Magic: The Gathering’s upcomingEdge of Eternitiesset has introduced a rule change that will have wide-reaching implications for the Commander format. This rule change comes alongside the introduction of a new type of artifact perfectly suited to the set’s science fantasy setting: spacecraft. Although similar toMagic: The Gathering’s existing vehicle cards, spacecraft have a few major differences. More importantly for EDH players, they are also the reason why players will soon have a much wider range of cards to choose from as potential commanders.
The first spacecraft card was previewed at MagicCon Las Vegas' Preview Panel alongside exciting updates like a first look atMagic’sAvatar: The Last Airbendercrossover, andsmall glimpses at future in-universeMagicsets based in fan-favorite locations. After the card was previewed, it was confirmed that spacecraft would be eligible commanders, and that two of them would be the face cards for the upcoming Commander decks releasing alongsideEdge of Eternities. However,this rule change doesn’t just affect spacecraft, but also another type of legendary artifact.
MTG’s Spacecraft And Vehicles Can Both Be Your Commander
Vehicles Previously Were Not Allowed To Be Commanders
Magic: The Gathering’s first spacecraft, The Seriema, was shown at the MagicCon Las Vegas Preview Panel, which was later made available to watch onYouTube. The preview started with Principal Game Designer Jadine Klomparens explaining how players need to power up their spacecraft by tapping creatures to add charge counters to it. Klomparens also explained that unlike vehicles, spacecraft remain creatures so long as they have enough charge counters. This explanation was followed by the exciting announcement by Executive Producer Mike Turian that,onceEdge of Eternitiesis released,both legendary spacecraft and existing legendary vehicle cards could be your commander.
This change makes a lot of sense. Similar to legendary creatures, there are some legendary vehicles that would be fun to build around, and they are functionally similar enough to creatures that it doesn’t feel like a massive change.There are also already some eligible commanders that don’t always enter the battlefield as creatures. For instance, gods from the plane of Theros often aren’t considered creatures until you have a certain level of devotion to a given color. Vehicles and spacecraft don’t feel too dissimilar, as they too only become creatures once a certain threshold is reached.
Althoughthis change only adds 21 new potential commanders, as there aren’t many legendary vehicles, it does still create some exciting new deck-building opportunities. I attended the Preview Panel at MagicCon, and when the announcement was made, I immediately heard some of the people seated near me plotting out which vehicles they would want as a commander. While the event’s host, Riley Knight, joked about running Esika’s Chariot, there are a few more powerful options you might want to consider.
Some Vehicle Commanders Will Be Very Powerful
The RMS Titanic And The Indomitable Show The Potential Of Vehicle Commanders
The first vehicle commander that came to mind when I heard this announcement was the RMS Titanic fromMagic: The Gathering’sDoctor Whoset. This is a massive attacker for only four mana, and having flying and trample makes it all the more likely you’ll be able to get damage through. This is usually balanced out by the fact that you have to sacrifice the RMS Titanic and create treasure tokens. However, now that this card can go back to your command zone,you can simply cast it back out using some of the treasure you made.
With such high power, the RMS Titanic can threaten to take players out with commander damage.Pump spells like Haste Magic can both make your commander bigger, and essentially pay for themselves, since you’ll get more treasure the more damage you do. Red has a good number of these types of spells with low mana costs, meaning as long as you can consistently crew this vehicle, you can be a pretty big threat early on in the game.
Another solid option is The Indomitable fromTheLost Caverns of IxalanCommander decks. You don’t even need to crew this vehicle for its static ability to take effect, and it can give you a big card advantage in the right deck. Although blue doesn’t have as many big creatures, it does have a lot of ways to sneak creatures past blockers. I can imagine many blue decks wanting a commander that simply gives them a lot of extra cards.
Magic Is Leaving The Door Open For More Types Of Commanders
The Rule’s Exact Wording Extends Beyond Vehicles
Another exciting aspect of this new rule change was announced in a video fromGood Morning Magic. In the video, Principal Magic Designer Gavin Verhey explains thatany type of legendary permanent with a power and toughness box on its front face is eligible to be a commander. Verhey goes on to say that this specific wording was chosen to leave room for future design space where new types of cards could be legal commanders. Although nothing is confirmed yet, it’s exciting to know that there is room for more new styles of commander in the future.
I have seen some reactions to this news lamenting the fact thatvehicles can now be commanders, but planeswalkers can’t, but it’s understandable why vehicles were an easier shift to make. As mentioned, there are only 21 legendary vehicles that are legal commanders, whereas there are 300 planeswalker cards inMagic: The Gathering. This would open up many more possibilities for deck-building, many of which would likely be too powerful. With such a backlog of cards designed without being intentionally balanced for the format, I would be somewhat surprised if we ever see all planeswalkers become legal commander options.
I’m personally happy with just seeing legendary vehicles get added to the list of legal commanders. The number is small enough that it isn’t overwhelming to comb through them all and look for powerful new deck-building possibilities. Vehicles are also already so close to creatures that it seems only natural that they would be allowed to function as commanders. It’s also always nice to seeMagic: The Gatheringevolve in interesting ways that open up new play possibilities, without breaking the game. I’m already looking forward to my first commander night when I can legally run an RMS Titanic build.
