If Fiora gains Deflect after an opponent has already targeted her with a spell (by increasing her might in reaction), does the opponent need to recycle a card for Deflect?

Question

Accepted Answer

Ruling: No, the opponent does not need to recycle a card. Once a spell is finalized (costs paid and targets chosen), gaining Deflect afterward does not trigger the Deflect cost requirement.

Sequence:
- Opponent plays spell targeting Fiora (who does not have Deflect yet)
- Opponent pays costs and chooses targets (spell is finalized)
- Player reacts by increasing Fiora's might, giving her Deflect
- Spell resolves without requiring the Deflect cost

Nuances:
- It doesn't matter if Fiora gains Deflect before the spell resolves; what matters is whether she had Deflect when the spell was finalized (when costs were paid and targets were chosen)