Kolaghan's Command: A Timeless Treasure

The Versatility Par Excellence

Kolaghan's Command is an instant that embodies the very essence of adaptability in Magic: The Gathering. This enchanting card offers four distinct modes, each with its own unique effect, making it a chameleon-like addition to any deck. Whether you're playing aggro or control, Kolaghan's Command can seamlessly blend into your strategy, providing a versatile tool for players who crave flexibility.

Unlocking the Potential of Four Modes

With four different effects at your disposal, players can choose which two modes to activate when casting Kolaghan's Command. This dichotomous choice allows you to tailor your approach to suit your deck's needs, creating an intricate web of possibilities that is both captivating and strategic.

Mode 1: Creature Recovery

The first mode allows you to return a target creature card from the graveyard to the hand. This ability proves particularly useful for recovering key creatures that have been removed from the game, such as Golgari Findbroker or Grafdigger's Cage. By reviving these creatures, players can reuse them in their deck and maintain a consistent board presence.

For instance, imagine playing Golgari Findbroker and using Kolaghan's Command to return it to your hand. This enables you to play Sarkhan's Fury and unleash the returned creature to attack for 5+ damage, thereby dealing significant damage to your opponent.

Mode 2: Disrupting Opponents' Plans

The second mode forces a target player to discard a card from their hand. This effect is often used to disrupt opponents' plans by removing key cards that would trigger powerful abilities. For example, if an opponent is playing Burning Hands, you can use Kolaghan's Command to discard the Chandra's Defiance that would trigger its ability.

By disrupting your opponent's plans in this manner, you can create opportunities for yourself to gain an advantage and maintain control of the board.

Mode 3: Artifact Destruction

The third mode allows you to destroy a target artifact. This effect is useful for clearing artifacts that provide value to opponents, such as Mox Opal or Cathedral Grove. Players can also use this mode to destroy their own artifacts if they have outgrown their usefulness.

Imagine playing against an opponent who has deployed a powerful artifact like Cathédral Grove. You can use Kolaghan's Command to destroy the artifact and remove its benefits from the game, thereby disrupting your opponent's plans.

Mode 4: Direct Damage

The fourth and final mode deals 2 damage to any target. This effect is often used in conjunction with other abilities to deal additional damage to a single creature or player.

By pairing Kolaghan's Command with removal spells like Lightning Bolt or Bile Blight, you can create powerful synergies that allow you to clear the board and deal significant damage to your opponent.

Strategic Applications

Kolaghan's Command has numerous strategic applications due to its versatility. Players can use it in combination with other cards to create complex interactions that provide a significant advantage on the battlefield.

For instance:

• A player casts Lightning Bolt to kill an opponent's creature, then uses Kolaghan's Command to destroy their artifact.
• They follow up with another spell like Liliana's Shroud, dealing additional damage and clearing the board.

Synergies and Combos

Kolaghan's Command has numerous synergies with other cards in black-red decks. Players can pair it with Grafdigger's Cage to recover creatures from the graveyard while disrupting opponents' plans. The card can also be used with Bile Blight to deal damage to a single target and destroy artifacts at the same time.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Kolaghan's Command is a versatile card that can fit into various deck archetypes, particularly black-red aggro decks that focus on dealing direct damage and destroying opponents' creatures. In these decks, Kolaghan's Command serves as a key removal spell, allowing players to clear the board and deal additional damage.

However, its versatility also makes it an attractive addition to more controlling archetypes that focus on disrupting opponents' plans and protecting their own life total. For instance:

• A player builds a control deck around Sarkhan, Fireblood and uses Kolaghan's Command to discard opponents' spells and disrupt their plans.
• They pair the card with Liliana of the Veil to recover creatures from the graveyard while maintaining a steady stream of removal.

Format Viability

Kolaghan's Command has been a staple in Modern for several years, particularly in black-red aggro decks. Its viability in other formats is also significant. In Pioneer, players can use the card to great effect in combination with spells like Burning Hands or Mox Opal.

In Legacy, Kolaghan's Command sees less play due to the format's emphasis on more powerful and expensive cards. Nevertheless, experienced players can still utilize the card effectively, particularly in combination with high-powered artifacts like Cathedral Grove.

Rules Interactions

Kolaghan's Command has several rules interactions worth noting:

• When casting the card, players choose which two effects to activate. This choice is made at the moment of casting and cannot be changed.
• If a player casts Kolaghan's Command with only one effect chosen (e.g., choosing only the first mode), they can still use that single effect on resolution.
• The card does not have any additional costs or requirements beyond its mana cost.

Conclusion

Kolaghan's Command is an enchanting addition to any deck, offering a versatile and powerful tool for players who crave flexibility. Its four distinct modes provide a unique combination of creature recovery, artifact destruction, direct damage, and disruption effects that can be tailored to suit your strategy.

Whether you're playing aggro or control, Kolaghan's Command remains an iconic card in Magic: The Gathering, providing endless opportunities for creative deckbuilding and strategic play.