Why doesn’t commander have a sideboard?

Why Doesn’t Commander Have a Sideboard?

The Concept of a Sideboard

In most competitive formats of Magic: The Gathering, such as Constructed and Limited, players use a sideboard to change their deck’s strategy between matches. The sideboard is a separate section of the deck that contains a set number of cards, usually 15, which can be added or subtracted from the main deck between matches. This allows players to adapt to the metagame and change their strategy to better combat their opponents.

What is Commander?

But Commander is a different format altogether. Commander is a multiplayer format that focuses on social interaction and casual play. Players build decks around a specific commander, a legendary creature, and use these decks to play against each other in a group. The format is designed to be more relaxed and flexible than other formats, and the rules reflect this.

Why No Sideboard in Commander?

Given the format’s focus on social interaction and casual play, it may seem like the Commander format would be well-suited for a sideboard. However, the answer is no. And here’s why:

Single Match

In Commander, each game is considered a single match, unlike in other formats where matches are played in a series. This means that the game is played until only one player remains, or a designated time limit is reached. As a result, players do not need to adapt their strategy between matches, as each game is a standalone event.

Deck Size

Commander decks are larger than typical Magic decks, with 100 cards in the main deck and 10 additional cards in the sideboard. However, in Commander, the entire deck is played out in each match, so players do not need to worry about substituting cards in and out of the deck.

Adapting to Opponents

In Commander, players adapt to their opponents by changing their strategy between games, rather than using a sideboard. Players can use cards like Mentor and Kor Spirit Dancer to help their opponents, or use Hushbringer to silence an opponent’s commander. This social aspect of the format encourages players to interact with each other and adapt to the players at the table.

Alternative Solutions

While the Commander format does not have a traditional sideboard, there are alternative solutions for players who want to adapt their strategy between games:

• Sideboard in the Deck: Players can include a small number of cards in their main deck that can be used as a sideboard. For example, a player could include a few Cryptic Crawler to adapt to an opponent who is playing a lot of Life from the Loam.
• Mulligan: Commander uses a more generous mulligan policy than other formats, allowing players to restart their hand and adapt to the game state.
• Card Advantage: Cards like Mox Pearl and Sol Ring provide card advantage and allow players to adapt their strategy over the course of the game.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Commander does not have a traditional sideboard because of the format’s focus on single matches, large deck size, and social interaction. While players do not need a sideboard to adapt their strategy, there are alternative solutions available, including including sideboard cards in the main deck, using the mulligan policy, and leveraging card advantage.