Planeswalkers in Commander: A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, you absolutely can have planeswalkers in your Commander deck! In fact, many Commander decks strategically utilize planeswalkers for their powerful abilities and strategic advantage. However, like all cards in Commander, they are subject to specific rules, including color identity and the singleton rule. Let’s dive deeper into the fascinating world of planeswalkers in Commander.

Understanding Planeswalkers and Commander

Planeswalkers have become integral to Magic: The Gathering, and their impact extends significantly into the Commander format. These powerful permanents offer unique abilities, allowing players to build strategies centered around loyalty counters, ultimate abilities, and control over the battlefield. Understanding how planeswalkers function within the constraints of Commander is crucial for deck building and gameplay. Commander Masters Planeswalker decks are awesome in that way.

Deck Construction and Color Identity

In Commander, your deck must consist of exactly 100 cards, including your commander. If you have partner commanders, you have 98 cards plus the 2 commanders. Beyond basic lands, you can only include one copy of each card by name. Critically, all cards within the deck must match the color identity of your commander. This means if your commander is blue and white, you can only include cards that are blue, white, or both colors. This rule also applies to planeswalkers. For example, if your commander’s color identity doesn’t include green, you can’t include a green planeswalker like Nissa, Who Shakes the World.

Planeswalkers as Strategic Assets

Planeswalkers offer unique abilities that can shift the tide of a Commander game. They can generate card advantage, control the board, provide removal, or even act as alternative win conditions. Protecting your planeswalkers and maximizing their value is a key strategic element of Commander gameplay.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I have multiple planeswalkers in my Commander deck?

Yes, you can have as many planeswalkers in your Commander deck as you want, provided they adhere to the color identity of your commander and the singleton rule (only one copy of each card except basic lands). There is no limit.

2. Can I have two planeswalkers with the same name in my Commander deck?

No. The Legendary Rule applies to planeswalkers. Even if there are different versions of a planeswalker like “Jace,” you can’t have two planeswalkers with the name “Jace” in your deck. This is because all planeswalkers are legendary.

3. How does attacking planeswalkers work in Commander?

Planeswalkers can be attacked directly, just like players. Your opponents can declare attacking creatures against your planeswalker during their combat phase. You can then choose to block those creatures with your own creatures to protect your planeswalker.

4. Can I redirect damage from a spell to a planeswalker?

Yes. When an opponent casts a spell that would deal damage to you, you can choose to redirect that damage to a planeswalker you control. This is a strategic way to protect your life total while putting pressure on your opponents’ planeswalkers.

5. Does deathtouch affect planeswalkers?

No, deathtouch does not directly affect planeswalkers. Deathtouch only applies to creatures. However, some planeswalkers have abilities that grant deathtouch to creatures, which can then be used to eliminate opposing creatures.

6. Does indestructible protect planeswalkers from being destroyed?

Indestructible only protects permanents from being destroyed by damage and “destroy” effects. Planeswalkers are not creatures, and the indestructible ability does not protect them from losing loyalty counters due to damage or abilities.

7. How do I protect my planeswalkers in Commander?

There are several ways to protect your planeswalkers:

• Creatures with vigilance or high toughness: These can act as blockers.
• “Propaganda” effects: Cards like Propaganda and Ghostly Prison make it more expensive for opponents to attack you (but not necessarily your planeswalkers).
• Counterspells: Stop threats before they reach the battlefield.
• Removal: Eliminate creatures that pose a direct threat to your planeswalkers.
• Planeswalkers that protect themselves: Some planeswalkers have abilities that create tokens or remove threats, acting as a self-defense mechanism.

8. Do planeswalkers have summoning sickness in Commander?

No, only creatures have summoning sickness. You can use a planeswalker’s ability the turn it enters the battlefield, provided it’s your turn and the planeswalker has sufficient loyalty to activate the ability.

9. What happens when a planeswalker runs out of loyalty counters?

When a planeswalker’s loyalty counters reach zero, it is put into its owner’s graveyard as a state-based action.

10. Can I copy a planeswalker?

Yes, you can copy a planeswalker using cards that copy permanents. Blue is the primary color for this, but other colors might have access to similar effects. Remember, the Legendary Rule will still apply if you control two planeswalkers with the same name. Effects that copy permanent spells result in tokens once the copy of the spell resolves.

11. What is the “Legendary Rule” and how does it affect planeswalkers?

The Legendary Rule states that if you control two or more legendary permanents with the same name, you must choose one to keep and put the others into their owner’s graveyard. All planeswalkers have the legendary supertype, so this rule applies to them. You cannot have two planeswalkers with the same name on the battlefield at the same time.

12. Can I use a planeswalker as my commander?

Yes, some planeswalkers have the text “This card can be your commander.” These planeswalkers follow all the normal rules for commanders, including color identity.

13. What are some common strategies for using planeswalkers in Commander?

Common strategies include:

• Control: Using planeswalkers like Teferi, Hero of Dominaria to control the board and generate card advantage.
• Superfriends: Building a deck focused on playing and protecting multiple planeswalkers, using cards that benefit from having multiple planeswalkers on the battlefield.
• Value Engine: Employing planeswalkers like Jace, the Mind Sculptor to consistently generate value and disrupt opponents’ plans.
• Ultimate Abilities: Building a deck designed to quickly activate planeswalkers’ powerful ultimate abilities.

14. Why are some cards banned in Commander?

Cards are banned in Commander for various reasons, including:

• Power Level: Some cards are simply too powerful and warp the format.
• Uninteractive Gameplay: Cards that prevent opponents from playing the game.
• Difficulty of Interaction: Cards that are extremely difficult to answer.
• Flash Hulk was banned as a result of the presence of Flash Hulk decks in cEDH (competitive EDH).
• Tinker is banned due to its immense power and ease of abuse.
• Iona is banned because it is simply too easy to tutor her up and cheat her into play.

The Commander Rules Committee maintains a ban list to promote a diverse and enjoyable play experience.

15. Where can I learn more about Magic: The Gathering and educational games?

You can explore the Games Learning Society website at GamesLearningSociety.org for more information on educational games and the intersection of gaming and learning. The Games Learning Society fosters a vibrant community dedicated to exploring the educational potential of games.

Conclusion

Planeswalkers add a unique layer of depth and strategy to Commander games. By understanding the rules and nuances surrounding their use, you can effectively incorporate them into your decks and enhance your gameplay. Whether you’re building a control-oriented deck or a “Superfriends” strategy, planeswalkers can be powerful assets in the Commander format. Remember the color identity rules and the singleton rule, and experiment with different planeswalkers to find what works best for your playstyle and deck strategy.