Quandrix Command is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Choose two — • Return target creature or planeswalker to its owner's hand. • Counter target artifact or enchantment spell. • Put two +1/+1 counters on target creature. • Target player shuffles up to three target cards from their graveyard into their library.
Complete guide
Quandrix Command is a versatile instant from Strixhaven that embodies the mathematical precision of the Quandrix college. With four distinct modes, this spell allows you to manipulate the board, protect your assets, or disrupt your opponent's graveyard strategies simultaneously. Understanding how to navigate its multiple targets is key to mastering its full potential on the stack.
Choosing Your Modes
When you cast Quandrix Command, you must choose exactly two of its four modes. Because this spell requires targets for every mode, you must be able to choose legal targets for both selected modes at the time of casting. For example, you cannot choose the second mode if there is no artifact or enchantment spell on the stack, nor can you choose the third mode if there are no creatures on the battlefield.
The Resolution Process
Quandrix Command resolves in the order the modes are printed on the card. First, any targeted creature or planeswalker returns to the hand. Second, an artifact or enchantment spell is countered. Third, two +1/+1 counters are placed on a creature. Finally, a player shuffles specific cards from their graveyard into their library. If a mode becomes illegal—such as a creature being destroyed in response—the other chosen mode will still resolve as long as its targets remain legal.
Strategic Shuffling
The fourth mode is unique because it targets both a player and up to three cards in their graveyard. If you choose this mode and all the targeted cards are removed from the graveyard before resolution, the targeted player must still shuffle their library as long as they are still a legal target. This can be used strategically to shuffle away a known top card of an opponent's deck even if the graveyard pieces are gone.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake is forgetting that if all targets for both chosen modes become illegal before resolution, the entire spell is removed from the stack and does nothing. Additionally, remember that you cannot choose the same mode twice to double its effect; you must select two unique options from the list provided.
Interaction examples
Beast WithinIf an opponent casts Beast Within targeting your favorite creature, you can respond with Quandrix Command. Choose the first mode to return your creature to your hand and the third mode to put +1/+1 counters on another creature you control. Your creature is saved from destruction, and you strengthen your remaining board presence.
CounterspellWhile Quandrix Command can counter artifact or enchantment spells, it cannot counter a Counterspell because Counterspell is an instant, not an artifact or enchantment. If you try to use Quandrix Command to protect a spell from being countered, you would need to use other modes, such as bouncing a threat or buffing a creature, as the countering mode would have no legal target.
You cast Quandrix Command choosing the third and fourth modes. You target your creature for counters and your opponent plus three cards in their graveyard. If your opponent exiles their graveyard in response, your creature still receives the +1/+1 counters, and the opponent still shuffles their library because the targets for the third mode and the player target for the fourth mode are still legal.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Quandrix Command
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If at least one target is still legal as Quandrix Command tries to resolve, it will resolve and do as much as it can.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
As Quandrix Command tries to resolve, if the fourth mode is chosen and all of the target cards are illegal, but the target player is still legal, that player will still shuffle their library.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
If all of Quandrix Command's targets are illegal as it tries to resolve, it will do nothing.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Quandrix Command + Crystalline Crawler + Naru Meha, Master Wizard + Primal Vigor
- 1Cast Quandrix Command by paying its mana cost, choosing its first and third modes.
- 2Holding priority, cast Naru Meha by paying its mana cost.
- 3When Naru Meha enters, it triggers, copying Quandrix Command, with the copy's first mode targeting Naru Meha and the copy's third mode targeting Crystalline Crawler.
- 4Resolve the copy of Quandrix Command, returning Naru Meha from the battlefield to your hand and putting four +1/+1 counters on Crystalline Crawler due to Primal Vigor.
- 5Holding priority, activate Crystalline Crawler three times by removing four +1/+1 counters from it, adding
. - 6Repeat from step 2.
Quandrix Command + Crystalline Crawler + Dualcaster Mage + Primal Vigor
- 1Cast Quandrix Command by paying its mana cost, choosing its first and third modes.
- 2Holding priority, cast Dualcaster Mage by paying its mana cost.
- 3When Dualcaster Mage enters, it triggers, copying Quandrix Command, with the copy's first mode targeting Dualcaster Mage and the copy's third mode targeting Crystalline Crawler.
- 4Resolve the copy of Quandrix Command, returning Dualcaster Mage from the battlefield to your hand and putting four +1/+1 counters on Crystalline Crawler due to Primal Vigor.
- 5Holding priority, activate Crystalline Crawler three times by removing three +1/+1 counters from it, adding
. - 6Repeat from step 2.
Quandrix Command + Crystalline Crawler + Dualcaster Mage + Benevolent Hydra
- 1Cast Quandrix Command by paying its mana cost, choosing its first and third modes.
- 2Holding priority, cast Dualcaster Mage by paying its mana cost.
- 3When Dualcaster Mage enters, it triggers, copying Quandrix Command, with the copy's first mode targeting Dualcaster Mage and the copy's third mode targeting Crystalline Crawler.
- 4Resolve the copy of Quandrix Command, returning Dualcaster Mage from the battlefield to your hand and putting three +1/+1 counters on Crystalline Crawler due to Benevolent Hydra.
- 5Holding priority, activate Crystalline Crawler three times by removing three +1/+1 counters from it, adding .
- 6Repeat from step 2.
Quandrix Command + Crystalline Crawler + Kami of Whispered Hopes + Dualcaster Mage
- 1Cast Quandrix Command by paying its mana cost, choosing its first and third modes.
- 2Holding priority, cast Dualcaster Mage by paying its mana cost.
- 3When Dualcaster Mage enters, it triggers, copying Quandrix Command, with the copy's first mode targeting Dualcaster Mage and the copy's third mode targeting Crystalline Crawler.
- 4Resolve the copy of Quandrix Command, returning Dualcaster Mage from the battlefield to your hand and putting three +1/+1 counters on Crystalline Crawler due to Kami of Whispered Hopes.
- 5Holding priority, activate Crystalline Crawler three times by removing three +1/+1 counters from it, adding .
- 6Repeat from step 2.
Quandrix Command + Crystalline Crawler + Dualcaster Mage + Winding Constrictor
- 1Cast Quandrix Command by paying its mana cost, choosing its first and third modes.
- 2Holding priority, cast Dualcaster Mage by paying its mana cost.
- 3When Dualcaster Mage enters, it triggers, copying Quandrix Command, with the copy's first mode targeting Dualcaster Mage and the copy's third mode targeting Crystalline Crawler.
- 4Resolve the copy of Quandrix Command, returning Dualcaster Mage from the battlefield to your hand and putting three +1/+1 counters on Crystalline Crawler due to Winding Constrictor.
- 5Holding priority, activate Crystalline Crawler three times by removing three +1/+1 counters from it, adding .
- 6Repeat from step 2.
Quandrix Command + Crystalline Crawler + Dualcaster Mage + Conclave Mentor
- 1Cast Quandrix Command by paying its mana cost, choosing its first and third modes.
- 2Holding priority, cast Dualcaster Mage by paying its mana cost.
- 3When Dualcaster Mage enters, it triggers, copying Quandrix Command, with the copy's first mode targeting Dualcaster Mage and the copy's third mode targeting Crystalline Crawler.
- 4Resolve the copy of Quandrix Command, returning Dualcaster Mage from the battlefield to your hand and putting three +1/+1 counters on Crystalline Crawler due to Conclave Mentor.
- 5Holding priority, activate Crystalline Crawler three times by removing three +1/+1 counters from it, adding .
- 6Repeat from step 2.
Quandrix Command + Crystalline Crawler + Dualcaster Mage + Hardened Scales
- 1Cast Quandrix Command by paying its mana cost, choosing its first and third modes.
- 2Holding priority, cast Dualcaster Mage by paying its mana cost.
- 3When Dualcaster Mage enters, it triggers, copying Quandrix Command, with the copy's first mode targeting Dualcaster Mage and the copy's third mode targeting Crystalline Crawler.
- 4Resolve the copy of Quandrix Command, returning Dualcaster Mage from the battlefield to your hand and putting three +1/+1 counters on Crystalline Crawler due to Hardened Scales.
- 5Holding priority, activate Crystalline Crawler three times by removing three +1/+1 counters from it, adding .
- 6Repeat from step 2.
Quandrix Command + Crystalline Crawler + Naru Meha, Master Wizard + Corpsejack Menace
- 1Cast Quandrix Command by paying its mana cost, choosing its first and third modes.
- 2Holding priority, cast Naru Meha by paying its mana cost.
- 3When Naru Meha enters, it triggers, copying Quandrix Command, with the copy's first mode targeting Naru Meha and the copy's third mode targeting Crystalline Crawler.
- 4Resolve the copy of Quandrix Command, returning Naru Meha from the battlefield to your hand and putting four +1/+1 counters on Crystalline Crawler due to Corpsejack Menace.
- 5Holding priority, activate Crystalline Crawler three times by removing four +1/+1 counters from it, adding .
- 6Repeat from step 2.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Quandrix Command
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.