Very Cryptic Command MTG Card

Versatile with multiple modes, it can drastically shift the game’s state in your favor. Though resource-hungry, its strategic benefits often outweigh the mana cost. Despite its specificity, it’s an adaptable force in decks that can accommodate it.

Unstable (UST)
2017-12-08 - Number 49a

Unstable (UST)
2017-12-08 - Number 49c

Unstable (UST)
2017-12-08 - Number 49e

Unstable (UST)
2017-12-08 - Number 49d

Unstable (UST)
2017-12-08 - Number 49b

Unstable (UST)
2017-12-08 - Number 49f

Card sets	Released in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Instant
Abilities	Assemble
Un-set :-)	This card is part of an Un-set

Text of card

Choose two — • Switch target creature's power and toughness until end of turn. • Target creature can't be blocked this turn. • Draw a card. If that card's art is by Wayne England, you may reveal it and draw another card. • Assemble a Contraption.

Cards like Very Cryptic Command

Very Cryptic Command finds its place in the versatile pantheon of modal spells within MTG. This particular iteration mirrors the capability of the original Cryptic Command, offering players four different modes to choose from. However, the uniqueness of (b) lies in its alternative sets of modes, distinguishing it from its counterparts. Similar to the original, one can bounce permanents, disrupt plays and flexibly adapt to the battlefield, yet it’s the unexpected actions like turning permanents into other types that set it apart.

Moreover, the landscape of modal commands within the game often includes nods to Cryptic Command’s utility, as seen with cards like Primal Command and Ojutai’s Command. Primal Command offers creature-based interaction and life gain, making it favorable in different strategic scenarios. Ojutai’s Command, on the other hand, combines life gain with card advantage and creature recursion. Both commands are impactful, but lack the broad surprise factor and transformability of Very Cryptic Command.

Assessing the value of modal spells, Very Cryptic Command stands out due to its quirky and unpredictable nature, gifting players with numerous options and potential game-swerving effects, a trait highly coveted among MTG connoisseurs.

Cards similar to Very Cryptic Command by color, type and mana cost

Careful Consideration - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Very Cryptic Command shines in providing multiple modes that ensure you’re not just drawing cards but also manipulating the game state to your favor. This flexibility can lead to substantial card advantage as you’re often able to address more than one of your opponent’s threats or develop your own board with a single card.

Resource Acceleration: While this particular iteration of Very Cryptic Command does not directly produce additional mana or tokens, it has the potential to disrupt your opponent’s resources, which indirectly accelerates your own position by comparison. By bouncing an opponent’s permanent, you effectively set them back on their mana curve while progressing your own game plan uninterrupted.

Instant Speed: As with other versions, the instant speed nature of Very Cryptic Command gives you the upper hand by allowing you to act at the end of your opponent’s turn or in response to their strategies. This reactive capability provides a significant strategic advantage, keeping your opponent guessing and off-balance while you effectively manage your resources and plan your next move.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When playing Very Cryptic Command, you face the tight spot of needing to relinquish another card from your hand. This demand can backfire when your hand is already running on empty, stripping you of vital future plays.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting this spell requires a precise blend of mana types, necessitating both blue and another color. This narrows down its versatility, as it’s not just a simple fit into any deck but rather those fine-tuned to accommodate its chromatic makeup.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The resource investment for Very Cryptic Command is significant. Needing four mana might hinder your tempo, especially when alternatives exist, delivering similar effects without the hefty mana toll. It can be a challenge to justify its slot over more economical options within your deck.

Reasons to Include Very Cryptic Command in Your Collection

Versatility: The “Very Cryptic Command” card is a chameleon within the MTG universe, providing its owner with a suite of options to adapt to manifold in-game situations. Its capability to disrupt, protect or advance your strategy is unparalleled, a true asset for players favoring adaptability.

Combo Potential: Adept at enabling various combos, this card can set off a chain of events that can turn the tide of the game. Whether it’s untapping your permanents, switching power/toughness stats, or creating unexpected card draw options, this card is a combo enabler that might just secure your victory.

Meta-Relevance: In dynamic game climates where flexibility and surprise plays are crucial, the “Very Cryptic Command” shines by countering prevalent tactics. Its potential to react to different strategies makes it an invaluable tool in your arsenal, ready for that decisive moment when the right play can clinch the win.

How to beat

Engaging with the complexity of the Very Cryptic Command can feel like navigating a labyrinthine puzzle in the world of Magic the Gathering. This multi-modal card offers players a variety of choices, each with strategic depth. To conquer this card, it’s essential to anticipate the modal options your opponent might activate. Timing is critical—playing your spells when the varied counteracting abilities of Very Cryptic Command cannot disrupt your strategy is vital.

Remember, this card can disrupt creature-based strategies, so having non-creature-based alternatives can help evade some of its modes. Moreover, anything that limits your opponent’s ability to choose options—like effects that restrict spell casting or abilities—can prove valuable. Lastly, keeping an eye on your opponent’s mana and playing around this cryptic powerhouse can significantly reduce its effectiveness. Resource management, strategic pacing, and spell diversity can turn the tides against Very Cryptic Command, ensuring you remain in control of the game.

Ultimately, outmaneuvering this card requires a careful blend of foresight, flexible play, and knowing when to go on the offensive. Adapt your game plan, and the mystique of Very Cryptic Command will dissipate, leaving your path to victory clear.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Very Cryptic Command MTG card by a specific set like Unstable and Unstable, 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 Very Cryptic Command and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Very Cryptic Command Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2017-12-08 and 2017-12-08. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2017-12-08	Unstable	UST	49a	2015	Normal	Silver	Wayne England
2	2017-12-08	Unstable	UST	49c	2015	Normal	Silver	Zoltan Boros
3	2017-12-08	Unstable	UST	49e	2015	Normal	Silver	Zoltan Boros
4	2017-12-08	Unstable	UST	49d	2015	Normal	Silver	Zoltan Boros
5	2017-12-08	Unstable	UST	49b	2015	Normal	Silver	Zoltan Boros
6	2017-12-08	Unstable	UST	49f	2015	Normal	Silver	Zoltan Boros