Commander-Specific Rules
This page provides a high-level reference for the official Commander format rules. For detailed implementation specifics, see the Commander Format documentation.
What Is Commander?
Commander (formerly known as Elder Dragon Highlander or EDH) is a multiplayer format for Magic: The Gathering created by players and embraced by Wizards of the Coast as an official format. It emphasizes social gameplay and creative deck building around a chosen legendary creature.
Official Commander Rules
The Commander format is governed by a specific set of rules maintained by the Commander Rules Committee:
Deck Construction Rules
- Players choose a legendary creature as their "commander"
- A deck contains exactly 100 cards, including the commander
- Except for basic lands, no two cards in the deck may have the same English name
- A card's color identity must be within the color identity of the commander
- Color identity includes colored mana symbols in costs and rules text
Game Play Rules
- Players begin with 40 life
- Commanders begin the game in the "command zone"
- While a commander is in the command zone, it may be cast, subject to normal timing restrictions
- Each time a player casts their commander from the command zone, it costs an additional {2} for each previous time they've cast it
- If a commander would be exiled or put into a hand, graveyard, or library, its owner may choose to move it to the command zone instead
- A player that has been dealt 21 or more combat damage by the same commander loses the game
Rule Implementation References
For detailed implementation of these rules in Rummage, refer to these sections:
- Color Identity - Implementation of color identity rules
- Command Zone - How the command zone functions
- Commander Tax - Implementation of additional commander casting costs
- Commander Damage - Tracking and applying commander combat damage
- Zone Transitions - Commander movement between zones
Commander Variants
Rummage supports these common Commander variants:
Partner Commanders
Some legendary creatures have the "Partner" ability, allowing a deck to have two commanders. See Partner Commanders for implementation details.
Commander Ninjutsu
A special ability that allows commanders to be put onto the battlefield from the command zone. See Commander Ninjutsu for implementation details.
Brawl
A variant with 60-card decks, only using Standard-legal cards and starting at 25 life.
Commander Death Triggers
Special rules for how commander death and zone changes work. See Commander Death Triggers for implementation details.
Commander-Specific Cards
Many cards have been designed specifically for the Commander format. See Commander-Specific Cards for details on how these cards are implemented.