Poll: Would you allow a Rule 0 EDH deck with hybrid symbols that partially match color identity?
Commander (EDH) forum
Posted on Oct. 7, 2025, 6:40 a.m. by StopShot
A player at the table has a rule 0 commander deck that includes cards that they know break their commander's own color identity, but all cards that have off-color symbols in their deck are all hybrid symbols that can still be played with colored mana within their commander's color identity.
For example, a Rise of the Hobgoblins in a Krenko, Mob Boss deck or a Nature's Chant in a Kwain, Itinerant Meddler deck as long as all hybrid symbols have an on-color half. Neither example deck would run off-color hybrid cards such as Cease / Desist due to the .
Would you allow a rule 0 deck that abides by this slight change in color identity? Would you find it more acceptable for them to play that deck than a rule 0 deck that doesn't care about color identity at all or would it not make a difference to you assuming all other deck-building rules are followed?
Crow_Umbra says... #3
I think if this was brought up by one my friends in my close play group, none of us would have much issue about it. This is mostly since we all have a really good read on each others' play styles and deck building tendencies. We know each other well enough at this point that it wouldn't be a huge deal, and we would each be transparent if the included card was part of a combo.
I think if this question was brought up with randos at a LGS, I'd probably ask first about combos or other general details about the deck to get an idea about it. If everything seems on the level based on additional info, I wouldn't mind playing a game with that person to find out firsthand. Worst case scenario is that person misrepresented what their intentions were and I know to not play with them again.
EDHRECast just dropped a video yesterday on house rules. Hybrid Mana gets brought up very briefly in the back half of the video, but it's barely more than a 1 minute discussion. There was a MTG content channel that looked at Hybrid mana cards and what they would potentially add to decks that have at least one of their colors, but I can't remember who made it. That video was from at least 2-3 years ago, if not a bit more. If I find it I'll link it here.
October 7, 2025 2:06 p.m.
TypicalTimmy says... #4
The original intent of hybrid mana, if I recall, is that it's not "both", it's "either".
is both red and white.
can be but it can ALSO be OR .
I would be 100% perfectly okay with it being in a mono-red deck, or a mono-white deck
October 7, 2025 2:51 p.m.
FormOverFunction says... #5
One thing we aren’t really touched on is how the other players may feel a little put out because they made their decks under the assumption that everyone had to follow that rule. There may very well be cards that they passed on specifically because of that rule… only to get to the LGS and find that others just put it/them in anyways. This is where having a regular group helps, as mentioned above, because you can build a more resilient dynamic. If it’s three randos… the chances that variants like this will not go well. I also wanted to agree with TypicalTimmy about the difference between multicolored and this-of-that. I work specifically with legal terminology (which is why I refer to magic as a training opportunity lol) and “shall vs may” is something I get to talk about a lot. I think it’s a worthwhile consideration.
October 7, 2025 5:16 p.m.
Coward_Token says... #6
Side note: my niche complaint about Spider-Man is that I can't use Spider-Woman, Stunning Savior as a marginal upgrade for my Marisi
deck
October 7, 2025 6:11 p.m.
Haven't actually tried to build and use it yet, but I outlined a deck on here with a monocolor commander and only hybrid cards. I touched grass, now I'm shipwrecked in Jund Something with this level of gimmickiness, I'd be okay with because it's not that good. If a deck has one, maybe two hybrid cards, I wouldn't have a problem with as long as they're announced ahead of time. Some of them have pretty unique and interesting effects.
My big problem would be if you used them to gain a clear technical advantage or had a specific use for them based on their color-ness. An easy example of this is Bloom Tender. No, you don't get to claim Tribune of Rot and Jinnie Fay, Jetmir's Second as multicolor in your monogreen Elf deck for Tender to make more mana. If you try to pull this during a game, you get one and a lecture on permission abuse.
Another example is using something like Ashenmoor Liege, Balefire Liege, Creakwood Liege, Deathbringer Liege, Thistledown Liege, and Wilt-Leaf Liege to give your commander +7/+7. You get the Deathbringer, and the rest go away.
October 8, 2025 4:08 a.m.
plakjekaas says... #8
Intent doesn't matter much if the rules as written exclude it. The criterium is color identity not color possibility. I would object against a card in a mono white commander deck that you can pay for to cast it, even though the impact of the cards in question would not be that big.
But the whole Rule zero conversation is just to exactly coordinate these details with the actual group you're playing with before anyone can get disappointed by them during the game.
It might be wise to gather a few monocolored alternatives to switch out of you find a table objecting to it, that way you'll be able to play at any table.
October 8, 2025 5:37 a.m.
Coward_Token says... #9
With the recent bracket article in mind, you might not have to ask for permission in the future :)
October 21, 2025 4:15 p.m.
Crow_Umbra says... #10
Figured I'd revisit this thread real quick since The Command Zone just dropped a video discussing the topic of hybrid mana. They discuss the pros and cons of what a hybrid mana rule change could entail for EDH, in the context of the bracket article linked above in Coward_Token's comment.
FormOverFunction says... #2
I don’t know if I’ve ever taken a hard stance on an opponent’s deck. Having said that, I’m torn on this. I think this is going to end up being like proxies; they’re no big deal until they are. It took me years to find an Iceberg for my ocean deck. No one would have cared if I had proxied it because it wouldn’t make my deck super unstoppable amazing. If you proxy a Candelabra of Tawnos you’re probably going to get some eye rolls as your deck spirals into something insane. If you play one of those hybrid cards and everyone claps because it fits the theme so well… that’s great. If it works TOO well, people will resort to saying “yeah, that’s why you’re not actually allowed to have that card” and be salty. As a general rule, if I think to myself “should I mention this to my wife?” the answer is automatically “yes.” This isn’t QUITE as cut and dried, but it’s close. “Do you think people would let me get away with breaking this rule.. even though it’s only, like, half-breaking it? That way I can do X and Y and Z and dominate the table…” the answer is probably going to end up “no.”
October 7, 2025 9:11 a.m.