Demystifying Commander Damage: Do Tokens Count?
No, tokens of a commander do not count as commander damage. Being a commander is a property specifically tied to the card you designated as your commander before the game began. A token, even if it’s a perfect copy, is a separate permanent and doesn’t inherit that special “commander” status.
The Nuances of Commander Damage
Commander damage is a critical aspect of the Commander (EDH) format in Magic: The Gathering. It’s an alternate win condition that adds another layer of strategy to the game. Understanding precisely how it works is essential to mastering the format.
What Actually Is Commander Damage?
Commander damage is defined as combat damage dealt to a player by a commander. If a player receives 21 or more combat damage from a single commander over the course of the game, that player loses. This rule applies regardless of who controls the commander at the time the damage is dealt. The damage from each commander is tracked individually.
- Combat Damage Only: This is a crucial point. Damage dealt by spells, abilities, or any means other than combat does not count as commander damage.
- Tracked Individually: Each commander has its own “damage counter.” You don’t add up damage from multiple commanders to reach the 21 threshold.
- Zone Changes Don’t Reset: Even if a commander is returned to the command zone or changes control, the damage it has already dealt is still counted.
Why Tokens Don’t Count
The concept of “commander-ness” is inherently linked to the physical card chosen as the commander. When you designate a card as your commander, it gains a unique property that sets it apart from all other permanents in the game. Tokens, created by spells or abilities, are considered distinct entities, even if they’re visually identical to the commander.
Imagine casting a spell that creates a token copy of your commander. That token might look, act, and function exactly like your commander in combat. However, it lacks the fundamental “commander” property. Therefore, damage dealt by that token, however impressive, does not contribute to the 21-point commander damage total.
Think of it like this: The card you put in the Command Zone before the game represents the true leader of your deck, their spirit embodies the commander. A copy, no matter how perfect, is only an imitation of that person.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Commander Damage
Here’s a deeper dive into some common questions regarding commander damage:
1. If I steal an opponent’s commander, does damage I deal with it count as commander damage against them?
Yes! If you gain control of an opponent’s commander, any combat damage that commander deals to your opponent counts as commander damage. The player dealt 21 or more combat damage from that specific commander loses the game, regardless of who controls it when that threshold is reached.
2. Does non-combat damage dealt by my commander count as commander damage?
Absolutely not. Commander damage is exclusively combat damage. Abilities like Juri’s triggered ability or direct damage spells, even if they originate from your commander, don’t contribute to the commander damage total.
3. Does commander damage stack if I have multiple creatures with the same name as my commander?
No. Only the card you designated as your commander at the start of the game tracks commander damage. Clones or copies that share the same name do not contribute. This is why tokens don’t count.
4. If my commander is exiled and then returns to the battlefield, does its commander damage reset?
No, the commander damage doesn’t reset. Commander damage is tracked throughout the game, even if the commander changes zones (graveyard, exile, hand, command zone).
5. If my commander deals combat damage to multiple opponents at once, how is that tracked?
Each opponent who takes combat damage from your commander is individually tracked. For example, if your commander deals 5 damage to one opponent and 3 damage to another in a single combat, those amounts are recorded separately for each player.
6. Can I deal commander damage to myself?
Yes, you can. If an opponent gains control of your commander and attacks you with it, the combat damage it deals to you counts as commander damage against yourself. Be careful!
7. What happens if multiple players reach 21 commander damage from the same commander simultaneously?
The player who’s turn it is (the active player), loses the game first. Then, the game checks for any state-based actions, such as another player having over 21 combat damage from a commander. If that is the case, then the next player in turn order loses the game, and so on.
8. Does infect damage count towards commander damage?
No. Infect is a separate mechanic that causes creatures to deal damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters, and damage to players in the form of poison counters. While dealing 10 poison counters to a player causes them to lose the game, this is entirely separate from commander damage.
9. If I use a card that returns my commander to my hand, does the commander damage it dealt reset?
No, the damage dealt by a commander isn’t reset by returning it to your hand. The commander’s damage is tracked throughout the entire game, regardless of its location.
10. Does commander damage apply in 1v1 Commander games?
Yes, the commander damage rule is the same in both multiplayer and 1v1 Commander games. If a player takes 21 or more combat damage from a single commander, they lose.
11. Does “loss of life” count as commander damage?
No, loss of life and damage are two separate concepts in Magic: The Gathering. Only combat damage dealt by a commander counts towards the commander damage total.
12. Is there a way to prevent commander damage?
Yes, standard damage prevention and redirection effects can prevent or redirect commander damage. Cards like Fog, Protection from creatures, and damage redirection spells can all be used to mitigate the impact of a commander attack.
13. Can my commander deal commander damage if it has been turned into a non-creature?
No. To deal combat damage, your commander must be a creature. If it has been transformed into a non-creature permanent (like an artifact or enchantment), it cannot deal combat damage, and therefore cannot deal commander damage.
14. What happens if I control multiple commanders?
The commander damage is still tracked individually. Any one opponent needs to take at least 21 combat damage from one of your commanders to lose. The game doesn’t add the damage dealt by both commanders together, unless they merge into one another, say by the “Meld” mechanic.
15. What is Rule 0 in commander and how does it affect commander damage?
Rule 0 is the idea that the players at the table can agree to alter or ignore certain rules in the game. This could even mean changing how commander damage is tracked, though it is rare. Be sure to discuss any potential changes to game rules before the game begins. Education researchers have begun to study the game of Magic: The Gathering, and its effect on players. You can learn more at the Games Learning Society website.
Understanding the intricacies of commander damage is key to navigating the Commander format effectively. While tokens might look and act like your commander, they lack that crucial “commander” property, and their damage won’t bring your opponents closer to defeat by commander damage. Focus on your actual commander, protect it, and use it strategically to claim victory!