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Word of Command

Word of Command

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Unlimited Edition

#137 · EN · Rare · 1993-12-01

Browse all 8 printings ↓

Word of Command

{B}{B}

Instant

Look at target opponent's hand and choose a card from it. You control that player until Word of Command finishes resolving. The player plays that card if able. While doing so, the player can activate mana abilities only if they're from lands that player controls and only if mana they produce is spent to activate other mana abilities of lands the player controls and/or to play that card. If the chosen card is cast as a spell, you control the player while that spell is resolving.

Artist: Jesper Myrfors

Color identity: B

Reference prices

Reference prices by finish and currency
FinishUSDEUR
Nonfoil$386.00€190.69

Data snapshot 2026-10-22. Not live offers.

Use in a combo · Use in a deck

Editions & versions

8 printings across 7 editions. Choose a printing to view its artwork and details.

Reference prices · Data snapshot 2026-10-22. Prices vary by seller and condition; — means no quote.

Combos using this card

Word Games (or Head Command ;0)

Power Word Kill

sly\'s challange accepted

God Hand Counter (version 2)

Intelligence Good

A Magic Riddle

Format legality
Standardnot legal
Futurenot legal
Historicnot legal
Timelessnot legal
Gladiatornot legal
Pioneernot legal
Modernnot legal
Legacylegal
Paupernot legal
Vintagelegal
Pennynot legal
Commanderlegal
Oathbreakerlegal
Standardbrawlnot legal
Brawlnot legal
Competitivebrawlnot legal
Alchemynot legal
Paupercommandernot legal
Duellegal
Oldschoollegal
Premodernnot legal
Predhlegal
Tlrlegal
Rulings

2016-07-13 Controlling a player doesn't allow you to look at that player's sideboard. If an effect instructs that player to choose a card from outside the game, you can't have that player choose any card.

2016-07-13 While controlling another player, you can see all cards in the game that player can see. This includes cards in that player's hand, face-down cards that player controls, and any cards in that player's library the player may look at.

2011-01-01 During the resolution of this spell, that player plays the chosen card.

2011-01-01 If there is a non-mana way to cast a spell, as with Pitch Spells, you may require that way to be used if it is possible to do so.

2011-01-01 Since this spell is an instant, your opponent gets a chance to respond to it as normal. Once this spell resolves, you look at your opponent's hand and choose a card. Note that it is common practice to respond to Word of Command by using up any spells or mana you have prior to letting it resolve.

2011-01-01 Word of Command can't be used to force a player to play a card that isn't in their hand.

2011-01-01 You control the player while this spell is resolving, which means you get to see anything they can see. If that player is required to search their library as part of playing the card or as part of its resolution if it's cast as a spell, then you can see the cards in that player's library as well.

2011-01-01 You may Command your opponent to play a land (if they have not already done so this turn).

2011-01-01 You must order your opponent to play the chosen card if it is possible to do so.

2011-01-01 Your opponent can't counter the Word of Command after letting you look at their hand, but they can attempt to counter the spell you force them to cast.

2009-10-01 You do get to choose which lands get tapped. You can make them choose an optional mana generating ability of the land that they tap, such as making them tap and sacrifice the land instead of just tap it.

2004-10-04 To "play a card" is to either cast a spell or to put a land onto the battlefield using the main phase special action.

Current Oracle text is shown for every printing.