Very basic misdirection question.

[mikee]

My question is simply, do I need to chose a new target when I misdirect, or is it up to me? I would assuem i have to choose a new target, but what if this isnt possible, such as let's say an raise dead, but there is only one creature in all graveyards? Do I just not choose a new target or do I have to choose the one possible one, and thus render misdirection ineffective and pointless?

Also, even if there ARE other possible targets, do I have to choose one? Like if he plays raise dead, and has two creatures in his graveyard, would I have to redirect the spell to target the other creature (which would still be disadvantageous for me), or could I choose to not target any creature at all?

[Joblin Velder]

You MUST name a target.

[Limbo]

You MUST name a target.

This does not actually answer the question. The answer would be:

Change the target of target spell with a single target.

A card always does as much as possible, and here CHANGING is the word to go by. In the case of only one target for raise dead in the yard, the misdirection will do nothing, as it cannot change anything (but still resolve!). In the case of two targets in the yard, your misdirection MUST switch to the other legal target.

[crazzykid81083]

Im confused doesnt raise dead read return target creature in target graveyard to owners hand if so then i believe you cant misdirect it because the raise dead targets 2 things a graveyard and a creature same with
donate
fire part on fire/ice
Dont quote me youll have to read raise dead

[Matt]

Always always always check http://gatherer.wizards.com for the latest card wordings!

Rules Text (Oracle):    Return target creature card from your graveyard to your hand.

Raise Dead has only one target. It cannot be used to put a creature back in an opponent's hand (like, say, a Genesis which is bothering you), and never could.

[mikee]

Ok, so doesn't that amke midirection a very limited card? I can only really see it having use in a counter war. Which is very useful, but also very limited.

[Roxas]

It's good for spells like Ancestral Recall, Deep Analysis, Mind Twist, and pretty much any spell that targets a player.  It can also be randomly useful on things like Echoing Truth, Swords to Plowshares, etc.  It -is- a rather situational card, but it's not as limited as you seem to think.

[mikee]

Yeah, actually you are right, I didn't think of those other situations.

But just so I can be 100% sure I understand. If there is no other possible target, then misdirection simply does not do anything, and the spell that I cast it on follows through with it's original target?

[Limbo]

Correct.

[Matt]

But if there's only one possible target, you can still cast the MisD, right? Like say to grow a Dryad or gain like off a [card]Krakens Eye[/card].

[Jacob Orlove]

But if there's only one possible target, you can still cast the MisD, right? Like say to grow a Dryad or gain like off a [card]Krakens Eye[/card].

Correct. You could Misdirect a Duress in a two player game, for example, if for some reason you felt like playing the card, but as you are the only legal target, you'd still get hit. This can also be relevant on Mindslaver turns.