Can My Commander Be Colorless? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, your commander absolutely can be colorless. In the Commander format of Magic: The Gathering, you’re not restricted to only using multicolored or single-colored legendary creatures as your commander. There are specific legendary creatures and planeswalkers that are colorless, and they are perfectly valid options to lead your deck. Choosing a colorless commander, however, does come with its own set of unique deck-building considerations and restrictions that differ from those of colored commanders. Let’s delve into the intricacies of colorless commanders and address some common questions.
Understanding Color Identity in Commander
The key to understanding how colorless commanders work lies in the concept of color identity. Unlike a card’s color, which is determined by the colored mana symbols in its mana cost, a card’s color identity encompasses all the colored mana symbols present on the card, including those in its rules text. This is a critical distinction when building a Commander deck.
Colorless Color Identity
A card with a colorless color identity has no colored mana symbols on it. It only contains generic mana symbols or the colorless mana symbol {C}, which doesn’t represent a color. This means that, if you are using a colorless commander, you are limited to using cards that only have colorless mana symbols in their mana costs and rules text, as well as those without any color at all.
Deck Construction with a Colorless Commander
This restriction has a significant impact on deck building. Because you cannot use cards with colored mana symbols, you cannot include lands that produce colored mana. That means popular lands like Command Tower or City of Brass are out. This forces players to be creative and embrace the unique challenges and possibilities that come with such a restriction.
The Allure of Colorless Commanders
Despite these limitations, colorless commanders are incredibly popular. They allow for building decks that employ strategies centered around artifacts, Eldrazi, and other colorless-focused mechanics. They also have the advantage of being immune to many color-based removal spells and can often take opponents by surprise because of their unique builds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Colorless Commanders
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the nuances of using a colorless commander:
1. What kind of cards can I use in a colorless commander deck?
You can only include cards with a colorless color identity and also cards with no color at all. This means your deck will primarily consist of artifacts, colorless lands, and creatures that don’t have any colored mana symbols in their cost or text.
2. Can I use lands that produce colored mana in a colorless commander deck?
No. Since you can’t include cards with color identities outside of that of your commander, you can’t have any lands that produce mana of a color. The lands in your deck must produce colorless mana or have no mana symbols on them (such as basic lands).
3. Do devoid cards work in a colorless commander deck?
No, devoid cards do not work. While devoid makes a card technically colorless, its color identity is determined by the colored mana symbols present in the card’s cost and text, which cannot be avoided. If the card has a colored mana symbol anywhere on it, its color identity has those colors and cannot be included in a colorless commander deck.
4. Does Command Tower produce colorless mana?
No, Command Tower produces one mana of any color in your commander’s color identity. Since your commander is colorless, Command Tower cannot add any mana to your mana pool, making it not useable in the deck.
5. Can I play off-color signets in a colorless commander deck?
No, you cannot play off-color signets because they have a color identity of the colors they produce. For example, Orzhov Signet has a white and black color identity.
6. Can I use fetch lands?
Yes, you can use fetch lands, as they have no mana symbols on them. However, they can only get the appropriate lands for the deck; you wouldn’t be able to fetch any lands that tap for colors.
7. Can I use cards that produce mana of any color?
Cards that produce “mana of any color” can only produce colored mana (white, blue, black, red, or green), and you still can’t put lands in the deck that tap for colors, meaning these also will not produce mana in a colorless commander deck.
8. Can I use a companion with a colorless commander?
Yes, you can use a companion if its color identity matches that of your commander (colorless). Additionally, it must also adhere to the rules regarding deckbuilding and having 100 cards total.
9. Can I have a background as a second commander with a colorless commander?
Yes, you can use a background as a second commander, as long as its color identity is also within that of your primary commander’s; in this case, colorless. Keep in mind that some backgrounds have colored mana symbols.
10. Does Commander’s Plate protect a colorless commander from all colors?
Yes, Commander’s Plate gives a colorless commander protection from all colors, as it provides protection from each color not in your commander’s color identity.
11. Does Jeweled Lotus work with a colorless commander?
Yes, Jeweled Lotus works perfectly well with a colorless commander. You can use the mana from Jeweled Lotus to cast your commander regardless of your commander’s color or color identity.
12. Is colorless mana a color in commander?
No, colorless mana is not considered a color. It’s a distinct type of mana that exists outside of the five colors of Magic: The Gathering.
13. Why are Eldrazi colorless?
Eldrazi are designed as colorless to emphasize their alien and otherworldly nature. They are not of this plane and thus have no colors associated with them.
14. Can you make colored mana outside of your commander’s color identity in Commander?
There are some effects that can make colored mana outside of your commander’s color identity. However, the important rule remains that you cannot include cards with those color identities in your deck to begin with.
15. What are some example colorless commanders?
Some popular examples of colorless commanders include:
- Kozilek, the Great Distortion
- Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger
- Karn, the Great Creator
- Emrakul, the Promised End
- Hope of Ghirapur
Embracing the Colorless Challenge
Building a colorless commander deck presents a unique challenge and a chance to explore a less traveled path. With careful planning, strategic card selection, and a deep understanding of the rules, you can assemble a formidable and surprising deck led by a powerful colorless commander. Don’t let the perceived limitations deter you; instead, embrace the possibilities and explore the fascinating world of colorless commanders in Magic: The Gathering.