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Commander Format Reference

The app validates every deck against the rules below. Banlist updates flow automatically from Scryfall’s legality data, so newly banned or unbanned cards are reflected without an app update. As of September 2024, Wizards of the Coast manages the Commander format directly with input from the Commander Format Panel; the independent Commander Rules Committee handed off stewardship at that time. For the canonical rules, see the WotC announcement and Magic Comprehensive Rules §903.

Deck construction (CR 903.5)

  • Exactly 100 cards including the commander(s).
  • Singleton: no two cards may share an English name, except basic lands and cards with explicit “A deck can have any number of cards named …” text.
  • Cards must be legal in the Commander format (no banned cards).

Color identity (CR 903.4 & 903.6)

  • Color identity = mana symbols in cost + mana symbols in rules text + color indicator. Reminder text excluded.
  • Every card in the deck must be within the union of the commanders’ color identities.
  • Hybrid mana counts as both colors. {X}, generic, and snow do not contribute color.

The commander (CR 903.3)

  • Must be a legendary creature, OR a card whose rules text says it can be your commander.
  • Begins the game in the command zone. May be cast from there for an additional {2} per prior cast (commander tax).
  • If your commander would change zones to library, hand, graveyard, or exile, you may move it to the command zone instead (903.9).
  • 21 combat damage from a single commander to a player makes that player lose the game (903.14a).

Partner & Background (CR 903.5b)

  • Two commanders, each with the Partner keyword, may be used together. Their color identities combine.
  • “Partner with [name]” commanders pair only with the named card.
  • A commander with “Choose a Background” may take a Background enchantment as its second commander.
  • “Friends forever” and “Doctor’s companion” behave like Partner with their stated restrictions.

Game setup (CR 903.7–903.8)

  • Each player starts at 40 life.
  • Mulligan to seven (London Mulligan): draw 7, place N cards on the bottom for the Nth mulligan.
  • Free-for-all multiplayer with shared turn structure; first player draws on their first turn.

Win & loss conditions (CR 104, 903.14)

  • Reduce a player to 0 or less life.
  • Deck out: a player draws from an empty library.
  • 10+ poison counters.
  • 21 combat damage from a single commander.
  • Card-defined alternate wins (e.g., Approach of the Second Sun, Laboratory Maniac).

Banlist (current, via Scryfall)

The app checks Commander legality using Scryfall’s legalities.commander field, which tracks the authoritative banlist. Format management is now handled by Wizards of the Coast with input from the Commander Format Panel (transitioned from the independent Commander Rules Committee in September 2024). For the current banned and restricted list, verify against Wizards’ official banned & restricted list.

Sources