Can You Use a Sorcery as a Commander? Untangling the Rules of EDH
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The short answer is: typically, no. In the vast majority of cases, a sorcery card cannot be your commander in a Commander (or EDH) deck. The standard rules stipulate that your commander must be either a legendary creature or a card that specifically states, “This card can be your Commander.” Sorceries generally don’t fall into either of these categories.
However, Magic: The Gathering is a game of constant evolution, and sometimes, the rules get bent (or new cards are printed). So, let’s dive deeper into the “why” behind this and explore the very rare exceptions that might exist.
The Commander Rulebook: Commanders and Legality
Commander, at its heart, is about building a deck around a single, powerful card that defines your strategy. This card, your commander, isn’t just any card; it has specific restrictions.
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Legendary Creature Requirement: Most commanders are legendary creatures. These cards have a distinct card type (“Legendary Creature – [Creature Type]”) and a name that distinguishes them as unique individuals within the Magic universe. Think of classics like Urza, Lord High Artificer.
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“Can Be Your Commander” Clause: Some cards, even if they aren’t legendary creatures, explicitly state that they can be used as a commander. This is typically found on Planeswalker cards designed specifically for the Commander format.
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The 100-Card Singleton Rule: Your deck must contain exactly 100 cards, including your commander. With the exception of basic lands, no other card can appear more than once.
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Color Identity: The cards in your deck must share a color identity with your commander. Color identity includes the colors of mana symbols in the card’s mana cost and any mana symbols within the card’s text box.
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Ban List: A number of cards are banned in the Commander format, regardless of whether they meet the other criteria. These cards are deemed too powerful or problematic for the format’s balance and enjoyment.
The Sorcery Commander Dream: Feasibility
So, where do sorceries fit into all of this? In most cases, they don’t. Sorceries are designed to be cast and then go to the graveyard. They lack the enduring presence and strategic focus expected of a commander.
However, the game evolves, and there are situations where cards interact in unique ways. Let’s consider hypothetical (and potentially very unlikely) scenarios.
- A New Card Design: Wizards of the Coast could print a new card that is a legendary creature on the front side and a sorcery on the back side. If the front side meets the commander criteria, you can play it as your commander and play the sorcery on the back side.
- Commander Partner: The Partner mechanic allows you to have two commanders, however, both must meet the partner criteria.
Breaking the Game (Hypothetically): Shenanigans and Fun
If a sorcery could be your commander, how would you break the game? The goal would be to exploit the “return to the command zone” rule. Imagine a powerful, game-changing sorcery that you can cast repeatedly, albeit with increasing cost.
- Infinite Mana Combos: The increased commander tax means you’d need ways to generate huge amounts of mana.
- Copying Effects: Copying your commander-sorcery could bypass the commander tax.
Ultimately, the fun in theorycrafting around a sorcery commander lies in the sheer absurdity of the idea and the creative deckbuilding challenges it presents.
Commander: A Format Rooted in Fun
Commander is a social format. It is critical that you keep your playgroup in mind while playing. Many house rules are made in this format. The Games Learning Society supports and promotes the importance of this. Learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Commander: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions that will give you a deeper insight into the world of Commander:
1. Can a Planeswalker be my commander?
Yes, some Planeswalkers can be your commander. Only Planeswalkers that specifically state “This card can be your Commander” are eligible. These are usually Planeswalkers designed specifically for Commander.
2. What happens if my commander is exiled?
If your commander is exiled, you can choose to return it to the command zone instead of leaving it in exile. The commander tax still increases if you do this.
3. If my commander is put into my library, can I put it in the command zone?
Yes, you can choose to put your commander into the command zone instead of your library. This is true regardless of whether the commander is shuffled into your library or put there directly.
4. How does commander damage work?
If a player is dealt 21 or more combat damage from a single commander over the course of the game, that player loses the game. It does not matter which creature deals the commander damage.
5. What is color identity?
Color identity includes the colors of mana symbols in the card’s mana cost and any mana symbols within the card’s text box. Lands with basic land types (e.g., Forest, Island) have a color identity based on the colors of mana they can produce.
6. Are hybrid mana symbols considered multiple colors for color identity?
Yes, hybrid mana symbols contribute all the colors in the symbol to a card’s color identity. For example, a card with {W/U} in its cost has both white and blue in its color identity.
7. What happens if my commander is a double-faced card?
The color identity of a double-faced card is determined by the colors of both faces.
8. Can I have two commanders?
Yes, if both legendary creatures have the partner ability, you can have two commanders. Your deck must still adhere to the 100-card limit (98 cards in the deck + 2 commanders in the command zone).
9. How does the commander tax work with multiple commanders?
The commander tax is applied individually to each commander. Each time you cast a commander from the command zone, its casting cost increases by {2} for each previous time you’ve cast that specific commander from the command zone.
10. What cards are banned in Commander?
The Commander ban list is maintained by the Rules Committee and can be found on the official Commander website. It is a good idea to review it before building your deck.
11. Can I use silver-bordered cards in Commander?
No, silver-bordered cards (and acorn-stamped cards) are not legal in Commander. These cards are designed for casual play and often have rules that break the fundamental mechanics of the game.
12. What happens if my commander loses its legendary status?
If your commander loses its legendary status (e.g., due to an effect that removes creature types), it remains your commander. It still tracks commander damage, and you can still return it to the command zone.
13. Can my commander be a Background enchantment?
No, backgrounds cannot be your commander. However, you can pair your commander with a background enchantment that allows you to have both in the command zone.
14. What happens if my commander becomes a copy of another creature?
If your commander becomes a copy of another creature, it is still considered your commander. It will still track commander damage, and you can still return it to the command zone if it would leave the battlefield.
15. Are there any specific strategies that are frowned upon in Commander?
Commander is generally a casual format, and certain strategies, while legal, might be considered unfun by some playgroups. These include mass land destruction, stax strategies (that prevent opponents from playing the game), and infinite combos that win the game quickly. It’s always a good idea to discuss expectations with your playgroup before playing. The Games Learning Society supports and promotes positive gameplay experiences.