Can a Legendary Enchantment Be a Commander? Untangling the Rules of MTG’s Commander Format
Yes, a legendary enchantment can be a commander in Magic: The Gathering’s Commander format, but with a specific condition: it must be a legendary enchantment creature. Standard enchantments, even legendary ones, do not meet the base requirements to serve as a commander unless they also have the “creature” type. Let’s delve deeper into the intricacies of this rule and explore related questions.
Legendary Enchantments and Commander Eligibility
The core rule for Commander dictates that your commander must be a legendary creature. However, Magic: The Gathering is a game of exceptions. Certain cards explicitly state they can be your commander, even if they don’t strictly adhere to this rule. For example, some planeswalkers have the text “[CARDNAME] can be your commander,” overriding the usual requirement.
Understanding Background Enchantments
A recent innovation has opened the door for legendary enchantments to function as commanders, specifically legendary Background enchantments. These enchantments are designed to partner with a legendary creature commander that has the “Choose a Background” ability. If your commander has chosen a Background, you can start the game with both your creature and the Background enchantment in the command zone. The Background then functions as a second commander for your deck, contributing to your deck’s color identity and being subject to commander tax.
This mechanic provides flexibility in deckbuilding, allowing you to tailor your commander’s abilities and color identity to your preferred playstyle. It introduces new strategies centered around synergistic creature-enchantment combinations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Enchantment Commanders
Here are 15 frequently asked questions concerning commanders in Magic: The Gathering:
1. Can any enchantment be a commander?
No, only legendary enchantment creatures or legendary Background enchantments (when paired with a creature that “Chose a Background”) can be commanders. A regular enchantment, even a legendary one, does not fulfill the criteria to be a commander on its own.
2. What is a legendary enchantment creature?
A legendary enchantment creature is a card that has both the “enchantment” and “creature” card types, and is also designated as legendary. These cards are subject to both the Legend Rule and the rules governing creatures.
3. How do Background enchantments work as commanders?
Background enchantments are a special type of legendary enchantment designed to function alongside a legendary creature with the “Choose a Background” ability. When you select such a creature as your commander, you can also include a Background enchantment in the command zone. Both function as your commanders.
4. Does a Background enchantment count toward the 100-card deck limit?
No, because the Background enchantment begins the game in the command zone it doesn’t count towards your main deck of 100 cards. Your main deck still needs to fulfill the requirement of 100 cards.
5. What happens if my Background enchantment commander is destroyed?
Like any commander, if your Background enchantment is destroyed, exiled, or otherwise leaves the battlefield, you can choose to send it back to the command zone. You will have to pay the commander tax when recasting it.
6. Can I have two legendary creatures as commanders?
Yes, if they have the Partner ability. Alternatively, you can have a legendary creature that can “Choose a Background” and a legendary Background enchantment. These pairings are treated as your commanders for the purposes of deck construction and the commander tax.
7. What is the commander tax?
The commander tax is an additional cost you must pay each time you recast your commander from the command zone after it has been put there. It costs an additional two generic mana for each previous time you’ve cast it from the command zone.
8. Can a planeswalker be a commander?
Generally, no. But some planeswalkers specifically state they can be your commander. These cards have the line “[CARDNAME] can be your commander,” which makes them an exception to the general rule.
9. What is the color identity of a commander?
The color identity of a commander includes all colors in the mana cost of the card, as well as any colors in the mana symbols in the card’s rules text. Your deck can only contain cards that share the color identity of your commander.
10. Are there any banned commanders?
Yes, there is a list of banned cards in the Commander format. This list includes cards deemed too powerful or problematic for the format’s balance.
11. Can my commander be colorless?
Yes, you can have a colorless commander. This means your deck will only be able to include colorless cards, which can present unique deckbuilding challenges and strategic opportunities.
12. What is the Legend Rule?
The Legend Rule states that if you control two or more legendary permanents with the same name, you must choose one to keep and the rest are put into their owner’s graveyard. This applies to legendary creatures, enchantments, artifacts, and planeswalkers.
13. Can I have more than one copy of a legendary card in my Commander deck?
No, with the exception of basic lands, Commander decks can only contain one copy of each card. This includes legendary cards.
14. What happens if I play a card that changes my commander’s type to a non-creature enchantment?
If your commander temporarily loses its “creature” type and becomes solely an enchantment, it remains your commander. The temporary type change doesn’t remove its status as your commander.
15. Where can I learn more about Commander rules and strategy?
You can find comprehensive information on the official Magic: The Gathering website, community forums, and educational resources like the Games Learning Society. Understanding the format’s rules, strategies, and nuances will enhance your gameplay experience. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to explore diverse learning opportunities in the realm of games and education.
Building Your Enchantment-Focused Commander Deck
Constructing an enchantment-focused Commander deck can be a rewarding experience. Here’s what to consider:
- Commander Selection: Choose a legendary enchantment creature or a creature with “Choose a Background” that synergizes well with your desired strategy.
- Enchantment Support: Include cards that support your enchantment theme, such as those that grant benefits for playing enchantments or remove threats using enchantments.
- Card Draw: Enchantment decks often benefit from consistent card draw to maintain momentum.
- Removal: Include removal spells that can deal with creatures, artifacts, and other problematic permanents. Enchantment-based removal is particularly synergistic.
- Mana Ramp: Ensure you have sufficient mana ramp to cast your powerful enchantments and commanders.
Ultimately, the key to building a successful Commander deck is to create a cohesive strategy with strong synergies and robust answers to potential threats. Whether you choose a legendary enchantment creature or utilize Background enchantments, embracing the power of enchantments can lead to unique and compelling gameplay experiences.