Do planeswalkers count as commanders?

Do Planeswalkers Count as Commanders?

In the world of Magic: The Gathering, Planeswalkers are unique cards that have the ability to change the course of a game. But can they be used as commanders in a Commander deck? The answer is a bit more complex than a simple yes or no.

The Official Answer

According to the official Magic: The Gathering FAQ, only a legendary creature or an ordinary land can be a commander in a Commander deck. This means that Planeswalkers, which are not creatures, cannot be used as commanders.

The Exception: Grist, the Hunger Tide

However, there is an exception to this rule. Grist, the Hunger Tide is a Planeswalker that can be used as a commander. Its first ability allows it to be the commander of a deck, making it the only Planeswalker that can be used in this way.

Why Planeswalkers Make Poor Commanders

Even though Grist is an exception, Planeswalkers are generally not good commanders. This is because they are not creatures, and therefore do not have the ability to attack or defend. They also do not have the ability to gain life or damage opponents, which are common strategies in Commander.

The Problems with Planeswalkers as Commanders

Using a Planeswalker as a commander can also create problems in the game. For example:

• Lack of board presence: Planeswalkers are not creatures, and therefore do not have the ability to attack or defend. This can make it difficult to create a board presence and generate card advantage.
• Limited options: Planeswalkers have limited options for cards they can play, and are often dependent on their own abilities to generate card advantage.
• Susceptible to removal: Planeswalkers are often susceptible to removal spells, which can make it difficult to keep them on the board.

When to Use a Planeswalker as a Commander

Despite the problems with using a Planeswalker as a commander, there are some situations where it can be beneficial to do so. For example:

• In a deck with a lot of token-generating effects: If you have a deck that generates a lot of tokens, a Planeswalker commander can be useful for creating a board presence and generating card advantage.
• In a deck with a lot of planeswalker-centric cards: If you have a deck that is heavy on planeswalker-centric cards, a Planeswalker commander can be useful for generating card advantage and creating a board presence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Planeswalkers are not the typical commanders in a Commander deck, there are some situations where it can be beneficial to use one as a commander. However, it is important to consider the limitations of using a Planeswalker as a commander and to build a deck that is designed to work around these limitations.

Table: Planeswalkers that Can Be Used as Commanders

Conclusion

In the end, the answer to whether Planeswalkers can be used as commanders is a complex one. While there are some exceptions to the rule, such as Grist, the Hunger Tide, Planeswalkers are generally not good commanders due to their limited abilities and susceptibility to removal.