What Is Commander (EDH) in Magic: The Gathering?
Commander is a multiplayer Magic: The Gathering format that began as a casual, player-created variant and grew into the most popular format in the game. Wizards of the Coast officially sanctioned Commander in 2011 and has since supported it heavily with dedicated products and cards designed specifically for the format. New to Magic: The Gathering? Read the beginner's guide.
Format Structure
Deck Size: 99 cards + 1 Commander
Starting Life Total: 40
Number of Players: 3–5
Rotation: Non-rotating
Commander decks are singleton, meaning no duplicate cards are allowed except for basic lands.
Color Identity
Commander uses a rule unique to the format called color identity.
Color identity checks every mana symbol on a card, not just the mana cost. This includes mana symbols in rules text and in abilities like flashback.
For example, Bump in the Night is a black sorcery, but because it has a red mana symbol in its flashback cost, its color identity is black and red. In Commander, all 99 non-commander cards must match the color identity of your chosen commander.
No duplicates are allowed except for basic lands.
Commander
The format revolves around your Commander.
Your commander starts in the Command Zone
You may cast it from the Command Zone as though it were in your hand
If it would go to your hand, library, graveyard, or exile, you may return it to the Command Zone instead
Each time you cast your commander from the Command Zone after the first, it costs 2 additional colorless mana
There is also a unique win condition:
If a commander deals 21 combat damage to a player over the course of the game, that player loses regardless of life total
Choosing a commander is often the starting point for deckbuilding. Many players pick a commander that fits their playstyle before selecting the other 99 cards.
A commander must be a legendary creature, though some planeswalkers are printed with text allowing them to be used as a commander. With nearly 3,000 legal options, there’s no shortage of choices.
Card Legality
Nearly all Magic sets are legal in Commander, with two main exceptions:
Un-sets, which contain joke or novelty cards not intended for regular play
A banned list, currently including:
Ancestral Recall, Balance, Biorhythm, Black Lotus, Chaos Orb, Channel, Dockside Extortionist, Emrakul, the, Aeons Torn, Erayo, Soratami Ascendant, Falling Star, Fastbond, Flash, Golos, Tireless Pilgrim, Griselbrand, Hullbreacher, Iona, Shield of Emeria, Karakas, Jeweled Lotus, Leovold, Emissary of Trest, Library of Alexandria, Limited Resources, Lutri, the Spellchaser, Mana Crypt, Mox Emerald, Mox Jet, Mox Pearl, Mox Ruby, Mox Sapphire, Nadu, Winged Wisdom, Paradox Engine, Primeval Titan, Prophet of Kruphix, Recurring Nightmare, Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary, Shahrazad, Sundering Titan, Sylvan Primordial, Time Vault, Time Walk, Tinker, Tolarian Academy, Trade Secrets, Upheaval, Yawgmoth’s Bargain
Cards universally banned across Magic due to offensive content or gambling mechanics are also illegal.
Commander Brackets
Commander is traditionally self-regulated through social agreements within playgroups. To help set expectations more quickly, Wizards of the Coast is working on a Commander bracket system.
This system focuses on identifying “Game Changers”: cards that are especially powerful, expensive, or disruptive. These cards are not being banned, but the goal is to steer them toward higher-powered or competitive tables rather than casual play.
The system is still evolving and subject to change.
How to Get Started
Wizards of the Coast has released dozens of ready-to-play Commander decks over the years. These preconstructed decks are one of the easiest ways to jump into the format.
Each deck includes:
A commander
99 synergistic cards
Common staples like Sol Ring
Because tastes vary widely, it’s best to browse available decks, review their decklists online, and choose one that matches your preferred playstyle. Once you are ready to really jump into the game, there are a variety of starter decks and prebuilt commander decks available from any set. Look up what cards are included and buy one that fits your style, then get to customizing!
Where to Buy and Learn More
Official Magic: How to Play Guide
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