How Do You Get Around the Commander Tax?
The commander tax is a crucial aspect of the Commander format, a popular Magic: The Gathering game mode. In this article, we will delve into the various ways to circumvent the commander tax and make the most out of your games.
What is the Commander Tax?
Before we dive into the ways to avoid the commander tax, it’s essential to understand what it is. The commander tax is an additional cost that players incur when casting their commander from the command zone. This cost is equal to the number of times the player has previously cast their commander from the command zone that game.
Bounce and Reanimation
One of the most straightforward ways to avoid the commander tax is by bouncing or reanimating your commander. Bouncing a card means sending it back to its owner’s hand, while reanimating it means bringing it back from the graveyard to the battlefield. Both of these methods allow you to circumvent the commander tax and cast your commander without incurring the additional cost.
Affinity
Affinity is another mechanic that can help you get around the commander tax. Affinity is a cost reduction mechanic that allows you to reduce the mana cost of a spell by 1 for each artifact you control. This can be especially useful when casting your commander, as it can reduce the additional cost of the commander tax.
Dash
Dash is a keyword ability that allows you to cast a spell without paying its mana cost. However, it’s important to note that dash does not exempt you from the commander tax. The costs for casting a spell can be divided into two categories: the mana cost and the additional costs. The mana cost is the initial cost of the spell, while the additional costs are costs that are added to the mana cost. The commander tax is an additional cost, and dash does not eliminate it.
Cascade
Cascade is a mechanic that allows you to search your library for a card with a lower mana cost than the card you just cast. However, cascade does not exempt you from the commander tax. The costs for casting a spell can be divided into two categories: the mana cost and the additional costs. The mana cost is the initial cost of the spell, while the additional costs are costs that are added to the mana cost. The commander tax is an additional cost, and cascade does not eliminate it.
Commander Damage
In the Commander format, players can deal damage to each other using their commanders. However, it’s important to note that commanders can deal damage to their controllers as well. This means that you can deal damage to yourself using your own commander, and if you take 21 or more points of damage, you lose the game.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the commander tax is a crucial aspect of the Commander format, but there are ways to get around it. By using bounce and reanimation spells, affinity, and other cost reduction mechanics, you can reduce the impact of the commander tax and make the most out of your games. Remember to always keep in mind the additional costs of the commander tax and plan accordingly to ensure you have the necessary mana to cast your commander.
Table: Ways to Get Around the Commander Tax
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Bounce | Send your commander back to your hand using a bounce spell. |
| Reanimation | Bring your commander back from the graveyard to the battlefield using a reanimation spell. |
| Affinity | Reduce the mana cost of your commander using affinity. |
| Dash | Cast your commander using dash, but note that dash does not eliminate the commander tax. |
| Cascade | Search for a card with a lower mana cost using cascade, but note that cascade does not eliminate the commander tax. |
Key Takeaways
- The commander tax is an additional cost that players incur when casting their commander from the command zone.
- Bounce and reanimation spells can be used to circumvent the commander tax.
- Affinity is a cost reduction mechanic that can be used to reduce the mana cost of your commander.
- Dash and cascade are other mechanics that can be used to reduce the mana cost of your commander, but note that they do not eliminate the commander tax.
- Commanders can deal damage to their controllers, and taking 21 or more points of damage will result in a loss.
I hope this article helps you understand how to get around the commander tax in the Commander format. Remember to always keep in mind the additional costs of the commander tax and plan accordingly to ensure you have the necessary mana to cast your commander.