Command Beacon MTG Card
2015-11-13 - Number 56
2015-11-18 - Number 136
2016-01-01 - Number 4
2020-11-20 - Number 704
2020-11-20 - Number 349
2024-04-19 - Number 279
2002-06-24 - Number 86062
2019-12-02 - Number 470
2020-09-26 - Number C15-56
| Card sets | Released in 9 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
: Add to your mana pool., Sacrifice Command Beacon: Put your commander into your hand from the command zone.
"I gazed once into that light. Now it burns in my mind, forever denying me rest." —Riku of Two Reflections
Cards like Command Beacon
Command Beacon, a unique land in Magic: The Gathering, allows you to play your commander from the command zone without paying the additional costs that accumulate with each return from it. This makes it closely related to cards like Opal Palace, which also aids in the casting of commanders. Opal Palace provides color fixing and the additional benefit of placing +1/+1 counters on your commander, yet lacks the cost-offsetting feature of Command Beacon.
Comparatively, we have Haven of the Spirit Dragon. Tailored for Dragon and Ugin decks, this land provides a similar mechanic to return these specific commanders to hand. While not as universally applicable as Command Beacon, its utility within its niche is quite notable. On the other hand, Hall of the Bandit Lord offers haste to your commander at the cost of life points, diverging from Command Beacon’s cost mitigation and focusing instead on pace acceleration.
While exploring the nuances of commander-support lands, Command Beacon clearly holds a significant place. It directly alleviates the escalating command tax, which can be pivotal in prolonged games, affirming its distinct role in a variety of MTG decks.
Cards similar to Command Beacon by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Command Beacon offers a unique advantage by allowing players to evade commander tax, effectively keeping your hand filled with valuable options throughout the game. This utility provides tactical depth and ensures command zone-centric decks can consistently play their central piece.
Resource Acceleration: Acting as a potent form of resource acceleration, Command Beacon lets you deploy your commander without the additional mana costs imposed by multiple deaths. This can be incredibly impactful in the late game where mana can be redirected towards other game-winning plays or controlling the board state.
Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Command Beacon’s ability to put your commander into your hand can be activated at instant speed. This gives you the flexibility to wait until the end of your opponent’s turn to avoid sorcery-speed removals or board wipes, ensuring your commander is safe and ready to be deployed on your terms.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Even though Command Beacon doesn’t ask for a card to be discarded, the necessity to sacrifice the land itself could be seen as a type of discard, limiting its use until you can afford the loss.
Specific Mana Cost: Command Beacon requires a specific mana investment to activate its ability. The cost, though colorless, can be inconvenient if you’re aiming to optimize mana expenditure for complex turns or maintain open mana for responses.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The initial cost for Command Beacon may seem reasonable, but the activation expense might be viewed as high since it nets you only one creature return to the hand rather than offering broader utility or impact.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Command Beacon is a utility land that offers a unique benefit of putting your commander into your hand from the command zone. This versatility is priceless for any EDH/Commander player looking to bypass additional casting costs and maintain momentum on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: This land holds substantial combo potential. It pairs well with cards that benefit from land sacrifices, such as Titania, Protector of Argoth, or could be used to cleverly sidestep commander taxes in a pinch, making it a tactical asset in many scenarios.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment that heavily penalizes players for replaying their commanders, having Command Beacon can be a game-changer. Its ability to mitigate extra costs due to frequent commander recasting makes it exceedingly relevant in metas that employ aggressive control strategies.
How to beat
Command Beacon is a powerhouse on the battlefield, offering players the unique utility of returning their high-cost commanders to their hand from the command zone. This ability can bypass additional casting costs that accrue as a commander is repeatedly summoned. Despite its strategic advantage, there are ways to counteract its potential impact.
One effective strategy is to target the land directly. Land destruction cards, or any spells that force a player to sacrifice a land, can help remove the beacon from play, thus disrupting your opponent’s plans. Additionally, utilizing strategies that limit a player’s ability to tap lands for mana can also mute the benefits of Command Beacon.
Another approach to consider is graveyard control. Since Command Beacon’s ability sends it to the graveyard once activated, graveyard hate cards can remove it permanently, negating the possibility of its recursion. As with any powerful card, being aware of your opponent’s capabilities, and having a counter strategy in place, is key to overcoming the advantages Command Beacon may provide.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Command Beacon MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Commander 2015, 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 Command Beacon 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
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Command Beacon Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2015-11-13 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 86062 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonas De Ro | ||
| 2 | 2015-11-13 | Commander 2015 | C15 | 56 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonas De Ro | |
| 3 | 2015-11-18 | Legendary Cube Prize Pack | PZ1 | 136 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonas De Ro | |
| 4 | 2016-01-01 | Judge Gift Cards 2016 | J16 | 4 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonas De Ro | |
| 5 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 470 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Cliff Childs | ||
| 6 | The List | PLST | C15-56 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonas De Ro | ||
| 7 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 704 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonas De Ro | |
| 8 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 349 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonas De Ro | |
| 9 | 2024-04-19 | Outlaws of Thunder Junction Commander | OTC | 279 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonas De Ro |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Command Beacon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Command Beacon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-11-04 | If you cast a commander from your hand, the additional cost based on the number of times you've cast it from your command zone (sometimes referred to as the "commander tax") doesn't apply. Additionally, that casting won't add to the tax if you later cast the commander from the command zone. |
| 2015-11-04 | If your commander isn't in the command zone (or you're not playing Commander) as the last ability resolves, nothing happens. |
| 2016-11-08 | If you have two commanders with the partner ability in the command zone, Command Beacon's effect puts one of your choice into your hand, not both. |
| 2020-11-10 | If you cast a commander from your hand, the commander tax doesn't apply. Additionally, that casting won't add to commander tax if you later cast the commander from the command zone. |
| 2020-11-10 | If your commander isn't in the command zone (or you don't have a commander) as the last ability resolves, nothing happens. |