Which Cards are Commander Legal?
Commander is a popular Magic: The Gathering format that allows players to build their own unique decks with a specific commander card. The format is known for its flexibility and creativity, with players able to build decks around a wide range of themes and strategies. But with so many cards to choose from, it can be difficult to know which ones are actually legal in Commander.
Long Answer:
In Commander, everything is legal except for Silver-bordered or Acorn cards, which are essentially "joke cards" that are not meant to be played seriously. Additionally, cards that are specifically banned in Commander are not allowed. This means that players must carefully review the Comprehensive Rules and the Commander ban list to ensure that their decks are legal.
Card Types:
In Commander, there are several types of cards that are legal to play. These include:
- Creatures: These are the cards that make up the backbone of a Commander deck. They can attack and defend, and are often the source of a deck’s power.
- Sorceries: These are cards that can be played to affect the game in some way. They can be used to deal damage, destroy opponents’ cards, or gain life.
- Instants: These are cards that can be played at any time, including during combat. They can be used to disrupt opponents’ plans or protect one’s own cards.
- Enchantments: These are cards that remain on the battlefield and affect the game in some way. They can be used to gain life, deal damage, or provide other benefits.
- Artifacts: These are cards that can be played to provide a specific effect or ability. They can be used to gain life, deal damage, or provide other benefits.
- Lands: These are cards that are used to generate mana, which is necessary to play other cards.
Card Restrictions:
In addition to the types of cards that are legal in Commander, there are also several restrictions that players must follow. These include:
- Mana: Each player can only play a maximum of four copies of any given card, except for basic lands.
- Commander: Each player can only play one commander card in their deck.
- Partners: Some cards have a "partner" ability, which allows two players to play two commanders in their deck.
- Singleton: Some cards can only be played once in a deck, and cannot be played multiple times.
Why Some Cards are Banned:
Some cards are banned in Commander because they are too powerful or unbalanced. These cards can disrupt the game and make it difficult for other players to compete. Examples of banned cards include:
- Yawgmoth’s Bargain: This card allows players to pay life to draw cards, which can be very powerful.
- Hullbreacher: This card allows players to sacrifice creatures to generate card advantage, which can be very powerful.
- Biorhythm: This card allows players to draw cards based on the life totals of their opponents, which can be very powerful.
Why Some Cards are Restricted:
Some cards are restricted in Commander because they are too powerful or unbalanced. These cards can disrupt the game and make it difficult for other players to compete. Examples of restricted cards include:
- Necropotence: This card allows players to pay life to draw cards, which can be very powerful.
- Ice Age: This card allows players to draw cards based on the life totals of their opponents, which can be very powerful.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Commander is a popular Magic: The Gathering format that allows players to build their own unique decks with a specific commander card. The format is known for its flexibility and creativity, with players able to build decks around a wide range of themes and strategies. However, there are several restrictions and bans in place to ensure that the game remains balanced and fun for all players. By understanding which cards are legal and which are not, players can build decks that are competitive and enjoyable to play.