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Cryptic Command

Iconic Masters (IMA)

{1}{U}{U}{U}

Instant

Choose two — • Counter target spell. • Return target permanent to its owner's hand. • Tap all creatures your opponents control. • Draw a card.
Plays as
CounterspellModal SpellBounce
Format legality

Constructed

StandardNot legal
PioneerNot legal
ModernLegal
LegacyLegal
VintageLegal
PauperNot legal

Commander

CommanderLegal
Pauper CommanderNot legal
Duel CommanderLegal
PreDHLegal
OathbreakerLegal
Tiny LeadersNot legal

Arena

AlchemyNot legal
HistoricLegal
TimelessLegal
BrawlLegal
Standard BrawlNot legal
Competitive BrawlLegal
GladiatorLegal

Other

PremodernNot legal
Old SchoolNot legal
Penny DreadfulNot legal
Future StandardNot legal

Versions

11 printings · from $3.17

Secret Lair Drop
2025#905In products
BorderlessPosterFull Art
Final Fantasy: Through the Ages
2025#29In products
BorderlessSource MaterialFull Art
The List
2024#IMA-48CheapestIn products
The List
2020#LRW-56In products
Iconic Masters
2017#48In products
Amonkhet Invocations
2017#11In products
Borderless
Modern Masters
2013#38In products
Lorwyn
2007#56In products

Rulings

2 · latest Nov 17, 2017
  • WotCNov 17, 2017

    Look at both chosen modes to determine how many targets Cryptic Command has, if any. If it has at least one target, and all its targets are illegal when it tries to resolve, then it won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen. For example, if you choose the second and fourth modes, and the permanent is an illegal target when Cryptic Command tries to resolve, you won’t draw a card.

  • WotCNov 17, 2017

    You choose both modes as you cast Cryptic Command. You must choose two different modes.