Can You Have Other Planeswalkers in an Oathbreaker Deck? The Definitive Guide
Yes, but with a HUGE asterisk: In Oathbreaker, you can only have the specific Planeswalker chosen as your Oathbreaker in your deck, along with one Signature Spell, which must be an instant or sorcery. No other Planeswalkers are permitted in your deck. This is a fundamental rule defining the format and what distinguishes it from Commander. Let’s dive into why this rule exists and explore its implications!
Understanding the Core of Oathbreaker
Oathbreaker is a Commander variant that centers around a chosen Planeswalker as your Oathbreaker. This chosen Planeswalker acts as your commander, residing in the command zone and being cast for its mana cost, plus an additional two generic mana for each time it has been cast from the command zone. Along with this Planeswalker comes a Signature Spell – an instant or sorcery that starts in the command zone and can also be cast repeatedly. The combination of a specific Planeswalker and their signature spell creates unique deck-building challenges and opportunities, offering strategic depth beyond the surface level.
The rule restricting other Planeswalkers from the deck is crucial for maintaining the format’s identity and balance. Imagine a deck where you could play multiple powerful Planeswalkers alongside your Oathbreaker. It would quickly devolve into a Planeswalker arms race, potentially overshadowing the strategic significance of the Oathbreaker and Signature Spell pairing. The restriction forces players to focus on supporting their chosen Planeswalker and their Signature Spell, creating decks with clear synergies and game plans.
Why Limit Planeswalkers?
The primary reasons for limiting the presence of Planeswalkers to only the Oathbreaker are:
- Balance: Allowing multiple Planeswalkers would likely lead to overpowered strategies and warping the metagame.
- Uniqueness: The restriction ensures that the Oathbreaker format maintains its unique flavor and doesn’t simply become a Planeswalker-stuffed version of Commander.
- Strategic Depth: Forcing players to work with a single Planeswalker encourages creative deck building and more thoughtful play.
FAQs: Decoding Oathbreaker Deck Construction
Here are 15 frequently asked questions addressing the nuances of building an Oathbreaker deck:
1. Can my Signature Spell be a Planeswalker?
No. Your Signature Spell must be an instant or sorcery. Permanents, including Planeswalkers, are ineligible to be your Signature Spell.
2. What happens if my Oathbreaker is removed from the game?
Just like in Commander, your Oathbreaker returns to the command zone. You can then recast it for its mana cost, plus an additional two generic mana for each time you’ve cast it from the command zone this game.
3. Can I use any instant or sorcery as my Signature Spell?
Almost. The Signature Spell must adhere to the color identity of your chosen Oathbreaker. You can only use cards with colors that are within your Oathbreaker’s color identity. Also, like any other card in your deck, it can’t be on the banned list.
4. What is color identity?
Color identity refers to the colors of mana symbols that appear on a card, including mana symbols in the card’s rules text. For example, a card with a red mana symbol and a white mana symbol in its casting cost has a red and white color identity. If a card has a color indicator, this also adds to the card’s color identity. Reminder text is ignored when determining color identity. Lands with basic land types, such as forests or islands, may be played in decks of any color identity.
5. What cards are banned in Oathbreaker?
The Oathbreaker banlist can be found on various Magic: The Gathering community websites dedicated to the format. It is actively maintained and updated, so be sure to check for the latest changes before building your deck. Cards are banned for a variety of reasons, typically if they are overly oppressive or warp the format too much.
6. What is the deck size for Oathbreaker?
An Oathbreaker deck consists of 60 cards, including your Oathbreaker and Signature Spell. This makes it a faster and more streamlined format compared to Commander’s 100-card decks.
7. Are there any restrictions on the cards I can include in my 58-card deck?
Yes! All cards in your deck must adhere to the color identity of your Oathbreaker. This means you can only include cards with colors that are within your Oathbreaker’s color identity.
8. Can I have multiple copies of basic lands in my deck?
Yes! Unlike some formats, you can include as many basic lands (Plains, Islands, Swamps, Mountains, and Forests) as you need in your Oathbreaker deck, regardless of color identity.
9. If my Oathbreaker has no colors in its mana cost (is colorless), can I include cards of any color in my deck?
No. Even if your Oathbreaker has no mana symbols in its casting cost, you must still consider its color identity. If it has a color identity based on its ability text, you must adhere to that restriction. For example, if the card has a colored mana symbol in its rules text, that adds to the card’s color identity.
10. Can I change my Oathbreaker or Signature Spell after a game?
In casual play, you can usually agree with your playgroup to change your Oathbreaker or Signature Spell between games. However, in a tournament setting, you must stick to the Oathbreaker and Signature Spell you registered at the start of the event.
11. How does the command zone work in Oathbreaker?
The command zone is where your Oathbreaker and Signature Spell reside when they are not in play. You can cast them from the command zone, and if they would be put into the graveyard or exile from anywhere, you can choose to return them to the command zone instead.
12. What happens if my Signature Spell gets countered?
If your Signature Spell gets countered, it goes to the graveyard unless you choose to return it to the command zone.
13. Can I use a “Wish” card to fetch a Planeswalker from outside the game?
No. In Oathbreaker, as with most constructed formats, you cannot use “Wish” cards (like Cunning Wish or Burning Wish) to fetch Planeswalkers from outside the game. This is because your sideboard consists only of your Oathbreaker and Signature Spell.
14. Are hybrid mana symbols treated differently for color identity?
Yes. If a card contains a hybrid mana symbol, it is considered to have both colors within that symbol in its color identity. For example, a card with a red/white hybrid mana symbol would have both red and white in its color identity.
15. Can I use a Planeswalker that transforms into a creature as my Oathbreaker?
Yes, as long as the card is a Planeswalker on its front side (the side that starts face up in the command zone), it can be used as your Oathbreaker. The other side is irrelevant for determining its eligibility.
Why Oathbreaker is a Great Format
Oathbreaker offers a unique and engaging experience for Magic: The Gathering players. Its focus on a single Planeswalker and their signature spell encourages creative deck building, strategic gameplay, and a more streamlined, faster-paced experience compared to traditional Commander. The smaller deck size and specific card restrictions create interesting challenges and opportunities for players to explore.
For educators, this format could offer a different lens through which to view strategic thinking and problem solving, aligning with principles explored by the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. The constraints and unique rules of Oathbreaker can be used to teach players how to adapt, strategize within limitations, and optimize their resources effectively, all while engaging with a popular and exciting game.
In conclusion, while you can’t fill your Oathbreaker deck with a multitude of Planeswalkers, the format’s focus on one allows for a deep dive into synergistic strategies and engaging gameplay. So, choose your Oathbreaker wisely, select a powerful Signature Spell, and get ready to unleash the power of your unique combination!