Word of Command includes the text "The player plays that card if able." What does "if able" include? I assume that if legal modes and targets can be chosen, the player has the mana in their mana pool required to play it, and the requisite cards-in-hand/permanents/whatever to pay any other additional costs, they definitely must play it. What if they don't have the mana in their pool but they have the lands to produce that mana? How far will the game go in determining whether they can produce the mana they need?
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Since you control that player during the resolution of Word of Command, you force the player to cast the card (or play the land card). You make all required decisions, so "if able" refers to the legality of casting that spell (e.g., Arcane Laboratory restriction isn't violated, there is no City of Solitude or Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir or other similar effect restricting that player, legal modes/targets can be chosen, and the player is able to pay the costs as you determine). Part of the casting of the spell involves the opportunity to activate mana abilities; you control the player and instruct them to activate any mana abilities as required to cast the spell.
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and the player is able to pay the costs as you determine
That part -- will the game figure out all the possible combinations of mana my opponent can produce with (for example) a bunch of filter lands? In fact, will the game look at lands at all when determining if they're "able" to cast the spell?
I plan on sticking this thing on Isochron Scepter so I want to know all of my options when I find a bunch of cards I really don't want them to cast at all :-P
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You are able to cast the spell using mana from lands that player controls, but you can only use that mana to activate other lands' activated abilities (i.e., filter lands) or to cast the spell. I guess you can say the game knows whether you are paying the cost of a spell legally. Obviously if you can't produce the mana required to cast the spell from the lands that player controls, you aren't able to cast the spell. Notice that you can't activate mana abilities from nonland sources that player controls, per the wording of the Oracle text of Word of Command (e.g., artifact mana sources, creature mana sources, etc.).
I just realized you're asking whether you'll be forced to make that player cast a card if they're able.
EDIT:
The answer is yes and no. If there is at least one card in the player's hand, you must choose one of them. Then you make the player cast it if able. You are never forced to activate mana abilities during a spell's resolution, so you can fail to tap any lands and the spell will not be able to be cast legally if the mana isn't already floating. The targeted player could be smart and float all mana they are able to create before Word of Command resolves, and then you would be forced to cast something if the appropriate mana was floating.
Obviously if you can't produce the mana required to cast the spell from the lands that player controls, you aren't able to cast the spell.
What about the other way around though? If the player *can* produce the mana required (but doesn't already have the mana required) does that mean they're "able" to play the card?
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Not correct. This is why I corrected my post. Even if the player has the land to create the mana to cast the spell, the controlling player is not forced to activate those abilities, and can claim that the player is unable to cast the spell.
Unless there is mana already in the mana pool, you are not required to activate mana abilities in order to cast the spell. Similarly, you are not forced to activate mana abilities to pay for Pact of Negation's delayed triggered ability, even though the mana payment is not optional. Only if the mana is already floating would you be forced to pay it for the ability (could be relevant if you control Platinum Angel, for example).
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The player is required only to use mana in his or her mana pool and mana that can be drawn from lands.
pop up when looking around, which leads me to believe that if there are lands that can make the mana required, then you must do so, since you are required.
I keep seeing the line pop up when looking around, which leads me to believe that if there are lands that can make the mana required, then you must do so, since you are required.
That line isn't on the card anymore. Click the card tag Word of Command and read the latest Oracle text.
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Bimmerbot I have to disagree with you on this. Word of Command says that you have to force the player to play the card, if the chosen card is a spell that means they have to cast it (601.1a Some effects still refer to “playing” a card. “Playing a card” means playing that card as a land or casting that card as a spell, whichever is appropriate).
Part of casting a spell is payng it's costs (601.2. To cast a spell is to take it from where it is (usually the hand), put it on the stack, and pay its costs...).
Word of command is telling the controlled player that they have to cast the spell if able which to me would mean that if they have the option to put the spell on the stack and pay it's cost that they must do so. I do not see anything in the rules that would support the ability to decide that because the mana isn't floating that the spell can not be cast.
I thought the same thing until I confirmed with Eli (Woapalanne) that my updated answer is indeed the correct one. Eli works closely with the development team to make sure new cards work with the rules and he is involved in writing the FAQs for new sets. He is rarely wrong, and his answer is supported by the rules and precedent.
If you choose not to activate any mana abilities, you cannot pay the costs, and therefore you aren't 'able' to cast the spell. This corner case of "Word of Command reveals only cards you don't want to cast" is not something you're likely to run into very often, with the exception of a player who builds something unique like a deck that imprints it on Isochron Scepter. I wouldn't worry too much about it.
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That part -- will the game figure out all the possible combinations of mana my opponent can produce with (for example) a bunch of filter lands? In fact, will the game look at lands at all when determining if they're "able" to cast the spell?
I plan on sticking this thing on Isochron Scepter so I want to know all of my options when I find a bunch of cards I really don't want them to cast at all :-P
Remember, kids: Never fight with Flashback, 'cause Flashback always wins.
I just realized you're asking whether you'll be forced to make that player cast a card if they're able.
EDIT:
The answer is yes and no. If there is at least one card in the player's hand, you must choose one of them. Then you make the player cast it if able. You are never forced to activate mana abilities during a spell's resolution, so you can fail to tap any lands and the spell will not be able to be cast legally if the mana isn't already floating. The targeted player could be smart and float all mana they are able to create before Word of Command resolves, and then you would be forced to cast something if the appropriate mana was floating.
This FAQ answers many of the common questions asked in the MTGS Rulings forum. Take a look!
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"Abstract concepts of perfect judging run headlong into the realities of how people play the game." - Toby Elliott (papa_funk)
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What about the other way around though? If the player *can* produce the mana required (but doesn't already have the mana required) does that mean they're "able" to play the card?
Remember, kids: Never fight with Flashback, 'cause Flashback always wins.
You are never forced to activate mana abilities if you don't want to.
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From the gatherer:
So if they have two of each land and something like a Reaper King in hand that is chosen by Word of Command, it MUST be played.
To be exact, if they can produce the mana in some form using lands to play the card, you MUST play it. If they can't, then you can't play the card.
Unless there is mana already in the mana pool, you are not required to activate mana abilities in order to cast the spell. Similarly, you are not forced to activate mana abilities to pay for Pact of Negation's delayed triggered ability, even though the mana payment is not optional. Only if the mana is already floating would you be forced to pay it for the ability (could be relevant if you control Platinum Angel, for example).
This FAQ answers many of the common questions asked in the MTGS Rulings forum. Take a look!
I'm the editor/content manager of the Magic Rules Tips Blog - Bookmark this site for daily tips about game and tournament rules.
"Abstract concepts of perfect judging run headlong into the realities of how people play the game." - Toby Elliott (papa_funk)
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That line isn't on the card anymore. Click the card tag Word of Command and read the latest Oracle text.
Remember, kids: Never fight with Flashback, 'cause Flashback always wins.
Part of casting a spell is payng it's costs (601.2. To cast a spell is to take it from where it is (usually the hand), put it on the stack, and pay its costs...).
Word of command is telling the controlled player that they have to cast the spell if able which to me would mean that if they have the option to put the spell on the stack and pay it's cost that they must do so. I do not see anything in the rules that would support the ability to decide that because the mana isn't floating that the spell can not be cast.
If you choose not to activate any mana abilities, you cannot pay the costs, and therefore you aren't 'able' to cast the spell. This corner case of "Word of Command reveals only cards you don't want to cast" is not something you're likely to run into very often, with the exception of a player who builds something unique like a deck that imprints it on Isochron Scepter. I wouldn't worry too much about it.
This FAQ answers many of the common questions asked in the MTGS Rulings forum. Take a look!
I'm the editor/content manager of the Magic Rules Tips Blog - Bookmark this site for daily tips about game and tournament rules.
"Abstract concepts of perfect judging run headlong into the realities of how people play the game." - Toby Elliott (papa_funk)
My Type 4 Stack -- DCI Documents -- Comp Rules