What Cards are Allowed in a Commander Deck?
Commander is a popular Magic: The Gathering format that allows players to build decks around a specific commander card. The commander is the central figure of the deck, and its abilities and effects shape the gameplay experience. When building a Commander deck, it’s essential to understand what cards are allowed and what restrictions apply. In this article, we’ll explore the rules and guidelines for constructing a Commander deck.
Commander Deck Size and Composition
A Commander deck consists of exactly 100 cards, including the commander card. The deck must contain a minimum of 60 cards and a maximum of 40 cards. The commander card is a specific card that defines the deck’s theme and plays a crucial role in its strategy.
Card Types and Restrictions
In Commander, there are several types of cards that are restricted or banned. These include:
- Basic Lands: These are the only cards that can be played in any quantity. Players can include as many basic lands as they like in their deck.
- Commander: The commander card is the central figure of the deck and defines its theme and strategy. Players can only include one copy of the commander card in their deck.
- Non-Basic Lands: These cards are restricted to a maximum of four copies per deck. Players can include any number of non-basic lands in their deck, but they are limited to four copies of each specific card.
- Creatures: These cards are restricted to a maximum of four copies per deck. Players can include any number of creatures in their deck, but they are limited to four copies of each specific card.
- Instants: These cards are restricted to a maximum of four copies per deck. Players can include any number of instants in their deck, but they are limited to four copies of each specific card.
- Sorceries: These cards are restricted to a maximum of four copies per deck. Players can include any number of sorceries in their deck, but they are limited to four copies of each specific card.
- Artifacts: These cards are restricted to a maximum of four copies per deck. Players can include any number of artifacts in their deck, but they are limited to four copies of each specific card.
- Enchantments: These cards are restricted to a maximum of four copies per deck. Players can include any number of enchantments in their deck, but they are limited to four copies of each specific card.
- Planeswalkers: These cards are restricted to a maximum of one copy per deck. Players can include only one planeswalker in their deck.
Banned and Restricted Cards
Some cards are banned or restricted in Commander due to their power level or potential to unbalance the game. These cards are not allowed in Commander decks and are listed on the official Magic: The Gathering website.
Commander Rule 11: The Tuck Rule
Commander Rule 11, also known as the "tuck rule," states that the commander card can only be moved from the graveyard to the command zone as a state-based action. This means that players cannot use spells or abilities to move the commander card from the graveyard to the command zone.
Can an Opponent Steal Your Commander?
Yes, an opponent can steal your commander card. The commander card is a specific card that defines the deck’s theme and strategy, and opponents can use spells or abilities to move it from the command zone to their own graveyard or hand.
What is the Power 9 in Commander?
The Power 9 cards are a set of nine cards that are considered to be the most powerful in Magic: The Gathering. These cards are:
- Black Lotus
- Mox Sapphire
- Mox Jet
- Mox Ruby
- Mox Pearl
- Ancestral Recall
- Time Walk
- Timetwister
- Library of Alexandria
These cards are not allowed in Commander decks and are listed on the official Magic: The Gathering website.
Conclusion
In conclusion, building a Commander deck requires a deep understanding of the rules and restrictions that apply to the format. Players must carefully select the cards that are allowed in their deck and ensure that they comply with the format’s restrictions. By following these guidelines, players can build a competitive and fun Commander deck that showcases their creativity and strategy.