Can an enchantment be a commander?

Can an Enchantment be a Commander?

In the world of Magic: The Gathering, there are various card types, each with its own set of rules and functionalities. One of the most exciting and strategic card types is the commander. A commander is a powerful card that serves as the focal point of a player’s strategy, often determining the flow of the game. When it comes to commander choices, players typically opt for legendary creatures, planeswalkers, or other formidable characters. But what about enchantments? Can an enchantment be a commander? Let’s dive into the world of Magic to explore this fascinating question.

Direct Answer:

The short answer is yes, an enchantment can be a commander. In fact, there are instances where enchantments are chosen as commanders, bringing new dynamics to the game.

Criteria for Commander-ship

To become a commander, a card must meet one of the following criteria:

• Be a legendary creature: Legendary creatures are automatically considered commanders. Examples include powerful creatures like Sylvan Library and Crux of Fate.
• State "This card can be your Commander": Certain cards, typically enchantments or artifacts, explicitly declare that they can be commanders. Teferi, Hero of Dominaria and Atraxa, Praetors’ Voice are notable examples.

Enchantments as Commanders

Enchantments can become commanders when they meet the second criterion above. For instance:

• Ward of Proteus: This enchantment explicitly states that it can be your commander. Players can build a deck around Ward of Proteus, leveraging its unique abilities and potential for strategy.
• Estrid, the Masked: As a legendary enchantment, Estrid, the Masked can also serve as a commander. Her abilities grant players card draw and additional power.

Partners and Dual Commanders

In some cases, multiple cards can share commander-ship duties. This occurs when cards have the Partner ability, allowing them to be paired together to form a dual commander setup. For example:

• Tajic, Blade of the Legion and Syr Kontras, the Last Hope have the Partner ability. When played together, they become a dual commander setup, allowing players to reap the benefits of both cards.

Commander Zone and the Enchantment Option

When an enchantment is chosen as a commander, it is placed in the commander zone. From there, it can exert its influence over the game, often providing benefits and advantages to the player who controls it.

Example Scenarios

To better illustrate the concept, consider the following scenarios:

• Enchantment-focused Commander: Build a deck around Ward of Proteus or Estrid, the Masked. Use the enchantment’s abilities to gain an advantage, then command the board with your trusty commander.
• Dual Commander Setup: Play Tajic, Blade of the Legion and Syr Kontras, the Last Hope together. Their combined abilities will grant you immense power and flexibility.
• Commander Interplay: Choose an enchantment as your commander and utilize its abilities to disrupt opponents or generate card advantage. Then, use the commander zone to bring out more powerful creatures or artifacts, further enhancing your gameplay experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, enchantments can indeed be commanders in Magic: The Gathering. When an enchantment meets the criteria, it can be chosen as a commander, bringing unique abilities and possibilities to the game. As players explore the world of Magic, they’ll discover that enchantments offer an exciting new dimension to the commander archetype. With strategic deck-building and clever plays, enchantment-based commanders can prove to be game-changers in any Commander game.