Command the Storm MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2018-10-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Guilds of Ravnica |
| Set code | GRN |
| Number | 94 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jason Rainville |
Key Takeaways
- Command the Storm provides crucial spot removal with its 5-damage capability, pivotal for maintaining board control.
- Its instant speed offers flexibility, allowing players to respond to threats even during the opponent’s turn.
- The casting cost demands careful deck construction, particularly for multi-colored strategies seeking versatility.
Text of card
Command the Storm deals 5 damage to target creature.
In the wake of Niv-Mizzet's disappearance, Ral found himself leading the guild. He had dreamed of this day, but couldn't help feeling like a pawn in someone else's game.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Command the Storm lets you deal damage to any target, potentially removing an opponent’s creature from the battlefield and helping you maintain control of the game.
Resource Acceleration: While Command the Storm doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, efficiently dealing with threats can conserve the resources you’d otherwise need to stabilize the board later on.
Instant Speed: Command the Storm’s instant speed capability gives you the flexibility to respond to threats on your opponent’s turn, which can be pivotal in controlling the pace of the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Command the Storm requires a finely-tuned hand management, as it doesn’t offer an additional draw or discard option. This could pose a challenge when strategizing the optimal playtime, as it lacks the flexibility of cards that facilitate card circulation within your deck.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Command the Storm includes both generic and red mana, potentially limiting its integration in multi-colored decks. Decks lacking sufficient red mana sources might struggle to meet its specific requirements at crucial game phases.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a 5-mana casting cost, this card demands a significant investment of your mana pool. In comparison to other removal spells within the same range, Command the Storm might be overlooked for options that deliver a broader impact or have a lower mana curve, providing a similar effect with greater efficiency.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Command the Storm is a flexible pick for red decks craving spot removal. Its ability to deal 5 damage to a target creature ensures it can tackle a broad spectrum of threats in the game.
Combo Potential: This instant can synergize with spells-matter decks that thrive on casting numerous instants and sorceries. It can also assist in fueling the graveyard for strategies revolving around spell recursion.
Meta-Relevance: In a format where creature-heavy decks are prominent, Command the Storm provides a viable solution to remove key creatures, possibly swinging the game in your favor. The card’s scalability makes it apt for sideboards or main decks alike, depending on your local meta.
How to beat
Command the Storm is an impactful instant spell in MTG that can change the dynamics of the game, especially in Limited formats like Draft or Sealed. It offers a substantial five damage to a target creature, making it a powerful tool in the late game. When facing this spell, it’s important to recognize its mana cost of five – one red and four generic mana. Timing is everything, as this is when your opponent is likely to cast it.
To outmaneuver Command the Storm, consider playing creatures with hexproof or indestructible abilities to nullify its effect. Counterspells are your best friend against it; by keeping mana open, you can protect your key creatures from being removed. Alternatively, baiting out the spell with less important creatures can preserve your valuable ones for later turns. Pay attention to your opponent’s available mana and try to play around the turn they reach the crucial five mana. Ultimately, by prioritizing strategic play and card choices, Command the Storm can be rendered less threatening.
Understanding the timing and having a contingency plan is key to conquer this red spell. Thus, well-defined strategy and smart play choices can help you maintain the upper hand against Command the Storm in MTG matchups.
Cards like Command the Storm
Command the Storm is an impactful instant in Magic: The Gathering, dealing 5 damage to any target creature. Its closest relatives, for instance, are spells like Lightning Strike and Searing Spear, both dealing 3 damage to a target at the cost of less mana. However, Command the Storm outshines these in terms of sheer damage potential, ideal for taking down larger creatures that the others cannot.
Considering another parallel, there’s Lava Coil which also deals 4 damage to a creature for less mana, but unlike Command the Storm, it can’t hit planeswalkers which restricts its versatility. Plus, as a sorcery, Lava Coil lacks the surprise factor of an instant. Finally, the comparison with Beacon Bolt is inevitable, as it scales its damage with the number of instant and sorcery cards in your graveyard. While each card serves a unique role depending on your strategy, Command the Storm garners consideration for its ability to tackle most threats head on, instantly and without prior setup.
To sum up, within the realm of red damage spells, Command the Storm contends well with its balanced cost-to-damage ratio and the invaluable trait of being an instant, providing flexibility and power in creature control.
Cards similar to Command the Storm by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Command the Storm MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica, 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 the Storm and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Command the Storm has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
