Dromoka's Command from Dragons of Tarkir - A Magic the Gathering Card Review

by ElspethFTW, Old School Duelist

Dromoka's Command is so much more than a less expensive version of Hunt the Weak. Not only do two of its modes do something for two mana that another card did for four mana, but it has two other options, as well, which could serve quite useful. Whereas Hunt the Weak was at Sorcery speed, Dromoka's Command, like all of the other Commands, is at Instant speed. Let's take a look at this card's four modes, of which you can choose two:

• Prevent all damage target instant or sorcery spell would deal this turn.
• Target player sacrifices an enchantment.
• Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. 
• Target creature you control fights target creature you don't control.

The final two are the combined effects of Hunt the Weak, a Sorcery spell card that has been printed in the Magic 2014 & Magic 2015 Core Sets, as well as Fate Reforged. Hunt the Weak has seen some limited sideboard play. But having that effect for only two mana at instant speed is even better.

Having the white mana requirement does restrict what decks can use it, but this card has even more uses than just the Hunt the Weak abilities. The other two modes could also prove useful. The first lets your prevent all damage a target instant or sorcery spell would deal that turn. That effect is a solid sideboard option against burn-type decks or damage based removal spells. The other forces an opponent to sacrifice an enchantment. There are plenty of popular enchantments that this would be good against, especially Enchantment Creatures like Courser of Kruphix.

At two mana, the final two modes in the right deck might make this very main-board playable in an Abzan (Green/White/Black) or Selesnya (Green/White) aggro deck as it can serve as removal that has additional upside. While it may be best suited as a sideboard card, it's well-designed for the colors that it's in.

---