Is Commander Legends Legal? Navigating the Complexities of MTG Formats
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Yes, Commander Legends cards are legal in specific formats. They are designed for and fully legal in the Commander format, as their name suggests. Additionally, cards from the Commander Legends set are legal in Eternal formats like Legacy and Vintage. Importantly, they are not legal in Standard, Pioneer, or Modern. This distinction is crucial for players to understand when building decks and participating in tournaments. This article will explore the intricacies of card legality, particularly concerning Commander Legends and related sets, and address common questions to provide a comprehensive understanding for Magic: The Gathering (MTG) enthusiasts.
Understanding Card Legality in MTG
Magic: The Gathering utilizes a complex system of format legality. Each format has its own set of rules dictating which cards can be used. Understanding these rules is essential for deck building and participating in various MTG events. Generally, card legality is determined by the set symbol printed on the card and the format specifications.
Eternal Formats
Eternal formats like Legacy, Vintage, and Commander encompass a wide range of cards from across Magic’s history. This means that most cards with a black border are generally legal, subject to individual format ban lists. This is in contrast to the more restrictive rotating formats.
Rotating Formats
Rotating formats like Standard and Pioneer only allow cards from recent sets. Standard rotates every year, and Pioneer has a more extensive range of cards but still doesn’t allow older sets. Modern has a specific start point which sets it apart from eternal or rotating formats, and only allows cards from that time period onwards. These formats are intended to keep the game fresh and dynamic.
The Role of Supplemental Sets
Supplemental sets like Commander Legends and its follow-up, Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur’s Gate, are often released outside the regular Standard rotation. This means that while they introduce new cards, those cards are generally not Standard, Pioneer or Modern legal, but they are designed for Commander and Eternal formats. They also usually impact specific formats such as pauper and have a secondary impact on formats like modern by increasing the number of cards which might get downshifted in rarity.
Commander Legends: Specifically Designed for Commander
The Commander Legends set was explicitly designed for the Commander format. This means that the new cards within the set, especially the plethora of legendary creatures and planeswalkers, were intended to be legal in Commander. These cards, along with desired reprints, often greatly impact the Commander format. The set aimed to provide a wide array of cards that are flavorful and synergistic within the multiplayer environment that is central to Commander.
Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur’s Gate
Similarly, Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur’s Gate follows the same legality principles. While it offers a blend of new cards and reprints, it’s primarily designed for Commander, Legacy, Vintage and Pauper. These cards are also not legal in Standard, Pioneer, or Modern, maintaining the precedent set by the original Commander Legends.
Commander Masters and its Legality
Commander Masters is another set that has a specific impact on card legality. It is a reprint set primarily focused on the Commander format, containing many powerful and popular cards from the past. However, similar to other supplemental sets, Commander Masters does not introduce any changes to card legality in other formats (unless there are downshifts to Common rarity, which would impact Pauper). It is legal in Commander, Legacy, and Vintage, and new cards from the Precon decks associated with the set are also legal in Pauper.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Commander Legends Legality
To further clarify the legal status of Commander Legends and related sets, here are 15 frequently asked questions:
1. Are all cards from Commander Legends legal in Commander?
Yes, all cards from the Commander Legends set are legal in the Commander format. This includes the new legendary creatures, planeswalkers, and other unique cards introduced in the set.
2. Can any legendary creature be a commander?
Generally, yes. Most legendary creatures can be used as a commander in the Commander format. Some specific legendary cards, including certain planeswalkers, also have text that enables them to be your commander.
3. Can planeswalkers be commanders?
Yes, some planeswalkers have the explicit text stating they “can be your commander”. This is an exception to the usual rule that a commander must be a legendary creature.
4. What formats are Commander Legends cards legal in?
Commander Legends cards are legal in Commander, Legacy, and Vintage formats. They are not legal in Standard, Pioneer, or Modern.
5. Is Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur’s Gate legal in Commander?
Yes, cards from Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur’s Gate are also legal in the Commander format, as well as in Legacy, Vintage and Pauper.
6. Is Dominaria United Commander legal?
Cards from the Dominaria United Commander (DMC) set are legal only in eternal formats: Commander, Legacy, and Vintage.
7. Is Dominaria Remastered Commander legal?
Dominaria Remastered cards are legal in any format where they were legal before being printed in this set. The set itself doesn’t change a card’s legality, except in draft format which allows this set.
8. Can you use cards from Commander Masters in a Legacy deck?
Yes, cards from Commander Masters are legal in Legacy, as well as Vintage and Commander, but it does not alter existing card legality for other formats.
9. Are cards from Commander Legends legal in Modern?
No, cards from Commander Legends are not legal in the Modern format. They are specifically designed for Eternal formats.
10. Is Dark Ritual legal in Commander?
Yes, Dark Ritual is legal in Commander, among other eternal formats, but it is banned in some formats as well.
11. Is Sol Ring banned in Legacy?
Yes, Sol Ring is banned in Legacy. It is restricted in Vintage (only one copy allowed) and legal in Commander.
12. Can the Prismatic Bridge be your commander?
Yes, The Prismatic Bridge can be your commander, as the card states the face up side has that ability.
13. Is Sol, Advocate Eternal legal in commander?
The specific version of Sol, Advocate Eternal mentioned in the provided text is not legal for constructed play due to its non-standard back.
14. Is Commander Masters overpriced?
While not officially labeled as a “premium” product, Commander Masters is priced higher than some other sets, leading many players to feel it’s overpriced.
15. What are the specific banned cards in Commander?
Commander has a specific ban list, which includes cards that reference “playing for ante” and any cards deemed racially or culturally offensive. You should always check the current banlist before a play session.
Conclusion
Understanding card legality is a critical aspect of playing Magic: The Gathering. Commander Legends and related sets are primarily designed for and legal in Commander, Legacy, Vintage and pauper, but excluded from Standard, Pioneer and Modern. By understanding these format distinctions and referring to the FAQ, players can confidently build decks and participate in tournaments.