Planeswalkers Unleashed: Deck Building and the Multiverse
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Yes, you can absolutely have two (or more!) planeswalkers in a deck, and in most formats, you can even have multiple copies of the same planeswalker card! The key is understanding the specific format you’re playing and the legend rule, which now only applies to planeswalkers with the exact same name. Get ready to planeswalk your way through understanding deck construction!
Understanding Planeswalker Deck Construction
Deck construction with planeswalkers involves navigating format restrictions, card limits, and strategic synergy. Here’s a breakdown:
- Format Matters: Each Magic: The Gathering format (Standard, Modern, Legacy, Commander, etc.) has its own rules about deck size, allowed cards, and card limits.
- Card Limits: In most constructed formats (Standard, Modern, Legacy), you’re generally allowed to have up to four copies of any card in your deck, including planeswalkers (unless the card specifically states otherwise). This means you could potentially have four copies of Teferi, Hero of Dominaria in your deck.
- Commander Exception: Commander format, the singleton rule reigns supreme. You’re only allowed one copy of any card (except basic lands) in your deck of 100 cards. So, while you can have multiple planeswalkers in your Commander deck, you can only have one of each distinct card name.
- The Legend Rule (Planeswalker Edition): This is where it gets interesting. The legend rule applies to planeswalkers, but only if they share the exact same name. If you control “Jace, the Mind Sculptor” and play another “Jace, the Mind Sculptor,” you must choose one to keep, and the other is put into your graveyard. However, you can control “Jace, the Mind Sculptor” and “Jace Beleren” simultaneously because their names are different.
- Strategic Synergy: The real question isn’t can you include planeswalkers, but should you? A deck filled with random planeswalkers isn’t likely to be effective. Focus on synergy. How do their abilities complement each other? How do they support your overall game plan? Do you have ways to protect your planeswalkers?
- Color Identity (Commander): In Commander, your planeswalkers must adhere to your commander’s color identity. You can only include planeswalkers whose mana symbols appear on your commander.
Planeswalkers in Different Formats
Planeswalkers have different levels of utility depending on which Format you are playing:
- Standard: Planeswalkers can be powerhouses, but their effectiveness depends on the meta. The relatively small card pool means decks are often highly refined, and planeswalkers can be powerful engines if protected well.
- Modern: Modern’s larger card pool means more tools to answer planeswalkers. However, the right planeswalkers can still provide significant value, especially in control or midrange strategies.
- Legacy: Legacy is the most unforgiving format. Fast combo decks abound, and planeswalkers need to make an immediate impact to be worth the investment.
- Commander: Planeswalkers in Commander are targets. With multiple opponents, they’re likely to be attacked relentlessly. However, their abilities can be incredibly powerful in longer games. Choose planeswalkers that provide immediate value or generate significant card advantage.
- Oathbreaker: In Oathbreaker, you select a Planeswalker as your commander. You also select a Signature Spell, which is an instant or sorcery that you can cast any time your Oathbreaker is on the battlefield.
Protecting Your Planeswalkers
Planeswalkers are valuable assets, so it’s essential to protect them. Here are some strategies:
- Creature-Heavy Decks: Creatures can block attacks aimed at your planeswalkers.
- Creature Tokens: Similar to creature-heavy decks, token strategies provide a constant stream of blockers.
- Pillowfort Strategies: Cards like “Propaganda” and “Ghostly Prison” make it more costly for opponents to attack you or your planeswalkers.
- Counterspells: Protect your planeswalkers as they enter the battlefield by countering spells that would destroy them.
- Removal: Eliminate creatures that threaten your planeswalkers.
- Board Wipes: Clear the board of potential attackers.
Planeswalker Synergies
- Planeswalkers That Protect Themselves: Some Planeswalkers have abilities that create creatures or otherwise protect themselves.
- Planeswalkers That Benefit From Each Other: Some Planeswalkers synergize when they are in the same deck.
Planeswalkers for Different Playstyles
- Aggressive Decks: These prefer Planeswalkers that create creature tokens, deal direct damage, or boost creatures’ power and toughness.
- Midrange Decks: These prefer Planeswalkers that generate card advantage, grind down opponents, or control the board.
- Control Decks: These prefer Planeswalkers that protect themselves, control the board, or provide late-game win conditions.
FAQs: Planeswalkers and Deck Building
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the rules and strategies surrounding planeswalkers in decks:
Can I have two planeswalkers with the same subtype on the battlefield at the same time?
Yes, you can! The legend rule only applies to planeswalkers with the exact same name. You can have “Garruk, Unleashed” and “Garruk, Cursed Huntsman” on the battlefield simultaneously.
Can I have multiple planeswalkers in a Standard deck?
Absolutely. As long as you adhere to the card limit (generally four copies of each card), you can include as many different planeswalkers as you want in your Standard deck.
Can I have two of the same planeswalker card in my Commander deck?
No. Commander follows the singleton rule, meaning you can only have one copy of each card (except basic lands).
Can I use a planeswalker ability the turn I play it?
Yes! Planeswalkers do not have summoning sickness. You can activate one of their loyalty abilities the same turn they enter the battlefield, at sorcery speed.
How many loyalty abilities can I activate per turn?
You can activate one loyalty ability per planeswalker you control per turn. If you have three planeswalkers, you can activate one ability on each of them during your main phase.
What happens if a creature attacks my planeswalker?
Creatures can attack an opponent’s planeswalkers instead of the opponent. If a creature isn’t blocked, it deals combat damage to the planeswalker, reducing its loyalty counters.
Can I block an attacking creature with my planeswalker?
No, planeswalkers are not creatures and cannot block. You need to use creatures or other defensive measures to protect them.
What happens when a planeswalker’s loyalty reaches zero?
When a planeswalker’s loyalty reaches zero, it is put into the graveyard.
Does Deathtouch work on planeswalkers?
No, Deathtouch only affects creatures. Damage from a source with deathtouch will destroy a creature but will not destroy a Planeswalker.
How do I deal damage to a planeswalker?
You can deal damage to a planeswalker through:
- Combat damage from unblocked creatures attacking the planeswalker.
- Spells and abilities that specifically target planeswalkers or deal damage to “any target”.
Can I target a planeswalker with Lightning Bolt?
Yes! Lightning Bolt can target “any target,” which includes players, creatures, and planeswalkers.
What are emblems, and how do they relate to planeswalkers?
Emblems are special game objects that can be created by some planeswalker abilities. They are not cards and exist in the command zone. Emblems typically provide ongoing benefits and persist even if the planeswalker that created them is no longer on the battlefield.
Can a planeswalker be my commander?
Only if the planeswalker card specifically states “This card can be your commander” in its rules text. Otherwise, you must choose a legendary creature as your commander. In the Brawl format, any planeswalker can be a commander. The Mystery Booster test card “You’re in Command” enables a player to change any of their creatures into their Commander (even if it is non-Legendary).
What is “Planeswalker Redirection”?
The “Planeswalker Redirection” rule used to allow players to redirect noncombat damage dealt to them to a planeswalker they controlled. This rule has been removed, so now spells and abilities must explicitly target planeswalkers to deal damage to them.
Are planeswalker commanders good?
Planeswalker commanders can be powerful, but they face unique challenges in the Commander format due to being vulnerable to multiple opponents. Their power depends heavily on the specific planeswalker, the deck’s build, and the overall strategy.
Hopefully, this comprehensive guide has clarified the ins and outs of including planeswalkers in your decks. Remember to consider the format, card limits, strategic synergy, and how to protect these powerful allies. Now go forth and planeswalk your way to victory! For more information on learning through games, be sure to check out Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.