What card sets are legal for Commander?

What Card Sets are Legal for Commander?

Commander, also known as EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander), is a popular Magic: The Gathering format that allows players to build their own custom decks with a specific theme. As a result, players have endless possibilities when it comes to crafting their decks, and they have to make sure that they use cards from legal sets. But which card sets are legal for Commander?

A Brief Overview of the Commander Card Pool

Before we dive into the details, it’s essential to understand that the Commander card pool consists of all regulation-sized Magic cards publicly released by Wizards of the Coast, excluding those with silver borders, gold borders, or acorn-shaped security stamps. Regulation-sized cards are cards with a typical size, excluding larger or smaller cards. This means that cards printed before 2003 might not be legal, as well as cards with certain types of borders.

What Sets are Considered Legal for Commander?

A vast majority of Magic sets are considered legal for Commander. These sets include:

• Classic sets: Almost all classic sets from Alpha (1993) to Fifth Dawn (2004) are legal.
• Elder Dragon Highlander sets: Several sets were specifically designed for EDH, including Homelands, Portal Three Kingdoms, and some sets from the Guildpact block.
• Standard- Legal sets: Most standard-legal sets from 2003 to the present day are legal, including blocks like Onslaught, Mirrodin, Shards of Alara, and many more.
• From the Vault sets: From the Vault sets, like From the Vault: Exiled, From the Vault: Relics, and others, contain legendary creatures and rare cards, making them suitable for Commander builds.
• Planechase and From the Abyss: Both Planechase and From the Abyss sets contain unique cards and are legal for Commander.
• Mastery sets: Mastery sets, like Amonkhet Invocations and Hour of Devastation Invocations, contain legendary creatures and are legal.

Illegal Sets for Commander

It’s important to note that some sets are not legal for Commander. These sets include:

• Revisions: Revisions sets like Revisions to the Master Volume 1 and 2, and Planar Chaos contain altered text and are not considered legal for Commander.
• Other special printings: Some sets, like 15th Anniversary Edition or Ultimate Masters, are not designed for Commander and may not contain enough powerful cards to build a competitive deck.

Card Rarity and Power Levels

While most Magic cards can be used in Commander, cards that are too powerful or unbalancing might be banned. Keep in mind that powerful cards in one set might be legal, but not necessarily good choices for your Commander deck. Remember that balancing your deck with card draw, land, and removal is crucial.

Unlimited and Promotional Cards

Some unlimited and promotional cards, such as promotional cards from companies like Pokémon or cards from promotional events like Game Day or PTQs, might not be legal due to their rarity or design.

Tips for Building Your Commander Deck

• Build your deck around a central theme, making sure to include enough land, card draw, and removal.
• Ensure that your deck’s average conversion rate is around 4-6, with a high enough overall power level to take down games.
• Don’t forget about the Commander’s mana base requirements and plan accordingly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the majority of Magic cards are legal for Commander, giving you immense flexibility when building your decks. It’s essential to keep in mind that balancing your deck, avoiding card draw, and understanding card interaction are crucial for success in this popular format. With so many possible card combinations, it’s up to each player to craft a deck that speaks to their unique style and strategy.

References:

• Wizards of the Coast: For more information about Commander and official Magic: The Gathering rules.
• mtgCommander.net: For FAQs, articles, and discussion forums.
• Magic.wizards.com: For official Magic: The Gathering resources and information.

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