Austere Command MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 21 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 6 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Choose two Destroy all artifacts; or destroy all enchantments; or destroy all creatures with converted mana cost 3 or less; or destroy all creatures with converted mana cost 4 or greater.
Understanding the Versatility of Austere Command
Within the realm of flexible removal options in Magic: The Gathering, Austere Command stands tall. Its ability to tailor destruction based on the evolving battlefield conditions makes it a strategic choice among sweepers. The card gives players the power to choose two out of four modes, allowing for targeted board wipes that can conserve critical pieces on one’s own side while dismantling an opponent’s strategy.
Cards like Austere Command
Austere Command is often compared to other modular board-clearing spells. A prime example would be Merciless Eviction, which also offers the flexibility of choosing the type of permanents to be exiled. Unlike Austere Command, which allows for two choices that affect lower and higher mana cost permanents separately, Merciless Eviction affects all cards of the chosen type but exiles them, ensuring they can’t be regrown from the graveyard. Another parallel can be drawn with Cleansing Nova, offering the choice between destroying all creatures or all artifacts and enchantments—a narrower field of impact compared to Austere Command’s four options.
Decree of Pain is another contender, wiping all creatures and granting card draw for each destroyed creature, but lacking the tailored precision that Austere Command offers. When evaluating the utility of these cards alongside Austere Command, the latter’s perfect blend of versatility and control often renders it the preferred choice among players for managing threats on the board.
Cards similar to Austere Command by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Austere Command allows you to select from four different modal options to destroy multiple types of permanents, which can lead to significant advantage by dealing with numerous threats at once or resetting the board in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: By choosing to destroy all artifacts and/or enchantments, Austere Command can be used strategically to hamper opponents’ resource acceleration while potentially leaving your own mana sources untouched, allowing you to ramp up your plays in subsequent turns.
Instant Speed: Although Austere Command is a sorcery, the broad choice of its modal effects can simulate the flexibility of instant speed by being relevant at any stage of the game, ensuring that whenever you cast it, it can be highly impactful to the state of the board.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Austere Command allows flexibility in choosing the type of destruction it will unleash, it doesn’t come without sacrifice. Players must be mindful of the cards in hand when preparing to cast this versatile spell, as having fewer cards could put them at an informational disadvantage and limit their strategic options.
Specific Mana Cost: Sporting a precise mana requirement of three generic and two white mana, Austere Command can be a challenging inclusion for multi-colored or mana-hungry decks. This can potentially restrict its play to decks that can reliably produce the necessary white mana without disrupting their mana base or game plan.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing a total of five mana to play, this card’s impact on the board state must be weighed carefully against its cost. In metagames where speed is of the essence, the high mana investment might be better allocated towards more immediate threats or defenses, giving opponents a window of advantage while you set up for a play.
Reasons to Include Austere Command in Your Collection
Versatility: Austere Command is a versatile powerhouse, adapting to a multitude of scenarios that can arise in a game. It allows you to selectively sweep the board, catering to the needs of your deck while potentially leaving your important assets untouched.
Combo Potential: This card can serve as a combo enabler in decks that synergize with graveyard strategies or benefit from the destruction of certain permanents. It’s especially potent in decks that can repeatedly cast it from the graveyard or where it can set up game-winning conditions.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where decks with a wide range of creature sizes dominate or where enchantments and artifacts are key, Austere Command’s flexibility allows you to effectively address threats. Its presence forces opponents to play around its sweeping potential, shaping the flow of the game.
How to beat Austere Command
Austere Command is a versatile card in MTG, allowing players to choose two out of four possible destruction modes. Its flexibility can create significant setbacks, not just clearing away small creatures, but also potentially wiping out large ones, enchantments, or artifacts based on a player’s selection. Overcoming such a card requires careful timing and strategic deployment of resources.
To effectively counter Austere Command, players can employ instant-speed spells or abilities that can regenerate or give indestructibility to their key permanents. Having a diverse range of creature sizes can also mitigate the impact of the board wipe, ensuring not all creatures fall under the selected categories. Moreover, keeping a watchful eye on the opponent’s mana and playing around the potential for an Austere Command during crucial turns can go a long way towards staying one step ahead.
Ultimately, having a backup plan such as card draw abilities or creatures that can be played from the graveyard can soften the blow dealt by Austere Command. By diversifying threats and recognizing the importance of timing in MTG, players can outmaneuver the disruption caused by this commanding card and maintain an advantageous position on the battlefield.
BurnMana Recommendations
The realm of MTG is endless, offering paths to victory and strategic depth with every card. Austere Command is no exception. Understanding and utilizing this card’s versatility can turn the tides of any game in your favor. Whether you’re looking to outsmart your opponent’s setup or capitalize on a strategic board reset, mastering Austere Command’s modal options is key. Dive deeper into the strategic nuances of powerful cards such as Austere Command. Allow us to guide you through crafting the ultimate deck and refining your gameplay. Step into a world of savvy plays and strategic dominance with us by your side.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Austere Command MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Lorwyn, 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 Austere Command and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Austere Command Magic the Gathering card was released in 17 different sets between 2007-10-12 and 2024-06-14. Illustrated by 4 different artists.
Show/hide all sets# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 86076 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer | ||
2 | 2007-10-12 | Lorwyn | LRW | 3 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Wayne England | |
3 | 2011-06-17 | Commander 2011 | CMD | 8 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Wayne England | |
4 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet Invocations | MP2 | 1 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Richard Wright | |
5 | 2017-11-17 | Iconic Masters | IMA | 10 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer | |
6 | 2020-08-07 | Double Masters | 2XM | 7 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer | |
7 | The List | PLST | LRW-3 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Wayne England | ||
8 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 12 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer | |
9 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 618 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer | |
10 | 2022-04-29 | New Capenna Commander | NCC | 193 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer | |
11 | 2022-06-10 | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate | CLB | 687 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer | |
12 | 2022-11-18 | The Brothers' War Commander | BRC | 69 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer | |
13 | 2023-04-21 | March of the Machine Commander | MOC | 172 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer | |
14 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine Commander | WOC | 62 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer | |
15 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander | LCC | 126 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer | |
16 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor Commander | MKC | 56 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer | |
17 | 2024-03-08 | Fallout | PIP | 684 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Andrew Theophilopoulos | |
18 | 2024-03-08 | Fallout | PIP | 975 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Andrew Theophilopoulos | |
19 | 2024-03-08 | Fallout | PIP | 447 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Andrew Theophilopoulos | |
20 | 2024-03-08 | Fallout | PIP | 156 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Andrew Theophilopoulos | |
21 | 2024-06-14 | Modern Horizons 3 Commander | M3C | 167 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Austere Command has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Austere Command card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2020-11-10 | Each of the chosen modes happens sequentially. If a permanent has an ability that triggers whenever it or another permanent is destroyed, it will see permanents destroyed at the same time as it or before it, but not permanents destroyed by later modes. |
2020-11-10 | If a card is exiled "until" another permanent leaves the battlefield, the exiled card returns to the battlefield immediately after that permanent leaves the battlefield during Austere Command's resolution, and it may be destroyed by a later mode. |
2020-11-10 | If the first and last modes are chosen, an artifact creature with mana value 4 or greater will have to be regenerated twice to survive. This is because the modes happen sequentially, and the regeneration "shield" is used up by the first one. The same is true with any other combination of modes that covers one permanent twice. |