Are Commander Decks 101 Cards?
When it comes to building a Commander deck, one of the most common questions is whether a Commander deck is 100 cards or 101 cards. The answer is crucial in determining the composition and strategy of your deck. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of Commander deck-building and provide a comprehensive answer to this question.
Direct Answer
According to the official Magic: The Gathering rules, a Commander deck must contain exactly 100 cards, including the Commander. This means that the Commander itself is not counted as one of the 100 cards, and you can have a total of 101 cards in your deck.
Breaking Down the Rule
The rule states that each deck must contain exactly 100 cards, including its commander. This is a clear indication that the Commander itself is not included in the 100-card count. Additionally, the official Magic: The Gathering FAQ states that the Commander is part of the deck’s overall card count, but it is not counted as one of the 100 cards.
Companion Cards and the 100-Card Rule
However, if you have a companion card in your deck, things get a bit more complicated. A companion card is a special type of card that is added to the game in response to a specific event or condition. In the case of a Commander deck, a companion card is essentially the 101st card in your deck.
Key Points to Remember
Here are some key points to remember when building a Commander deck:
- A Commander deck must contain exactly 100 cards, including its Commander.
- The Commander itself is not counted as one of the 100 cards.
- A companion card is essentially the 101st card in your deck.
- The 100-card rule applies to the overall card count of the deck, including the Commander and any companion cards.
Example Decks and Card Counts
Here are some examples of Commander decks and their card counts to illustrate the 100-card rule:
| Deck | Card Count | Commander |
|---|---|---|
| Meren of Clan Nel Toth | 99 | Meren of Clan Nel Toth |
| Atraxa, Praetors’ Voice | 99 | Atraxa, Praetors’ Voice |
| Edgar Markov | 99 | Edgar Markov |
In each of these examples, the Commander is not counted as one of the 100 cards. However, if we add a companion card to the deck, the total card count would increase to 101.
| Deck | Card Count | Commander | Companion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meren of Clan Nel Toth | 100 | Meren of Clan Nel Toth | Gonti, Lord of Luxury |
| Atraxa, Praetors’ Voice | 100 | Atraxa, Praetors’ Voice | Vannifar |
| Edgar Markov | 100 | Edgar Markov | Luminous Bonds |
Conclusion
In conclusion, a Commander deck is indeed 100 cards, including the Commander. The Commander itself is not counted as one of the 100 cards, and the 100-card rule applies to the overall card count of the deck. However, if you have a companion card in your deck, it is essentially the 101st card in your deck. By understanding the intricacies of the 100-card rule, you can build a powerful and effective Commander deck that takes advantage of the unique strategies and combinations offered by this popular Magic: The Gathering format.