What happens when your commander dies?
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When your Commander dies, it goes to the graveyard, and before either player would receive priority and triggers are placed on the stack, the owner may choose to put it into the Command Zone. This process allows the Commander to be sent to the Command Zone as a state-based action, ensuring that abilities that trigger when a creature dies or is exiled work as normal, but the Commander will still end up in the Command Zone.
Understanding Commander Death and Related Concepts
To delve deeper into the intricacies of what happens when a Commander dies, let’s explore some key concepts and frequently asked questions that provide insight into the Commander format and its unique rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Commander Tax?
The Commander Tax is an additional cost of {2} for each previous time the player casting it has cast it from the Command Zone that game.
2. Can You Put Your Commander in Your Hand?
The only time you can choose to put your Commander into your hand is if a card says “return card to a player’s hand.”
3. Do You Have to Return Your Commander to the Command Zone?
If a Commander would move to its owner’s Hand or Library, its owner can send it to the Command Zone instead, as a Replacement effect.
4. Can Your Commander Go to the Graveyard?
If your Commander moves to the Graveyard or Exile, you may choose to put it into the Command Zone as a state-based action upon it entering said zone.
5. Is a Commander a Permanent?
A Commander is considered a permanent on the battlefield, but it has unique rules regarding its Command Zone.
6. What is Commander Rule 11?
Commander Rule 11 specifies that the only cards that are allowed to be brought in from outside the game are Companions.
7. Can You Lose to Commander Damage from Your Own Commander?
Yes, you can lose the game if you take 21 or more damage from your own Commander.
8. Can You Have a Copy of Your Commander in Your Deck?
No, having a copy of your Commander in your deck is not allowed, as it can create unfair tracking issues.
9. What is Rule 0 in Commander?
Rule 0 refers to decks that break the normal rules of the game and require permission from the table to allow them.
10. Can You Sacrifice Your Commander?
Yes, you can absolutely sacrifice a Commander.
11. Can You Permanently Destroy a Commander?
While a Commander can be destroyed, its owner can often return it to the Command Zone, making permanent destruction challenging.
12. Does Your Commander Count Towards the 100-Card Deck Limit?
Yes, your Commander is included in the 100-card limit, leaving 99 cards for the rest of your deck.
13. Do You Pay Commander Tax from Hand?
No, the Commander Tax only applies when recasting from the Command Zone, not when casting from your hand.
14. How Much Life Does a 2-Player Commander Game Start With?
A 2-player Commander game starts with each player at 20 life.
15. What is the 21 Damage Commander Rule?
A player loses the game if they have been dealt 21 or more combat damage by the same Commander over the course of the game.