Can a colorless commander have colored cards?

Can a Colorless Commander Have Colored Cards?

When it comes to building a Commander deck, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the right commander. The commander sets the tone for the entire deck, and its color identity determines which cards can be included. But what happens if your commander is colorless? Can you still include colored cards in your deck? In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and provide some valuable insights for building a colorless Commander deck.

Colorless Commanders: What are They?

Before we dive into the details, let’s define what a colorless commander is. A colorless commander is a card that has no colors in its color identity. This means that the commander does not have any basic land types (such as Plains, Islands, Mountains, or Swamps) and does not have any colored mana symbols in its mana cost or text box. Examples of colorless commanders include cards like Emrakul, the Promised End and Estrid, the Masked.

Color Identity vs. Colorless

When building a Commander deck, you need to consider the color identity of your commander. The color identity is the combination of the mana cost, colored mana symbols in the text box, and color indicators. For a colorless commander, this means that all cards in the deck must have a colorless color identity as well.

Can a Colorless Commander Have Colored Cards?

Now, let’s get to the main question: can a colorless commander have colored cards? The answer is no. If your commander is colorless, you can only include cards in your deck that have a colorless color identity. This means that you cannot include cards with colored mana symbols in their mana cost or text box.

Why Can’t You Include Colored Cards?

Including colored cards in a colorless Commander deck is not allowed because it would create inconsistencies in the deck’s color identity. If your commander is colorless, all cards in the deck must be colorless as well. This ensures that the deck’s color identity is consistent and follows the rules of Magic: The Gathering.

What Are the Consequences of Including Colored Cards?

If you include colored cards in a colorless Commander deck, there are several consequences you may face:

• Invalid Deck: The deck may not be considered valid, which means you may not be able to play it in tournaments or casual games.
• Inconsistent Color Identity: The deck’s color identity may be inconsistent, which can affect the way the deck plays and the cards that can be included.
• Lack of Synergy: The colored cards may not work well with the rest of the deck, which can reduce the deck’s overall power and synergy.

Alternatives to Colored Cards

If you want to include colored cards in your colorless Commander deck, there are some alternatives you can consider:

• Use Colorless Cards with Colored Tokens: Some cards have colored tokens that can be used to pay for costs. These cards can be included in a colorless Commander deck and can be used to pay for costs without breaking the color identity.
• Use Colorless Cards with No Colored Mana Symbols: Some cards have no colored mana symbols in their mana cost or text box. These cards can be included in a colorless Commander deck without breaking the color identity.
• Use Cards with Colorless Color Identity: Some cards have a colorless color identity, which means they can be included in a colorless Commander deck without breaking the color identity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a colorless commander cannot have colored cards in its deck. The color identity of the commander determines which cards can be included in the deck, and colored cards do not fit with the color identity of a colorless commander. While this may seem restrictive, there are still many options available for building a colorless Commander deck. By using colorless cards with colored tokens, no colored mana symbols, or colorless color identity, you can create a powerful and consistent deck that is sure to dominate the competition.