Can Vex Cheerless reduce the cost of paying deflect?

Question

Accepted Answer

Yes, **Vex, Cheerless** can reduce the cost of **Deflect**.

According to **RiftJudge FAQ #9237** and **FAQ #8596**, the interaction works because of the order of cost calculation:

1.  **Deflect** is a mandatory additional cost (Rule 809.1.d) that is added to the spell's total cost.
2.  **Vex, Cheerless** applies a discount to the **total cost** of the spell.
3.  Because the *Deflect* cost is included in the total cost before discounts are applied, *Vex, Cheerless*'s discount is applied to that total, effectively offsetting the *Deflect* cost.

**Key Nuances:**
*   **Minimum Energy:** While *Vex, Cheerless* has a "minimum 1 Energy" restriction, this applies only to the spell's base cost, not the total cost including additional costs like *Deflect*. Therefore, *Vex, Cheerless* can reduce the total cost (including *Deflect*) below what would otherwise be the minimum.
*   **Order of Operations:** Per Rule 356.4, discounts to the total cost are applied after all additional costs (like *Deflect*) have been summed.