Can any legendary Planeswalker be a commander?

Can Any Legendary Planeswalker Be a Commander?

In Magic: The Gathering’s Commander format, players select a legendary creature to be their commander. However, some cards can be used as planeswalkers, which raise the question: can any legendary planeswalker be a commander? In this article, we’ll delve into the rules and explore the possibilities.

The Initial Answer

The short and simple answer is no. Not all legendary planeswalkers can be commanders. According to the official Commander rules, a commander must be a single legendary creature. Planeswalkers, by definition, are not creatures. However, there are some exceptions that we’ll discuss later.

The Lorwyn Five

The first five planeswalkers to be printed are known as the Lorwyn Five: Ajani, Jace, Liliana, Chandra, and Garruk. These planeswalkers were specifically designed to be eligible as commanders. On their respective cards, each of the Lorwyn Five has the line "This card can be your commander." This wording allows them to bypass the traditional creature requirement for being a commander.

Commander Damage Rules

A key aspect to consider is the Commander damage rules. In Commander, each commander has a specific life total, and when a creature or planeswalker is cast, it deals 3 damage to the opponent with the most life. Since planeswalkers are not creatures, they do not trigger the Commander damage rule. However, some cards can still deal damage to opponents, such as a planeswalker’s activated abilities.

Dual Commanders

In Commander, dual commanders are allowed if two cards have the Partner ability. This allows two decks to share a commander. However, this rule is specific to legendary creatures and does not apply to planeswalkers.

Unique Abilities

Some planeswalkers have unique abilities that can affect gameplay. Deathtouch is a static ability that causes 1 point of damage to kill any creature it deals damage to, unless that creature is indestructible. This ability can be used in tandem with other cards to achieve specific strategies.

Planar Deck

A planar deck is a pre-constructed deck that consists of cards from different Magic: The Gathering sets. These decks often feature iconic planeswalkers like Ajani, Jace, and Liliana. In a planar deck, the planeswalker can act as the commander, as per the Lorwyn Five example.

Conclusion

To summarize, not all legendary planeswalkers can be commanders. However, certain planeswalkers, specifically the Lorwyn Five, have been designed to bypass this rule. Their unique abilities and effects make them valuable additions to any Commander deck. Always check the card text for specific wording and restrictions, as some planeswalkers may have additional requirements for being used as a commander.

Additional Tips for Building a Commander Deck with a Planeswalker Commander

• Choose the right planeswalker: Focus on planeswalkers with abilities that complement your desired strategy.
• Beware of life totals: Planeswalkers typically have higher life totals, so be mindful of damage dealt to opponents.
• Use planeswalker-exclusive cards: Cards like Garruk’s ability to enchant creatures can be game-changing in a planeswalker-powered deck.
• Optimize your deck: Select cards that work in conjunction with your planeswalker’s abilities to maximize your potential.

By understanding the intricacies of planeswalkers and Commander rules, you can create a powerful deck that showcases the unique abilities of these iconic characters.