Do commanders have summoning sickness?

Do Commanders Have Summoning Sickness?

In Magic: The Gathering, a commander is a unique creature that serves as the heart of a player’s deck. When building a Commander deck, one of the most important questions to ask is whether or not your commander has summoning sickness. In this article, we’ll dive into the answer to this question and explore the rules surrounding commanders and summoning sickness.

Do Commanders Have Summoning Sickness?

The answer to this question is yes. Like any other creature, a commander has summoning sickness when it enters the battlefield. Summoning sickness is a phenomenon that causes a creature to be unable to attack or use any abilities for its first turn on the battlefield.

What is Summoning Sickness?

Summoning sickness is a game mechanic in Magic: The Gathering that affects creatures that enter the battlefield. When a creature enters the battlefield, it is said to be suffering from summoning sickness until the beginning of its owner’s next turn. During this time, the creature is unable to attack, use any abilities, or perform any other actions. This mechanic was introduced in the original Magic: The Gathering game and has been a staple of the game ever since.

When Does Summoning Sickness Apply to Commanders?

Summoning sickness applies to commanders just like any other creature. When a commander enters the battlefield, it is affected by summoning sickness, and is unable to attack or use any abilities for its first turn.

Why Does Summoning Sickness Matter for Commanders?

Summoning sickness is important for commanders because it can greatly impact the playability of your deck. If your commander is not able to attack or use its abilities for its first turn, it can greatly limit the number of turns you have to take advantage of its power. This is especially important for commanders that rely heavily on their abilities to control the board.

Exceptions to Summoning Sickness

There are a few exceptions to the rule that commanders have summoning sickness. Haste, for example, is a keyword ability that allows a creature to ignore summoning sickness. Hexproof, on the other hand, is an ability that prevents a creature from being the target of spells and abilities, which can indirectly affect summoning sickness. Indestructible, another keyword ability, makes a creature unable to be destroyed, which can affect summoning sickness in certain situations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, commanders in Magic: The Gathering have summoning sickness just like any other creature. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule that can greatly impact the playability of your deck. Understanding how summoning sickness affects your commander is key to building a successful deck and taking advantage of your commander’s power.

Additional Tips for Building a Commander Deck

• Make sure to consider the effects of summoning sickness on your commander when building your deck.
• Choose commanders with abilities that can bypass summoning sickness, such as haste.
• Plan your turns carefully to make the most of your commander’s abilities.
• Keep in mind that summoning sickness can greatly impact the playability of your deck, so choose a commander that is powerful and playable even with summoning sickness.

Summoning Sickness Timeline

By understanding the effects of summoning sickness on your commander, you can build a more powerful and effective deck. Remember to always plan your turns carefully and make the most of your commander’s abilities, even if it’s under the influence of summoning sickness.