What Increases Commander Tax?
In the world of Magic: The Gathering, Commander is a popular casual format that allows players to build decks around a specific commander card. One of the unique mechanics of Commander is the "commander tax," which increases the cost of casting a commander from the command zone. But what exactly increases commander tax? In this article, we’ll dive into the details and explore the factors that affect commander tax.
Direct Answer:
The commander tax is increased by the number of times a player has cast a commander from the command zone that game. This means that each time a player casts a commander, the additional cost increases by 2. For example, if a player casts a commander from the command zone for the first time, the additional cost is 2. If they cast it again, the additional cost becomes 4, and so on.
Factors that Increase Commander Tax:
• Number of Times Cast: The most significant factor that increases commander tax is the number of times a player has cast a commander from the command zone that game. Each additional cast increases the commander tax by 2.
• Alternative Costs: Alternative costs, such as those provided by cards like Dash or Blitz, do not affect the commander tax. The commander tax only applies to the cost of casting a commander from the command zone.
• Mana Costs: Mana costs, such as those provided by cards like Fires of Invention, can reduce the cost of casting a spell, but they do not affect the commander tax.
• Commander Type: Not all commanders are created equal. Some commanders have a higher mana cost than others, which can increase the commander tax. For example, a commander with a mana cost of 5 will have a higher commander tax than a commander with a mana cost of 3.
• Card Draw: Card draw can increase the commander tax by allowing a player to draw additional cards and potentially cast their commander more times. This can lead to a higher commander tax over the course of the game.
Table: Commander Tax Increases
| Number of Times Cast | Commander Tax |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 4 |
| 3 | 6 |
| 4 | 8 |
| 5 | 10 |
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the commander tax in Magic: The Gathering is increased by the number of times a player has cast a commander from the command zone that game. Alternative costs, mana costs, and commander type do not affect the commander tax. Card draw can increase the commander tax by allowing a player to draw additional cards and potentially cast their commander more times. By understanding how commander tax works, players can make informed decisions about which commanders to play and how to build their decks.