Commander and Booster Draft might just be the two most popular formats in Magic. But what if you could play both at the same time?
In Magic‘s new set, Commander Legends, you can draft a Commander deck and play with friends.
Commander Legends singles and sealed products are available now at CardKingdom.com! Read on for more info about this innovative set.
How to Draft Commander Legends
Commander isn’t like other Magic formats, and Commander Legends draft isn’t like a normal draft.
For one thing, Commander Legends Draft Boosters contain 20 cards instead of the usual fifteen. Each pack contains two legends and a foil.
You’ll need three booster packs to draft Commander Legends, just as you would in a normal Booster Draft. However, during the draft, you’ll make TWO picks from each pack. (This may seem familiar to anyone who’s drafted Battlebond.)
Over the course of the draft, you’ll choose a commander and draft a 60-card deck that matches your commander’s color identity. To make this easier on players, Commander Legends includes several monocolored “partner” legends that you can pick up throughout the draft. (We’ll cover some of them in the “Hottest Cards” section below.) Additionally, the “singleton” rule of Commander doesn’t apply here: you can include multiple copies of cards in your deck.
From there, things play out much like they do in Commander: you’ll play a multiplayer game where all players start at 40 life, and commander damage and other rules are in full effect. Product architect Gavin Verhey has suggested drafting Commander Legends in a group of eight and splitting up into two four-player pods to play your games.
Order Commander Legends Draft Booster Boxes and Packs from Card Kingdom!
Commander Legends Products
While Commander Legends was designed to be drafted, that could be challenging with social distancing measures in place. Of course, you could pick up a box and squirrel it away to enjoy in the After-Times, but there are still plenty of other ways to enjoy this set.
Collector Boosters
If you’re looking for cool, new alternate-art cards for your Commander deck, pick up some Commander Legends Collector Boosters! These packs include extended-art versions of Commander staples at all rarities, as well as legends with a brand-new type of foil treatment. Gavin Verhey was kind enough to preview the new “etched” foil treatment on his YouTube channel:
Order Commander Legends Collector Booster Boxes and Packs from Card Kingdom!
Commander Decks
Commander Legends will also include two preconstructed Commander decks that are playable right out of the box. Each deck contains exclusive cards you won’t find in booster packs of Commander Legends, and three cards in each deck (including the commander) are brand-new.
Both decks are available at CardKingdom.com, and we’ve put together helpful upgrade guides for both:
Arm for Battle Upgrade Guide
Reap the Tides Upgrade Guide
Hottest Cards
Finally, here are the most exciting preview cards we’ve seen for Commander Legends so far. All these cards are legal in Commander, as well as Legacy and Vintage, and any card printed at common in the set is now legal in Pauper.
Sengir, the Dark Baron
Many of Magic‘s most iconic characters will get new cards in Commander Legends, including Baron Sengir! Sengir, the Dark Baron is one of 41 mono-colored legends with the partner mechanic in the set.
New Nonbasic Lands
Commander Legends will complete the cycle of multiplayer-focused lands introduced in Battlebond. We’re sure the crowd is going to go wild for these!
Akroma, Vision of Ixidor
Akroma isn’t just a formidable attacker — she helps the rest of your team, too. If you prefer to win by attacking with creatures, consider making her one of your commanders!
Amareth, the Lustrous
Amareth isn’t just a big, flying threat — it’s also an excellent enabler. Whether you’re playing a Roon deck full of impactful creatures or an Estrid deck loaded with enchantments, Amareth will help you find the cards you need.
Amphin Mutineer
This amphibian is a great addition to a Gor Muldrak deck, and it’s especially beneficial if you can use its “enter the battlefield” effect multiple times.
Apex Devastator
Casting four “free” spells? This creature is truly devastating.
Archelos, Lagoon Mystic
Need to slow things down at the Commander table? Archelos, Lagoon Mystic will force your opponents to play at your pace.
Aurora Phoenix
Cascade is back in force in Commander Legends! Aurora Phoenix is a great cascader at six mana, and its ability to come back from the graveyard whenever you cascade will make it hard for your opponents to deal with.
Averna, the Chaos Bloom
Move over, Maelstrom Wanderer — there’s a new cascade commander in town! Averna allows you to ramp every time you cascade — perfect for casting bigger and better cascade spells!
Bladegriff Prototype
Bladegriff Prototype is a great card for anyone who enjoys making deals at the Commander table. Plus, it’s colorless, so you can play it in just about any deck!
Blim, Comedic Genius
If Blim gets through for damage, you can give your opponents some truly devastating gifts, like Demonic Pact or Lich’s Mastery. Just try not to have too many laughs at their expense.
Colfenor, the Last Yew
If you’re a fan of treefolk, consider building a deck with Colfenor! Colfenor‘s high toughness will allow you to bring other treefolk back from your graveyard, and combined with Doran, the Siege Tower, they can deal massive amounts of damage together!
Commander’s Plate
If keeping your commander alive is central to your strategy, this efficient equipment can provide some protection.
Court of Cunning
Mill got a ton of new toys with Zendikar Rising, and Commander Legends gives us at least a few more. Court of Cunning won’t just mill your opponents, but it’ll give you access to an extra card to defend yourself with each turn.
Eligeth, Crossroads Augur
Partner Eligeth with Siani and some more flyers, and you’ll be drawing tons of cards!
Emberwilde Captain
The monarch mechanic returns in Commander Legends! Emberwilde Captain will make you the monarch at your table and discourage your opponents from coming for your crown.
Ghen, Arcanum Weaver
Mardu colors aren’t always associated with enchantments in EDH, but Ghen is looking to change that.
Gor Muldrak, Amphinologist
Another creature that discourages attackers is Gor Muldrak — one of the weirdest cards we’ve seen so far. Gor can give a salamander token to any player — including you! — and if you have enough blockers, your opponents can use their salamanders to attack each other instead of you. Keep Gor alive and you’ll have good blocks for days!
Hans Eriksson
This is Hans‘s first appearance on a (black-bordered) Magic card, and it’s a tricky one to evaluate at that. Hans can call on enormous beasts from your library, but they have to fight him in the process. Adjust Hans‘s stats or give him indestructible to get the most out of his ability.
Horizon Stone
You don’t have to play Kruphix to store extra mana anymore! As its artwork illustrates, Horizon Stone will allow you store (nearly) infinite amounts of mana.
Hullbreacher
Commander Legends features a handful of valuable disruptive creatures. While it hasn’t inspired quite as much discussion as Opposition Agent, this 3/2 with flash can similarly stymie your opponents.
Jeska, Thrice Reborn
As many players expected, the Planeswalker Jeska has received her first printing in Commander Legends. Jeska‘s static ability means she’s best suited for a partner with a low mana cost. Once she gets enough loyalty, she’ll be dealing tons of damage!
Jeweled Lotus
Jeweled Lotus has been one of the most talked-about cards in Commander Legends. Like Black Lotus, it will give you three mana for free, so long as you use that mana to cast your commander. Jeweled Lotus will be an incredible early-game play the 10% of the time you have it in your opening hand, and the mana advantage it provides may be useful later in the game, too.
Kamahl, Heart of Krosa
Kamahl may have a high mana cost, but he’ll try to end the game quickly once he shows up. Combine Kamahl with mana-multiplying effects like Leyline of Abundance and Nyxbloom Ancient and you’ll have plenty of lands to attack with.
Keeper of the Accord
If your Commander deck cares about tokens (or soldiers, specifically), Keeper of the Accord will be a great addition.
Kodama of the East Tree
This new partner commander has a great rate and reach, making it an excellent defensive creature. It also has the ability to load up your battlefield with creatures quickly. Partner it with a creature that’ll help keep your hand full of cards, and you’re in business.
Krark, the Thumbless
Many creatures from Magic‘s history will be getting their first cards in Commander Legends, including some old favorites. You’ve heard of his legendary Thumb — now it’s time to meet Krark, the Thumbless himself! If you enjoy spell-based Commander decks or flipping coins, Krark will be a shoe-in for your next deck.
Lathiel, the Bounteous Dawn
Unicorns and +1/+1 counter decks got some excellent new tools in Jumpstart. Combine Lathiel with them and you have the beginning of a strong thematic deck!
Liesa, Shroud of Dusk
Liesa, one of Avacyn’s angel sisters, also appears on a card for the first time. Liesa‘s alternate Commander tax will make her an extremely powerful commander, especially in a lifegain-focused deck.
Magus of the Order
The Magus cycle of creatures pays tribute to some of Magic‘s most iconic spells. This new Magus is an homage to the classic green game-ender Natural Order. While it requires another creature to sacrifice — and may not stay on the battlefield long enough to activate — Magus of the Order will shine in decks that can either protect it or bring it back from the graveyard.
Mnemonic Deluge
…And if you enjoy casting spells so much, why not copy them? Mnemonic Deluge will be a major boon for “spells matter” decks.
Nevinyrral, Urborg Tyrant
Nevinyrral is another fixture of Magic lore who finally gets his own card in Commander Legends. He’ll help get you back in the game if several of your creatures died in combat, and he’ll unleash a wave of destruction if anything happens to him.
Nymris, Oona’s Trickster
Do you enjoy playing tribal faeries decks? Try building a deck with Nymris as your commander, or add her to your Oona, Queen of the Fae deck!
Obeka, Brute Chronologist
Obeka has one of the weirdest and most fascinating designs we’ve seen in Commander Legends. She allows you to end your own turn whenever you’d like, which has its advantages. You can also activate her on your opponents’ turns to counter spells or stop removal, thus building alliances and tipping the game in your favor.
Opposition Agent
This card has lots of Magic players talking — and not just Commander fans! Opposition Agent‘s ability to Stifle fetchland activations and steal tutor targets makes it one of the biggest three-mana threats since True-Name Nemesis.
Phyrexian Triniform
This new take on Wurmcoil Engine features the new encore mechanic from Commander Legends. Pay 12 and exile Phyrexian Triniform from your graveyard, and you’ll be attacking each of your opponents for nine damage!
Port Razer
Red Commander decks love extra combat steps, and Port Razer is happy to provide them, as long as it gets through.
Profane Transfusion
Nine mana is a lot, even in Commander, but this card can swing the game in your favor quickly. Exchange your life total with another player’s, or force two opponents to trade — either way, you may come out ahead!
Rograkh, Son of Rohgahh
This tiny kobold may not seem like the fiercest attacker, but combine it with the right partner — or the right equipment — and it can do some serious damage.
Rootweaver Druid
Rootweaver Druid is an interesting play on Commander 2013‘s Tempt with Discovery. While it requires some buy-in from your opponents, Rootweaver Druid will allow you to make deft political plays at your table.
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces
Clones are valuable in Commander because of their flexibility, but Sakashima of a Thousand Faces can enable some truly terrifying board states. Its ability to ignore the “legend rule” will allow you to make multiple copies of legendary creatures with effects like Rite of Replication.
Seraphic Greatsword
Seraphic Greatsword will turn any equipped creature into a conditional Geist of Saint Traft, which could shift the balance of power — and life totals — in your favor.
Slash the Ranks
“Destroy all creatures and Planeswalkers” is an effect players have been waiting for for some time. Expect Slash the Ranks to become a staple card in white Commander decks.
Sphinx of the Second Sun
We’ve seen many Commander cards over the years that give players extra combat phases — but how about an extra beginning phase? Sphinx of the Second Sun allows you to untap your permanents for extra mana and activations, trigger any upkeep effects a second time, and draw an extra card for your turn!
Tevesh Szat, Doom of Fools
Planeswalkers make extremely powerful commanders, and Tevesh Szat is no exception! Part-dragon, part-serpent, this terrifying Planeswalker has the ability to gain control of all commanders, unleashing seemingly unlimited power.
Tormod, the Desecrator
Tormod, whose famous Crypt is a common sideboard card in competitive formats, finally has his own card! This zombie wizard will reward you if cards leave your graveyard, whether you’re reanimating creatures, casting spells with flashback, or exiling cards to delve.
War Room
Commander Legends has given a few new tools to decks with relatively few colors, including this new land. War Room will be a welcome addition to decks that have limited ability to draw cards otherwise, and it goes up in value even more if life loss synergizes with your game plan.
Wheel of Misfortune
This variation on Wheel of Fortune allows players to choose their own destiny — so long as they guess correctly!
Yurlok of Scorch Thrash
Mana burn may be a thing of the past, but Yurlok will bring it back to your Commander table! Its activated ability will allow you to potentially deal three damage to each player at the table, which will add up quickly.
Zara, Renegade Recruiter
Some creatures “steal” other creatures on the battlefield. Zara prefers to recruit them directly from your opponents’ hands. Note: Zara may be tricky to play in webcam Commander games, but she’s great for in-person EDH.
Order Now!
Commander Legends is available now at CardKingdom.com. Pick up the cards you need today, and be sure to follow us on social media for the latest Magic: The Gathering news!