Can You Make a 60-Card Deck from a Commander Deck?
Commander is a popular Magic: The Gathering format that allows players to build decks around a specific legendary creature, known as the Commander. While Commander decks are designed to be unique and creative, they often don’t follow the same rules as other formats, such as Standard or Modern. One common question among Commander players is whether it’s possible to take a Commander deck and convert it into a 60-card Standard deck. In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and provide some insights on what you can and can’t do.
Why Can’t You Use a Commander Deck as a Standard Deck?
The main reason you can’t use a Commander deck as a Standard deck is that Commander decks are designed to be much larger than Standard decks. Commander decks typically consist of 100 cards, including the Commander, while Standard decks are limited to 60 cards. This means that Commander decks often have more cards than a Standard deck would allow, which can lead to issues with card advantage and consistency.
What Are the Key Differences Between Commander and Standard?
There are several key differences between Commander and Standard that make it difficult to convert a Commander deck into a Standard deck. Here are a few of the most significant differences:
- Card availability: Commander decks can include cards that are not legal in Standard, such as older cards or cards that are only available in specific sets.
- Card count: Commander decks are designed to be much larger than Standard decks, which means that they often have more cards than a Standard deck would allow.
- Commander: Commander decks are built around a specific legendary creature, known as the Commander, which is not a part of Standard decks.
- Rules: Commander has its own set of rules and restrictions that are different from Standard.
What Cards Can You Use in a Standard Deck?
If you want to convert a Commander deck into a Standard deck, you’ll need to identify which cards are legal in Standard and which are not. Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind:
- Legal cards: Cards that are legal in Standard are those that are currently available in the game and are not banned or restricted.
- Illegal cards: Cards that are not legal in Standard are those that are older, banned, or restricted.
- Commander-specific cards: Cards that are specific to Commander, such as the Commander itself, are not legal in Standard.
How to Convert a Commander Deck into a Standard Deck
If you want to convert a Commander deck into a Standard deck, here are some steps you can follow:
- Identify legal cards: Go through your Commander deck and identify which cards are legal in Standard.
- Remove illegal cards: Remove any cards that are not legal in Standard from your deck.
- Reduce card count: Reduce the number of cards in your deck to 60, which is the maximum number of cards allowed in a Standard deck.
- Choose a new Commander: If your Commander is not legal in Standard, you’ll need to choose a new one.
- Build your deck: Use the remaining cards to build a new Standard deck.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while it is possible to convert a Commander deck into a Standard deck, it’s not a straightforward process. Commander decks are designed to be much larger than Standard decks, and they often include cards that are not legal in Standard. To convert a Commander deck into a Standard deck, you’ll need to identify which cards are legal in Standard, remove any illegal cards, reduce the card count, and choose a new Commander. With some careful planning and attention to detail, you can create a Standard deck that is competitive and fun to play.