Why is Flash Banned in Commander?
Flash is banned in Commander primarily because of its role in enabling highly efficient and consistent infinite combos, particularly the infamous Flash Hulk combo. This combo, while technically available to all colors, was most easily abused in decks with access to powerful tutors and efficient mana acceleration. It created an environment in cEDH (competitive Commander) where games were often decided within the first few turns by whether or not a player could assemble and execute the Flash Hulk combo. This led to incredibly homogenous gameplay, as the format devolved into a race to either assemble the combo or disrupt opponents from doing so. The ban was intended to promote greater diversity in deckbuilding and gameplay by eliminating a single, dominant strategy. The decision, while controversial, aimed to foster a more enjoyable and strategically diverse Commander experience for the broader player base.
Flash Hulk: The Core Issue
The problem wasn’t Flash itself, but rather its synergy with the creature Hulk. Flash allowed you to circumvent Hulk’s casting cost, bringing it directly into play at instant speed for just two mana. When Hulk died, its triggered ability would search your library for creatures with a combined converted mana cost of six or less and put them onto the battlefield. This allowed players to assemble a chain of creatures that would, in turn, generate infinite mana, draw their entire deck, and ultimately win the game through various means (often involving damage or forcing opponents to deck themselves). The speed and efficiency of this combo was the crux of the ban.
The Impact on cEDH
In cEDH, where efficiency and speed are paramount, Flash Hulk became the king. Decks were built around tutoring for Flash and Hulk, protecting the combo, and executing it as quickly as possible. This drastically reduced the viability of slower, more interactive strategies and created a negative play experience for many. The format became less about building creative and diverse decks and more about optimizing for a single, dominant strategy.
Broader Implications for Commander
While the Flash Hulk combo was most prevalent in cEDH, the ban had implications for the wider Commander community as well. The Rules Committee aims to maintain a format where casual and competitive players can coexist. Allowing such a powerful and readily available combo to persist risked bleeding over into more casual playgroups, creating unbalanced and unenjoyable games.
The Controversy
The ban of Flash wasn’t universally welcomed. Some argued that banning the enabler (Flash) instead of the core problem card (Hulk) was misguided. Others pointed out that the problem was specific to cEDH and that the ban disproportionately affected players who enjoyed playing Flash as a value card in more casual decks. However, the Rules Committee ultimately decided that the negative impact on the overall health of the format outweighed the potential benefits of keeping Flash legal.
Seeking Better Understanding
The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org provides educational resources that explore the strategic and community aspects of games like Magic: The Gathering. Understanding the impact of card interactions and bans contributes to a richer gaming experience for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Flash and its ban in Commander:
1. What is the Flash Hulk combo?
The Flash Hulk combo involves casting Flash to put the creature Hulk onto the battlefield for a minimal mana cost. When Hulk dies, it triggers an ability to search your library for creatures with a combined converted mana cost of six or less, allowing you to create a chain reaction that leads to infinite mana, drawing your deck, and winning the game.
2. Why was Flash banned instead of Hulk?
The decision to ban Flash over Hulk was based on a few factors. Flash is a more broadly useful card, capable of enabling combos beyond just Hulk. Banning Hulk would only address one specific instance of the problem. Additionally, Flash allowed these combos to come online far earlier and more consistently than if Hulk had to be cast at its full mana cost.
3. Does the Flash ban affect other formats?
No, the Flash ban is specific to the Commander format. Flash remains legal in other formats, such as Legacy and Vintage, where the card pool and available strategies are significantly different.
4. Is Hulk banned in Commander?
No, Hulk itself is not banned in Commander. However, its viability as a standalone card is significantly diminished without Flash to enable its powerful triggered ability.
5. What are some alternative strategies in Commander now that Flash is banned?
With Flash gone, players are encouraged to explore a wider range of strategies, including more traditional creature-based decks, control strategies, and slower, more value-oriented combos. The format has become more diverse as a result.
6. What is cEDH?
cEDH stands for competitive Commander. It’s a sub-community within Commander that focuses on optimizing decks for maximum efficiency and speed, often aiming to win games as quickly as possible.
7. Why is Lutri banned in Commander?
Lutri, the Spellchaser is banned in Commander because its Companion ability (allowing it to be played from outside the game) is too easily met by Blue-Red decks. It would give those decks an unfair advantage since all of the other Companions had significantly more difficult requirements.
8. Are Companions legal in Commander?
Yes, but with a restriction. Commander Rule 11 states that the only cards that can be brought in from outside the game are Companions.
9. Why is Trade Secrets banned in Commander?
Trade Secrets is banned because it effectively turns a four-player game into a two-player game. Two players can draw the majority of their libraries, giving them an insurmountable advantage over the other two players.
10. Is Edric banned in Commander?
Edric, Spymaster of Trest is not banned in Commander generally, but he is banned as a commander in 1v1 games played under the French ruleset.
11. What is the “Rule 0” in Commander?
“Rule 0” refers to the social contract of Commander. It encourages players to discuss and agree on the power level and playstyle of their games before starting, ensuring that everyone has a fun and enjoyable experience.
12. What are some cards that are always banned in Commander?
Some powerful cards always banned in Commander include Black Lotus, Tolarian Academy, Fastbond, Primeval Titan, and many others.
13. What cards Cannot be used in Commander?
A wide range of powerful and problematic cards, including Primeval Titan, Erayo, Soratami Ascendant, Fastbond, Karakas, Tolarian Academy, Hullbreacher, Iona, Shield of Emeria, and Leovold, Emissary of Trest, are permanently banned in Commander.
14. What is the Commander rule 11?
Commander Rule 11 tells you that the only cards that are allowed to be brought in from outside the game are Companions.
15. What happens when my commander is killed?
If your Commander is killed, it goes to the graveyard like any other creature. However, you have the option to return it to the command zone instead. If you do, it costs two additional mana for each time it has been returned to the command zone this way.