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Planeswalkers in Commander: Double the Trouble or Double the Fun?

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The short answer is: Yes, absolutely! You can have multiple Planeswalkers in your Commander deck, subject to the usual deckbuilding rules. Now, let’s dive deep into the whys, hows, and whens of including these powerful cards in your 100-card singleton masterpiece.

Planeswalkers and the Commander Format: A Synergistic Symphony

Commander, also known as EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander), is a wildly popular Magic: The Gathering format celebrated for its social gameplay, strategic depth, and unique deckbuilding constraints. The fundamental rule is simple: you choose a legendary creature as your Commander (or a Planeswalker with the “can be your Commander” text), which dictates the color identity of your entire deck. The rest of your 99 cards (excluding basic lands) must adhere to that color identity and be singleton, meaning no more than one copy of any card except basic lands.

Planeswalkers, introduced in the Lorwyn block, quickly became a cornerstone of Magic: The Gathering, offering persistent value, powerful abilities, and a unique strategic dimension. Combining these two powerhouses—Planeswalkers and the Commander format—can create incredibly rewarding and engaging gameplay experiences.

Why Planeswalkers Shine in Commander

Planeswalkers are uniquely suited to Commander for several reasons:

Value Engines: Their ability to generate incremental advantage turn after turn makes them excellent long-term investments in a format known for its slower pace and multiplayer dynamics.
Versatility: Planeswalkers offer a range of abilities, from card draw and token generation to direct damage and board control, making them adaptable to various game states.
Threat Magnets: A well-played Planeswalker will often draw the ire of your opponents, diverting attacks and protecting your life total. They become a crucial distraction.
Synergy with Commander Strategies: Many Planeswalkers synergize powerfully with specific Commander archetypes, such as Superfriends (decks focused on accumulating Planeswalkers) or strategies that manipulate loyalty counters.

However, it’s important to remember that Planeswalkers are vulnerable. Opponents can attack them directly, and certain spells and abilities can remove them from the battlefield. Protecting your Planeswalkers is crucial for maximizing their value.

Building Around Planeswalkers: Strategies and Considerations

So, you’re convinced that Planeswalkers belong in your Commander deck. Excellent! Now, let’s discuss some key considerations for building around them effectively.

Color Identity: Naturally, you’ll need to choose Planeswalkers that match the color identity of your Commander. Fortunately, there’s a wide array of Planeswalkers available in all five colors of mana.
Mana Curve: Just like any other card type, consider the mana costs of your Planeswalkers. A deck full of expensive Planeswalkers might struggle to get off the ground, while a mix of low-cost and high-impact options will provide more flexibility.
Protection: Protecting your Planeswalkers is paramount. Include cards that can redirect damage, create defensive tokens, or counter removal spells. Cards like “Propaganda” and “Ghostly Prison” can deter attacks, while counterspells like “Counterspell” and “Swan Song” can prevent your opponents from removing your Planeswalkers outright.
Synergy: Look for Planeswalkers that synergize with your Commander’s abilities or your overall deck strategy. For example, if your Commander is focused on token generation, Planeswalkers that create tokens or benefit from having tokens on the battlefield would be a great fit.
Removal: Be mindful of the prevalence of Planeswalker removal in your playgroup. If your opponents frequently run cards like “Anguished Unmaking” or “Hero’s Downfall,” you might need to adjust your strategy or include more ways to protect your Planeswalkers.

Superfriends: The Ultimate Planeswalker Strategy

The “Superfriends” archetype is a popular Commander strategy that revolves around maximizing the number of Planeswalkers in your deck. These decks aim to overwhelm opponents with a constant stream of Planeswalker abilities, ultimately achieving victory through powerful ultimates or incremental advantage.

Key components of a Superfriends deck include:

A Commander that Supports Planeswalkers: Commanders like “Atraxa, Praetors’ Voice” (which proliferates, adding loyalty counters to your Planeswalkers) or “Aminatou, the Fateshifter” (which can flicker Planeswalkers for value) are excellent choices.
A High Density of Planeswalkers: The more Planeswalkers you have, the more opportunities you’ll have to generate value and overwhelm your opponents.
Protection: As mentioned earlier, protecting your Planeswalkers is crucial in any deck that relies on them. In a Superfriends deck, it’s even more important since your entire strategy hinges on keeping them alive.
Enablers: Cards that allow you to find Planeswalkers more consistently, such as “Land Tax” (to find lands to cast more Planeswalkers) and “Demonic Tutor” (to search for a specific Planeswalker), are essential for ensuring that you can consistently deploy your threats.

FAQs: Planeswalkers in Commander

Here are some frequently asked questions about using Planeswalkers in your Commander decks:

Can my Commander be a Planeswalker? Yes, but only if the Planeswalker card specifically states “[Cardname] can be your Commander.” For example, “Teferi, Temporal Archmage” can be your commander.
If my Commander is a Planeswalker, does it go to the Command Zone when it dies? Yes, just like any other Commander.
Do Planeswalkers count towards my color identity? Yes, the colors of mana symbols that appear anywhere on the Planeswalker card (including the mana cost and activated abilities) contribute to your color identity.
Can I use a Planeswalker in my deck if it doesn’t match my Commander’s color identity? No. All cards in your deck must match your Commander’s color identity.
Can I have multiple copies of the same Planeswalker card in my deck? No. Commander is a singleton format, meaning you can only have one copy of each card (excluding basic lands).
Does the “Planeswalker uniqueness rule” apply in Commander? No. The “Planeswalker uniqueness rule” was replaced by the “legend rule” in 2014. You can control multiple Planeswalkers with the same Planeswalker type (e.g., Jace), as long as they have different names.
What happens if two players control Planeswalkers with the same Planeswalker type (e.g., two Jaces)? Nothing happens. The legend rule only applies to permanents you control.
How does proliferate interact with Planeswalkers? Proliferate allows you to add a loyalty counter to each Planeswalker you control that already has at least one loyalty counter on it.
What are some good cards to protect my Planeswalkers? Cards like “Propaganda,” “Ghostly Prison,” “Sphere of Safety,” and counterspells are all effective ways to protect your Planeswalkers. Additionally, creatures with vigilance can block for your Planeswalkers and still be available to attack on your turn.
Are there any Planeswalkers that are particularly good in Commander? Planeswalkers with strong card draw abilities (like “Teferi, Time Raveler“) and those that generate tokens (like “Elspeth, Sun’s Champion“) are generally powerful in Commander.
What are some common weaknesses of Planeswalker-heavy decks? Planeswalker-heavy decks can be vulnerable to creature swarms and efficient Planeswalker removal.
Can I use a Planeswalker card as my companion? No. Companions must be creature cards, as they are cast from outside the game. Planeswalker cards cannot fulfill this requirement.
If I proliferate a planeswalker with zero loyalty counters, will it survive? No. Planeswalkers must have at least one loyalty counter to remain on the battlefield. Proliferating a planeswalker with zero counters doesn’t change that it has zero counters, and it will be put into the graveyard as a state-based action.
How do I build a budget-friendly Planeswalker Commander deck? Focus on budget-friendly Planeswalkers like “Saheeli, Sublime Artificer” and use cheaper protection spells. Prioritize card draw and ramp to maximize your chances of casting your planeswalkers quickly.
Are there any educational resources available on Magic: The Gathering and similar games? Absolutely! The Games Learning Society offers valuable insights into the educational applications of games. Visit their website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to learn more about how games can be used as powerful tools for learning and development. GamesLearningSociety.org has great information.

Conclusion: Embrace the Planeswalker Power

Planeswalkers are a fantastic addition to any Commander deck, adding depth, strategy, and a touch of raw power. Whether you’re building a dedicated Superfriends deck or simply including a few key Planeswalkers to support your strategy, understanding how to utilize these cards effectively is crucial for success in the Commander format. So, go forth, summon your Planeswalkers, and dominate the battlefield!