Is Vial Smasher Banned in Commander? A Deep Dive
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The quick answer is no, Vial Smasher the Fierce is not banned in the Commander format. It is, however, banned as a commander in the Duel Commander format. This distinction is crucial for players engaging with various Magic: The Gathering (MTG) formats. While you can’t lead a Duel Commander deck with Vial Smasher, it is perfectly legal to include it in the 99 of your regular Commander decks. This article will explore the intricacies of Vial Smasher’s legality, its unique mechanics, and common questions surrounding its use in the Commander format.
Why the Confusion?
The confusion surrounding Vial Smasher’s ban likely stems from its unique history. Initially, there was a rule that certain cards were “banned as a commander” but were otherwise legal within the 99 of your deck, but that rule was changed due to the technical limitations of Magic Online. Vial Smasher was one of those cards banned as a Commander in 1v1 formats, while legal in the 99. This change has made it legal to play in Commander, as mentioned before.
Vial Smasher’s powerful ability to deal random damage whenever you cast a spell has made it a potent card in multiplayer Commander games, often drawing the ire of opponents. However, this does not justify banning it in Commander format, where its effect isn’t broken. Let’s dive into more details about its abilities and how it functions within the game.
Vial Smasher’s Unique Abilities
Vial Smasher the Fierce is a legendary Goblin Berserker from the Commander 2016 set, with a color identity of black and red. Its key ability reads: “Whenever you cast your first spell each turn, Vial Smasher the Fierce deals damage equal to that spell’s converted mana cost to a randomly chosen opponent.”
Here are a few important aspects of this ability:
- First Spell Only: Vial Smasher’s ability only triggers on the very first spell you cast each turn, not subsequent ones.
- Random Target: The damage is dealt to a randomly chosen opponent, adding an element of unpredictability.
- Converted Mana Cost: The damage dealt is equal to the converted mana cost (CMC) of the spell you cast, meaning bigger spells mean bigger damage.
- Trigger Timing: Vial Smasher’s triggered ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger.
- Planeswalker Damage: Vial Smasher can optionally damage any planeswalker that player controls.
These factors make Vial Smasher a powerful and somewhat volatile card that can influence the game significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Vial Smasher and its relevance within the Commander format:
1. Does Vial Smasher Count as Commander Damage?
No, Vial Smasher’s ability does not count as commander damage. Commander damage is defined only as combat damage dealt by your commander to an opponent. Vial Smasher’s triggered ability is not combat damage. Abilities like those of Nekusar, the Mindrazer, and Kaervek the Merciless also do not count as commander damage.
2. Can Vial Smasher Hit Planeswalkers?
Yes, Vial Smasher the Fierce, can optionally damage any planeswalker that player controls, instead of hitting the opponent.
3. Does Vial Smasher Trigger Itself?
No, If that spell is Vial Smasher itself, Vial Smasher’s ability can’t trigger.
4. What is the 21 Commander Damage Rule?
A player loses the game if they have been dealt 21 or more combat damage by the same commander throughout the game. This damage is tracked even if the commander changes zones or control.
5. Can Copying a Commander Count as Commander Damage?
No, Commander-ness is an aspect of a physical card. Copied commanders don’t retain this aspect, and their damage doesn’t count towards commander damage.
6. Why is Braids, Cabal Minion Banned as a Commander?
Braids, Cabal Minion is banned because her effect is extremely powerful in the early game. She effectively prevents people from playing the game if she isn’t removed quickly, making her problematic as a commander.
7. Why is Erayo, Soratami Ascendant Banned as a Commander?
Erayo, Soratami Ascendant is banned for similar reasons to Braids. Her flip side is extremely powerful and can lock opponents out of the game, especially in multiplayer formats, where triggering her flip condition is very likely.
8. Why is Hullbreacher Banned in Commander?
Hullbreacher is banned because it generates absurd card advantage and treasure tokens by forcing opponents to discard their hands when they draw cards. If you cast Wheel of Fortune with it, you gain a ton of treasures and refill your hand, while your opponents are left with no cards.
9. Why is Emrakul, the Aeons Torn Banned in Commander?
Emrakul, the Aeons Torn is banned because she is too powerful not to be included in every deck. She is a powerful card with a lot of extra effects that would make her a “must have”. The format was never meant for those type of cards.
10. Can Planeswalkers Deal Commander Damage?
Normally, planeswalkers cannot deal commander damage because they cannot attack as creatures. However, this is now possible thanks to cards like Luxior, Giada’s Gift, which can turn planeswalkers into creatures, allowing them to deal combat damage.
11. Is Everything Legal in Commander?
No, not everything is legal. Commander is an eternal format where everything is legal, except Silver-bordered or Acorn cards and cards on the banned list.
12. Why is Gifts Ungiven Banned While Intuition is Not?
Gifts Ungiven is banned because it can manipulate the graveyard by choosing not to search for all four cards. This provides it with a “double Entomb” function, which Intuition does not have.
13. Can Deathtouch One-Shot Planeswalkers?
No, deathtouch only affects creatures. A deathtouch source dealing damage to a planeswalker does not destroy the planeswalker. The planeswalker simply loses loyalty equal to the damage dealt.
14. Can You Give a Planeswalker Indestructible?
Giving a planeswalker indestructible will only prevent it from being destroyed by damage. It will not stop the planeswalker from going to the graveyard if it has zero loyalty, nor will it prevent it from losing loyalty when it takes damage.
15. Does Wrath of God Destroy Planeswalkers?
No, Wrath of God only destroys creatures. It does not affect planeswalkers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Vial Smasher the Fierce may be banned as a commander in Duel Commander, it remains a legal and influential card in the 99 of Commander decks. Its ability to deal random damage whenever you cast your first spell is both powerful and unpredictable, making it a unique choice in the format. Understanding its nuances and interactions, as well as the broader rules of Commander, will help players make the most of their strategies. Always be sure to check the latest banlist updates from the official Commander Rules Committee to keep up with any changes.