Magic: The Gathering

Very Cryptic Command

Unstable 49b • rare

Set: Unstable
Collector number: 49b
Rarity: Rare
Mana cost: 1 generic mana blue mana blue mana blue mana
Type: Instant
Colors: Blue
Artist: Zoltan Boros
Market price: $2.01

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$2.01est. via TCGplayer

104,743cards tracked

0copies listed for sale

Market

What it's worth

$2.01market price via TCGplayer · Aug 21, 2026$1.85 – $2.20 over the tracked period

Estimate for a typical copy of Very Cryptic Command; condition, printing, and grading move the real number.

Lore

Why it matters

This rare card stands out as a unique mechanical challenge, requiring players to select two distinct modes from a diverse list of powerful effects to shape the flow of the game. Its complex versatility rewards those who can adapt to the shifting needs of the table, making it a sought-after piece for strategic play.

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Card face

What it does

Choose two —

• Untap two target permanents.

• Tap each permanent target player controls with exactly one word in its name.

• Discard all the cards in your hand, then draw that many cards.

• Return target instant or sorcery card from your graveyard to your hand.

Formats

Where you can play it

StandardNot legal
PioneerNot legal
ModernNot legal
LegacyNot legal
VintageNot legal
CommanderNot legal
PauperNot legal
BrawlNot legal
HistoricNot legal
TimelessNot legal
Penny DreadfulNot legal
OathbreakerNot legal

Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Card text via Scryfall. Not approved or endorsed by Wizards. As of the last catalogue refresh.

Buy

Where to find one

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Provenance

Where it came from

Very Cryptic Command was released in 2017 as part of the Unstable set, an expansion for Magic: The Gathering designed specifically for casual, unconventional play. Unlike standard sets, Unstable utilized 'silver-bordered' cards that featured mechanics intentionally too chaotic or complex for official tournament rules, allowing the design team at Wizards of the Coast to experiment with humorous interactions.

The card is notable for its 'modular' design, where a player chooses four different effects from a list of options. Illustrated by Christopher Rush, one of the game's most iconic original artists, the card pays homage to the classic Cryptic Command while subverting its utility through bizarre, tongue-in-cheek mechanics that define the spirit of the Unstable set’s design philosophy.

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Collectors

Who's collecting this

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About

About Very Cryptic Command

Very Cryptic Command is a card in the Magic: The Gathering catalog on collecto.rs. Unstable 49b • rare. Catalog data is sourced from Scryfall. No public cards collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.

How many collectors track Very Cryptic Command on collecto.rs?

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Can I track my own copy of Very Cryptic Command?

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Where does the Very Cryptic Command catalog entry come from?

The catalog entry for Very Cryptic Command is sourced from Scryfall. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.