Ray of Command

Ray of Command was first introduced in the Visions expansion in 1997, designed to capture the tactical essence of blue-aligned magic in the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. The card serves as an instant-speed effect allowing a player to gain control of an opponent's creature for a turn, reflecting the thematic emphasis on manipulation and temporary influence common in the game's early iterations.

The version from the Fifth Edition core set features artwork by the noted fantasy illustrator Quinton Hoover. Hoover’s style, characterized by a distinct, classical approach to fantasy aesthetics, was a cornerstone of the game's visual identity during its first decade. While the Fifth Edition printing removed the flavor text found in its original release, the mechanical utility of the card ensured its continued presence in player decks throughout the late 1990s as a flexible defensive and offensive tool.