The Commander’s Demise: Unpacking Death, Taxes, and the Command Zone
When a commander dies in the Magic: The Gathering format of Commander, the immediate cost is nothing. However, its subsequent cost can increase. The key is understanding the “commander tax.” When your commander dies and goes to the graveyard or is exiled, you have the option to return it to the command zone as a state-based action. If you choose to do so, the next time you cast that commander from the command zone, it will cost an additional {2} (two generic mana) for each previous time you’ve cast it from the command zone this game. This additional cost is commonly referred to as the “commander tax.” So, while death itself doesn’t cost you anything, the subsequent resurrection (or re-casting) does.
Understanding the Commander Tax and Zone Changes
The commander tax isn’t a one-time fee. It’s a cumulative cost that grows with each death and recast of your commander from the command zone. This mechanic is crucial to Commander’s balance, preventing players from repeatedly casting their commander without consequence. Think of it as a scaling resource sink that makes you carefully consider when and how often you deploy your general onto the battlefield. Let’s delve deeper into how this tax interacts with different game zones.
The Graveyard Option
If your commander dies, you’re not forced to put it back into the command zone. You can let it go to the graveyard like any other creature. Why would you do this? Perhaps you have a reanimation strategy that will allow you to bring it back to the battlefield without paying the commander tax. Furthermore, leaving it in the graveyard can open opportunities for graveyard-hate strategies against your opponents. However, be mindful of exile effects that could permanently remove your commander from the game!
The Exile Zone Consideration
Similar to the graveyard, you can choose to let your commander go to exile. This is often less desirable than the graveyard, as fewer cards and strategies exist to bring exiled cards back into play. However, if an opponent is heavily reliant on graveyard recursion, exiling your commander can deny them that avenue. You can always choose to send it to the command zone instead of exile.
Returning to the Hand
What about effects that return your commander to your hand? If such an effect happens, you, as the commander’s owner, get to choose whether it goes back to the command zone or your hand. If it goes to your hand, you can cast it later without paying the commander tax until after it is cast from the command zone again. This can be a strategic play, especially if you need to conserve mana.
FAQs: Commander Tax and Commander Rules Explained
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you fully grasp the intricacies of the commander tax and related rules:
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What is the “commander tax”? The commander tax is an additional cost of {2} for each previous time you’ve cast your commander from the command zone during the game.
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When does the commander tax apply? The commander tax applies only when you cast your commander from the command zone.
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Does the commander tax reset if the game restarts? Yes, if the game restarts (e.g., through a card like “Worldfire”), the commander tax resets to zero.
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If I let my commander go to the graveyard and then reanimate it, do I have to pay the commander tax? No. The commander tax only applies when casting it from the command zone. Reanimating it bypasses the tax.
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Can my opponent steal my commander from the graveyard? Yes, your opponent can steal your commander from the graveyard if they have the means to do so (e.g., with a card like “Animate Dead”). You can only move it from the graveyard to the command zone as a state-based action.
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If my commander is countered, does the commander tax increase? If your commander is countered while being cast from the command zone, it returns to the command zone, and the tax increases as if it had resolved and died.
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What happens if my commander is exiled face down? The controller of a face-down exiled commander still has the option to return it to the command zone when it is exiled. The tax still applies.
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Can I have more than one commander? You can have two commanders if both have the partner ability or if a single card specifically states “this card can be your commander” (usually Planeswalkers).
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What is Rule 0 in Commander? Rule 0 is an unofficial agreement among players to modify the rules of a non-competitive game. The catch? Everyone who’s participating has to agree to the changes before the game begins. It’s a way to customize the experience and ensure everyone has fun.
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What happens if I return my commander to my hand? If your commander goes to your hand, you can cast it from your hand without paying the commander tax (until the next time you cast it from the command zone).
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Does commander damage count if it’s dealt by my own commander? Yes. If you somehow take 21 or more damage from your own commander (perhaps through a convoluted series of unfortunate events), you lose the game.
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What if someone casts Release to the Wind on my commander? If you choose to place the commander back into the command zone instead of exile, it would no longer be subject to the continuous state-based effect of Release to the Wind.
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What happens when a commander is sacrificed? When you sacrifice it, it goes to the owner’s graveyard. The owner can then choose to put it back in the command zone.
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Can any legendary creature be a commander? Generally, yes. Your Commander must be a single legendary creature, or two cards that both have the Partner ability. There are also a small number of Planeswalkers that can be commanders.
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Are sideboards allowed in commander? The Commander format normally has no sideboard. However, a companion is the only card that can exist there, if both the cards in the library and the commander card meet the companion criteria.
Strategic Implications of the Commander Tax
The commander tax forces players to think strategically about their commander. Do you cast it early and risk paying an increasingly higher tax later? Or do you hold back, waiting for the perfect moment to deploy your general when you can maximize its impact? It introduces an element of resource management and risk assessment that makes Commander a deeply engaging format. Also, be sure to consider the implications of teaching such skills to young students, by exploring the Games Learning Society, a community fostering innovation in game-based learning. You can find out more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Conclusion
Understanding the commander tax and how it interacts with zone changes is essential for success in Commander. By carefully considering your options when your commander “dies,” you can minimize the financial burden and maximize your chances of victory. Remember that every choice has consequences, and a well-timed (or poorly timed) commander death can significantly impact the game. So, strategize wisely, and may your commander always return stronger!