Does Commander tax apply to both sides?

Does Commander Tax Apply to Both Sides?

Commander is a popular Magic: The Gathering format that allows players to build and play their own unique decks. One of the key rules in Commander is the "Commander Tax", which adds an additional two mana to the cost of casting a commander from the command zone. But does this tax apply to both sides of a dual-faced commander? In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and delve into the rules of Commander Tax.

Any Side Cast Adds Commander Tax for Both Sides

According to the official Magic: The Gathering FAQ, any side cast adds Commander Tax for both sides. This means that if you cast a dual-faced commander from the command zone, the Commander Tax will apply regardless of which face you’re casting. This is because the Commander Tax is tied to the commander’s overall power and toughness, rather than its individual faces.

Commander Tax is Applicable to the Card Itself, Not the Face

When a dual-faced commander is cast from the command zone, the Commander Tax is applied to the card itself, not the face being cast. This means that if you cast the front face of a dual-faced commander, the Commander Tax will still apply to the back face, and vice versa. This is important to keep in mind when building your deck and planning your plays.

How Commander Tax Works

Here’s a breakdown of how Commander Tax works in Commander:

• When a commander is cast from the command zone, the player casting it must pay the mana cost of the card, plus the Commander Tax.
• The Commander Tax is equal to 2 for each previous time the player casting it has cast the commander from the command zone.
• The Commander Tax is cumulative, meaning that if a player has cast a commander from the command zone multiple times, the tax will add up accordingly.

Examples of Commander Tax in Action

Let’s take a look at a few examples to illustrate how Commander Tax works:

As you can see, the Commander Tax adds up quickly, especially if you’re playing a commander that’s being cast multiple times in a single game.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Commander Tax applies to both sides of a dual-faced commander. The tax is tied to the commander’s overall power and toughness, rather than its individual faces, and is cumulative, meaning that it adds up if a player casts a commander from the command zone multiple times. By understanding how Commander Tax works, you can better plan your deck and plays in Commander, and improve your chances of winning.