What Cards are Legal in Commander MTG?

In Commander, also known as Elder Dragon Highlander (EDH), card legality is defined by a set of rules crafted to maintain the format’s unique multiplayer experience. In short, the following card types are legal in Commander:

• All Black-bordered and white-bordered cards printed in Magic: The Gathering sets are legal except for those on the Commander banlist.
• Your deck must adhere to the color identity rule, meaning you can only include cards whose mana symbols appear in your commander’s color identity (including mana symbols in the card’s text box).
• Cards specifically designed for other formats, such as those with silver borders (Un-sets like Unglued, Unhinged, and Unstable) or gold borders (from World Championship Decks) are usually illegal.
• Cards with acorn stamps from the Unfinity set, while black-bordered, are generally not legal unless the playgroup specifically allows them.
• “Ante” cards, cards that reference shuffling your library, and cards that reference the physical game pieces themselves (like cards referring to card backs) are also banned.

Understanding these principles helps you build a legal and fun Commander deck. Let’s dive deeper into the intricacies of Commander legality.

Understanding the Core Principles of Commander Legality

The legality of cards in Commander is governed by several key factors. These factors include the Commander banlist, the color identity rule, the type of border a card has, and the origin of the card. Let’s take a closer look at these.

The Commander Banlist: The Ultimate Authority

The Commander Rules Committee maintains the official Commander banlist. This list contains cards deemed too powerful, oppressive, or unfun for the format. Regularly updated, it’s crucial to check the banlist before finalizing your deck. Cards are added or removed based on their impact on gameplay. The banlist includes cards like “Griselbrand” and “Prophet of Kruphix”.

Color Identity: Building Within Boundaries

The color identity rule is a cornerstone of Commander deckbuilding. Your deck can only contain cards whose mana symbols appear in your commander’s color identity. This includes mana symbols in the casting cost, rules text, and any activated ability costs. For example, a commander with a color identity of Red-Green (RG) can only include Red, Green, and colorless cards. Colorless commanders can only contain colorless cards. Lands also must adhere to this rule. This restriction promotes diversity and strategic deck construction.

Borders and Special Sets: Navigating the Exceptions

Most black-bordered and white-bordered cards are legal, assuming they aren’t on the banlist and adhere to the color identity rule. However, silver-bordered cards from Un-sets like Unglued, Unhinged, and Unstable are generally illegal due to their often absurd or game-breaking effects. Similarly, gold-bordered cards from World Championship Decks, intended as replicas and not for tournament play, are not allowed. The set Unfinity introduced acorn stamps to designate cards not legal in eternal formats. While Unfinity is black-bordered, these acorn cards are usually not legal in Commander unless your playgroup agrees otherwise.

Cards That Break the Fourth Wall: Out-of-Game Effects

Cards that interact with elements outside the game, like ante cards (which involve wagering cards), cards that require you to shuffle your entire card pool, or cards that specifically reference card backs, are illegal. These mechanics are deemed impractical or disruptive in a casual multiplayer format. They typically violate the spirit of the game and create logistical nightmares.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Commander Legality

Here are 15 frequently asked questions concerning card legality in Commander, designed to provide clarity and address common uncertainties:

1. Is “Sol Ring” legal in Commander? Yes, “Sol Ring” is legal in Commander. It is a staple card in the format and does not appear on the banlist.

2. Can I use a card from a silver-bordered set if my playgroup allows it? Yes, you can. Commander is often played in casual settings where playgroups can agree on rule modifications, including allowing cards from silver-bordered sets. This is often referred to as “rule zero.”

3. What happens if my commander has no mana symbols in its casting cost? If your commander has no mana symbols in its casting cost but has mana symbols in its abilities (like the devoid mechanic), your color identity is determined by those mana symbols. If your commander has no mana symbols anywhere on the card, its color identity is colorless, and you can only use colorless cards in your deck.

4. If a card has a hybrid mana symbol (e.g., {R/W}), can I include it in a deck whose commander is only red or only white? No, you cannot. A hybrid mana symbol counts as both colors for color identity purposes. The card can only be included if your commander has a color identity that includes both red and white.

5. Are double-faced cards legal in Commander? Yes, double-faced cards are legal in Commander. Their color identity is determined by all mana symbols on both faces of the card.

6. Can I use a card that tutors for a card outside of my commander’s colors, even if that tutor is within my commander’s colors? No, you cannot. The card you are searching for must also be within your commander’s color identity. For example, a Red/Green commander can’t use a red tutor to find a blue card.

7. What about lands that produce mana outside of my commander’s color identity? Lands that produce mana outside of your commander’s color identity are legal in your deck. However, you are limited to producing only mana within your color identity during the game. This is often referred to as a “Mana Restriction Rule” or “Mana Fixing Rule”.

8. Are cards with the “Partner” mechanic legal? Yes, cards with the Partner mechanic are legal. When choosing two Partner commanders, their combined color identities determine the legal cards in your deck.

9. If a card is banned in other formats, is it automatically banned in Commander? No. The Commander banlist is separate from those of other formats. A card banned in Modern or Standard might still be legal in Commander, and vice versa.

10. Are the Secret Lair alternate art versions of cards legal, even if the art contains elements outside my commander’s color identity? Yes, the art on a card does not affect its legality. As long as the card itself is black-bordered, legal by set, not on the banlist, and adheres to the color identity rule based on its mana symbols and text, the alternate art is irrelevant.

11. Are cards with the “Companion” mechanic legal? Yes, cards with the Companion mechanic are legal, but they follow the same deckbuilding restrictions as any other card based on your commander’s color identity. Remember that companions start outside the game, but they are still part of your deck.

12. What about errata’d cards? Do I use the original printed text or the current errata for determining legality? You always use the current errata for determining legality. This includes determining color identity, card type, and effects.

13. Are promo cards legal? Yes, promotional cards are legal as long as they are black-bordered, not on the banlist, and adhere to your commander’s color identity. The specific printing of a card doesn’t affect its legality, only the card name itself.

14. Are cards with the “Devoid” mechanic considered colorless? Cards with the “Devoid” mechanic are not necessarily colorless. They can be colored spells that require colored mana to cast but produce colorless mana. They still count towards the color identity of your commander based on their casting cost. For instance, a red card with Devoid requires red in your commander’s color identity.

15. If my playgroup disagrees about a card’s legality, how should we resolve the issue? The best approach is to discuss the card and the relevant rules openly. Consult the official Commander Rules Committee website for the most up-to-date information and rulings. Ultimately, within a casual playgroup, the consensus of the group prevails. “Rule zero” allows for modifications to the rules to ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience.

Understanding these guidelines and frequently asked questions empowers you to build compelling and legal Commander decks, fostering engaging and balanced gameplay experiences. Remember to always check the current banlist before finalizing your deck and to communicate openly with your playgroup about any potential rule modifications.