Can You Have Two Planeswalkers in Commander? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, absolutely! You can have two, or even more, planeswalkers on the battlefield simultaneously in a Commander game, provided they don’t share the exact same name. The key rule to understand is the “legend rule”, which now applies to all planeswalkers due to the legendary supertype they gained. This rule dictates that if you control more than one legendary permanent with the same name (including planeswalkers), you must choose one to keep and put the rest into your graveyard. Therefore, while you can’t have two “Jace, the Mind Sculptor” in play, you can have both a “Jace, the Mind Sculptor” and a “Jace, Wielder of Mysteries” at the same time. Let’s dive deeper into the nuances of planeswalkers in Commander.
Understanding Planeswalkers in Commander
The Legend Rule and Planeswalkers
The core of understanding planeswalkers in Commander lies in the legend rule. When it was changed, all existing planeswalkers retroactively gained the legendary supertype. This change, while seemingly simple, has profound implications for deck building and gameplay. It means you cannot have multiple planeswalkers that share the same name out at once. For example, you can’t control two copies of “Teferi, Hero of Dominaria”. However, you can control a “Teferi, Hero of Dominaria”, a “Teferi, Time Raveler”, and a “Teferi, Master of Time” all at the same time because they all have different names. This significantly expands your strategic options, allowing for powerful combinations and board states.
Planeswalkers and Color Identity
In Commander, each deck is defined by its color identity, which is determined by the colors present in the mana cost and rules text of your commander. Planeswalkers contribute to this color identity. For example, a planeswalker like “Teferi, Hero of Dominaria” with a cost of 2WU would mean that your deck must contain only white and blue cards, in addition to colorless cards. This limits what you can include in your deck, but also provides a strategic framework around which you can build a cohesive strategy.
Planeswalkers as Commanders
Most planeswalkers cannot be used as commanders. They must possess the specific text at the bottom of the card saying “This card can be your commander”. Therefore, most planeswalkers cannot be your commander, and the legendary creature should be picked instead. If it does not state “this card can be your commander,” it is not legal as a commander. This adds another layer of strategic depth to the format, as you must also factor in planeswalkers’ abilities and vulnerabilities when choosing whether to make them your commander, or add them to your deck.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many planeswalkers can I have in play at once in Commander?
You can have as many different named planeswalkers in play as you can cast, provided that each has a different name. The limitation is only on multiples of the same named card.
2. Can I use a planeswalker as a commander?
Only if the planeswalker card specifically states, “This card can be your commander.” Otherwise, you must choose a legendary creature as your commander.
3. Do planeswalkers have summoning sickness?
No, planeswalkers do not suffer from summoning sickness. You can activate their loyalty abilities the same turn they enter the battlefield.
4. Can my opponents attack my planeswalkers?
Yes, opponents can directly attack planeswalkers. Damage dealt to a planeswalker removes that many loyalty counters. A planeswalker with zero loyalty counters is put into the graveyard.
5. How does deathtouch work against planeswalkers?
Deathtouch only affects creatures. Therefore, deathtouch does not directly impact planeswalkers. You can not use Deathtouch to directly kill a planeswalker with damage.
6. How does indestructible work against planeswalkers?
Indestructible only affects creatures. Therefore, it has no impact on planeswalkers.
7. Can I use damage redirection to hit planeswalkers?
Yes, damage that would normally be dealt to a player can be redirected to a planeswalker that player controls.
8. What is the “legend rule” regarding planeswalkers?
The legend rule states that if you control two or more legendary permanents with the same name, you must choose one to keep and put the rest into their owner’s graveyard. Since all planeswalkers have the legendary supertype, this rule applies to them.
9. Can a planeswalker deal commander damage?
Planeswalkers themselves can not attack. However, with the introduction of cards like Luxior, Giada’s Gift, which can turn planeswalkers into creatures, they can now deal commander damage.
10. What happens when a planeswalker runs out of loyalty counters?
When a planeswalker has zero loyalty counters, it is put into the graveyard.
11. Are there any cards that are specifically good at protecting planeswalkers?
Yes, cards like Swan Song, Counterspell, and Arcane Denial are excellent for protecting planeswalkers from removal or targeted spells.
12. Can I use multiple planeswalkers with the same “type” (e.g., two different Garruks)?
Yes, you can have multiple planeswalkers with the same name (e.g., “Garruk”) in play as long as they have different full names (e.g., “Garruk, Unleashed” and “Garruk, Cursed Huntsman”)
13. Do planeswalkers have color identity in Commander?
Yes, planeswalkers contribute to your deck’s overall color identity based on their mana costs and color indicators.
14. Are stickers legal in Commander?
Yes, the majority of cards that utilize or care about stickers are legal in Eternal formats, including Commander, provided they don’t have acorn stamps.
15. Are Acorn-stamped cards legal in Commander?
No, cards with acorn symbols are not legal in Commander, similar to the old silver-bordered cards.
Strategic Considerations
Integrating multiple planeswalkers into your Commander deck can greatly increase its power and versatility. With the flexibility and resilience they provide, you can dominate the board. However, also be prepared to defend your planeswalkers, as they are prime targets for your opponents. Always consider how they work together, their synergies, and how well you can protect them with counter magic and removal for problematic threats from your opponents. By understanding both the rules and the strategic implications, you can effectively incorporate planeswalkers into your next Commander build, and use them to achieve victory.