If I champion my commander, does it enter command zone?

Asked by vic 8 years ago

If I play EDH with Rhys the Redeemed in play as my commander, can I cast Wren's Run Packmaster, champion Rhys, then recast Rhys with WRP still in play?

Gidgetimer says... #1

Short answer is yes you may have it enter the command zone and recast it with the creature that championed it still on the field.

Champion is only concerned with weather or not you attempted to exile the creature, it is not concerned with where that creature ended up. But if you do send the commander to the command zone it will not be returned when the champion creature leaves since it will not be in the exile zone to be returned.

June 27, 2015 7:59 a.m.

Gidgetimer says... #2

Relevant rules:

117.12. Some spells, activated abilities, and triggered abilities read, [Do something]. If [a player] [does or doesnt], [effect]. or [A player] may [do something]. If [that player] [does or doesnt], [effect]. The action [do something] is a cost, paid when the spell or ability resolves. The If [a player] [does or doesnt] clause checks whether the player chose to pay an optional cost or started to pay a mandatory cost, regardless of what events actually occurred.

117.12a Some spells, activated abilities, and triggered abilities read, [Do something] unless [a player does something else]. This means the same thing as [A player may do something else]. If [that player doesnt], [do something].

June 27, 2015 8:05 a.m.

KingSorin says... #3

Something to be noted is that if you send Rhys to the command zone then when the packmaster dies you don't get rhys back. You choose one or the other: championed under packmaster or command zone independent from packmaster

June 27, 2015 9:15 a.m.

vic says... #4

KingSorin: Yes, I considered that. So I have the option of choosing between the two? Interesting. I wasn't expecting that. If I can send it to the command zone and recast it the next turn, I'm a happy guy.

Gidgetimer: Sorry, I couldn't suss out the answer from that. Thanks though.

June 28, 2015 4:27 a.m.

Gidgetimer says... #5

I'm not sure how much sussing needs to be done when "yes you may have it enter the command zone and recast it with the creature that championed it still on the field" was the first sentence of my first post. The second post was to provide rules back-up since some people want to see proof and I had already explained what it meant. At any rate please select an answer to remove the question from the unanswered queue if your question has been answered.

June 28, 2015 7:05 a.m.

vic says... #6

Gidgetimer That's weird. Your first post wasn't there when I looked before. I only saw the one that started with "Relevant Rules". This all makes much more sense now.

I'm surprised to hear that I have the option. I expected it to be one or the other. So if someone Oblivion Rings or Doom Blades my commander, I have the option not to put it the command zone? Does that also mean if it gets Unsummoned, I could actually put it into my hand? And if so, does that mean I only pay the original CC to cast it from my hand?

June 29, 2015 12:36 a.m.

Gidgetimer says... Accepted answer #7

Yes to all. Whenever your commander moves to the graveyard, exile, your hand, or your library you have the option to move it to the command zone instead. You do not have to put it in the command zone if you don't want to, but once you make the choice you must live with it. The "commander tax" only applies to being cast from the command zone so if your commander is bounced you can play it for its printed CMC and it will not add to the tax the next time your commander goes to the command zone.

June 29, 2015 6:47 a.m.

vic says... #8

Excellent. Thanks so much. I look forward to taking advantage of that.

July 1, 2015 2:47 a.m.

This discussion has been closed