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Commander Tax and Partner Commanders: A Comprehensive Guide

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Yes, commander tax applies to partner commanders. However, the tax is applied separately to each partner. Think of it like having two individual commanders, each with their own tax history. Each time you cast a partner from the command zone, its individual commander tax increases by {2}.

Let’s dive deeper into the specifics of how this works and address some common questions surrounding partner commanders and the dreaded commander tax.

Understanding Partner Commanders

What are Partner Commanders?

The partner ability allows you to have two legendary creatures as your commander, instead of just one. This offers a unique deckbuilding experience and strategic depth. Cards can have “Partner,” meaning they can partner with any other card with “Partner,” or “Partner with [Name]”, meaning they can only partner with the specifically named card. “Friends Forever” acts as the “Partner” keyword but is incompatible with the “Partner” keyword.

How Does Color Identity Work with Partners?

Your deck’s color identity is determined by the combined color identity of both partner commanders. This means you need to include all colors present in either commander’s mana cost or rules text. For example, if one partner is a mono-white creature and the other is a blue-black creature, your deck’s color identity is white, blue, and black (Esper).

Commander Tax Mechanics with Partners

Individual Taxation is Key

The crucial thing to remember is that the commander tax is tracked individually for each partner. If you cast one partner from the command zone once, it will cost {2} more the next time you cast it. The other partner, however, will still cost its normal mana cost until you cast it from the command zone.

Practical Example

Let’s say you have Kraum, Ludevic’s Opus and Vial Smasher the Fierce as your partner commanders.

You initially cast Kraum for its mana cost.
Kraum dies and goes to the command zone. The next time you cast Kraum, it costs {2} more.
Vial Smasher is still in the command zone. When you cast Vial Smasher for the first time, it costs its normal mana cost, unaffected by Kraum’s tax.
Vial Smasher dies and goes to the command zone. The next time you cast Vial Smasher, it now has a tax of {2} added to its casting cost.

Commander Damage with Partners

Separate Damage Tracking

Just like the commander tax, commander damage is tracked separately for each partner. To defeat an opponent with commander damage, you must deal 21 or more combat damage with a single partner, not a combination of both. If Kraum deals 15 combat damage and Vial Smasher deals 6 combat damage, your opponent hasn’t lost due to commander damage. They must receive 21 damage from either Kraum or Vial Smasher.

Effects Targeting “Your Commander”

If a card effect refers to “your Commander,” you get to choose which partner it applies to. This adds a layer of strategic decision-making, allowing you to maximize the benefit of certain spells and abilities.

FAQs: Partner Commanders and Commander Tax

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of commander tax and partner commanders:

Can I designate any two legendary creatures as my commander? No. Only legendary creatures with the partner ability (either “Partner” or “Partner with [Name]”) can be designated as your commander.
If one of my partner commanders leaves the battlefield, does the tax on the other one reset? No. The commander tax is tracked individually and does not reset when the other partner leaves the battlefield.
Does “Partner with” work the same as “Partner”? No. “Partner with [Name]” means the card can only partner with the specifically named card. “Partner” means it can partner with any other card that has “Partner.”
Can I use backgrounds with partner commanders? Yes. Backgrounds can be used in the command zone if a commander has “Choose a Background” ability. Think of it like “Partner” but with enchantments.
If I blink one of my partner commanders, does it reset the commander tax? No. The commander tax is associated with casting the commander from the command zone, not with the commander entering or leaving the battlefield.
Can my opponent steal one of my partner commanders? Yes, your opponent can steal one or both of your partner commanders.
Does commander tax apply if I cast my commander without paying its mana cost? No. If you cast a commander “without paying its mana cost” (e.g., through cascade or a spell like “Elvish Piper”), you do not have to pay the commander tax, and casting it this way doesn’t increase the tax for future castings from the command zone. However, any mandatory costs must still be paid.
Can I reduce the commander tax with cost reduction effects? Yes. Cost reduction effects, like those from cards with affinity, are applied after the commander tax is added.
Does Yuriko, the Tiger’s Shadow’s ninjutsu ability trigger commander tax? No. Activating Yuriko’s commander ninjutsu ability isn’t the same as casting Yuriko as a spell.
If I cast a partner commander from my hand instead of the command zone, does it still increase the commander tax? No. The commander tax only increases when you cast a commander from the command zone. Casting it from your hand (after it’s been returned there, for example) doesn’t affect the tax.
If I sacrifice one partner, can I return both partners to the command zone? No. Only the partner that would leave the battlefield (in this case, through being sacrificed) can be returned to the command zone. The other partner remains where it is (usually on the battlefield).
If I have to discard a card and choose to discard one of my commanders, can I put it into the command zone instead? No. The replacement effect of putting a commander into the command zone only applies when it would leave the battlefield from the battlefield, meaning it would be put into the graveyard or exile from the battlefield.
Can I have a companion in a partner commander deck? Yes, you can, but your companion must adhere to your combined commanders color identity and cannot be in your deck as a creature.
If an effect says to “sacrifice a commander”, do I have to sacrifice both of my partners? No, you only sacrifice one of your partner commanders. You choose which one to sacrifice.
Where can I learn more about game rules and the social aspects of gaming? One great resource is the Games Learning Society, an organization dedicated to exploring the intersection of games and education. You can visit their website at GamesLearningSociety.org to discover a wealth of information on game design, game-based learning, and the social impact of games.

Conclusion

Partner commanders offer a dynamic and versatile approach to deckbuilding in Commander. While managing two separate mana costs and commander tax burdens can be challenging, the strategic possibilities they unlock are well worth the effort. Remember the key takeaways: each partner is taxed individually, damage is tracked separately, and “your Commander” effects let you choose which partner benefits. By mastering these rules, you’ll be well-equipped to dominate the battlefield with your dynamic duo!