The Duel Commander Rules Committee has announced a series of major changes for the format, including bans, unbans, and an update to rules regarding partners as commanders.
Banlist Changes
- Bruse Tarl, Boorish Herder is now legal.
- Jeska, Thrice Reborn is now legal.
- Keleth, Sunmane Familiar is now legal.
- Kraum, Ludevic’s Opus is now legal.
- Livio, Oathsworn Sentinel is now legal.
- Ludevic, Necro-Alchemist is now legal.
- Reyhan, Last of the Abzan is now legal.
- Rograkh, Son of Rohgahh is now legal.
- Tymna the Weaver is now legal.
- Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful is now banned as a commander only.
Rules Updates
Since Duel Commander (also known as French Commander) is a 1v1 format, cards printed with the partner mechanic grew quickly in popularity, as having two cards in the command zone provided a distinct advantage.
Previously, since the number of these cards were limited, it was easier to just ban the more problematic ones. Now, with the uptick in cards being printed with the partner mechanic in products like Secret Lair: Stranger Things and Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, the Duel Commander Rules Committee has decided to implement a new set of rules to address partner in the format. You can view these new rules below.
Playing with More Than One Commander (507)
507.1 — If more than one commander is put in the command zone at the start of a game, refer to rule 301.5 in this document.
507.2 — A commander cast from any other zone than the command zone does not count in regard to rule 301.5 of this document.
Casting Commanders (301.5)
301.5a — Only a single commander can be cast from the command zone during a game. This is a change from previous rules defined in section 903.8 of the Magic The Gathering Comprehensive Rules.
301.5b — There is no such choice to be announced prior the first time a commander is cast.
301.5c — Once a commander has been cast from the command zone during a game, the other, if any, can’t be cast from the command zone.
301.5d — The other commander is still subject to the Magic The Gathering Comprehensive Rules defined in section 903.9 of the Magic The Gathering Comprehensive Rules and can be cast from anywhere else.
403.1b — Rule 301.5 in this document does not affect the deck building process.
Essentially, this change means that only a single commander can be cast from the command zone during a game. This series of changes has been met with mixed reviews from the community, with many voicing their frustrations, potential fixes, and more.
So what do you think of these changes? Are they overall better or worse for the format? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
The next Duel Commander update is currently scheduled for March 28.
Read the original article from the Duel Commander Rules Committee.