Can a Legendary Planeswalker be a Commander?
In Magic: The Gathering, a commander is the focal point of a Commander deck, guiding the overall strategy and playstyle of the game. While planeswalkers have been a staple of the game since the early days, a long-standing question has persisted: Can a legendary planeswalker be a commander?
The Short Answer: Not All Legendary Planeswalkers are Eligible
To set the stage, let’s define the essential requirement for a planeswalker to become a commander: the card must specifically state "[CARDNAME] can be your commander." This line of text, often abbreviated as the "C2" line, is an exception to the rule that commanders must be single-color legendary creatures.
Examining Legendary Planeswalkers: Can They Be Commanders?
With this in mind, we’ll delve into a list of popular legendary planeswalkers to examine their commander eligibility:
| Legendary Planeswalker | Commander Eligible |
|---|---|
| Nicol Bolas, the Ravager | YES, as it has the "C2" line |
| Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God | NO, lacks the "C2" line |
| Daretti, Scrap Savant | YES, has the "C2" line |
| Jace, the Mind Sculptor | NO, lacks the "C2" line |
From this table, we see that only Nicol Bolas, the Ravager and Daretti, Scrap Savant meet the requirement, making them eligible commanders.
Indestructible and Other Keywords: How They Interact with Deathtouch
It’s essential to understand how certain keywords like indestructible interact with planeswalkers and commander roles. Let’s explore these relationships:
• Indestructible: As seen above, indestructible creatures can ignore deathtouch damage, including planeswalkers with deathtouch. However, when dealing damage to a planeswalker with indestructible, loyalty counters are still removed.
• Deathtouch: This keyword is restricted to combat, so planeswalkers with deathtouch will not kill opponents or their creatures outside of combat. Remember, first or double strike is still effective in dealing with deathtouch creatures.
Why Indestructible and Deathtouch are Significant for Legendary Planeswalkers
Now that we’ve discussed how indestructible and deathtouch interact, it’s crucial to understand why they are vital components in the world of Magic. In Commander, indestructible can create powerful defensive scenarios, protecting crucial creatures or planeswalkers from removal. Deathtouch, on the other hand, adds an additional layer of complexity to combat, encouraging creative and aggressive playstyles.
Conclusions and Future Strategies
To summarize, not all legendary planeswalkers are eligible to become commanders due to the "C2" line requirement. However, certain exceptions exist, such as Nicol Bolas, the Ravager and Daretti, Scrap Savant. When combining legendary planeswalkers with indestructible and deathtouch, it becomes evident that these keywords create fascinating dynamics and possibilities in the game.
Commander Players and Legacy Deck Builders: Takeaways
- Ensure the "C2" line is present on a planeswalker card to make it a legitimate commander.
- Keep an eye out for creative strategies and interactions involving indestructible and deathtouch in legendary planeswalkers.
- Develop new, innovative playstyles and synergies that leverage these keywords in the ever-changing world of Magic.
The interplay between planeswalkers, commander roles, and keywords like indestructible and deathtouch is where Magic truly comes alive. By exploring the nuances and interactions between these elements, you can become a formidable Commander player, craft compelling legacies, and discover the intricacies of the game.