Can You Put Devoid Cards in a Colorless Deck?
The answer is no, devoid cards cannot be used in a colorless deck with a commander that shares the same color identity. In this article, we’ll explore why this is the case, and what this means for players who want to build a colorless commander deck.
What is Devoid?
Before we dive into the rules, let’s define what devoid is. Devoid is a static ability that appears on some cards, including creatures, planeswalkers, and other permanent spells. Devoid makes the card colorless, meaning it has no color or mana cost associated with it. This can be confusing, as some cards with devoid may still have colored mana symbols in their mana costs. However, these symbols are just reminder text, and the card itself does not produce any mana when played.
Color Identity
In Commander, the color identity of a card is defined by the mana symbols in its mana cost. This is different from the card’s color or colors, which are indicated by the card’s card type and other text. Color identity determines which cards can be included in a commander deck and which cards can be cast.
Devoid Cards and Color Identity
Since devoid cards have no color or mana cost associated with them, you might assume that they are colorless and can be included in any commander deck. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Devoid cards still have a color identity, which is defined by the mana symbols in their reminder text.
For example, a card like Catacomb Sifter has devoid and is colorless. However, its reminder text includes mana symbols (,, etc.), which indicate that its color identity is Black/Green. As a result, Catacomb Sifter can only be included in a commander deck that has a commander with a Black/Green color identity.
Can You Build a Colorless Commander Deck?
Now that we know that devoid cards cannot be used in a colorless deck, the question becomes: Can you build a colorless commander deck at all?
The answer is yes, but it requires some creativity and careful planning. Since colorless decks cannot include cards with colored mana symbols, you’ll need to focus on building a deck that only includes colorless cards. This can include cards with no mana symbols at all (like land), as well as cards with mana symbols that do not match the color identity of your commander.
Tips for Building a Colorless Commander Deck
Building a colorless commander deck can be challenging, but here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Focus on lands: Since land is colorless, it’s essential to include a mix of basic lands and non-basic lands in your deck.
- Choose colorless permanents: Permanent spells with no mana symbols, such as artifacts and enchantments, can be great additions to a colorless deck.
- Select cards with the right mana cost: Look for cards with no mana cost or with mana costs that do not include colored mana symbols. Catalyst Elemental, for example, has a mana cost of "" and is a great addition to a colorless deck.
- Be mindful of colorless mana production: Since you won’t be able to include cards that produce colored mana, you’ll need to focus on cards that produce colorless mana or have alternative means of producing mana.
Conclusion
In conclusion, devoid cards cannot be used in a colorless deck with a commander that shares the same color identity. However, this does not mean that you cannot build a colorless commander deck at all. By focusing on building a deck with only colorless cards, you can create a unique and competitive deck that showcases your creative skills.
Remember to carefully plan your deck and focus on building a cohesive strategy. With practice and patience, you can build a colorless commander deck that dominates the competition.