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Can Any Planeswalker Be Your Commander? Unpacking the Rules and Realities

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The short answer is a resounding no. Not just any Planeswalker can lead your army in a game of Commander (also known as EDH, or Elder Dragon Highlander). The ability to command is a special privilege granted to only a select few. It’s important to understand the nuanced rules surrounding this to build a legal and effective deck. The ability to use a planeswalker as your commander is restricted to those planeswalkers with the explicit text stating the card “can be your commander.”

Why the Commander Restriction?

The core of Commander revolves around the concept of a singular, defining leader – traditionally a legendary creature. This legendary creature, your Commander, sets the tone for your deck, influencing its colors, strategy, and overall identity. Planeswalkers, while powerful and evocative, operate differently from creatures. They’re not meant to lead in the same way a general leads troops. They are meant to be allies to you, the planeswalker.

The original intention of the rules committee was to prevent planeswalkers from becoming commanders to maintain the format’s intended mechanics and themes. These restrictions are not arbitrary; they are designed to preserve the integrity and fun of the format. That said, planeswalkers still have a place in your deck, so fear not!

The Exception to the Rule: Planeswalker Commanders

However, Magic: The Gathering, the game that contains the Commander format, is known for its rule-bending exceptions, and Planeswalkers are no exception. A small number of Planeswalkers possess the special ability to be your Commander. These Planeswalkers have the specific text “this card can be your commander” printed directly on the card. These are planeswalkers that are exceptions to the rule.

Identifying Legal Planeswalker Commanders

The key to identifying a legal Planeswalker Commander is simple: look for the text box. If the card contains the phrase “this card can be your commander,” you’re good to go. If not, you’ll need to find a legendary creature to lead your deck.

Examples of Legal Planeswalker Commanders

Several Planeswalkers have this specific designation. Some popular examples often referenced in the community include:

Aminatou, The Fateshifter
Daretti, Scrap Savant
Jeska, Thrice Reborn
Jace, Vryn’s Prodigy // Jace, Telepath Unbound
Nicol Bolas, the Ravager // Nicol Bolas, the Arisen
Tevesh Szat, Doom of Fools
Tibalte, Cosmic Imposter // Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded
Will Kenrith & Rowan Kenrith

This list is not exhaustive, and new Planeswalker Commanders may be printed in future sets. Always double-check the card text before committing to a Planeswalker Commander.

Are Planeswalker Commanders Good?

The effectiveness of a Planeswalker Commander is a hotly debated topic. They face unique challenges, primarily being vulnerable to attacks from multiple opponents. Unlike a creature Commander, a Planeswalker can’t block. This often means they become targets early and often, requiring careful deck construction and play strategies to protect them.

Strategies for Protecting Your Planeswalker Commander

Creature Support: Include creatures that can defend your Planeswalker, either by blocking or deterring attacks.
Board Wipes: Control the board state to minimize the number of creatures that can threaten your Planeswalker.
Planeswalker Protection Spells: Run cards that specifically protect Planeswalkers, such as “The Chain Veil” or “Oath of Teferi.”
Political Plays: Negotiate with other players to avoid becoming the primary target.

FAQs: Planeswalkers and Commander

Here are some frequently asked questions about Planeswalkers and the Commander format, with answers provided by an expert:

Can I use any Planeswalker in my Commander deck if my Commander is a creature? Yes! You can include any Planeswalker in your 99 (or 58 in Brawl) as long as it adheres to your Commander’s color identity. The restriction only applies to choosing a Planeswalker as your Commander.
What is the difference between Commander, Brawl, and Oathbreaker? Commander requires a legendary creature or specific Planeswalker as the Commander in a 100-card deck. Brawl allows any Planeswalker as Commander, but it’s a 60-card format. Oathbreaker uses a Planeswalker as the Commander and a signature spell, and the deck is 60 cards as well.
Can I have two Commanders if one is a creature and the other is a Planeswalker? No. You can only have two Commanders if they both have the “Partner” ability or the phrase “Friends Forever”. Otherwise, you are restricted to one Commander.
If my Planeswalker Commander dies, where does it go? Your Planeswalker Commander goes to the Command Zone, just like a creature Commander. You can recast it from the Command Zone, but the cost increases by two generic mana each time you do.
Can I use a Planeswalker with the “Partner” ability as one of my Commanders? No Planeswalkers have the Partner ability. You are only able to choose a Planeswalker as commander if the card explicitly says “this card can be your commander.”
Is Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God a legal Commander? No, Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God is not a legal Commander because it does not have the text that it can be your commander. However, Nicol Bolas, the Ravager//Nicol Bolas, the Arisen is a legal commander, as it has the explicit text to be such.
Can I use a Companion as my Commander? No, you cannot. Companions begin the game outside of your deck and do not meet the requirements to be your Commander.
Can I use a planeswalker as my commander in tiny leaders? Yes, but the deck building restrictions are very different in Tiny Leaders. In Brass Tiny Leaders, you may play any (non-banned) Planeswalker as your commander. Not only Aminatou, the Fateshifter but any Planeswalker.
What does “color identity” mean in Commander? Color identity includes the colors of mana symbols on the card itself, including in the casting cost and any abilities. Your Commander’s color identity dictates which cards you can include in your deck.
If a planeswalker has a mana symbol that requires another color to cast, can I use it in my commander deck? No. Your commander’s color identity determines what cards you can put into your deck. So, if the card has mana symbols not included in your commander’s color identity, it cannot be in your deck.
Can I have two of the same planeswalkers in a Commander deck? No, you cannot have two of the same planeswalkers in your commander deck, just like you cannot have multiple copies of other cards, with the exception of basic lands. You can, however, have multiple planeswalkers with the same planeswalker type, e.g., Jace. You can have Jace, the Mind Sculptor and Jace Beleren in the same deck, but not two Jace, the Mind Sculptor planeswalkers.
Is there a banned list in Commander? Yes, there is. The Commander Rules Committee maintains a banned list of cards deemed too powerful or disruptive for the format. Always check the current banned list before building your deck.
Where can I find the official rules and banned list for Commander? The official rules and banned list can be found on the Commander Rules Committee website.
Are planeswalker commanders considered weak compared to legendary creatures? This is a popular idea, but not necessarily the truth. While planeswalker commanders can struggle against more than one opponent, a skilled deck builder and player can make a planeswalker commander deck extremely strong.
Why are planeswalkers so popular in mtg? Planeswalkers are popular because they are designed to be powerful and flavorful cards with unique and impactful abilities. They often represent iconic characters and provide a versatile and strategic element to gameplay, enhancing both the complexity and enjoyment of Magic: The Gathering. It’s also worth pointing out that the lessons of Magic: The Gathering extend beyond the game itself. The strategic thinking, resource management, and decision-making skills honed through the game have applications in various real-world scenarios. Learning through games, like Magic, can be engaging and effective. Learn more about the power of games at the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Final Thoughts

While the pool of Planeswalkers eligible to be Commanders is limited, these individuals offer a unique and exciting way to experience the Commander format. Building a successful Planeswalker Commander deck requires careful planning, smart card choices, and a willingness to adapt to the challenges they present. So, while not any Planeswalker can lead your forces, the ones that can offer a powerful and rewarding strategic experience.