What counts as commander damage?

What Counts as Commander Damage?

Direct Answer:

Commander damage is combat damage dealt by your commander. Loss of life is not considered damage.

Introduction:

Commander is a popular Magic: The Gathering format that allows players to build decks around their favorite legendary creatures. One important aspect of Commander is the damage tracker, which keeps track of the number of combat damage a player’s commander has dealt to their opponents. In this article, we will explore what counts as commander damage and how it works.

What Counts as Commander Damage?

• Combat damage dealt by your commander: This is the primary way to deal commander damage. When your commander attacks an opponent or a planeswalker, and deals damage to them, it counts as commander damage.
• No loss of life: Loss of life is not considered commander damage. For example, if your opponent kills one of your creatures, it does not count as commander damage.
• Only combat damage: Only combat damage dealt by your commander counts as commander damage. Non-combat damage, such as poison counters or indirect damage, is not considered commander damage.

Table 1: Commander Damage Examples

Who Tracks Commander Damage?

• Controller of the commander: The player who controls the commander is responsible for tracking its damage. This can sometimes lead to disputes between players, so it’s essential to keep accurate records of your commander’s damage.

Consequences of Commander Damage:

• Loss of the game: If a player’s commander deals 21 or more damage to them, they lose the game immediately.
• No reset: Commander damage is not reset at the beginning of the game or during specific points in the game. It accumulates over time and can have significant effects on the game.

Common Sources of Commander Damage:

• Deathtouch creatures: Creatures with deathtouch can deal damage to opponents when they deal damage to them.
• Poison creatures: Creatures with poison can deal damage to opponents over time.
• Trample: Creatures with trample can deal excess damage to opponents when they attack them.

Conclusion:

Commander damage is a crucial aspect of the Commander format, and understanding what counts as commander damage is essential for building competitive decks and playing the game. In this article, we have explored the different sources of commander damage, who tracks commander damage, and the consequences of dealing it. By following these guidelines, you can become a more effective Commander player and improve your chances of winning games.

Additional Tips:

• Keep accurate records: Keep track of your commander’s damage to avoid disputes with your opponents.
• Build around your commander: Choose spells and creatures that synergize with your commander’s abilities.
• Pay attention to your opponents’ life totals: If an opponent’s life total is low, try to deal the final 2-3 damage to win the game.