Can a Planeswalker Be a Commander?

Yes, but only if the planeswalker card specifically states that it can be your commander. Not all planeswalkers are eligible to lead a Commander deck. This restriction is a fundamental aspect of the Commander format’s rules, designed to ensure balance and thematic cohesion. The card itself must explicitly grant permission to be used as a commander; otherwise, it cannot be used as such. This restriction helps maintain the format’s unique identity and prevents every planeswalker from becoming a potentially overwhelming commander option.

Understanding the Commander Rules and Planeswalkers

The Commander format, also known as Elder Dragon Highlander (EDH), is a popular multiplayer format in Magic: The Gathering characterized by its unique deck-building rules and social gameplay. One of the most important rules is that each deck must be led by a single legendary creature, referred to as the commander. Your commander resides in the command zone when it’s not in play and can be cast multiple times throughout the game.

Traditionally, only legendary creatures could be commanders. However, Wizards of the Coast recognized the appeal of planeswalkers and introduced specific planeswalkers capable of filling this role. These planeswalkers are designed with commander gameplay in mind, often featuring abilities that synergize well with the format’s multiplayer focus.

Planeswalkers Specifically Designed as Commanders

The key to identifying whether a planeswalker can be your commander lies in the card text. Look for phrases such as “[Card Name] can be your commander.” or similar wording explicitly granting this ability. These planeswalkers are carefully designed and balanced for the Commander format.

Examples of planeswalkers designed to be commanders include:

• Lord Windgrace: He is a powerhouse for lands-based strategies, allowing you to manage your graveyard and develop your mana base.
• Estrid, the Masked: She supports enchantress strategies, generating mana and protecting your enchantments.
• Aminatou, the Fateshifter: She allows for strategic manipulation and permanent exile to reset powerful board states.

These planeswalkers offer unique deckbuilding opportunities and provide different approaches to playing Commander. They are balanced to offer powerful effects without completely dominating the format.

Why Not All Planeswalkers Can Be Commanders

The restriction on planeswalkers serving as commanders is intentional. Allowing any planeswalker to be a commander would significantly alter the format’s balance and strategic landscape. Here’s why:

• Balance Concerns: Many planeswalkers are powerful but not designed for repeated casting from the command zone. This would lead to unbalanced and potentially oppressive strategies. Imagine casting Jace, the Mind Sculptor repeatedly, locking opponents out of the game.
• Thematic Consistency: Commander is about leading an army with a legendary figure. While planeswalkers are powerful individuals, the format initially emphasized the leadership aspect provided by creatures.
• Deckbuilding Challenges: A free-for-all of planeswalker commanders would dilute the strategic focus of deckbuilding, potentially leading to less diverse and more homogenized decks.

By limiting the available planeswalker commanders, Wizards of the Coast maintains a balance between introducing new gameplay options and preserving the format’s core identity.

Building a Deck Around a Planeswalker Commander

Building a deck around a planeswalker commander requires a different approach compared to building a deck around a legendary creature. Here are some tips:

• Protect Your Planeswalker: Planeswalkers are vulnerable to creature attacks. Include cards that protect your planeswalker from damage, such as creatures with high toughness, board wipes, and cards that deter attacks.
• Synergize with Your Planeswalker’s Abilities: Choose cards that complement your commander’s abilities. For example, if your commander focuses on lands, include cards that interact with lands.
• Consider Loyalty: Planeswalker loyalty is their lifeblood. Include cards that can replenish loyalty counters or protect your planeswalker from losing loyalty.
• Mana Curve: Planeswalkers tend to be mana-intensive, so ensure a good mana base and ramp spells.
• Resilience: Have answers ready to deal with problem permanents.

Planeswalker Commanders: A Strategic Advantage?

Planeswalker commanders offer distinct advantages:

• Unpredictability: Opponents may be less familiar with how to play against a planeswalker commander than a well-known legendary creature.
• Versatility: Planeswalkers often provide a range of abilities that can be adapted to different situations.
• Unique Strategies: Planeswalker commanders allow you to build decks around unique themes and strategies not easily achievable with creature commanders.

However, planeswalker commanders also have drawbacks:

• Vulnerability to Attacks: Planeswalkers are vulnerable to creature attacks, making them require protection.
• Loyalty Management: Managing loyalty counters is critical, and running out of loyalty can be devastating.
• Color Identity: Commander deckbuilding is limited by color identity. Your commander determines the color of cards you can play in the deck.

Choosing a planeswalker commander involves carefully weighing these pros and cons.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens if my planeswalker commander is destroyed?

Just like any other commander, if your planeswalker commander is destroyed, exiled, or otherwise removed from the battlefield, you can return it to the command zone. From there, you can recast it later for its mana cost plus an additional two mana for each time it has been previously cast from the command zone during that game.

2. Can I use a planeswalker as a commander if it doesn’t explicitly say it can be one?

No. Only planeswalkers with text specifically stating they can be used as a commander are eligible.

3. Does the “planeswalker uniqueness rule” apply if my commander is a planeswalker?

Yes. The “planeswalker uniqueness rule” still applies. If you control two planeswalkers with the same subtype (e.g., two Jaces), you must choose one to keep and put the other into your graveyard. This applies even if your commander is a planeswalker.

4. Can I use proliferate to add loyalty counters to my planeswalker commander?

Yes. Proliferate allows you to add counters to any permanent with counters, including planeswalkers. This can be a powerful strategy for maximizing the impact of your planeswalker commander.

5. Are there any specific cards that are especially good against planeswalker commanders?

Yes. Cards that directly attack planeswalkers, such as [[Hero’s Downfall]] or creatures with “deathtouch” and the ability to attack planeswalkers, can be effective against planeswalker commanders. Also, cards that prevent planeswalker abilities from being activated, such as [[Oko, Thief of Crowns]], can be very disruptive.

6. If I control multiple planeswalkers, and one is my commander, what happens when a board wipe that destroys all planeswalkers is cast?

All planeswalkers, including your commander, will be destroyed. Your commander will go to the graveyard, and then you may return it to the command zone.

7. Can I use planeswalkers as commanders in other formats besides Commander?

No. Unless otherwise specified by a particular format’s rules, planeswalkers cannot be used as commanders in other formats like Standard, Modern, or Legacy.

8. What is the color identity of a planeswalker commander?

The color identity of a planeswalker commander is determined by the colors in its mana cost and any mana symbols appearing in its rules text. For example, Lord Windgrace has a color identity of Black, Red, and Green (Jund).

9. Can I use cards that search for creatures to find my planeswalker commander?

No. Unless the card specifically states that it can search for planeswalkers, you cannot use it to find your planeswalker commander. Cards that search for creatures only find creatures.

10. How does “commander tax” affect planeswalker commanders?

“Commander tax” works the same way for planeswalker commanders as it does for legendary creature commanders. Each time you cast your commander from the command zone after it has been put there during the game, it costs an additional two mana.

11. If a planeswalker has a static ability, does it affect the game even when it’s in the command zone?

No. A planeswalker’s static abilities only affect the game when the planeswalker is on the battlefield. While in the command zone, it does nothing until it is cast.

12. Can I flicker a planeswalker commander?

Yes, you can flicker a planeswalker commander. When a permanent is flickered, it is exiled and then returned to the battlefield. Because it is considered a new object on the battlefield, it will lose any loyalty counters it had before it was exiled. If you prefer to send it to the command zone, you may.

13. What happens if my opponent steals my planeswalker commander?

If your opponent gains control of your planeswalker commander, they control it. You cannot return it to the command zone unless it leaves the battlefield. Once it leaves the battlefield, you can choose to return it to the command zone.

14. Are planeswalker commanders generally more or less powerful than creature commanders?

It depends on the specific planeswalker and the deck built around it. Some planeswalker commanders can be incredibly powerful and offer unique strategic advantages, while others might be more challenging to build around. The power level of a planeswalker commander ultimately comes down to its synergy with the overall deck and the pilot’s skill in using it.

15. Can I run a planeswalker card in my Commander deck if that planeswalker is not my commander?

Yes, as long as the planeswalker card’s color identity is within your commander’s color identity. Your commander dictates the allowed colors in your deck.