When a Commander Dies Does it Go to the Graveyard First?
When a commander dies, it does go to the graveyard first, but its owner has the option to move it to the Command Zone instead, thanks to the Commander rule that allows for this special zone interaction. This rule states that if a commander would be put into a graveyard or exile from anywhere, its owner may choose to move it to the Command Zone instead, providing a unique advantage in gameplay.
Understanding the Commander Rule
The Commander rule is a set of specific rules that apply to the Commander format of Magic: The Gathering, a popular trading card game. To delve deeper into the intricacies of the Commander rule and its implications on gameplay, especially concerning what happens when a commander dies, it’s essential to address several key points and frequently asked questions about the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What happens to a commander when it dies?
A commander goes to the graveyard but can be moved to the Command Zone by its owner.
2. Can you put your commander in your hand when it dies?
No, when your commander is destroyed, you can choose to put it in the graveyard or the Command Zone, not directly into your hand.
3. Is a commander considered a permanent?
Yes, a commander is considered a permanent when it is on the battlefield.
4. Does the order of your graveyard matter in Commander?
Generally, the order of the graveyard does not matter, but players can choose to make it matter at the beginning of the game.
5. Can you sacrifice your commander?
Yes, you can sacrifice a commander as part of a spell or ability.
6. What happens if your commander is in your graveyard and gets exiled?
If a commander would be put into exile from the graveyard, its owner may choose to move it to the Command Zone instead.
7. What is the rule regarding commanders and the Command Zone?
If a commander is in a graveyard or exile and was put into that zone since the last time state-based actions were checked, its owner may put it into the Command Zone.
8. Can a commander be permanently removed from the game?
There are no current Magic: The Gathering cards that refer to removing anything from the game permanently, making it difficult to permanently get rid of a commander.
9. What is priority in Commander?
Priority refers to the order in which players can cast spells or use abilities, with the active player acting first.
10. What is Rule 0 in Commander?
Rule 0 refers to the social contract between players to allow or disallow certain unconventional deck builds or modifications that might not follow standard Magic: The Gathering rules.
11. Can you exile a commander in the graveyard?
Yes, a commander can be exiled from the graveyard, and its owner can choose to move it to the Command Zone instead.
12. What happens when a commander is sacrificed?
When a commander is sacrificed, it goes to the owner’s graveyard, but the owner can choose to move it to the Command Zone instead.
13. Does Grave Betrayal affect commanders?
Yes, Grave Betrayal can affect commanders by bringing them back to the battlefield under certain conditions.
14. Does a commander count towards the 100-card deck limit?
Yes, a commander counts towards the 100-card deck limit in Commander format games.
15. What is cemetery etiquette, and how does it relate to Commander?
Cemetery etiquette refers to the rules of behavior in a cemetery and has no direct relation to the Commander format of Magic: The Gathering, but the term might be humorously or metaphorically applied to the treatment of commanders in the graveyard.