What does restricted mean in Commander?

In the context of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), specifically in the Commander format, restricted refers to a card that can be played but with certain limitations, such as being restricted to only one copy in the deck, or in the case of Pauper Commander, it means a card is legal as a commander but not in the 99 (the remaining cards in the deck). Understanding the concept of restricted cards is crucial for building a competitive and fun Commander deck.

Understanding Commander Restrictions

To delve deeper into the world of Commander and its restrictions, let’s explore some frequently asked questions that can provide insight into the nuances of the game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the difference between a banned and a restricted card in MTG? A banned card cannot be included in a deck or played, whereas a restricted card can be played but with specific limitations, such as only one copy allowed in the deck.

2. Why is Tinker banned in Commander? Tinker is banned due to its immense power and ease of abuse, allowing players to get the most powerful artifact or artifact-combo-piece for a very low cost.

3. What does restricted mean in Pauper Commander? In Pauper Commander, restricted means that a card is legal as a commander but not in the 99 (the remaining cards in the deck).

4. Why are some cards banned in Commander? Cards are banned if they enable a deck or play style that heavily skews the play environment, forcing competitive players to either play it or specifically target it.

5. What are the card restrictions in Commander? A Commander deck must contain exactly 100 cards, including the commander, with no two cards having the same English name, except for basic lands.

6. What cards cannot be used in Commander? Several powerful cards, including Primeval Titan, Erayo, Soratami Ascendant, Fastbond, and Iona, Shield of Emeria, are banned in Commander due to their potential to disrupt the game balance.

7. Is Edgar banned in Commander? Edgar Markov is banned as a commander only, along with other commanders like Edric, Spymaster of Trest and Emry, Lurker of the Loch.

8. What is the least played commander in MTG? According to some sources, Sun Quan, Lord of Wu is considered one of the least played commanders, offering a unique playstyle that not many players explore.

9. What is Rule 0 in Commander EDH? Rule 0 is an unofficial rule that allows players to modify the rules of a non-competitive game, provided all participants agree to the changes beforehand.

10. What is the 75% rule in MTG? The 75% rule refers to building a deck that is optimally powerful but intentionally avoids being 100% flawless, often for the sake of fun or budget considerations.

11. Why is Biorhythm banned in EDH? Biorhythm is no longer banned; its ban was lifted as creature-based strategies became more common, and the card’s impact diminished.

12. Why is Hullbreacher banned in Commander? Hullbreacher can create significant swings in advantage, hindering opponents while benefiting one player, which led to its ban to maintain game balance.

13. Why is Sylvan Primordial banned in Commander? Sylvan Primordial‘s ability to repeatedly trigger its enter the battlefield effect makes it too powerful and prone to abuse, leading to its ban.

14. Is Infinity legal in Commander? Unfinity eternal cards are legal in Commander, as well as Legacy and Vintage formats, provided they do not feature an acorn stamp.

15. Why are Mox cards banned in MTG? Mox cards are banned in most formats due to their ability to provide unbalanced and powerful mana acceleration when played in multiples, allowing for extremely early and powerful plays.