What are the rules for Commander split color?
When it comes to building a Commander deck, one of the most crucial aspects to consider is the color identity of your commander. A commander’s color identity is determined by the mana symbols in its rules text, and it is a fundamental rule in Commander gameplay. In this article, we will delve into the rules surrounding Commander split color, exploring the nuances of color identity and its impact on deck-building.
Direct Answer:
The primary rule for Commander split color is that every card in your deck must have a color identity that matches your commander’s color identity. This means that if your commander is red and green, your deck can only include cards with red and green mana symbols. However, there are some exceptions and nuances to consider, which we will explore below.
Understanding Color Identity
A card’s color identity is determined by the mana symbols in its rules text. For example, a card with the following text:
"{R/G} Creature – Goblin Shaman"
Has a color identity of red and green, as it requires red and green mana to play. On the other hand, a card with the following text:
"{R} Creature – Dragon"
Has a color identity of red only, as it requires red mana to play.
Split Colors in Commander
When building a Commander deck, it’s not uncommon to encounter cards with split colors, where a card has mana symbols of multiple colors. In this case, the card’s color identity is determined by the colors present in its mana symbols.
Examples of Split Colors
Here are a few examples of cards with split colors:
- Multicolor: Cards with multiple colors in their mana symbols, such as {R/G}, {W/U}, or {B/G}.
- Tri-Color: Cards with three colors in their mana symbols, such as {R/W/G}, {W/B/U}, or {U/B/R}.
- Four-Color: Cards with four colors in their mana symbols, such as {R/W/U/B}, {W/U/B/G}, or {B/R/G/U}.
Rules for Commander Split Color
Here are some key rules to keep in mind when building a Commander deck with split colors:
- Mana Requirements: When playing a card with split colors, you must have the necessary mana in the correct colors to play it. For example, if a card has {R/G} in its mana symbols, you must have both red and green mana available to play it.
- Color Identity: As mentioned earlier, every card in your deck must have a color identity that matches your commander’s color identity. If your commander is red and green, your deck can only include cards with red and green mana symbols.
- Colorless Cards: Cards with no color listed in their mana symbols (such as {0}) can be included in your deck regardless of your commander’s color identity.
- Mana Fixing: When building a Commander deck with split colors, you may need to include cards that can fix your mana to include the necessary colors. For example, cards like Mox Opal or City of Brass can help you generate the necessary mana to play cards with split colors.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Commander split color is a fundamental aspect of building a Commander deck, and it requires a deep understanding of color identity and mana requirements. By following the rules outlined in this article, you can create a deck that effectively incorporates cards with split colors, and takes advantage of the unique opportunities they provide.