Can You Use Any Planeswalker as a Commander?
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The short answer is: no, not in the traditional Commander (EDH) format. In the vast multiverse of Magic: The Gathering, the rules surrounding who can lead your army are surprisingly specific. However, the full picture is a bit more nuanced than a simple yes or no, with other formats bending the rules in exciting ways. Let’s break down the details, starting with the foundational format and moving into less conventional territories.
Commander (EDH): The Legendary Creature Rule
The Core Restriction
In the standard Commander format, your commander must be a legendary creature. This is a fundamental rule of the format. Planeswalkers, by their very nature, are not creatures. They are a separate card type with their own unique rules and gameplay mechanics. Therefore, the vast majority of planeswalkers are automatically ineligible to be a commander in traditional Commander.
The Exception: “Can Be Your Commander”
However, there’s a crucial exception to the rule. Some planeswalkers, by design, explicitly state on their card, “This card can be your commander.” This specific wording overrides the usual restriction, allowing these planeswalkers to lead your deck. Cards like Teferi, Who Slows the Sunset or Oketra the True are prime examples. Without this specific text, a planeswalker can never be your commander in standard EDH. Therefore, the ability to be a commander must be printed directly on the card.
The ‘Why’ Behind the Rule
The reason for this limitation is deeply rooted in the history and design philosophy of Commander. The format was initially designed around legendary creatures as figureheads, representing powerful personalities or iconic figures leading the charge. The limitation created unique deck-building challenges and flavorful gameplay experiences. Allowing any planeswalker would undermine this principle and dramatically alter the format’s core identity.
Brawl: Breaking the Mold
A Planeswalker-Friendly Variant
The Brawl format offers a significant departure from traditional Commander rules. In Brawl, any planeswalker can be designated as a commander, regardless of whether they possess the “can be your commander” text. This change opens the door to a much wider range of deckbuilding possibilities, allowing players to build around their favorite planeswalkers, even those who normally cannot be used as commanders. Brawl, though it uses singleton rules like Commander, has its own banned list. Also, Commander damage is not used in the Brawl format.
Standard Legal Only
It’s important to note that Brawl has its own limitations: it is restricted to cards within the Standard-legal sets. This restriction differs from Commander, which allows almost all cards throughout Magic’s history. The smaller card pool and restricted card selections help to keep Brawl a less chaotic format.
Oathbreaker: A Planeswalker Focus
The Planeswalker and Signature Spell
Oathbreaker is a format specifically built around planeswalkers. It allows any planeswalker to be the commander, called the “Oathbreaker,” along with a signature instant or sorcery spell that can be cast each turn. This is a similar deck building structure to EDH/Commander format. It is important to note that this format has a banned list and is also a singleton format.
A Growing Fan Base
Oathbreaker has quickly grown in popularity, offering a unique and streamlined format that is more focused on spells and planeswalker abilities. It’s a great option for players who enjoy the power and flexibility of planeswalkers as their focal point.
Unconventional Cases
Mystery Booster Test Cards
Occasionally, some special test cards, such as those found in Mystery Booster packs, introduce temporary twists on the rules. For example, the card “You’re In Command” temporarily enables a player to turn a creature into their commander, even if it’s non-legendary. These exceptions are rare and are generally not considered legal in regular Commander games. They are primarily intended for unique draft experiences and not for consistent gameplay.
The “What If” Scenario
It’s fun to speculate what would happen if any planeswalker could be a commander in traditional Commander. It would dramatically shake up the format, perhaps creating a new meta entirely with new strategies and power balances. However, in reality, this is just a thought experiment as it is not how the Commander format is designed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why can’t most planeswalkers be commanders in Commander?
The Commander format specifically requires your commander to be a legendary creature. Planeswalkers are not creatures; they are a separate card type with different mechanics.
2. What makes a planeswalker a legal commander?
The planeswalker card must specifically state “This card can be your commander.” This line of text overrides the general requirement for a legendary creature. Without this text, the planeswalker is not a legal commander in traditional Commander.
3. Can I have multiple copies of the same planeswalker in my Commander deck?
No, you cannot. Commander is a singleton format, meaning only one of each card is allowed. You are further limited by the “legend rule”. This states you can have multiple planeswalkers on the battlefield, so long as they do not have the same name.
4. Can I have multiple different planeswalkers in my deck?
Yes, absolutely. You can have as many different planeswalkers in your deck as you want, following the standard single copy rule. However, you can only have one copy of each and only one on the battlefield at a time.
5. Do planeswalkers have summoning sickness in Commander?
No, planeswalkers do not have summoning sickness. You can activate a planeswalker’s loyalty abilities on the same turn you play it.
6. Does deathtouch work on planeswalkers?
No. Deathtouch only applies to creatures. You need specific abilities, like that of Vraska, Swarm’s Eminence, to deal damage to a planeswalker.
7. Can I target a commander like a planeswalker?
Yes. Any ability that can target a card in general can target your commander even though it is treated differently than a normal card.
8. Can an opponent steal my commander?
Yes. Your commander is a card, and an opponent can take control of it just like any other card in play.
9. How do I protect my planeswalkers in Commander?
You can protect your planeswalkers with counterspells, creature removal, and enchantment removal. Also use the planeswalkers ability to create creatures to protect itself.
10. Can a legendary enchantment creature be a commander?
Yes, it can. As long as the card is a legendary creature, it can be your commander, even if it is an enchantment as well.
11. Are Unfinity cards legal in Commander?
Yes, Unfinity cards are generally legal in Commander, Legacy, and Vintage.
12. Is there a limit to the number of planeswalkers in a Commander deck?
No, there is no limit. You can include as many different planeswalkers as you want in your deck, so long as you are respecting the singleton and color identity rules of the format.
13. What is the “legendary planeswalker rule”?
This rule states that if a player controls more than one legendary planeswalker with the same name, that player must choose one and put the others into their graveyard. This is often called the “Planeswalker Rule”.
14. Are Oathbreakers considered commanders?
Yes and no. In the format called “Oathbreaker”, your planeswalker serves a similar role as a commander in Commander format. But in the Commander format, your chosen planeswalker from Oathbreaker is not a legal commander.
15. What is the most popular planeswalker used in Commander?
Popular planeswalkers vary due to various reasons. Some of the most popular are Teferi, Temporal Archmage, Narset, Enlightened Master, and Aminatou, the Fateshifter.
Conclusion
While most planeswalkers cannot lead your deck in traditional Commander, alternative formats such as Brawl and Oathbreaker offer exciting avenues for planeswalker enthusiasts. The rules regarding commander legality are meticulously designed, with exceptions to be found and formats that change the game entirely. Understanding these nuances will allow you to fully enjoy the diverse world of Magic: The Gathering.