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Are All Cards Legal in Commander? A Deep Dive into Commander Legality

The short answer is a resounding no, not all cards are legal in Commander. Commander, also known as Elder Dragon Highlander (EDH), is a unique and vibrant format with its own set of rules and restrictions that govern card legality. It’s an “eternal” format, meaning that cards from almost all of Magic’s history are potentially available, but a carefully curated ban list and specific card type restrictions keep the format balanced and fun. Let’s explore the nuances of what makes a card legal or illegal in Commander.

Understanding the Commander Card Pool

The foundation of Commander legality is built upon the vast catalog of regulation-sized Magic: The Gathering cards publicly released by Wizards of the Coast. That sounds broad, and it is! However, there are crucial exceptions that significantly narrow down the usable card pool. These exceptions are in place to maintain the spirit and balance of the format.

The Key Exceptions: Cards That Are Not Legal

Silver-Bordered and Acorn Cards: These are the notorious “joke cards” from sets like Unglued, Unstable, and Unfinity. Designed for humorous, non-serious gameplay, they often break fundamental rules and don’t conform to the Comprehensive Rules of Magic. They simply aren’t intended for sanctioned play and are therefore excluded.
Gold-Bordered Cards: While not often encountered, gold-bordered cards are typically from World Championship decks. These are reprints of tournament-winning decks and are intended for casual play, but they are not tournament legal.
Cards with the Conspiracy Card Type: These cards from the Conspiracy sets have unique mechanics that function outside the normal game rules, often affecting the draft process or granting abilities that persist outside of the game itself. Their design makes them incompatible with the Commander format.
Cards Using the Keyword “Ante”: Ante cards involved wagering cards from your deck, permanently removing them from the game. This mechanic is antiquated and problematic, so all cards with the ante keyword are banned.
Cards Permanently Removed from the Game by Wizards: This is a rare category, but Wizards has occasionally had to recall or invalidate cards for various reasons. These cards are obviously not legal.
The Commander Ban List: This is the most actively maintained restriction. The Commander Rules Committee (CRC) regularly reviews the format and bans cards deemed problematic. These cards often lead to unfun play patterns, stifle diversity, or are simply too powerful for the multiplayer environment.

Core Requirements for Legal Cards

Beyond avoiding the above exceptions, a card must meet the following criteria to be legal for inclusion in a Commander deck:

Regulation Size: The card must be of standard Magic size and shape.
Publicly Released by Wizards of the Coast: No proxies or custom-made cards are allowed in sanctioned play.
Color Identity Compliance: This is a cornerstone of Commander deckbuilding. Each card in your deck must share at least one color in its color identity with your Commander. Your deck can only consist of cards that are the same color as your commander’s identity, colorless cards and lands.
Singleton Rule: With the exception of basic lands (Plains, Island, Swamp, Mountain, Forest, and Wastes), you can only have one copy of each card in your 99-card deck.

Card Legality Date

Cards become legal for play in Commander on the date of their set’s prerelease. This ensures a consistent and predictable transition period for new cards entering the format.

FAQs: Commander Legality Demystified

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of card legality in Commander:

Are old cards allowed in Commander?

Absolutely! Commander is an eternal format, meaning that cards from nearly all Magic sets are legal, provided they meet the criteria discussed above and are not on the ban list. This is part of what makes it such an exciting and diverse format.
Can I use any card in MTG Commander?

No, you cannot use any card. As explained earlier, you are restricted by the Commander ban list, color identity rules, the singleton rule, and the exclusion of silver-bordered, gold-bordered, and Conspiracy cards.
How do I know if my MTG card is legal in Commander?

The easiest way is to consult the official Commander ban list maintained by the Commander Rules Committee. This list is readily available online. You can also use online card databases like Gatherer or Scryfall, which often indicate Commander legality. If a card is not silver-bordered, gold-bordered, an Ante card or has the “Conspiracy” card type and not on the ban list and follows the color identity rules, it’s very likely legal.
Are white-bordered cards legal in Commander?

Yes, white-bordered cards are perfectly legal in Commander, as long as they meet all other legality requirements. The border color has no bearing on legality as long as its black or white.
Can I use Lord of the Rings cards in Commander?

Yes, cards from The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth sets are legal in Commander, provided they have a standard black or white border and follow all other Commander legality rules. Cards with the LTR and LTC set codes are specifically permitted in the format.
How many cards are legal in Commander?

While it’s impossible to give an exact number due to the ever-expanding pool of Magic cards, thousands of cards are legal in Commander. The vast majority of black- and white-bordered cards published by Wizards of the Coast are eligible, subject to the ban list and format restrictions.
Why are some cards banned in Commander?

Cards are generally banned because they create unbalanced or unfun play experiences. This could be due to extreme power levels, the ability to consistently lock opponents out of the game, or the promotion of repetitive and non-interactive strategies.
Is Field of the Dead banned in Commander?

No, Field of the Dead is not banned in commander. This card sees a small amount of play in commander format decks.
Are 40k cards Commander legal?

Yes, cards from the Warhammer 40,000 Commander decks are legal in Commander, as well as in Vintage and Legacy.
Are Power 9 cards legal in Commander?

Some of the Power 9 cards, such as Black Lotus, Ancestral Recall, Time Walk, are on the ban list in Commander due to their immense power level and potential for abuse. Others can be legal, but the ones named are not.
Can a Commander be a Planeswalker?

Yes, but only specific Planeswalkers that explicitly state “[CARDNAME] can be your commander.” These Planeswalkers are an exception to the standard rule requiring Commanders to be legendary creatures.
What happens when a Commander dies?

When your Commander dies or is exiled, you have the option to return it to the command zone. This is a state-based action that occurs when the Commander enters the graveyard or exile. You can then recast it from the command zone, but with an increasing mana cost each time you do so.
Why is Tinker banned in Commander?

Tinker is banned because it allows you to sacrifice a cheap artifact and immediately search your library for an incredibly powerful artifact, like Blightsteel Colossus or a combo piece. This is considered too efficient and game-warping for the Commander format.
Why is Hullbreacher banned?

Hullbreacher is banned because it punishes opponents for drawing cards outside of their normal draw step, turning any form of card advantage into a devastating disadvantage. This stifled deck diversity and created oppressive play patterns.
Why is Sylvan Primordial banned in Commander?

Sylvan Primordial is banned due to the ease with which its enter-the-battlefield ability can be repeatedly triggered through clone, blink, and reanimation effects. Repeatedly destroying opponents’ lands and artifacts is considered too disruptive and unfun.

The Ever-Evolving Landscape

Commander is a dynamic format. The Commander Rules Committee actively monitors the play environment and adjusts the ban list as needed to ensure a healthy and enjoyable experience for all players. Staying informed about these changes is essential for any serious Commander enthusiast.

Understanding the intricacies of card legality in Commander is crucial for building effective decks and participating in the format. By knowing the exceptions, adhering to the rules, and staying informed about the ban list, you can navigate the vast card pool and create powerful and thematic Commander decks. You can further your Magic skills and knowledge through platforms such as the Games Learning Society, which combines fun with learning. Check them out at GamesLearningSociety.org and expand your horizons while sharpening your gaming intellect! Remember that Commander is about more than just winning; it’s about creating memorable experiences and enjoying the company of fellow players.

Are all cards legal in Commander?