Do You Draw If You Go First in Commander?
Commander is a popular Magic: The Gathering format that involves strategy, creativity, and a bit of luck. When building a Commander deck, one of the first questions players ask is "Do I draw if I go first in Commander?" This article aims to provide a clear answer to this question and explore the nuances of drawing in Commander.
What Is Commander?
Before we dive into the main question, let’s take a brief look at what Commander is. Commander is a multiplayer format where players create decks centered around a specific commander card. The commander card is a legendary creature or planeswalker that sets the tone for the deck’s strategy and theme.
In a typical Commander game, players start with seven cards in their hand and play out the game. The objective is to reduce your opponents’ life totals to zero while protecting your own life total. A unique aspect of Commander is that each player has a commander, which serves as the deck’s central card. When a player’s commander dies, they can recast it from their command zone, allowing them to potentially gain a significant advantage.
Drawing in Commander
Now, let’s focus on the question at hand: "Do you draw if you go first in Commander?" In a two-player game, the answer is no. As stated in the official Commander FAQ, "In a two-player game, the player who plays first skips the draw step of their first turn." This means that if you play first, you will not draw a card on your first turn.
However, in a multiplayer game, the situation is different. When playing with more than two players, each player still starts with seven cards in their hand and draws a card on their first turn. In this case, the player who plays first does draw a card on their first turn.
Here’s a breakdown of the rules in multiplayer games:
| Number of Players | Does the First Player Draw? |
|---|---|
| 2 | No |
| 3+ | Yes |
When Do You Draw?
Now that we’ve answered the main question, let’s explore when exactly you draw in Commander. According to the official Magic: The Gathering rules, you draw a card during your draw step. The draw step is one of the five main phases of the game:
- Untap Step
- Upkeep Step
- Draw Step
- Main Phase
- End Step
During the draw step, you draw the top card from your library. If you have no cards in your library, you can only draw the commander from the command zone. In rare cases, other effects might prevent you from drawing or allow you to draw multiple cards.
What Cards Should I Draw?
When drawing cards in Commander, it’s essential to have a good mix of cards in your hand. Here are some essential cards you should aim to draw:
• Removal spells: Cards that allow you to get rid of opponents’ threats, such as Lightning Bolt or Path to Exile.
• Ramp spells: Cards that help you generate mana more efficiently, such as Cultivate or Skyshroud Claim.
• Token-generating creatures: Cards that create tokens, such as Volvero Patron or Elvish Mystic.
• Card draw: Cards that allow you to draw more cards, such as Serum Visions or Mystic Retrieval.
By aiming to draw these types of cards, you’ll increase your chances of building a powerful hand and winning the game.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether you draw if you go first in Commander depends on the number of players. In a two-player game, you don’t draw on your first turn, but in a multiplayer game, you do draw. When building your Commander deck, it’s essential to have a mix of cards that work together to achieve your strategic goals.
By following this guide and mastering the art of drawing cards in Commander, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a formidable opponent. Remember to adapt to changing circumstances and always be prepared to adjust your strategy. Happy drafting, and may the cards be ever in your favor!