What is the Legendary Creature Rule in Commander?
In the world of Magic: The Gathering, Commander is a popular format that allows players to build decks around a specific legendary creature. However, there is a rule that governs the behavior of these creatures, known as the "Legendary Creature Rule." In this article, we will delve into the details of this rule and explore its implications for Commander players.
What is the Legendary Creature Rule?
The Legendary Creature Rule is a state-based effect that applies to legendary creatures in Commander. If a player controls two or more legendary creatures with the same name, they must choose one and put the others into their owner’s graveyard. This rule is designed to prevent players from abusing the power of legendary creatures by controlling multiple copies of the same card.
How Does the Legendary Creature Rule Work?
The Legendary Creature Rule is triggered when a player controls two or more legendary creatures with the same name. This can happen in a variety of ways, such as:
- Playing multiple copies of the same legendary creature: If a player plays multiple copies of the same legendary creature, they will be forced to choose one and put the others into their owner’s graveyard.
- Creating multiple copies of a legendary creature: Some cards, such as Clone or Copy, can create multiple copies of a legendary creature. In this case, the Legendary Creature Rule will apply, forcing the player to choose one and put the others into their owner’s graveyard.
- Using a card that creates multiple legendary creatures: Some cards, such as Estrid, the Masked, can create multiple legendary creatures. In this case, the Legendary Creature Rule will apply, forcing the player to choose one and put the others into their owner’s graveyard.
What Happens When the Legendary Creature Rule is Triggered?
When the Legendary Creature Rule is triggered, the player must choose one of the legendary creatures with the same name and put the others into their owner’s graveyard. The chosen legendary creature remains on the battlefield, while the others are sent to the graveyard.
How Can I Avoid the Legendary Creature Rule?
There are several ways to avoid the Legendary Creature Rule in Commander:
- Choose a different legendary creature: If you’re building a deck around a specific legendary creature, consider choosing a different one to avoid the Legendary Creature Rule.
- Use cards that create multiple copies of a legendary creature: Cards like Clone or Copy can create multiple copies of a legendary creature, allowing you to take advantage of the Legendary Creature Rule.
- Use cards that create multiple legendary creatures: Cards like Estrid, the Masked can create multiple legendary creatures, allowing you to take advantage of the Legendary Creature Rule.
Conclusion
The Legendary Creature Rule is an important part of the Commander format, designed to prevent players from abusing the power of legendary creatures. By understanding how the rule works and how to avoid it, you can build a more competitive deck and take your gameplay to the next level. Remember to always choose wisely when building your deck, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different legendary creatures to find the one that works best for you.
Additional Tips and Tricks
- Use cards that interact with legendary creatures: Cards like Swan Song or Counterspell can interact with legendary creatures, allowing you to disrupt your opponent’s plans and gain an advantage.
- Use cards that create tokens: Cards like Sylvan Library or Estrid, the Masked can create tokens, which can be used to create multiple copies of a legendary creature.
- Use cards that create multiple legendary creatures: Cards like Estrid, the Masked or Niv-Mizzet, Parun can create multiple legendary creatures, allowing you to take advantage of the Legendary Creature Rule.
Table: Legendary Creatures and Their Abilities
| Legendary Creature | Ability |
|---|---|
| Estrid, the Masked | Creates multiple legendary creatures |
| Niv-Mizzet, Parun | Creates multiple legendary creatures |
| Clone | Creates multiple copies of a legendary creature |
| Copy | Creates multiple copies of a legendary creature |
| Swan Song | Interacts with legendary creatures |
| Counterspell | Interacts with legendary creatures |
Bullets List: Ways to Avoid the Legendary Creature Rule
• Choose a different legendary creature
• Use cards that create multiple copies of a legendary creature
• Use cards that create multiple legendary creatures
• Use cards that interact with legendary creatures
• Use cards that create tokens