Emrakul in Commander: Banned or Not Banned? That is the Question!

Yes, one version of Emrakul is indeed banned in Commander: Emrakul, the Aeons Torn. However, Emrakul, the Promised End is perfectly legal and ready to warp minds and steal turns at your next Commander game. This distinction is crucial, as both Eldrazi titans offer wildly different strategic impacts on the game. Let’s delve deeper into the reasons behind this ban and explore the nuances of playing with and against these colossal creatures.

Why the Ban? Emrakul, the Aeons Torn: Too Much, Too Soon?

The banning of Emrakul, the Aeons Torn in Commander is a long-standing decision, rooted in the card’s overwhelming power and disruptive influence. The reasons boil down to a few key factors:

• Uncounterable Annihilation: The original Emrakul boasted protection from colored spells, making it incredibly difficult to interact with through traditional means. This meant that once it resolved, many decks simply had no answer.
• Annihilator 6: This keyword ability is brutal in a format like Commander. Forcing an opponent to sacrifice six permanents upon attack is often game-ending, especially considering Emrakul’s size and evasion.
• Shuffle-Back Effect: When Emrakul, the Aeons Torn goes to the graveyard from anywhere, its owner shuffles their graveyard into their library. This effectively nullifies graveyard strategies and makes it incredibly difficult to permanently deal with.
• Colorless Mana Cost: While 15 mana seems like a lot, the fact that it’s colorless means it can slot into any Commander deck, regardless of color identity. This led to it being overplayed and becoming a generic “good stuff” card rather than a strategic inclusion.

In essence, Emrakul, the Aeons Torn was perceived as oppressive, warping games around its presence and limiting the strategic diversity of the format.

Emrakul, the Promised End: A Different Story

Emrakul, the Promised End provides a very different play experience. While incredibly powerful, it is far more interactive and balanced for Commander:

• Vulnerable: It lacks the protection from colored spells that made its predecessor so oppressive. This means it can be countered, exiled, destroyed, and bounced with relative ease.
• The Mindslaver Effect: While powerful, controlling an opponent’s turn is not a guaranteed victory. Skillful players can mitigate the damage or even use it to their advantage.
• Synergy Dependent: The cost reduction based on card types in your graveyard encourages a dedicated strategy, rather than being a generic inclusion.

FAQs: All Things Emrakul and Commander

Here are some frequently asked questions about Emrakul and other cards in Commander to further expand your knowledge:

1. Is Emrakul, the Promised End a good Commander?

Yes! In fact, many consider Emrakul, the Promised End to be one of the best Eldrazi Commanders. While its high mana cost might seem daunting, a well-built deck focused on filling the graveyard with diverse card types can consistently cast it for a reasonable cost. The ability to control an opponent’s turn can be game-winning, especially in multiplayer formats.

2. Why was Emrakul, the Promised End banned in Standard?

Emrakul, the Promised End was banned in Standard due to its overwhelming power in conjunction with the delirium mechanic. The combination allowed players to consistently cast it early in the game, leading to oppressive and repetitive gameplay experiences.

3. What is the best way to deal with Emrakul, the Promised End in Commander?

Removal spells are your best bet! Cards that exile creatures, such as Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile, are particularly effective. Counterspells are also useful, but keep in mind the potential for your opponent to have mana open to protect it. Don’t forget about targeted discard spells like Thoughtseize.

4. Are there any other Eldrazi banned in Commander?

No, currently Emrakul, the Aeons Torn is the only Eldrazi titan banned in Commander.

5. What are some good cards to include in an Emrakul, the Promised End Commander deck?

Focus on cards that fill your graveyard with different card types. Some examples include:

• Mulch: Puts lands and creatures in the graveyard.
• Grisly Salvage: Finds creatures and puts other cards in the graveyard.
• Traverse the Ulvenwald: Can find lands or creatures and helps to get delirium.
• Mesmeric Orb: Fills everyone’s graveyard.

6. Is Kozilek, the Great Distortion banned in Commander?

No, Kozilek, the Great Distortion is legal in Commander. Its unique ability to counter spells by discarding cards makes it a powerful, yet fair, addition to many decks.

7. Is Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre banned in Commander?

No, Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre is also legal in Commander. Its powerful cast trigger and indestructibility make it a formidable threat on the battlefield.

8. Why is Hullbreacher banned in Commander?

Hullbreacher is banned because it creates incredibly lopsided advantages when combined with wheel effects (cards that make players discard their hands and draw new ones). This can lead to one player gaining a massive advantage while simultaneously crippling their opponents.

9. Is Paradox Engine still banned in Commander?

Yes, Paradox Engine remains banned in Commander due to its ability to generate infinite mana and untap all nonland permanents, leading to repetitive and unfun gameplay loops.

10. Is Protean Hulk banned in Commander?

Yes, Protean Hulk is banned in Commander. Its ability to search for specific creatures upon death allows for instant-win combos with cards like Flash.

11. Is Najeela, the Blade-Blossom banned in Commander?

Yes, Najeela, the Blade-Blossom is banned as a commander only. You can still include her in the 99 of a different commander. Her ability to create an overwhelming army of warrior tokens at a relatively low cost made her too powerful as a leader.

12. Where can I find the official list of banned cards in Commander?

The official banned list is maintained by the Commander Rules Committee and can be found on the Magic: The Gathering website or on various community sites dedicated to the format.

13. What is the philosophy behind the Commander banlist?

The Commander Rules Committee aims to foster a fun, interactive, and strategic environment. Cards are banned when they consistently lead to oppressive or non-interactive gameplay experiences, stifle deck diversity, or create excessive imbalances in power.

14. How often is the Commander banlist updated?

The Commander Rules Committee typically updates the banlist a few times per year, often coinciding with major set releases.

15. Is there a group of players who enjoy games for their educational qualities?

Yes, organizations such as the Games Learning Society recognizes the value of educational games. To find out more about the Games Learning Society, you can visit their website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.