[Card Discussion] Divert

[Gambit]

Divert : Instant
U
Change the target of target spell with a single target unless that spell's controller pays 2.

This card seems like it could have a lot of potential; why doesn't it see any play?

[Tacosnape]

In large part, it hasn't seen play because it's useless against Goblins and doesn't work on a Duress or Krosan Grip. This might change if Thoughtseize takes over Duress's slots in most decks, but I doubt it.

It also sucks late game because, well, they can pay two.

It's a highly narrow card, mostly.

[Wallace]

Divert is ok but like Taco said goblins will bend it over. You would be better off with misdirection or just play a counterspell in that slot instead.

[Gambit]

Maybe as a sideboard card? Tries to think of good things to redirect:
Stp other removal
Hymn
Any c-spell
L-Bolt
Draw that targets?
There must be more, or maybe that's why it's narrow....:frown:
Thought of a few more:
Vindicate
sinkhole
Thoughtseize...

[from Cairo]

Yea its a solid Sideboard card versus black decks with Hymn and creature removal, and for decks that want to protect creatures for very cheap in the early game.

It is pretty bad late game though, I think its best fit into a deck that doesn't worry about late game/tries to win out quick.

[Nihil Credo]

It's good against Black decks with lots of disruption and against Burn, and crappy against pretty much everything else.

This is because those are the only decks who play lots of targeted spells in the first few turns (the former has discard and LD, the latter has burn). Other decks tend to only play removal or countermagic as targeted spells, against which Divert is a mediocre strategy.

[TheAardvark]

A lot of Aluren builds run 2-4 copies in the sideboard as foils to things like Hymn and Plow, which is a fine idea. Outside of decks like that its applications just aren't that amazing, especially since they can just pay the 2.