Command of Unsummoning MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Released	1997-05-01
Set symbol
Set name	Portal
Set code	POR
Number	48
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Phil Foglio

Key Takeaways

Instant speed allows strategic reactions during opponents’ turns, enhancing gameplay with surprise elements.
Discarding may be a downside, but the tactical creature bounce can outweigh this cost.
Effective against creature-heavy strategies, it curtails opponents while advancing your board position.

Text of card

Play Command of Unsummoning only after you're attacked, before you declare interceptors. Return any one or two attacking creatures to their owner's hand.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Command of Unsummoning offers a strategic edge by temporarily removing opposing creatures from the battlefield. This can disrupt an opponent’s board state and potentially negate the value gained from the cast or abilities of said creatures, thereby creating an implicit card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: By returning creatures to an opponent’s hand, you can effectively slow down their gameplay. This allows you to maintain or even increase your tempo and potentially accelerate your resources relative to your opponent, as they may need to reinvest mana to replay their threats.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Command of Unsummoning at instant speed provides flexibility and unpredictability. It allows players to react in real time to threats or opportunities, such as saving it until the most opportune moment during an opponent’s attack or end phase. This strategic versatility can give players the upper hand in the duel.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Command of Unsummoning may set you back as it stipulates discarding a card. If your hand is sparse, this cost may prove too steep, hindering your ability to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Command of Unsummoning necessitates both black and blue mana, which might not always align with your deck’s mana base, thus limiting its flexibility in multi-color decks that might not prioritize these colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card can be somewhat mana-intensive, requiring three mana including two specific colors. In situations where tempo is essential, the availability of mana and the need to set aside resources for this spell can be a shortfall especially when other cards could offer similar or better effects with lower or more flexible casting costs.

Reasons to Include Command of Unsummoning in Your Collection

Versatility: Command of Unsummoning serves as a flexible option in decks that strive to dictate the pace of gameplay. It can return any creature to its owner’s hand, making it useful for both protecting your crucial creatures and disrupting opponent strategies.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies revolving around enter-the-battlefield effects or permanents that benefit from being recast. Used wisely, it can turn the tide by setting up recurring value opportunities.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-heavy decks or those that capitalize on commander damage are prevalent, Command of Unsummoning has the capacity to be a key card, providing tempo swings and preventing opponents from establishing a formidable presence on the board.

How to beat

Command of Unsummoning serves as an essential piece in the arsenal of bounce spells in Magic: The Gathering. The power of this card lies in its ability to disrupt your opponent’s board presence, temporarily clearing the way for your own strategies. To effectively counteract Command of Unsummoning, consider utilizing cards that either grant your creatures hexproof or protection from blue, the color most commonly associated with bounce spells. Cards like Sheltering Word can provide the hexproof you need, while it also gives the added bonus of life gain.

Another strategy involves playing cards that benefit from being returned to your hand or those that trigger an ability when they leave the battlefield. For instance, utilizing creatures with evoke or eternalize can turn your adversary’s attempt at disruption into an advantage for your strategy. Additionally, keeping an instant-speed counterspell in hand can prevent Command of Unsummoning from resolving, securing your creatures’ position on the battlefield. By anticipating the play and having the right responses at hand, you can maintain control of the game and mitigate the impact of Command of Unsummoning.

Incorporating cards with these defensive tactics into your deck can fortify your strategy against bounce effects, effectively diminishing the advantage that Command of Unsummoning would otherwise provide to your opponent in a game of Magic: The Gathering.

Cards like Command of Unsummoning

Command of Unsummoning offers a strategic edge in the realm of creature control spells within Magic: The Gathering. It shares common ground with well-known cards like Unsummon, with both serving the primary purpose of returning target creatures to their owner’s hand. Where Command of Unsummoning steps forward is in its flexibility, allowing the choice between affecting one or multiple creatures based on the game’s context.

In relation to other spells like Vapor Snag, which also returns a creature while inflicting damage to its controller, Command of Unsummoning places pure focus on creature displacement without the added detriment. Conversely, Boomerang broadens the possibility pool, targeting not just creatures but any permanents. Even so, Command of Unsummoning specializes in affecting creature strategies exclusively, carving its niche.

Ultimately, in the ever-evolving landscape of Magic: The Gathering, Command of Unsummoning distinguishes itself through its versatility and control over the battlefield dynamics. This makes it a card with specific utility, poised to tip the scales when tactically employed.

Cards similar to Command of Unsummoning by color, type and mana cost

Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Command of Unsummoning MTG card by a specific set like Portal, 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 of Unsummoning and other MTG cards: