If I play a unit or spell that says it targets all enemy units, if the enemy has Deflect do I still need to pay the power cost?

Question

Accepted Answer

It depends on whether your spell or ability actually **targets** those enemy units.

### 1. Does it Target?
*   **If the card text says "all" (e.g., "Deal 2 damage to all enemy units"):** This generally does **not** target. According to Rule 355.10.d, instructions that programmatically select objects based on characteristics (like "all units at a battlefield") do not target. If it does not target, **Deflect does not apply**, and you do not need to pay any additional costs.
*   **If the card text requires you to choose or select individual units:** Even if the card says "all," if you are required to select them as targets when playing the card, they are considered targets.

### 2. If it DOES Target
If the card's instructions make those enemy units targets (for instance, if you are selecting them to be dealt damage), then **Deflect does apply**.

*   **Deflect is a Mandatory Additional Cost:** According to Rule 809.1.c, spells or abilities that "choose" (target) a permanent with Deflect cost [Deflect Value] more to play.
*   **Per-Target Basis:** If your spell targets multiple units with Deflect, you must pay the Deflect cost for **each** unit with Deflect that you choose as a target (Rule 809.1.c).
*   **Finalization:** You must be able to pay these costs during the "finalization" phase of playing the card. If you cannot pay the total required Power cost (including all applicable Deflect costs), you cannot choose those units as targets, and you may be unable to play the spell at all if targeting is mandatory (see RiftJudge FAQ #8660).

### Summary
*   **Non-targeting effects** (e.g., "Kill all units at a battlefield"): No Deflect cost.
*   **Targeting effects** (e.g., "Choose any number of units... and deal damage to them"): Yes, you must pay the Deflect cost for each unit with Deflect you choose as a target.

If you aren't sure if a specific card targets, check its text: if you have to "choose," "select," or "target" specific units rather than having the card automatically affect everything that fits a description, it is likely targeting.