Atarka's Command MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 2 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Instant |
Text of card
Choose two — • Your opponents can't gain life this turn. • Atarka's Command deals 3 damage to each opponent. • You may put a land card from your hand onto the battlefield. • Creatures you control get +1/+1 and gain reach until end of turn.
Cards like Atarka's Command
Atarka’s Command is a multi-faceted instant that excels in versatility within Magic: The Gathering. It shares design space with other commands, particularly Dromoka’s Command, which also offers a choice among beneficial modes. However, Atarka’s Command is distinct in supporting aggressive strategies, allowing players to amp up damage and mana efficiency. It uniquely enables your team to avoid life gain by opponents and bolsters your army with a power increase, a strategy not mirrored by Dromoka’s Command.
Another card worth comparing is Boros Charm. Both these instants hail from multicolored sets, providing four distinct modes or effects. While Boros Charm is revered for its indestructibility and double-strike capabilities, Atarka’s Command’s land play acceleration and damage increase make it invaluable in landfall and burn decks. Kolaghan’s Command is likewise a contender with its graveyard recursion and disruption abilities but it leans towards control rather than Atarka’s aggressive tempo.
Assessing the tactical edge of these cards, Atarka’s Command stands out in the MTG realm for its potential to swiftly tilt the scales in fast-paced, combat-centric matches, underpinning its unique placement among the command cycle.
Cards similar to Atarka's Command by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Atarka's Command. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gruul Burn | Modern | Gruul Burn | Modern Showcase Challenge 2024-05-11 | |
Gruul Aggro | Pioneer | Gruul Aggro | Pioneer Challenge 32 2024-05-06 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Atarka’s Command might not let you draw cards directly, but it contributes to card advantage by enabling multiple strategies with just one card. This can lead to significant strategic gains without losing hand size, effectively outpacing your opponent with the versatile options it provides.
Resource Acceleration: One of its modes can ramp up your mana resources by allowing you to play an additional land this turn. This can be pivotal in casting powerful spells ahead of schedule, catapulting you into a commanding position in the game.
Instant Speed: The instant speed flexibility of Atarka’s Command is a tactical asset, allowing for unexpected plays and the ability to respond swiftly to changing board states. This can disrupt opponent plans while advancing your game position at a critical moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Atarka’s Command does not require you to discard cards, it can indirectly cause card disadvantage. Given its instant nature, you may be tempted to hold cards back to maximize its effect, which can slow your hand rotation and reduce your options.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost necessitates both red and green mana, restricting it to decks that can accommodate this exact combination. Players running monochrome or other color pairs might find it challenging to integrate Atarka’s Command effectively without adjusting their manabase.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Atarka’s Command’s cost is two mana, which is a considerable investment for a non-creature spell. While the effects are powerful, there are situations where the mana could be allocated towards developing your board presence or reserving for other control options.
Reasons to Include Atarka’s Command in Your Collection
Versatility: Atarka’s Command is a flexible addition to numerous deck archetypes in Magic the Gathering. Its ability to grant your creatures extra power, punish opponents for noncreature spell reliance, and prevent life gain provides valuable utility in both aggressive and controlling strategies.
Combo Potential: This card shines in decks that look to maximize damage output quickly. With its land drop effect, it can be combined with landfall abilities to create potent synergy, or it can pump a whole team before a crucial attack phase, delivering a surge of damage that can overwhelm an opponent.
Meta-Relevance: Given its adaptability and strength in creature-based decks, Atarka’s Command remains a significant card in formats where speed and efficiency are of the essence. Its place in the competitive scene is solid, affecting games by accelerating your board state while disrupting your opponent’s game plan.
How to beat
Atarka’s Command is a powerhouse card with multiple modes, allowing players flexibility and potential for substantial burst damage, or ramping capabilities in MTG. This card can serve as a quick game finisher and it’s a threat to be aware of when facing opponents in the Gruul colors.
The key to mitigating Atarka’s Command’s impact is through smart life-total management and removal of creatures. Bolstering your life ahead of time with cards like Essence Warden or Authority of the Consuls can provide cushion against the damage-dealing option of Atarka’s Command. Counter spells also prove to be effective. Cards like Negate or Dovin’s Veto can stop Atarka’s Command in its tracks. Additionally, graveyard disruption tools such as Rest in Peace hamper strategies leveraging Atarka’s Command for formidable graveyard synergies.
Understanding your opponent’s deck and anticipating the use of Atarka’s Command can position you to navigate around it effectively. Keeping countermeasures in hand and maintaining composure while life points are under threat will ensure you’re ready to deal with this versatile command card strategically.
BurnMana Recommendations
Mastering the MTG battlefield involves a fine balance between strategy, speed, and adaptability. Atarka’s Command is a prime example of a card that can turn the tides of battle with its versatile abilities. If you are ready to enhance your Gruul deck’s performance or just looking for a versatile option to keep opponents on their toes, this command might be the spell you’re seeking. Delve deeper with us into strategies that maximize the potential of Atarka’s Command, identify opportunities to outmaneuver your adversaries, and optimize your deck to its fullest capacity. Elevate your gameplay and command your way to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Atarka's Command MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir and Dragons of Tarkir Promos, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Atarka's Command and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Atarka's Command Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2015-03-27 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by Chris Rahn.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2015-03-27 | Dragons of Tarkir | DTK | 213 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
2 | 2015-03-28 | Dragons of Tarkir Promos | PDTK | 213s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
3 | 2021-05-27 | Historic Anthology 5 | HA5 | 21 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
4 | 2022-07-08 | Double Masters 2022 | 2X2 | 475 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
5 | 2022-07-08 | Double Masters 2022 | 2X2 | 176 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Atarka's Command has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Explorer | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Brawl | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Atarka's Command card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2015-02-25 | As the spell resolves, follow the instructions of the modes you chose in the order they are printed on the card. For example, if you chose the second and fourth modes of Ojutai’s Command, you would gain 4 life and then draw a card. (The order won’t matter in most cases.) |
2015-02-25 | If a Command is copied, the effect that creates the copy will usually allow you to choose new targets for the copy, but you can’t choose new modes. |
2015-02-25 | If all targets for the chosen modes become illegal before the Command resolves, the spell won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen. If at least one target is still legal, the spell will resolve but will have no effect on any illegal targets. |
2015-02-25 | If you choose the third mode and put a land card onto the battlefield, that doesn’t count as playing a land. For example, you can both play a land and put a land onto the battlefield this way during your turn. |
2015-02-25 | The first mode won’t affect life that was gained earlier in the turn. |
2015-02-25 | You can choose a mode only if you can choose legal targets for that mode. Ignore the targeting requirements for modes that aren’t chosen. For example, you can cast Ojutai’s Command without targeting a creature spell provided you don’t choose the third mode. |
2015-02-25 | You choose the two modes as you cast the spell. You must choose two different modes. Once modes are chosen, they can’t be changed. |