Navigating the Commander Tax Labyrinth: A Two-Headed Approach
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So, you’re diving into the wonderful world of Magic: The Gathering’s Commander format with not one, but two commanders? Excellent choice! It adds a layer of strategic complexity that can be incredibly rewarding. However, before you unleash your dynamic duo on unsuspecting opponents, you need to understand the nuances of the commander tax when you have two commanders, particularly those with the Partner ability or use Backgrounds.
The straightforward answer: Commander tax applies individually to each commander. That means each time you cast a specific commander from the command zone, the cost to cast that commander increases by {2}. The number of times you’ve cast one commander has absolutely no effect on the cost of the other. Think of them as two separate entities managing their own budgets, completely independently from one another.
Deeper Dive: The Mechanics of Partner Commanders and Commander Tax
The key to understanding this is recognizing that the game treats each commander separately for the purposes of the commander tax. The “commander tax” is an additional cost of {2} for each prior time that specific commander has been cast from the command zone that game by the same player.
Let’s illustrate with an example:
You have Esika, God of the Tree // The Prismatic Bridge, and Rograkh, Son of Rohgahh as your two commanders.
- You cast Esika for her initial cost of 5 mana.
- Rograkh is cast for his initial cost of zero mana.
- Esika is removed. When you want to cast Esika again, you need to pay 5 mana + {2} (the commander tax).
- Rograkh is removed. When you want to cast Rograkh again, you need to pay zero mana + {2} (the commander tax).
- If Esika is removed again, you’ll need to pay 5 mana + {4} (the commander tax).
- If Rograkh is removed again, you’ll need to pay zero mana + {4} (the commander tax).
This independence is vital for deckbuilding and gameplay decisions. You can plan around recasting one commander more frequently than the other, depending on your strategy, without impacting the cost of the other.
Strategies for Managing Two Commanders and the Tax
Having two commanders opens up a world of strategic possibilities. Here’s how to make the most of it, keeping the commander tax in mind:
- Diversify Your Mana Curve: Aim for commanders with different mana costs. This allows you to deploy threats at various stages of the game. One commander might be your early game enabler, while the other is your late-game powerhouse.
- Utilize Cost Reduction Effects: Cards like “Herald of Secret Streams” that reduce creature costs can offset the commander tax. Explore cards with affinity, or abilities that synergize with your overall strategy to effectively lower the cost of recasting your commanders.
- Protect Your Commanders: Prevention is better than cure. Invest in spells and abilities that provide protection from removal, such as “Swiftfoot Boots” or “Darksteel Plate”. Keeping your commanders on the battlefield minimizes the need to recast them from the command zone.
- Capitalize on Commander Abilities: Some commanders’ abilities trigger when they enter the battlefield. Recasting them can be a strategic advantage, even with the commander tax. Consider commanders with effects that are worth the extra mana.
- Embrace the Long Game: Two commanders often allow for more resilient and synergistic decks. Focus on building a board presence and generating value over time, making the commander tax less of a burden.
Commander Tax and Partner Commanders: FAQs
Still have questions swimming around in your head? Here’s a breakdown of frequently asked questions about the commander tax and multiple commanders.
How does the commander tax work with Esika, God of the Tree // The Prismatic Bridge?
Esika, God of the Tree, and it’s backside, The Prismatic Bridge, are considered the same card, and only one of them can be on the battlefield at a time. The commander tax applies the first time you cast Esika from the command zone, and the additional cost increases as the commander is put back in the command zone.
Do partner commanders count as one card for deck size?
No. Partner commanders count as two cards for the purpose of building your deck. You’ll have 98 cards in the main deck in addition to the two commanders to make the 100 card minimum.
If I copy my commander, does the copy deal commander damage?
No. Commander-ness is tied to the physical card. While the copy will have all the abilities and characteristics of your commander, it will not deal commander damage.
Does commander tax apply if I cast my commander from my hand?
No, the commander tax only applies when you cast a commander from the command zone. If a card like Command Beacon puts your commander into your hand, you can cast it from there without paying the tax.
Can I use proliferate to increase the commander tax?
No. Proliferate only affects counters. The commander tax is an additional cost, not a counter.
Can I reduce the commander tax using cards like “Sapphire Medallion”?
Yes! Cost reduction effects are applied after cost increases like the commander tax.
Does commander damage reset if my commander is exiled and returns?
No. Commander damage is tracked across zone changes. The damage dealt by a commander persists even if it’s exiled, returned to the command zone, or even controlled by another player temporarily.
If my commander is stolen, does my opponent pay the commander tax?
Yes, but only if they are casting it from the command zone. If they control your commander and it is sent to a graveyard, then they get to choose whether or not to send the commander back to the command zone. If the commander is cast from their command zone, then yes, they pay for the commander tax.
Can I permanently remove a commander from the game?
While extremely difficult, there are theoretical ways, often involving taking control of an opponent’s commander and then causing it to phase out using cards like “Vanishing” to achieve permanent removal.
What happens if my commander is countered?
You, as the owner of the commander, get to choose whether it goes to the graveyard or back to the command zone. If you choose the command zone, the commander tax increases.
Does commander tax apply to Backgrounds attached to my commander?
Yes, the commander tax applies separately to your Background, if it’s your commander partner.
What is the commander damage rule?
A player loses the game if they have been dealt 21 or more combat damage by the same commander over the course of the game.
Can my own commander deal commander damage to me?
Yes, it’s possible (though unusual) for your own commander to deal commander damage to you. If you’re playing a strategy that involves sacrificing or damaging your own creatures, you could theoretically lose the game to your own commander.
What is Rule 0 in Commander?
Rule 0 is the unofficial rule that allows players to discuss and agree on modifications to the standard rules of a Commander game before it begins. This can include allowing banned cards, custom cards, or house rules.
Where can I learn more about Commander and game-based learning?
The Games Learning Society is a great resource for information on game-based learning, including the strategic and social aspects of games like Magic: The Gathering. You can find them at GamesLearningSociety.org and https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Navigating the commander tax with two commanders requires strategic thinking and careful deck construction. However, mastering these nuances can lead to incredibly rewarding and diverse gameplay experiences. So, embrace the challenge, experiment with different commander combinations, and unleash the full potential of your two-headed monster on the Commander battlefield!