What happens if you phase out a commander?

What Happens if You Phase Out a Commander?

When playing Commander, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how to manage your permanents on the battlefield. Among these permanents, your Commander is often the most crucial, as it determines the strategy and direction of your game. However, there are situations where your Commander might get phased out, and in this article, we’ll explore what happens when that occurs.

Phasing Out a Commander

Phasing out a permanent, including your Commander, means that it is removed from the game and treated as if it never existed. This can happen through various means, such as Vanishing, Phasing, or even certain cards like Stasis. When your Commander phases out, it’s no longer on the battlefield, and you won’t be able to interact with it until it phases back in.

Phasing Back In

When your Commander phases back in, it returns to the battlefield and resumes its normal behavior. However, if your Commander has a continuous effect that’s tied to its existence on the battlefield, that effect will not trigger until the Commander is back in play. For example, if your Commander has a continuous ability that says "You gain 1 life at the beginning of your end step," that ability won’t trigger until the Commander is back in play.

Commander’s Phasing Out and Flickering

Another important consideration is how phasing out your Commander interacts with flickering. Flickering is a mechanic that allows you to move a permanent to the top of its owner’s library and then back to the battlefield. If you flicker your Commander while it’s phased out, it will return to the top of your library, but it won’t be put into play until it phases back in.

Effects of Phasing Out on Other Cards

When your Commander phases out, any effects that rely on its existence on the battlefield will be disrupted. For example, if your Commander has an ability that says "As long as you control X, you can’t lose the game," that ability will not trigger while your Commander is phased out.

Commander’s Continuous Effects

Continuous effects are effects that remain in play for as long as the condition specified in the card text is met. For example, a card that says "You gain 1 life at the beginning of your end step" has a continuous effect that remains in play until the condition is no longer met. When your Commander phases out, any continuous effects it had will cease to function until it phases back in.

Example of Phasing Out a Commander

To illustrate how phasing out a Commander works, let’s consider an example. Suppose you’re playing with Kaito Shizuki, a legendary creature that says "When Kaito Shizuki phases out, return him to the battlefield at the start of your next turn." You cast Stasis, a spell that says "Phasing out, or phases in, any permanent is suspended." Kaito Shizuki phases out, but then phases back in at the start of your next turn, as the Stasis effect suspended his phasing.

Consequences of Phasing Out a Commander

Phasing out your Commander can have significant consequences, especially if you rely on its abilities to drive your strategy. Here are some key considerations:

• Loss of Board Presence: When your Commander phases out, it’s no longer on the battlefield, and you won’t be able to interact with it. This can leave you vulnerable to your opponent’s attacks and make it harder to defend your life total.

• Disruption of Continuous Effects: Phasing out your Commander can disrupt any continuous effects it had, such as abilities or effects that rely on its existence on the battlefield.

• Impact on Board State: Phasing out your Commander can alter the board state, as your opponent may take advantage of the disruption to attack or defend more effectively.

• Potential for Comeback: On the other hand, phasing out your Commander can also create opportunities for a comeback. If you’re able to flicker or return your Commander to the battlefield, you may be able to turn the game around and take control.

Conclusion

Phasing out a Commander is a complex and nuanced topic that requires careful consideration of the game state and your strategy. By understanding how phasing out a Commander works, you can better manage your permanents and make informed decisions during the game. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, this knowledge can help you improve your gameplay and become a more formidable opponent.