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Can I use LOTR cards in commander?

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Can I Use LOTR Cards in Commander? A Comprehensive Guide

The short answer is a resounding yes! The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth™ (LTR) and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth Commander (LTC) cards are indeed legal in Commander. This thrilling set, bringing the beloved world of Middle-earth to Magic: The Gathering, opens up exciting new deck-building possibilities. However, like any format, there are nuances and restrictions to keep in mind. Let’s dive into the details!

Commander Legality: What You Need To Know

Commander, also known as EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander), is a “eternal format”. This means that, unlike formats like Standard or Pioneer which rotate cards in and out, almost every Magic card ever printed is fair game. This is what makes Commander such a beloved and versatile format! There are restrictions that every Magic player knows. Let’s clarify the rules for adding to your Commander deck, while keeping in mind the LOTR set.

  • Eternal Format: Almost all cards are legal, excluding those specifically banned.

  • 100-Card Decks: Your deck must contain exactly 100 cards, including your commander.

  • Singleton Format: You can only have one copy of any card in your deck (excluding basic lands).

  • Color Identity: All cards in your deck must share a color identity with your commander (including mana symbols in the card text).

  • Banned List: Some cards are simply too powerful or disruptive and are banned from Commander play.

LOTR Sets and Commander: Specifics

The LTR set (the main Lord of the Rings set) cards are legal in Modern, Legacy, Vintage, and Commander. The LTC set (the preconstructed Commander decks) are also legal in Commander, Legacy, and Vintage. So, as long as the LOTR cards adhere to the general Commander rules (color identity, singleton format, not on the banned list), you’re good to go.

Exception: This is important! There can be some cross-over of bans in Commander! If there is a card that is banned, you cannot include that card in your Commander deck! For example, the card Karakas is banned in Commander, so even though it’s an LOTR card, you cannot play it in Commander!

The Fun Part: Building Your Deck!

The Lord of the Rings set introduces a wealth of new strategies and mechanics to Commander. Expect to see cards that synergize with legendary creatures, reward you for playing historic spells, and bring the thematic elements of Middle-earth to life on the battlefield. Imagine building a deck around Frodo, Adventurous Hobbit, or leading your forces with Aragorn, the Uniter! Just remember the color identity rules when selecting your commander and supporting cards.

FAQs: Your Questions Answered!

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the legality and use of LOTR cards in Commander:

  1. Are all LOTR cards automatically legal in Commander?

    • No. While most are, all Commander decks are not allowed to have banned cards, so any LOTR card on the banned list is not legal. Also, the acorn cards and silver-bordered cards that are usually joke cards aren’t legal either.

  2. Can I use the new LOTR Commander preconstructed decks as-is?

    • Yes, the preconstructed Commander decks are designed to be ready-to-play and fully legal in Commander.

  3. What if an LOTR card has a color identity that doesn’t match my commander?

    • You cannot include the card in your deck. All cards must match the commander’s color identity.

  4. Are there any LOTR cards that are specifically designed for Commander?

    • Yes, the LTC set are designed to be used in Commander.

  5. Will the LOTR set affect the Commander banned list?

    • It’s possible, but unlikely at the initial release. The Commander Rules Committee monitors the impact of new sets and adjusts the banned list as needed. However, no cards from the LOTR set are currently being banned.

  6. Where can I find the official Commander banned list?

    • The official Commander banned list is maintained by the Commander Rules Committee. A simple internet search will help.

  7. Can I use LOTR cards in a “Rule 0” Commander game?

    • “Rule 0” refers to the pre-game discussion where players can agree to deviate from the standard rules. If your playgroup agrees, you can use any card you want, regardless of legality.

  8. What’s the difference between the LTR and LTC set codes?

    • LTR refers to the main Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth set, legal in Modern, Legacy, Vintage, and Commander. LTC refers to the preconstructed Commander decks from the same set, legal in Commander, Legacy, and Vintage.

  9. Can I use the new LOTR lands in my Commander deck?

    • Yes, as long as they match your commander’s color identity and you adhere to the singleton rule (except for basic lands).

  10. Are LOTR cards legal in other formats besides Commander?

    • Yes! LTR cards are legal in Modern, Legacy, Vintage, and Pauper. The LTC cards are legal in Legacy and Vintage.

  11. How do I know if a specific LOTR card is powerful in Commander?

    • Experiment! Read card reviews online, watch Commander gameplay videos, and playtest your deck to see what works best.

  12. Can LOTR themed Planeswalkers be commanders?

    • Some planeswalkers have the text “[CARDNAME] can be your commander,” which is an exception to the rule that your commander must be a legendary creature. So yes, some can!

  13. How can the Commander rules committee impact the legality of LOTR cards?

    • The committee actively monitors the state of the Commander format, and if any LOTR card is deemed overwhelmingly powerful or detrimental to the game’s health, it could be added to the banned list. This is not expected to happen initially.

  14. Are these cards standard legal?

    • The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth will be a direct-to-Modern set, meaning that it will not be Standard legal.

  15. Are D&D cards legal in commander?

    • Yes! In fact, there are 62 new cards with printed set code AFC and collector numbers in the Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Commander Decks. These cards are legal for play in the Commander, Vintage, and Legacy formats. They aren’t legal for play in the Standard, Pioneer, or Modern formats.

Embracing the Middle-earth in Commander

The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth set offers a fantastic opportunity to infuse your Commander decks with the flavor and excitement of Tolkien’s world. From powerful legendary creatures to thematic spells and abilities, there’s something for every Commander player to enjoy. Just remember to adhere to the format’s rules, and get ready to embark on epic adventures across Middle-earth!

Don’t forget to explore the exciting world of Games Learning Society for more insights into the intersection of games and education at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. They are a great source for learning!

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