Magic: The Gathering – Commander vs. Standard: A Comprehensive Guide

The world of Magic: The Gathering (MTG) offers diverse ways to play, each with its unique rules and flavor. Two of the most popular formats are Commander and Standard, and while both utilize the same card pool, they provide vastly different experiences.

The primary difference lies in the structure and philosophy of gameplay:

• Standard is a 60-card constructed format with a focus on a rotating card pool, meaning only the most recently released sets are legal. Games are typically fast-paced and competitive, aiming for a quick victory with strategies built around the current meta. Players start with 20 life.
• Commander, often referred to as EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander), is a 100-card singleton format (one copy of each card except basic lands) centered around a Legendary Creature (or specific Planeswalker) that acts as the “commander”. This format encourages slower, more social, and often more strategic games, with a focus on building diverse and synergistic decks. Games typically last much longer. Players start with 40 life in multiplayer games and 20 life in Duel Commander (1v1).

Essentially, Standard is a rotating, competitive, and fast-paced format, while Commander is a non-rotating, casual (though can be competitive), and long-form format.

Key Distinctions Between Commander and Standard

Deck Construction

• Standard: Requires a minimum of 60 cards and allows up to four copies of any card (excluding basic lands). The card pool is limited to sets that are currently legal in the Standard rotation.
• Commander: Requires exactly 100 cards with only one copy of any card allowed, except basic lands. The format allows for almost any card from Magic’s history (with certain exceptions via the ban list). Each deck must have a Legendary Creature (or specific Planeswalker) as its Commander, which dictates the color identity of the entire deck.

Gameplay

• Standard: Typically a 1v1 format with a primary focus on competitive gameplay. Games are usually short, lasting around 20 minutes, and revolve around building synergistic strategies with the current legal card pool.
• Commander: Primarily played with multiple players (3-4), though it can be played in a 1v1 setting called Duel Commander. Games are generally much longer, ranging from 30 minutes to two hours, and emphasize strategic interaction and often, a degree of politics amongst the players. It is considered a more casual format but can also be highly competitive through cEDH.

Card Legality

• Standard: Restricted to the most recently released card sets which rotate out periodically, creating a dynamic environment.
• Commander: Utilizes almost every card printed in Magic’s history and does not rotate. The format uses a ban list to maintain balance and prevent overly broken strategies.

Core Philosophy

• Standard: Emphasizes competitive play and mastery of the current meta. The format tests deckbuilding skills within a limited card pool and focuses on finding winning strategies in a fast-paced environment.
• Commander: Emphasizes a more social and creative approach to deck building. It encourages diverse strategies, wild card combinations, and longer games that allow players to showcase their unique decks. This format is often more about having fun than winning.

Life Totals

• Standard: Players start with 20 life.
• Commander: Players start with 40 life in multiplayer games and 20 life in Duel Commander.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Commander more popular than Standard?

Yes, Commander has become the most popular MTG format, dominating the casual scene due to its non-rotating card pool, emphasis on fun, and social gameplay.

2. Is MTG Commander good for beginners?

Yes, Starter Commander decks are great introductory products. Pre-constructed decks offer a good starting point and are a great way to learn the rules of Commander.

3. What is the best Commander deck to start with?

Guided by Nature is often recommended as a good starting point, featuring a straightforward mono-green strategy focused on elves and mana-boosting attacks.

4. What is the most played MTG format?

Commander is the most played format in Magic: The Gathering.

5. Is MTG Commander competitive?

While Commander is generally considered a casual format, there is also a highly competitive version called cEDH (competitive Commander). cEDH is not recommended for beginners.

6. Is MTG Commander expensive?

Commander can be expensive, especially if you are aiming for the most powerful and rare cards. However, there are many budget alternatives available.

7. Can you play Standard Magic with Commander cards?

Cards that are legal in Standard are legal in Standard. If there is a card in a commander set that is legal in Standard, that card can be played in Standard. Otherwise, Commander specific cards cannot be used in Standard play.

8. What is a singleton format?

A singleton format, like Commander, requires that your deck only contains one copy of each card (excluding basic lands).

9. Can you play MTG Commander 1v1?

Yes, Duel Commander is a 1v1 version of the Commander format with specific rules and a starting life total of 20.

10. Can a Planeswalker be a Commander?

Yes, certain Planeswalkers with the text “[CARDNAME] can be your commander” can be used as commanders.

11. Can you use colorless cards in Commander?

Yes, colorless cards are allowed in Commander so long as your deck only uses the color symbols that are on your commander, as well as colorless mana.

12. What is a rotating card pool?

A rotating card pool, like in Standard, means that only cards from the most recent sets are legal. Sets are periodically removed, or “rotated,” out of the format.

13. What are the life totals in Commander and Standard?

Standard games start with 20 life. Commander games start with 40 life in multiplayer and 20 life in Duel Commander.

14. Is Flash banned in Commander?

While Flash was not immediately banned in Commander, it has been a topic of contention and may be considered in the future.

15. Is Edgar Markov banned as a commander?

Yes, Edgar Markov is banned as a commander only. He can still be played in other formats.

Conclusion

Both Standard and Commander offer unique experiences within Magic: The Gathering. Standard provides a faster-paced, competitive environment, constantly evolving with its rotating card pool. Commander, on the other hand, embraces a more social, creative, and strategic style of play with its non-rotating card pool and emphasis on deck diversity. The best format for you depends on your personal preferences and what kind of experience you’re looking for. Whether you prefer the quick skirmishes of Standard or the epic sagas of Commander, Magic: The Gathering offers a format to suit every player.