Spellbender


 * For the minion, see Spellbender (minion)

Spellbender is an epic mage spell card, inducted into the Legacy set, formerly from the Classic set.

Previous availability

 * Regular Spellbender could also be obtained as a first-time reward for first time reaching Platinum 10 and Diamond 10 in Ranked mode from April 1, 2020 to March 25, 2021 (or as a reward of Climbing the Ranks (6/10) and (8/10) achievements).

Strategy
This card has a similar but more niche ability than Counterspell, letting you intercept enemy spells instead of just cancelling them. In many situations, this card is usually worse: while it can neatly block a Fireball or Shadow Word: Death just like Counterspell can, it doesn't block spells with secondary effects, such as the card draw of Wrath or the side targets of Explosive Shot. The scenario where it's better than Counterspell is in intercepting positive minion Enchantment s, such as Blessing of Kings or Mark of the Wild.

Lore
While there is no specific character or spell with this name, the Spellbender minion displays a blood elf reflecting a spell. Blood elves are known to have become adept at absorbing, manipulating, and redirecting all forms of arcane, holy, and demonic magics. The Spellbender likely comes from a similar tradition to the Spellbreakers.

Bugs

 * Spellbender will not activate if the opponent plays Dark Wispers on one of his own minions if the opponent has a full board.

Trivia

 * The artwork for this card comes from the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game "Fields of Honor" series, for the card Siaranna the Fickle.

Patch changes

 * Moved from Classic to Legacy set.
 * Spellbender (minion) now costs 1, up from 0.
 * Text changed from "Secret: When a minion is hit by an enemy spell, summon a 1/1 and hit it instead" to "Secret: When an enemy casts a spell on a minion, summon a 1/3 as the new target"