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Word of Command

Black

7 printings listed in our catalog, from newest to oldest.

Word of Command, 30th Anniversary Edition printing
30th Anniversary Edition 30A · No. 133 2022-11-28

Card text

{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.
EDHREC rank #19332 Rare Reserved List
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The 7 printings

All, with their prices ↓

Standard ∅ Not legal
Pioneer ∅ Not legal
Modern ∅ Not legal
Legacy ✓ Legal
Vintage ✓ Legal
Pauper ∅ Not legal
Commander ✓ Legal
Oathbreaker ✓ Legal
Brawl ∅ Not legal
Historic ∅ Not legal
Timeless ∅ Not legal
Alchemy ∅ Not legal
Explorer ∅ Not legal
Gladiator ∅ Not legal
Penny ∅ Not legal
Duel ✓ Legal

Official rulings

12 rulings · in English, source Scryfall

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

2004-10-04 · Wizards of the Coast

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.

2009-10-01 · Wizards of the Coast

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

2011-01-01 · Wizards of the Coast

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

2011-01-01 · Wizards of the Coast

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 · Wizards of the Coast

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

2011-01-01 · Wizards of the Coast

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

2011-01-01 · Wizards of the Coast

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 · Wizards of the Coast

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.

2011-01-01 · Wizards of the Coast

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 · Wizards of the Coast

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.

2016-07-13 · Wizards of the Coast

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 · Wizards of the Coast

All printings

Word of Command, 30th Anniversary Edition printing
30th Anniversary Edition
30A · #133
Rare
∅ No QC price
Word of Command, 30th Anniversary Edition printing
30th Anniversary Edition
30A · #430
Rare
∅ No QC price
Word of Command, Collectors' Edition printing
Collectors' Edition
CED · #137
Rare
∅ No QC price
Word of Command, Intl. Collectors' Edition printing
Intl. Collectors' Edition
CEI · #137
Rare
∅ No QC price
Word of Command, Limited Edition Beta printing
Limited Edition Beta
LEB · #137
Rare
∅ No QC price
Word of Command, Limited Edition Alpha printing
Limited Edition Alpha
LEA · #136
Rare
∅ No QC price
3 Mana · Condition LP