this post was submitted on 12 Aug 2025
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Commander is a game variant where you have one card act as your "commander" for that round, and decks of 100 cards are generally built a little around what the commander can do.
The commander sits off on its own, not in your library, and it can be cast during a main phase when you have the mana for it. The more unique thing is that if your commander gets destroyed, it goes back to its little commander spot instead of the graveyard, and you can cast it again for its cost (+2 extra mana for each time it has died).
Also, if your commander does 21 points of damage to your opponent, the game ends right then (each player starts with 40 health).
It's a pretty fun variant, honestly. I'm still really new to Magic, but I've enjoyed Commander the best so far.
https://magic.wizards.com/en/formats/commander
@garretble @jarno critically, commander is intended as a casual, multiplayer format. The 100-card singleton nature of the deck ensures variability within games, while each deck being built around a chosen legendary commander (and being forced to only play the colors of that commander) ensures that the decks are diverse. Games work best with about 4 people, but I've played with as few as 2 (went just fine) and as many as 11 (do not recommend).
@garretble @jarno it's common for people to have multiple commander decks to choose from so they can select the deck that best suits their mood, shows off their creativity, or hits the right power level. Using proxies (with commissioned art, printed at home, or written on a slip of paper and inserted into the sleeve) is common if the playgroup approves.
There are also competitive variants.
Final Fantasy was the set that got me into Magic because I'm a big FF fan and I have a friend who has been playing for 30 years that convinced me I needed these cards, ha.
But I like that each of the pre-constructed decks I have (4 FF ones, and now 2 Edge of Eternities) all have two commanders to choose from in the decks. It's really nice to play with a different one to get a bit of a different flavor to the deck. And with 100 cards, it takes a few matches to really see all the cards come out. It's great.
I've mostly played just 2 player games, but have also played a few 3 player games. It's been enjoyable each time.
@garretble glad you're having fun!
Thanks!
Yeah, last weekend I was up until like 3am playing Magic, so I might have a problem, ha.