Can Command Tower Produce Colorless Mana? A Deep Dive into MTG Rules

The simple answer to the question, “Can Command Tower produce colorless mana?” is: No, not under the standard rules of Magic: The Gathering. Command Tower’s ability specifically states that it produces mana of a color in your commander’s color identity. Colorless is not a color. Therefore, if your commander has no color identity, such as Karn, Legacy Reforged, or you’re playing in a format without a commander, Command Tower will not produce any mana. This is not a matter of interpretation; it’s a fundamental rule of how Command Tower interacts with the rules of Magic. Let’s explore this in detail and address common questions that arise concerning this seemingly simple card and its relationship with colorless mana.

The Nuances of Color Identity and Colorless Mana

The confusion around Command Tower stems from the difference between color and color identity. In Magic, color identity is a crucial concept in the Commander format. It determines which cards can be included in your deck. A card’s color identity is defined by the colors of mana symbols that appear anywhere on the card, including the mana cost and rules text.

Colorless, however, is not a color. It’s the absence of color. Cards with a colorless mana cost, like artifacts or some Eldrazi, have no color identity unless otherwise specified by a colored mana symbol. This distinction is crucial when dealing with Command Tower.

Command Tower’s text reads that it produces mana of any color in your commander’s color identity. If your commander is a creature like Kozilek, the Great Distortion, which has no color symbols in its mana cost or rules text, it has no color identity. Since it has no color identity, Command Tower has nothing to reference, and it produces zero mana.

This interaction is a point of contention for some players, especially those who enjoy playing colorless commander decks. However, the official rules are very clear on this matter. It is this clarity that leads to the common practice of house rules when playing casually, allowing Command Tower to tap for colorless mana, but this is not the official stance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Command Tower and Colorless Mana

1. Can Command Tower ever produce colorless mana under any official rulings?

No, under the official rulings of Magic: The Gathering, Command Tower cannot produce colorless mana. It only produces mana of a color matching your commander’s color identity. If your commander has no color identity (i.e., is colorless), Command Tower produces no mana at all.

2. What if I am playing a casual game with no commander?

In casual games, it’s common for players to use house rules. If all players agree, you can modify Command Tower’s ability to produce colorless mana. However, this is not the official ruling.

3. Can I use Command Tower in a deck with a colorless commander?

Yes, you can include Command Tower in a deck with a colorless commander, but it will not produce any mana.

4. What is the difference between generic mana and colorless mana?

Generic mana (represented by a number in a circle, e.g., {2}) can be paid for with any type of mana, including colored or colorless. Colorless mana (represented by {C}) can only be used to pay for colorless mana costs but it can pay for generic mana costs as well. Colorless mana is a specific type of mana distinct from generic mana.

5. If my commander is five-colored, can Command Tower produce colorless mana then?

No. Even if your commander has a five-color identity (WUBRG), Command Tower can only produce mana of those five colors. It cannot produce colorless mana. Colorless is specifically not any color.

6. How can I produce colorless mana in my Commander deck?

You can produce colorless mana using lands like Wastes, or other lands and spells that specifically add colorless mana to your mana pool. Examples include Sol Ring, and Ancient Tomb.

7. Can I add any color mana with cards that say “add one mana of any color”?

Yes, cards that state “add one mana of any color” can produce one mana of any of the five colors: white, blue, black, red, or green. It can not produce colorless as colorless is not a color.

8. Can I pay for colorless mana costs with generic mana?

Yes, you can use any type of mana—colored or colorless—to pay for generic mana costs. However, you can not pay for the colorless mana symbol ({C}) with generic mana.

9. Does the lack of color in a card mean it is colorless?

Not necessarily. Cards with a devoid ability do not have color and the symbol for colorless mana in the mana cost, but they still have a color identity. For example, Eldrazi with the devoid ability will still have colors in their identity based on what mana symbols they have, if any.

10. Can I use devoid cards in my colorless commander deck?

No, you cannot use Devoid cards in a colorless Commander deck because they still retain their original color identity as defined by colored mana symbols in their costs. While they might produce colorless mana, their color identity prevents them from being in a purely colorless deck.

11. Does Mox Amber tap for colorless mana if I have a colorless commander?

No, Mox Amber does not tap for colorless mana. If your legendary creatures or planeswalkers are all colorless, its ability will not add any mana because it specifies adding mana of their colors, and colorless is not a color.

12. Does Jeweled Lotus work with a colorless commander?

Yes, Jeweled Lotus will produce two mana that can be spent to cast your commander, regardless of the commander’s color identity. This includes commanders with a colorless identity. The mana generated by Jeweled Lotus is not tied to the color identity.

13. Can I sacrifice Treasure tokens for colorless mana?

No, you cannot sacrifice a treasure for colorless mana. Treasure tokens produce one mana of any color when sacrificed, which does not include colorless mana. It can, however, pay for the generic mana cost.

14. Does Arcane Signet now generate colorless mana?

No, Arcane Signet does not generate colorless mana. It produces one mana of any color in your Commander’s color identity. Colorless commanders still will see no mana generated with it.

15. What is the best colorless commander to use, if I want to use a colorless commander?

Some of the strongest colorless commander options include Karn, Legacy Reforged, Kozilek, the Great Distortion, and Liberator, Urza’s Battlethopter. These commanders offer powerful effects and can lead to strong, unique strategies.

Conclusion

While Command Tower is an incredibly popular card in the Commander format, its interaction with colorless commanders can be confusing. The key takeaway is that Command Tower cannot produce colorless mana. It relies on a commander’s color identity, and since colorless is not a color, it will produce no mana if that identity is void of color. Understanding this nuance is crucial for proper deck building and gameplay. While casual games may incorporate house rules, the official rules are quite explicit. By exploring these rules and the common questions, players can better grasp the intricacies of Magic: The Gathering.