<blockquote>
<p>When Lich's Mastery leaves the battlefield, you lose the game.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>That ability doesn't use the word 'target', so you can't redirect / deflect it.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>115.1d A triggered ability is targeted if it identifies something it will affect by using the phrase “target [something],” where the “something” is a phrase that describes an object and/or player. The target(s) are chosen as the ability is put on the stack; see rule 603.3d.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-23T17:31:26.343Z
2021-01-23T17:31:26.343Z
Glorfindel
<p>No. Cards like deflecting swat can change the target of spells and abilities. For that to work the spell or ability will need to have the word target in it like <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bLightning%20Bolt%5d">Lightning Bolt</a> says &quot;Lightning Bolt deals 3 damage to <strong>any target</strong>.&quot; Lich's Mastery does not have a target, it simply has effects that work on whoever controls the enchantment.</p>
<p>In order to do what you want you would need something like <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bHarmless%20Offering%5d">Harmless Offering</a> at instant speed, to give an opponent control of Lich's Mastery before the destroy effect resolves.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-23T17:35:49.280Z
2021-01-23T17:35:49.280Z
Andrew
<p>No, this will not work.</p>
<p>The triggered ability of Lich's Mastery does not have a target, and Deflecting Swat can only change the targets of spells and abilities.</p>
<p>Lich's Master affects “you”, which refers to the controller of the ability. It does not affect “target player”. An ability is only targeted if it uses the word “target”, or if it uses a keyword that has “target” in the rules text.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-23T17:32:23.413Z
2021-01-23T17:32:23.413Z
GendoIkari
<p>A EDH deck I am wanting to build revolves around <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bLich%27s%5d%2b%5bMastery%5d">Lich&#39;s Mastery</a>. I'm aware of the removal that may occur to it and that I can <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bStifle%5d">Stifle</a> the ability of <strong>When Lich's Mastery leaves the battlefield you lose the game</strong>.
I know <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bDeflecting%20Swat%5d">Deflecting Swat</a> can redirect an ability on the stack and Lich's Mastery's last ability goes on the stack.
Can Deflecting Swat redirect Lich's Mastery's lose the game ability?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-23T17:35:05.953Z
[Related](https://boardgames.stackexchange.com/questions/43995/which-spells-or-abilities-are-affected-by-things-that-care-about-targeting). Not sure if it’s a duplicate because the other answer does not address redirecting or changing targets.
GendoIkari
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-24T02:05:57.473Z
Not an answer, but Lich's Mastery can be Donated if your color identity includes blue.  Might be a nice alternate win condition if your opponent seems likely to have removal that can target Lich's Mastery.  Alternately, if you can keep other enchantments in play that are valid targets, Deflecting Swat can redirect the removal spell itself.  (Apologies in advance if deckbuilding/gameplay advice in comments is frowned on here, I don't spend enough time here to be in sync with the meta.  Feel free to let me know if this comment is in the wrong, I'll remember next time.)
gatherer818
<magic-the-gathering>
Deflecting Swat and Lich's Mastery
Twiggy
# Deflecting Swat and Lich's Mastery

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-01-23)

A EDH deck I am wanting to build revolves around [Lich's Mastery](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bLich%27s%5d%2b%5bMastery%5d). I'm aware of the removal that may occur to it and that I can [Stifle](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bStifle%5d) the ability of **When Lich's Mastery leaves the battlefield you lose the game**.
I know [Deflecting Swat](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bDeflecting%20Swat%5d) can redirect an ability on the stack and Lich's Mastery's last ability goes on the stack.
Can Deflecting Swat redirect Lich's Mastery's lose the game ability?

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: [Related](https://boardgames.stackexchange.com/questions/43995/which-spells-or-abilities-are-affected-by-things-that-care-about-targeting). Not sure if it’s a duplicate because the other answer does not address redirecting or changing targets.  
> **username_2**: Not an answer, but Lich's Mastery can be Donated if your color identity includes blue.  Might be a nice alternate win condition if your opponent seems likely to have removal that can target Lich's Mastery.  Alternately, if you can keep other enchantments in play that are valid targets, Deflecting Swat can redirect the removal spell itself.  (Apologies in advance if deckbuilding/gameplay advice in comments is frowned on here, I don't spend enough time here to be in sync with the meta.  Feel free to let me know if this comment is in the wrong, I'll remember next time.)  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2021-01-23. Score: 10

> When Lich's Mastery leaves the battlefield, you lose the game.

That ability doesn't use the word 'target', so you can't redirect / deflect it.

> 115.1d A triggered ability is targeted if it identifies something it will affect by using the phrase “target [something],” where the “something” is a phrase that describes an object and/or player. The target(s) are chosen as the ability is put on the stack; see rule 603.3d.


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2021-01-23. Score: 6

No. Cards like deflecting swat can change the target of spells and abilities. For that to work the spell or ability will need to have the word target in it like [Lightning Bolt](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bLightning%20Bolt%5d) says "Lightning Bolt deals 3 damage to **any target**." Lich's Mastery does not have a target, it simply has effects that work on whoever controls the enchantment.

In order to do what you want you would need something like [Harmless Offering](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bHarmless%20Offering%5d) at instant speed, to give an opponent control of Lich's Mastery before the destroy effect resolves.


---

### Answer by username_1 on 2021-01-23. Score: 5

No, this will not work.

The triggered ability of Lich's Mastery does not have a target, and Deflecting Swat can only change the targets of spells and abilities.

Lich's Master affects “you”, which refers to the controller of the ability. It does not affect “target player”. An ability is only targeted if it uses the word “target”, or if it uses a keyword that has “target” in the rules text.


---

