The Partner keyword in the Commander box sets was an interesting way to interact with the command zone (How successful it was can be a matter of opinion). It got me thinking - what if there was a way to do that, but to allow non-creatures as a second commander? The idea changed a bit over time, and I ended up with this:
Signature [Type] (At the beginning of the game, if this card is your starting commander, search your deck for a [Type] card and put it in the command zone. Treat that card as an additional commander this game.)
Rules:
a. The additional card is treated as a commander in all regards. Each time it is cast from the command zone costs an additional 2 per previous cast. If it would go into the hand, graveyard, library, or exile zones, instead its owner may put it in the command zone. If it is ever a creature on the battlefield, its combat damage counts as commander damage from it.
b. Since the card is chosen at the start of the game, it must legally be part of the deck during deck construction. It cannot add allowed colors to the deck creation.
c. If multiple players have a commander with this ability, each card is revealed at the same time.
d. If a card with this keyword is chosen this way, it's instance of the keyword has no effect.
A couple examples (Names are just to add a concept, the don't fit in any story. Cards aren't balance tested)
Garruk, the Sparkless 2BG
Legendary Creature - Human Warrior
Menace
Signature Creature
As long as you control a second commander, [This] and that creature get +3/+3 and have Trample
4/4
Might have some wording issues there, but as an example it works
Glinn, Izzet Manamancer 3UR
Legendary Creature - Goblin Wizard
Signature Sorcery
Sorcery spells you cast cost 2 less to cast. T: Put a Sorcery card from your command zone into your hand.
2/4
Havana, Master Enchantress 2WW
Legendary Creature - Human Druid
Signature Enchantment XWW: Put a copy of an Enchantment card in your command zone onto the battlefield. X is that card's converted mana cost.
0/5
A note about the keyword's use:
Lands would not be used. Being able to tutor any land you want at the start of the game has potential to be overly broken, and there's the question about how the commander tax would be used.
Planeswalkers would only be used on a VERY special legendary creature. Having a walker you can pull in to help you at will is hard to justify flavor-wise.
A card could have multiple instances of the keyword, but like the examples I gave, it should interact in some way with the card(s) chosen at the start of the game - this is the signature trick of the character, it should get some bonus for using it.
An early version of this I came up with had the card being part of deck creation, but that either allowed for making a signature spell that wasn't in any of the creature's colors, or made having it part of the deck construction supurfluous since it had to follow the color rules of the rest of the cards. Having it chosen at the start of each game also gives the user a way to grab a 'silver bullet' for their opponent out of their deck.
Time Walk or whatever + Glinn = GeeGee. Allowing you to cast from the Zone might help a little, but it's still potentially game over from that point on.
Like, these are interesting concepts, but I'd be very careful if I were you.
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“Tell me who you walk with, and I'll tell you who you are.” Esmeralda Santiago Art is life itself.
What I like about this garruk I get to play a BG demon deck that would have otherwise monoblafk. And get Griselbeef as a commander.
What I dont like about garruk is hes basically a strict upgrade over an BG or B or G commander.
Sorcery Commander, might be too powerful with delve spells, or alternate cost spells. Also can get Mystic confluence so she can Mystic confouence eacch turn.l for 1UU. Edit: forgot the sorcery part. Maybe she just regrabs time walks with her untaps.
Enchantment Commander @ Nevermore spam, Oblivion Ring spam.
I'm all for these Signature cards, what I dont think will be good is the ability to repeatably "cheat" them out, bypassing the 2mana tax. I understand wanting to do more for their partner cards, but i guess tutoring up that card is significant in itself.
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MtG is where you can hate white players or black players, and still not be racist.
Signature [Type] (At the beginning of the game, if this card is your starting commander, search your deck for a [Type] card and put it in the command zone. Treat that card as an additional commander this game.)
Rules:
a. The additional card is treated as a commander in all regards. Each time it is cast from the command zone costs an additional 2 per previous cast. If it would go into the hand, graveyard, library, or exile zones, instead its owner may put it in the command zone. If it is ever a creature on the battlefield, its combat damage counts as commander damage from it.
b. Since the card is chosen at the start of the game, it must legally be part of the deck during deck construction. It cannot add allowed colors to the deck creation.
c. If multiple players have a commander with this ability, each card is revealed at the same time.
d. If a card with this keyword is chosen this way, it's instance of the keyword has no effect.
A couple examples (Names are just to add a concept, the don't fit in any story. Cards aren't balance tested)
A note about the keyword's use:
Lands would not be used. Being able to tutor any land you want at the start of the game has potential to be overly broken, and there's the question about how the commander tax would be used.
Planeswalkers would only be used on a VERY special legendary creature. Having a walker you can pull in to help you at will is hard to justify flavor-wise.
A card could have multiple instances of the keyword, but like the examples I gave, it should interact in some way with the card(s) chosen at the start of the game - this is the signature trick of the character, it should get some bonus for using it.
An early version of this I came up with had the card being part of deck creation, but that either allowed for making a signature spell that wasn't in any of the creature's colors, or made having it part of the deck construction supurfluous since it had to follow the color rules of the rest of the cards. Having it chosen at the start of each game also gives the user a way to grab a 'silver bullet' for their opponent out of their deck.
Like, these are interesting concepts, but I'd be very careful if I were you.
Art is life itself.
What I dont like about garruk is hes basically a strict upgrade over an BG or B or G commander.
Sorcery Commander, might be too powerful with delve spells, or alternate cost spells. Also can get Mystic confluence so she can Mystic confouence eacch turn.l for 1UU. Edit: forgot the sorcery part. Maybe she just regrabs time walks with her untaps.
Enchantment Commander @ Nevermore spam, Oblivion Ring spam.
I'm all for these Signature cards, what I dont think will be good is the ability to repeatably "cheat" them out, bypassing the 2mana tax. I understand wanting to do more for their partner cards, but i guess tutoring up that card is significant in itself.
- Rabid Wombat