Ray of Command

Ray of Command was originally printed in the 1989 Alpha set for Magic: The Gathering, but this specific version appeared in the 2014 Duel Decks: Jace vs. Vraska product. These duel decks were designed by Wizards of the Coast to showcase the philosophical and mechanical rivalry between Jace Beleren, a mind-manipulating blue planeswalker, and Vraska, an assassin specializing in black and green magic. The set served as an entry point for newer players while offering unique card art that leaned into the established lore of the Ravnica plane.

The artwork for this particular printing was illustrated by Nils Hamm, a frequent contributor to the game whose style often favors a moody, ethereal aesthetic. Hamm was tasked with depicting the spell's effect—taking temporary control of an opponent's creature—in a way that visually aligned with Jace's intellectual and controlling nature. Upon its release, the deck was well-received by the community for its thematic cohesion and the inclusion of powerful utility spells that balanced the gameplay experience between the two featured characters.