What Is Legal in Commander from Unfinity?

The answer is surprisingly straightforward, yet nuanced: Unfinity cards without an acorn-shaped security stamp at the bottom are legal in the Commander format. This means that if a card from Unfinity has the standard oval holofoil stamp, it’s good to go in your Commander decks, provided it isn’t otherwise banned. Conversely, cards bearing the acorn stamp are considered “acorn cards” and are not legal for play in Commander or any other eternal format (Legacy, Vintage, and Pauper in the case of common rarity).

This represents a significant shift for “Un-sets.” While past “Un-sets” like Unglued and Unhinged were designed purely for casual play and featured silver borders that prevented them from being format legal, Unfinity breaks the mold. Wizards of the Coast introduced the acorn stamp as a clear delineator, allowing some cards to be enjoyed in casual formats while others can legally join the ranks of your Commander decks. This is exciting for players looking for fresh, flavorful additions to their strategies, and it’s vital to understand the criteria for legality.

Understanding the Unfinity Legality

To fully grasp what Unfinity brings to Commander, we need to delve a bit deeper into the specifics. The core principle is the acorn stamp: presence of an acorn stamp indicates that the card breaks fundamental rules of Magic: The Gathering and is therefore not intended for tournament or other similarly serious play.

Key Differentiators: Acorn vs. Oval Stamp

• Oval Holofoil Stamp: This is the standard security stamp found on most Magic cards. If an Unfinity card has this stamp, it’s legal in Commander, Legacy, and Vintage, adhering to the ban lists of those formats.

• Acorn-Shaped Stamp: This stamp is the signal that the card is not legal in eternal formats such as Commander. The acorn is a quick and easy visual indicator.

What this means in the Commander environment:

• You can build with creatures that have innovative and unique abilities without breaking any rules.
• You can’t use any card that instructs you to do something illegal in a normal game of Magic.
• You can incorporate some of the crazy attractions and stickers and add them to your game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help you navigate the legality of Unfinity cards in Commander:

1. Are all basic lands from Unfinity legal in Commander?

Yes, all the basic lands from Unfinity, including the planetary and orbital space-ic lands, are legal in Commander as they do not have the acorn stamp. They function as regular basic lands, adding a unique aesthetic to your mana base.

2. What about the Shocklands found in Unfinity boosters? Are they legal?

Yes, the borderless Shocklands found in Unfinity boosters are legal in Commander. These are reprints of existing, already legal cards and are therefore permitted, provided they have the regular holofoil stamp.

3. How do stickers work in Commander?

The ability to utilize stickers is one of Unfinity’s unique aspects. You can place stickers on your own nonland permanents on the battlefield, granting them new abilities or modifying their power and toughness. Note that you cannot place stickers on opponents’ permanents.

4. Are Attractions legal in Commander?

Yes, Attractions from Unfinity are legal in Commander if they have a standard holofoil stamp. You visit Attractions by rolling a six-sided die at the beginning of your first main phase, and if the result matches a lit-up number on an Attraction you control, its visit ability triggers.

5. What happens if an Unfinity card instructs me to do something that’s against Commander rules?

The general ruling here is that you simply cannot perform the illegal action. Commander rules always take precedence. So, if a card tells you to target multiple players when a spell can only target one, you would target only one player.

6. Can I use cards from previous “Un-sets” (Unglued, Unhinged, Unstable) if they are reprinted in Unfinity without the acorn stamp?

Yes, but it’s important to verify that the new print does not have an acorn stamp. If the card is reprinted with the standard holofoil stamp, it becomes legal in Commander, overriding its previous silver-bordered status.

7. How does the Commander ban list interact with Unfinity cards?

The standard Commander ban list still applies. Even if an Unfinity card has the standard holofoil stamp, it’s not legal if it’s on the Commander ban list. Always check the latest ban list before including new cards in your deck.

8. Can I use the Tickets from Unfinity in my Commander decks?

Yes, Tickets are counters and can be used to pay costs associated with sticker abilities. You can even proliferate sticker counters.

9. What about cards that refer to the “audience”? Are they legal in Commander?

This is where things get a little tricky. Some abilities from Unfinity might refer to the “audience,” which is more suited to a casual, public play environment. In a more formal or online Commander game, you’ll need to adapt these abilities in a way that’s fair and manageable within the context of the game. Discuss with your playgroup if any abilities are unclear.

10. Are all “contraptions” legal in Commander?

Contraptions are not present in Unfinity. The card type was specific to Unstable.

11. Can I include silver-bordered cards in my Commander deck if my playgroup allows it?

While silver-bordered and acorn cards are not legal in the Commander format by default, you can always discuss “house rules” with your playgroup. If everyone agrees, you can certainly include them for a more casual and unconventional game. However, remember that this would be a deviation from the official Commander rules.

12. Where can I find the official list of banned cards in Commander?

The official Commander ban list is maintained by the Commander Rules Committee and can be found on the Wizards of the Coast website, as well as on various Magic: The Gathering community sites.

13. Is it possible for a card to be legal in Commander but banned as a Commander (the card you choose as your commander)?

No, the “banned as commander” rule no longer exists. Some cards are banned outright and cannot be included in the 99, or as a Commander.

14. What if an Unfinity card is overpowered in Commander? Will it be banned?

If an Unfinity card proves to be excessively powerful or disruptive in the Commander format, the Commander Rules Committee could consider adding it to the ban list in the future. The committee regularly reviews the format’s health and makes adjustments as necessary.

15. Can I use a card with “outside assistance” in Commander?

Certain older cards may reference bringing in cards from outside the game. Commander rule 11 tells you that the only cards that are allowed to be brought in from outside the game are Companions.

Commander: A Playground for Creativity

The introduction of format-legal cards from Unfinity adds another layer of creativity and uniqueness to the Commander format. By understanding the distinction between acorn and oval stamps, players can confidently explore new deck-building strategies and enjoy the quirky flavor that Unfinity brings to the table. As always, communication and sportsmanship with your playgroup are key to ensuring a fun and engaging Commander experience for everyone. And be sure to visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about the educational power of gaming.