I want to preface this by saying i am pretty new to commander / EDH as a whole so excuse my naïvety.
What commander abilities can be activated in the command zone, i have heard that most abilities don't activate in the command zone but i want to know if there are any exceptions. Like if a card says that you can pay manna to exile it and return it to the battlefield transformed, can you do that.
Generally speaking, if a card has an activated ability, it can only be activated from the battlefield. If a card has an activated ability that can be activated from some other zone, it's usually because the ability would obviously be nonsensical if it weren't activated from that zone. Some examples:
Derevi, Empyrial Tactician has an activated ability that puts itself onto the battlefield from the command zone. This ability can be used while Derevi is in the command zone because this effect obviously wouldn't do anything if Derevi was already on the battlefield.
Soul of Innistrad has an activated ability that can be used while it is in the graveyard. It would be impossible pay Soul of Innistrad's activation cost of "exiling it from your graveyard" if it had to be on the battlefield for you to use that ability.
Azure Mage has an ability that draws cards when activated. Because there is nothing on the card that indicates its ability can be activated from other zones, it can only be activated while Azure Mage is on the battlefield.
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WUBRGMr. Bones' Wild RideGRBUW Trap your friends in an endless game with this 23-card combo!
The ability you're thinking of that happens from the command zone with Oloro if he's in the command zone (gain 2 life) is a triggered ability (at the beginning of your upkeep).
I want to preface this by saying i am pretty new to commander / EDH as a whole so excuse my naïvety.
What commander abilities can be activated in the command zone, i have heard that most abilities don't activate in the command zone but i want to know if there are any exceptions. Like if a card says that you can pay manna to exile it and return it to the battlefield transformed, can you do that.
Basically, the command zone is a catch-all zone. It's used in Commander for commanders. It's used in Planechase and Archenemy for planes and schemes. And in all Magic games, it's used for emblems. But other than that, it's just like any other public zone other than the stack and battlefield: You can't activate abilities outside of the battlefield unless the ability says you can. (For instance, cycling can be activated in your hand, and flashback allows you to cast a spell from your graveyard.) Same thing with other rules text. However, I must add that characteristic-defining abilities are always "on". Those abilities define base power/toughness, color, and creature type.
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Card advantage is not the same thing as card draw. Something for 2B cannot be strictly worse than something for BBB or 3BB. If you're taking out Swords to Plowshares for Plummet, you're a fool. Stop doing these things!
What commander abilities can be activated in the command zone, i have heard that most abilities don't activate in the command zone but i want to know if there are any exceptions. Like if a card says that you can pay manna to exile it and return it to the battlefield transformed, can you do that.
any and all advice is appreciated
Thanks
Salt is part of the game. Deal with it.
Derevi, Empyrial Tactician has an activated ability that puts itself onto the battlefield from the command zone. This ability can be used while Derevi is in the command zone because this effect obviously wouldn't do anything if Derevi was already on the battlefield.
Soul of Innistrad has an activated ability that can be used while it is in the graveyard. It would be impossible pay Soul of Innistrad's activation cost of "exiling it from your graveyard" if it had to be on the battlefield for you to use that ability.
Azure Mage has an ability that draws cards when activated. Because there is nothing on the card that indicates its ability can be activated from other zones, it can only be activated while Azure Mage is on the battlefield.
Trap your friends in an endless game with this 23-card combo!
The ability you're thinking of that happens from the command zone with Oloro if he's in the command zone (gain 2 life) is a triggered ability (at the beginning of your upkeep).
eta- my spelling sucks
Building: Varina
nicol bolas, the ravager's ability can only be activated when he is on the battlefield
8.RG Green Devotion Ramp/Combo 9.UR Draw Triggers 10.WUR Group stalling 11.WUR Voltron Spellslinger 12.WB Sacrificial Shenanigans
13.BR Creatureless Panharmonicon 14.BR Pingers and Eldrazi 15.URG Untapped Cascading
16.Reyhan, last of the Abzan's WUBG +1/+1 Counter Craziness 17.WUBRG Dragons aka Why did I make this?
Building: The Gitrog Monster lands, Glissa the Traitor stax, Muldrotha, the Gravetide Planeswalker Combo, Kydele, Chosen of Kruphix + Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa Clues, and Tribal Scarecrow Planeswalkers
On phasing: