Is Emrakul, the Promised End Banned in Commander?
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The short answer is no, Emrakul, the Promised End is not currently banned in the Commander (EDH) format. While this powerful Eldrazi titan has certainly made waves in the Magic: The Gathering community, and its effect can be game-changing, it remains a legal card for Commander decks. However, the situation surrounding Emrakul and the Commander banlist can be nuanced, so let’s delve deeper into the topic, exploring why this particular card isn’t on the ban list and addressing related concerns.
Understanding the Eldrazi and Commander Bans
Before discussing Emrakul, the Promised End specifically, it’s important to understand the general context of Eldrazi cards in Commander and why some have been banned. There are several Eldrazi that are very powerful, and some have proven too disruptive or overwhelmingly powerful for the multiplayer environment. However, not every powerful card is banned. The Commander Rules Committee is responsible for maintaining the ban list, aiming to promote a fun and balanced gaming experience. Their primary goals are to avoid cards that are overwhelmingly powerful, unfun to play against, or create repetitive, undesirable gameplay patterns.
Emrakul, the Aeons Torn vs. Emrakul, the Promised End
It’s vital to make a distinction: there are two major versions of Emrakul, each with drastically different abilities. Emrakul, the Aeons Torn is banned in Commander. This version boasts protection from colored spells, annihilator 6, and the ability to take an extra turn when cast. It is, by general consensus, the most powerful of all Eldrazi titans. On the other hand, Emrakul, the Promised End is legal in Commander. While powerful, the reason this card isn’t on the ban list comes down to its unique characteristics and gameplay impact. Emrakul the Promised End reduces cost for card types in your graveyard, and gives control of a target player during their next turn. This is obviously very strong, but not as overpowering as the Aeons Torn version.
Why is Emrakul, the Promised End Not Banned?
Several reasons contribute to Emrakul, the Promised End’s legality in Commander:
- Higher Casting Cost & Setup: While its casting cost is technically reduced by graveyard card types, the actual cost to reliably cast Emrakul, the Promised End can be high, often requiring significant setup and graveyard management. This puts more of a limitation on it as compared to its Aeons Torn counterpart.
- Single-Turn Control: The most potent aspect of Emrakul, the Promised End is the ability to take control of an opponent’s next turn. While powerful, this effect is temporary, unlike the repeatable extra turns and annihilator of Emrakul, the Aeons Torn.
- Counterplay Options: Unlike some banned cards, there are many viable ways to interact with Emrakul, the Promised End. Counterspells can stop it being cast in the first place, and its ability to take control of an opponent can be mitigated by having instant speed options, or by simply letting the player take their turn, and using it in a mostly harmless way.
- Not Consistently Game-Ending: While taking an opponent’s turn is a major advantage, it doesn’t automatically win the game. The player using the spell has to try and use the opponent’s hand, library, lands, and board state, which often doesn’t lead to a lethal attack. This differs from the “instant win” potential often associated with banned cards.
- Risk of Backfire: It’s important to note that taking control of an opponent’s turn does have some risks. If you make a poor decision, it can be to the benefit of other players at the table, and you can’t control what the opponent will draw, so it is not a fully controlled turn.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide additional clarity on the subject of Emrakul and its role in Commander:
1. What is the key difference between Emrakul, the Aeons Torn and Emrakul, the Promised End?
The key difference is that Emrakul, the Aeons Torn is banned in Commander due to its game-ending abilities, while Emrakul, the Promised End is legal. Their actual effects are also very different, with the former giving extra turns and annihilator, and the latter giving control of an opponent for a turn.
2. Why is Emrakul, the Aeons Torn banned in Commander?
It’s banned because its protection, extra turn, and annihilator abilities are simply too powerful and disruptive in the Commander format, leading to swift and often unfun game endings.
3. If multiple players cast Emrakul, the Promised End, what happens?
If multiple players cast Emrakul, the Promised End and target the same opponent, each ability will resolve separately, giving each caster an extra turn controlling the targeted player.
4. What if the targeted player loses during the stolen turn?
If the targeted player loses the game while you control their turn, no additional turn is created as the control effect ceases once the player is out of the game.
5. What are some of the cards banned in Commander and why?
Some banned cards include Primeval Titan, Iona, Shield of Emeria, and Leovold, Emissary of Trest. They were banned for being overwhelmingly powerful or unfun to play against, often leading to unbalanced gameplay.
6. What is the role of the Commander Rules Committee?
The Commander Rules Committee is responsible for maintaining the ban list and making decisions that promote a healthy and enjoyable Commander format.
7. Is Emrakul, the Promised End the strongest Eldrazi?
No, Emrakul, the Aeons Torn is widely considered the strongest Eldrazi due to its power, abilities, and general ability to quickly end games. Emrakul, the Promised End is very powerful, but not to the same degree.
8. Why is Braids, Cabal Minion banned?
Braids is banned as a Commander for her ability to significantly slow down opponents in the early game. If not removed early, she makes it difficult for anyone to play anything, locking people out of the game.
9. Can Emrakul be blocked?
Yes, Emrakul can be blocked. If it isn’t blocked, it simply won’t deal combat damage.
10. Can Oblivion Ring exile Emrakul?
Yes, Oblivion Ring can exile Emrakul. Oblivion Ring’s triggered ability is not a targeted ability, meaning it can bypass any protection from targeting.
11. Is Sundering Titan banned in Commander?
Yes, Sundering Titan is banned due to its powerful effect when repeatedly blinked, flickered, or reanimated, allowing for easy abuse.
12. Are Eldrazi stronger than Phyrexians?
While a matter of debate, many believe Eldrazi to be stronger due to their reality-warping abilities and the plane-level destruction they cause. Phyrexians can be very dangerous as well, especially on the plane where they have more power, but they are not as destructive as the Eldrazi.
13. Why is Sylvan Primordial banned?
Sylvan Primordial is banned because its ability to destroy lands is too easy to abuse by repeatedly blinking or reanimating it, and because of its ability to destroy any non-creature permanent.
14. Why is Yawgmoth’s Bargain banned?
Yawgmoth’s Bargain is banned because it’s too powerful for its mana cost, allowing a player to draw tons of cards very quickly by paying life, and is an upgraded version of Necropotence, another very powerful card.
15. Why was Emrakul originally sealed away?
Emrakul was sealed away on Zendikar by three planeswalkers: Ugin, Sorin Markov, and Nahiri. They did this in order to prevent the Eldrazi from devouring more planes.
Conclusion
While the power of Eldrazi titans is undeniable, it’s important to understand the specific differences between them. While Emrakul, the Aeons Torn is deemed too powerful for Commander and is banned, Emrakul, the Promised End currently remains legal due to its higher casting cost, single-turn effect, counterplay options, lack of consistent game ending ability, and potential for backfire. Understanding why certain cards are banned while others remain legal provides a deeper appreciation for the balancing act involved in maintaining a healthy Commander format. Remember, the ultimate goal is to ensure a fun and fair gaming experience for all players.