Is every set legal in Commander?

Is Every Set Legal in Commander?

In the world of Magic: The Gathering, Commander is a unique format that allows players to create their own deck and battle it out against their friends. One of the key aspects of this format is the vast range of cards that are eligible to play. But a common question that many players have is: is every set legal in Commander?

To answer this question, it’s important to understand that Commander has a unique pool of cards that are eligible for play. This pool consists of all regulation-sized cards publicly released by Wizards of the Coast, excluding those with silver borders, gold borders, or acorn-shaped security stamps. This means that cards from all Magic sets are eligible for play, except for those mentioned above.

What makes a set legal in Commander?

To be considered legal in Commander, a set must meet certain criteria. Here are the key requirements:

• Regulation-sized cards: Only cards that are the standard 2.5 x 3.5 inches size are eligible for play in Commander. This means that cards like tokens, scheme cards, and other unique cards that are smaller than standard size are not permitted.
• Publicly released by Wizards of the Coast: Cards must be officially released by Wizards of the Coast, the makers of Magic: The Gathering. This includes cards from official sets, promotional cards, and even cards printed in books or other non-traditional formats.

Sets that are excluded from Commander

While almost every set is eligible for play in Commander, there are a few exceptions:

• Silver-bordered sets: Sets like Unglued and Unhinged, which have silver borders, are not eligible for play in Commander.
• Gold-bordered sets: Sets like Premium Edition, which have gold borders, are not eligible for play in Commander.
• Acorn-shaped security stamped cards: Cards with this unique security stamp are not eligible for play in Commander.

Conspiracy sets and the Commander banlist

The Commander banlist is a list of specific cards that are banned from play in the format due to their powerful or unfair abilities. This list includes cards like Tinker and Paradox Engine, which have been banned from the format due to their overwhelming power.

Additionally, the Unfinity set contains cards that are legal in Eternal formats like Commander. These cards are marked with a specific symbol and can be used in Commander decks.

Uro, the problematic card

The recent addition of Uro to the banlist highlights the importance of monitoring card power levels and making adjustments to the banlist as needed. While Uro was initially introduced as a powerful card with significant impact, its introduction led to an imbalance in the format and ultimately earned it a spot on the banlist.

Summary

In conclusion, the vast majority of Magic: The Gathering sets are legal in Commander, with only a few exceptions. It’s essential to understand what makes a set eligible for play in this format, including regulation-sized cards, publicly released by Wizards of the Coast, and lack of specific security stamps or borders. By knowing these rules, players can ensure that their decks are within the format’s guidelines and have fun battling it out with friends.

Tables and Bullets

• Legal Sets in Commander:
  • Modern sets
  • Pioneer sets
  • Traditional sets
  • Expeditions
  • Other official sets
• Illegal Sets in Commander:
  • Silver-bordered sets
  • Gold-bordered sets
  • Acorn-shaped security stamped cards