Is Negan Legal in Commander? The Definitive Answer
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Yes, Negan from The Walking Dead Secret Lair drop is legal in Commander. This might come as a surprise to some, especially given the unique nature of Secret Lair releases, but the Rules Committee has explicitly stated that Negan, the Cold-Blooded and other cards from the set are legal in the format. The decision stems from the fact that Negan is portrayed as a clear villain and his card design doesn’t glorify his actions, making him eligible for Commander play despite his unusual origin.
Commander Legality: A Deeper Dive
The Commander format, also known as Elder Dragon Highlander (EDH), boasts an incredibly wide-reaching card pool. Every Magic: The Gathering set ever printed is generally considered legal, except for a few notable exceptions. These exceptions include cards from “Un-” sets (with silver borders or Acorn stamps, considered joke cards), and those specifically banned by the Commander Rules Committee.
Negan’s Path to Legality
Initially, there was some discussion about potentially banning Negan specifically, due to the character’s violent nature. The Rules Committee considered the ethical implications of allowing a character with such a dark backstory to be represented in the game. However, they ultimately determined that the card design itself doesn’t glorify Negan’s actions; he’s a villain in-game as he is in the source material.
The committee’s rationale centered on the distinction between a character’s lore and the card’s mechanics. As long as a card isn’t mechanically broken or promotes harmful gameplay patterns, it is generally eligible for Commander, provided it is printed with a black border. This means Negan, the Cold-Blooded is fully within the rules of Commander, ready to lead your deck or be a brutal inclusion in your 99.
Negan in Your Commander Deck
So, what does this mean for you? It means that if you’ve acquired Negan, the Cold-Blooded, you can include him as either a commander or in the 99 of your existing or new deck. He can be used to lead your deck, as he is a legendary creature. Negan’s design is aggressive, reflecting his personality from The Walking Dead, making him a powerful option in certain strategies.
While he may not be the most powerful commander choice, he offers a flavorful and engaging experience, especially if you’re a fan of the series or looking for an unusual deck building challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are The Walking Dead Secret Lair cards legal in Commander?
Yes, all cards from The Walking Dead Secret Lair drop, including Negan, the Cold-Blooded, are legal in the Commander format. They are not considered silver-bordered or acorn stamped cards and do not violate any format legality rules.
2. What card sets are legal in Commander?
Every Magic: The Gathering set ever printed, since the game’s beginning, is legal in the Commander format, excluding those with silver borders, Acorn stamps, and those cards on the Commander banlist.
3. Is Field of the Dead banned in Commander?
Yes, Field of the Dead is banned in the Commander format.
4. Is Time Walk banned in Commander?
Yes, Time Walk is a restricted card, which effectively means it is banned in Commander.
5. Are there any cards banned from Eldraine in Commander?
No, no cards from the Eldraine set itself are banned in Commander. However, some reprints from Wilds of Eldraine’s “Enchanting Tales” bonus sheet are banned in the Historic format on MTG Arena, but that does not impact Commander.
6. Is Braids banned in Commander?
Yes, Braids, Cabal Minion was deemed too powerful for a commander and is banned due to its potential to effectively prevent players from being able to play the game.
7. Can I build a cEDH (competitive EDH) deck around Negan?
While possible, Negan, the Cold-Blooded is not typically seen as a top-tier commander for cEDH. His aggressive design might find some niche applications, but he is not among the most powerful options in a highly competitive environment.
8. Are Mox cards banned in Commander?
Most Mox cards, like Mox Sapphire, Mox Ruby, etc., are banned in Commander due to their excessive power and mana acceleration. However, not all cards with the term Mox are banned, and some are legal in Commander.
9. Is Mystic Sanctuary banned in Commander?
Yes, Mystic Sanctuary is banned in the Commander format.
10. Is Skullclamp banned in Commander?
No, Skullclamp is not banned in Commander. It’s a powerful value card, but not considered broken in the format.
11. What other powerful cards are banned in Commander?
Some notable cards banned in Commander include Primeval Titan, Erayo, Soratami Ascendant, Fastbond, Karakas, Tolarian Academy, Hullbreacher, Iona, Shield of Emeria, and Leovold, Emissary of Trest.
12. Are Unfinity cards legal in Commander?
Yes, Unfinity eternal cards, meaning those with black borders, are legal in Commander, Legacy, and Vintage formats. Common rarity Unfinity cards are also legal in Pauper.
13. Why is Sylvan Primordial banned in Commander?
Sylvan Primordial is banned in Commander due to its powerful “enter the battlefield” (ETB) ability, which is easily abused when it is recurred.
14. Are there any cards with the word “moon” banned in Commander?
While Blood Moon itself is not banned in Commander, its power and effect on mana bases can create oppressive games. However, it is a legal card in Commander.
15. Is Hullbreacher banned in Commander?
Yes, Hullbreacher has been banned in Commander due to its powerful and disruptive effects.