Can any legendary be a Commander?
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The answer to the question of whether any legendary card can be a Commander is no, not all legendary cards are eligible to serve as Commanders in Magic: The Gathering; a card must either be a legendary creature or specifically state “this card can be your Commander” to be considered for the role. To break it down further, the eligibility criteria for a card to be a Commander are quite specific, focusing on legendary creatures and certain planeswalkers that are explicitly marked as eligible.
Understanding the Legendary Rule
What Makes a Legendary Creature Eligible?
For a card to be considered a Commander, it must fulfill one of the two following criteria: The card must be a legendary creature, or the card must state, “this card can be your Commander“. This distinction is crucial, as not all legendary cards are creatures, and not all planeswalkers are eligible to be Commanders without the specific text.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you use any legendary as a commander? No, to be a Commander, a card must be a legendary creature or explicitly state “this card can be your Commander“.
- Can a legendary artifact be a commander? No, legendary artifacts cannot be Commanders unless they are legendary creatures or have the text “this card can be your Commander“.
- Can any legendary Planeswalker be your commander? No, a planeswalker can only be a Commander if it specifically states “this card can be your commander” on it.
- Can you have other legendary creatures in Commander? Yes, decks may contain other legendary creatures and planeswalkers within them as well.
- What makes a MTG legendary creature cEDH viable as commander? A legendary creature is viable as a Commander in cEDH if it meets the legendary creature criteria or has the “this card can be your Commander” text.
- What is the legendary rule in Commander? In Commander, you can only have one copy of any card except basic lands. The total number of legendary creatures in a deck is not restricted, but if a legendary card of the same name is already in play, one must be sacrificed.
- Do legendary creatures count as commanders? Legendary creatures are the primary cards used as Commanders in Magic: The Gathering.
- Can an enchantment be a commander? No, enchantments cannot be Commanders unless they are legendary creatures or have the specific “this card can be your Commander” text.
- Is an Oathbreaker a commander? An Oathbreaker serves a similar role to a Commander but in the Oathbreaker format, with different rules and deck size requirements.
- Can Nicol Bolas the Ravager be a commander? Yes, Nicol Bolas, the Ravager can be a Commander because it is a legendary creature.
- Can the Prismatic Bridge be your commander? No, the Prismatic Bridge cannot be a Commander as it does not meet the legendary creature or the “this card can be your Commander” criteria.
- Can a legendary enchantment creature be a commander? Yes, a legendary enchantment creature can be a Commander because it is considered a legendary creature.
- Are legendary commanders better than epic? Legendary commanders are generally more powerful but harder to upgrade than epic ones.
- How many legendary planeswalkers can be in a commander deck? There is no limit to the number of planeswalkers, including legendary ones, that can be in a Commander deck, as long as the singleton and color identity rules are followed.
- Can you mutate a commander? Yes, a Commander can be mutated, and the merged creature counts as the Commander regardless of its location in the pile.
Conclusion
In conclusion, not all legendary cards can be Commanders; the role is specifically reserved for legendary creatures and planeswalkers with the “this card can be your Commander” text. Understanding the legendary rule and the criteria for a card to be a Commander is essential for building a Commander deck in Magic: The Gathering. By following the rules and FAQs outlined, players can ensure their deck is legal and competitive, whether they’re playing with legendary creatures or planeswalkers as their Commander.