New Format for EDH: Rule 0

Commander (EDH) forum

Posted on Sept. 11, 2021, 2:08 p.m. by TypicalTimmy

Rule 0 began as a hub idea, but quickly became it's own sub-format within the EDH community.

When you build a new deck, or update an existing deck, you can now select Commander: Rule 0 as an option for the format.

Rule 0 is important to EDH, because it allows the players to gauge their decks against one-another. You don't want to sit down with a cEDH deck when the rest of the table had precons, after all. Rule 0 is when players normally talk about the goals of their decks, what their assessed power levels are, whether or not their decks can combo off and go infinite and a variety of other things. However, occasionally a player will mention that they want to run a card or two that technically is illegal, per the Rules Committee. While it technically is against the rules, we must understand that EDH is a social format first and foremost. The social contract allows players to express their creativity and develop new deck constructions.

With that said, Commander: Rule 0 allows players to build decks here on Tappedout and have them recognized as "technically legal", as long as their table agrees to it. After all, it is important to recognize that we likely are not at each other's tables or LGS, and we should be respectful of other user's designs.

A Rule 0 deck is one that employs any of the following, in isolation or combination.

  • Your Commander is a silver-bordered Commander, such as Alexander Clamilton.
  • You Commanders do not have Partner or Partners With together, but you would like to still use them in tandem. For example, Stitcher Geralf and Ghoulcaller Gisa.
  • Your Commander is banned in the format, such as Iona, Shield of Emeria.
  • Your Commander isn't a Legendary Creature. Examples may be a Legendary Enchantment, a Legendary Artifact, a Legendary Planeswalker or perhaps even a Legendary Sorcery. An example could be Sanctum of All or Parhelion II.
  • You wish to run a Commander who isn't actually Legendary, such as Dune-Brood Nephilim.
  • In fact, it doesn't even have to be a "real" MTG card! Want to run Sliv-Mizzet, Hivemind? Go for it!

Rule 0 doesn't just account for what's in your Command Zone. It could also be, to a much less extent, what's in the library. Perhaps you wish to run a silvered border card or a banned card. Or perhaps more than just one as a silly theme set, such as a deck exclusively made out of the Unsanctioned Augment mechanic.

Technically, yes. But if you wish to employ such powerful cards, you may want to simply consider playing Canadian Highlander instead.

The purpose of Rule 0, as a format, is to breathe new life into janky decks. To reinvigorate your playgroup. To have hilarious antics, memorable plays and laughs with friends.

Rule 0 is EDH for those who want to put having a fun and hilarious time above winning. It's for those players who have a creative itch that the Rules Committee won't scratch.

Rule 0 is about finding those roots of Magic again, where it's a game meant to be played by those you enjoy spending time with. :)

Unfortunately, no. First and foremost, a land isn't cast. So it couldn't be cast from the Command Zone, regardless. Secondly, it's not very fair to open with a T1 Gaea's Cradle every single game.

Even if the entire table ran land destruction, mana to get your Cradle back is nothing and unfairly unbalances the game.

Furthermore, fetch lands extrapolate this issue even more, as now every single turn you are guaranteed a land of your choice.

The same can apply to any modal card that flips or transforms into lands, such as Growing Rites of Itlimoc  Flip. Permanents like these essentially put lands in your Command Zone, which just creates the same problem again.

So, unfortunately lands in the Command Zone are banned. Sorry.

Gidgetimer says... #1

And I like how you read the title and literally none of the post and decide to make a comment on it. The two sentences not in spoiler blocks explain that it was an idea for a hub, but because of the support it received it is now a selectable format to tag your deck with. Grats on getting uppity about an announcement of updated deck builder features on this deck building website though

January 21, 2022 5 p.m.

yeaGO says... #2

yeah... it isn't really meant as a debate thread about the merits or origins of rule zero it was more of just an announcement

January 21, 2022 5:34 p.m.

Jimmithee says... #3

mmm.... Throne of the Grim Captain  Flip EDH...

January 17, 2024 8:03 p.m.

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