potentially deprive your opponent of their card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: By costing only a single blue mana, Divert ramp ups your reactive plays. This low cost keeps your resources free for further actions within the same turn, effectively accelerating your ability to utilize more of your deck’s potential.

Instant Speed: Divert’s instant speed offers the strategic upper hand, providing the flexibility to disrupt opponents’ key spells during their turn. This can be pivotal in maintaining control of the game’s pace and preventing opponents from gaining a stronghold on the match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Divert necessitates the surrender of a card from your hand to activate, presenting a trade-off that can be costly during peak decision moments, especially when you might be verging on an empty hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Divert features a color-specific mana demand, requiring blue, which binds it strictly to blue-inclusive decks, potentially limiting its application across the diverse metagame board.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana valuation that could be deemed steep given the card’s singular effect of redirecting a spell targeting you or a permanent you control, Divert might not stack up favorably against other options in the slot with broader utility or lower cost investments.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Divert, in nature, is a card that adapts to various situations on the battlefield. Whether you are facing an aggressive onslaught or clever spells, Divert gives you a way to redirect the trouble away from your assets to protect your game plan.

Combo Potential: This card shines when used in conjunction with strategies that aim to meddle with an opponent’s spells. In decks that play on the stack or utilize counterspells, Divert can seamlessly integrate to disrupt the opponent’s tactics effectively.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where single-target removals or critical spell casting are prevalent, Divert becomes a resourceful tool. It allows you to keep pressure on your adversaries by using their own strategies against them, maintaining your standing in the competitive scene.


How to beat

Overcoming the challenge of Divert in Magic: The Gathering requires strategic foresight and a robust understanding of your opponent’s deck. As a low-cost blue instant that changes the target of a single spell with a single target to another target, Divert can be a thorn in the side for many players, especially in a game where precise targeting is key. To navigate around Divert, it’s crucial to bait it out or wait until your opponent is tapped out to avoid the redirection of your key spells. Moreover, playing spells that cannot be countered or spells with multiple targets reduces Divert’s effectiveness drastically.

Additionally, keeping an eye on the blue mana your opponent has available is a wise approach since Divert’s inexpensive casting cost means it can be played with minimal resources. For players who suspect a Divert is looming, casting less critical spells first can draw out Divert, thereby paving the way for more important spells to hit their intended mark without interference. In essence, dealing with Divert boils down to careful planning and execution, ensuring that crucial spells are not delivered unless the coast is clear or the impact of Divert can be minimized or nullified.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Divert MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and Amonkhet Invocations, 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 Divert and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Divert Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2017-04-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12001-10-01OdysseyODY 821997NormalBlackChristopher Moeller
22017-04-28Amonkhet InvocationsMP2 132015NormalBorderlessIgor Kieryluk

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Divert has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal