Planeswalkers in Commander: A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, you absolutely can use planeswalkers in Commander, but with specific rules and nuances that are essential to understand. While planeswalkers are not the typical choice for a commander, they play a significant role in the format. This article will delve into how planeswalkers function in Commander, addressing frequently asked questions to provide a complete understanding of their role.

Planeswalkers as Commanders: The Exception

Can a Planeswalker Be Your Commander?

The most common commander is a legendary creature. However, there’s an exception: certain planeswalkers can also be used as your commander if they explicitly state “this card can be your commander” on the bottom of the card. If this text isn’t present, that planeswalker cannot be your commander. Always check the card’s text carefully. These planeswalkers are often referred to as planeswalker commanders or general planeswalkers.

How Planeswalker Commanders Work

A planeswalker commander functions similarly to a legendary creature as your commander. It starts in the command zone, can be cast from the command zone, and can be recast if it leaves the battlefield. However, unlike a creature commander, a planeswalker commander can be attacked directly by creatures.

Planeswalkers on the Battlefield

Functioning as Regular Planeswalkers

Once you cast a planeswalker, whether it’s your commander or a card within your deck, it functions as a regular planeswalker on the battlefield. It can use its loyalty abilities, and opponents can attack it directly with their creatures. Note that a planeswalker cannot attack, unless an effect such as Luxior, Giada’s Gift, turns them into a creature.

Frequently Asked Questions About Planeswalkers in Commander

Here are 15 common questions about using planeswalkers in Commander, along with detailed answers:

1. Why Can’t Most Planeswalkers Be Commanders?

In Commander, the general rule is that your commander must be a legendary creature. Planeswalkers are not creatures. The only planeswalkers that can be commanders are those that explicitly have text indicating that they can be a commander. This is an exception to the rule.

2. Can You Attack Planeswalkers in Commander?

Yes, you can absolutely attack planeswalkers with creatures in Commander. If your opponent has a planeswalker on the battlefield, you can choose to attack them instead of the player.

3. Do Planeswalkers Do Commander Damage?

Typically, planeswalkers cannot inflict commander damage because they are not creatures and cannot attack. However, with the introduction of cards like Luxior, Giada’s Gift, planeswalkers can temporarily become creatures and deal combat damage, which now allows planeswalker commanders to deal commander damage. If they attack as a creature and deal damage, it counts towards commander damage.

4. Does Deathtouch Work on Planeswalkers?

Deathtouch is a static ability that causes a creature dealing damage with deathtouch to kill another creature, even if only one point of damage was dealt. Deathtouch does not apply to planeswalkers, because they are not creatures. However, some specific planeswalker abilities, like that of Vraska, Swarm’s Eminence, can bypass this limitation.

5. How Do You Protect Planeswalkers in Commander?

Protecting planeswalkers requires strategies beyond just creature blocking. Counterspells like Swan Song, Counterspell, and Arcane Denial can be used to stop spells that could remove or damage your planeswalker. Other cards that provide hexproof or give protection from certain colors can also help keep your planeswalkers safe.

6. Are Unfinity Cards Legal in Commander?

Unfinity is a unique set that introduces some cards legal in Eternal formats such as Commander. Cards without an acorn stamp on the bottom of the card are legal in Commander. Be sure to check individual cards to confirm their legality for the Commander format.

7. Do Planeswalkers Have Summoning Sickness in Commander?

No, planeswalkers do not have summoning sickness. You may activate a planeswalker’s loyalty abilities on the same turn you play them. This means you can immediately use a “+,” “-“, or “0” ability the same turn you cast a planeswalker.

8. Can You Have Two Planeswalkers in a Commander Deck?

Yes, you can have multiple planeswalkers in your Commander deck. The only limitation is that you cannot have two planeswalkers with the exact same name in play simultaneously, due to the legend rule. This is the same rule that applies to legendary creatures.

9. What is the Legendary Rule for Planeswalkers?

The legend rule applies to planeswalkers, as they all have the supertype “legendary”. You cannot control two or more planeswalkers with the same name at the same time. However, you can control multiple planeswalkers of the same type, such as Jace, as long as each one has a different name (e.g., Jace, the Mind Sculptor and Jace, Unraveler of Secrets).

10. Who Were the First Planeswalkers?

The first five planeswalkers to be printed, known as the Lorwyn Five, are: Ajani, Jace, Liliana, Chandra, and Garruk. These planeswalkers were introduced in the Lorwyn set and have become some of Magic’s most iconic characters.

11. How Many Planeswalkers Can You Have in Your Commander Deck?

There isn’t a set limit on the number of planeswalkers you can include in your Commander deck, beyond the general singleton rule that allows you to have only one of any card except basic lands. You’re free to build your deck with as many planeswalkers as you like, provided they adhere to the color identity rules of the format.

12. Can Any Legendary Creature Be a Commander?

In most instances, yes. Your commander must be a single legendary creature. However, there are exceptions. Two legendary creatures can serve as dual commanders if they both have the Partner ability. Additionally, some planeswalkers, as mentioned earlier, can be used as your commander if the card explicitly states this.

13. Are Cards with Flash Banned in Commander?

No, cards with flash are not banned in Commander. While some cards with flash have been problematic in other formats and may have been banned or restricted there, they remain legal in Commander. It’s generally the cards that interact with flash that are often banned, not the flash mechanic itself.

14. Can Your Opponent Steal Your Commander?

Yes, your opponent can take control of your commander. If your commander would be exiled or put into your hand, graveyard, or library, you can choose to put it in the command zone instead. However, if someone gains control of your commander, it is still under your opponent’s control and can be affected by cards that destroy or exile cards they control.

15. Does Indestructible Override Deathtouch?

Yes, indestructible creatures ignore deathtouch. Normally, a creature is destroyed if it takes damage from a creature with deathtouch. However, because indestructible creatures can’t be destroyed, they are immune to the “destroy” effect of deathtouch. Indestructible only prevents destruction, not loss of life. As such, loyalty counters are still removed from planeswalkers with indestructible.

Conclusion

Planeswalkers add a unique dimension to Commander. They can serve as powerful threats, versatile utility pieces, or even your commander under specific conditions. Knowing how planeswalkers work within the rules of Commander will significantly improve your strategic gameplay. Keep these insights in mind when building and playing your next Commander deck!