Elder Dragon Highlander is a Magic: The Gathering variant which provides a way of encouraging casual, interactive games with a low barrier to entry while still requiring good deck building skills. It can be played 1-on-1 but is usually multiplayer.
This page details the official rules common to most groups. Local groups often play with house rules, but this consensus version exists so that players know what to expect if they join an edh game outside their local play area. In particular, after-hours EDH games at Pro Tours and Grand Prix use these rules.
Deck Construction Rules
Players must choose a legendary creature as the "General" for their deck.
Players may choose any legendary creature as their general. Two players in the same game may choose the same General, and other players may include that card in their Deck even if it's not their General. Generals are subject to the Legend rule just like any other legendary creature; multiple copies of the same creature (whether General and non-General) will all be put into the graveyard (or command zone) as a state based effect.
The General is the principle around which an EDH deck is built. It is more easily available than other cards in the deck, and EDH decks will ususally want to leverage their General's strengths in their plans. It is not, however, guarenteed to be available at every point in the game so EDH decks should be able to function without it for a time.
The General's mana cost defines what colour of mana symbols may appear on cards in the deck.
Coloured mana symbols which may appear in an EDH deck are restricted to the colours appearing in the General's mana cost. Lands whose type includes swamp, island, plains, forest and/or mountain (e.g.: basic lands, shocklands, dual lands, Shadowmoor special-basics, etc) DO contain the corresponding mana symbol(s) as per CR 305.6. As such, they may not appear in a deck unless the General is of the corresponding colour(s).
While Hybrid mana symbols may be played with either colour mana, they count as both colours. As such, they may only be played with a general which is ALL of the hybrid mana symbols' colours.
Basic land words (swamp, forest, etc) in the text box of a card do NOT represent a coloured mana symbol. They are not restricted to generals of the same colour.
A deck may not generate mana outside its colours. If an effect would generate mana of an illegal colour, it generates colourless mana instead.
An EDH deck must contain exactly 100 cards, including the General.
With the exception of basic lands, no two cards in the deck may have the same english name.
EDH is played with vintage legal cards, with two exceptions:
The start of game procedure for EDH is as follows:
Players announce their choice of General and move that card to the command zone.
Players may then sideboard if the optional rule for sideboards are being used.
Each player draws a hand of seven cards.
Players may mulligan, using the modified "partial paris" method (detailed below)
Being a General is not a characteristic[MTG CR109.3], it is a property of the card. As such, "Generalness" cannot be copied or overwritten by continuous effects, and does not change with control of the card.
If a player has been dealt 21 points of combat damage by a particular General during the game, that player loses a game
While a General is in the command zone, it may be cast. As an additional cost to cast a General from the command zone, its owner must pay for each time it was previously cast from the command zone.
If a General would be put into a graveyard or exile from anywhere, its owner may choose to move it to the command zone instead.
Players begin the game with 40 life.
Generals are subject to the Legend rule; they will be put into the graveyard or command zone at the same time as any other Legendary creatures with the same name.
Because EDH games are long and usually not played in multigame matches, EDH uses a modified mulligan rule designed to aleviate mana-light hands without significantly increasing the odds of finding individual cards. This is also known as the "Brittany" mulligan rule.
In turn order, players may
exile (face down) some or all of the cards in their hand.
Each player then draws one less card from their deck than the number they exiled.
Players who exiled at least one card may return to step 1 and repeat the process, drawing one less card each time.
I'm new to this format and I figure this is as good a place as any to ask rules questions:
Welcome.
Quote from Farseer »
1) Can Haakon, Stromgald Scourge be played in EDH? "You may play Haakon, Stromgald Scourge from your graveyard, but not from anywhere else."
I don't believe that you could, unless you found a creative way to pull it from the RFG zone to the graveyard, using only black mana.
Quote from Farseer »
2) Can you play generals for their evoke cost, e.g. Mulldrifter?
Well, for one I don't see a problem with Mulldrifter because it's not a legend and therefore can't be a general. But I suppose that if a general did have evoke (and I think there are ... I'm outta the loop a little), you could, sacrificing it and adding 2 to the cost cumulatively.
It might be nice to adress the problems with the generals and suggest alternative rules: Mishra, Artificer Prodigy: His ability is useless. Alternatives to his ability I have seen were:
Search for an artifact with the same CMC.
Put a copy of that artifact into play.
Bosh, Iron Golem and Memnarch: Both of these are colourless generals, meaning that you could never play their abilities. I have seen many a group allow them as red and blue. However, Memnarch is obscenely strong.
Daughter of Autumn: Can't use her white ability, again rendering her useless other than a beatstick. I have seen this one allowed as a GW general.
I do have some questions though:
When I play a Celestial Dawn and use Preacher to gain control of a creature with an off color activation cost, can I pay for that cost?
Will Karn, Silver Golem cost less if I have an Mycosynth Golem in play?
If a general is put into a zone other than in play, the graveyard or removed from the game, does that mean the cumulative +2 gets reset?
I believe so long as Celestial Dawn is in play, you may activate off color acrivation costs, simply because Celestial Dawn lets you use white mana to activate them, so, strictly speaking, you aren't producing off-color mana.
I also believe that Mycosynth golem will reduce Karn's price. It says "Artifact creatures you play..", and it doesn't specify that they have to be played from your hand to get the effect, so I imagine that it works.
However, regarding your third question, I don't think that the +:2mana: ever gets reset.
A question about Higure, the Still Wind...would he be able to ninjutsu in from the RFG (under EDH rules, of course), and, if so, would that cost increase cumulatively after each death?
Bosh, Iron Golem and Memnarch: Both of these are colourless generals, meaning that you could never play their abilities. I have seen many a group allow them as red and blue. However, Memnarch is obscenely strong.
Daughter of Autumn: Can't use her white ability, again rendering her useless other than a beatstick. I have seen this one allowed as a GW general.
hey guys, i m new to edh and i want to start playing, i just have some questions about it.
1. You said that there's a 21 damage limit. if a general deals damage and other sources deal damage, is this added together as one total, or is this counted separately?
2. Why do you have 40 life if there is a 21 damage limit?
3. Does your EDH deck have to revolve around the abilities of the general?
And what's the point and difference between an edh deck and a normal magic deck?
hey guys, i m new to edh and i want to start playing, i just have some questions about it.
1. You said that there's a 21 damage limit. if a general deals damage and other sources deal damage, is this added together as one total, or is this counted separately?
21 Combat damage from a single opposing general is sort of an alternate Loose condition.
2. Why do you have 40 life if there is a 21 damage limit?
40 life is your life total, general damage is lost from life as well is damage from all other sources.
3. Does your EDH deck have to revolve around the abilities of the general?
nope...as long as you follow the rules for construction you can ignore the general altogether if you want
And what's the point and difference between an edh deck and a normal magic deck?\
EDH is meant to be a multiplayer format and a more casual setting. More expensive (to cast, cheaper to buy), more casual cards become viable in the format
Primarily because it is too easy to combo with thing like Fastbond, along with Strip Mine/Wasteland/Ghost Quarter. It's about as fun as having someone paper cut your urethra.
alright, so do other sources of damage besides the genral count towards your 21 damage limit?
Nope. It's only combat damage from a General. Think of it like poison counters. 10 of those and you lose no matter if your at 0 life or 20. Only difference in EDH is the is no Leeches effect to remove the damage.
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Legacy: B Pox WG(R/B) Enchantress WRU Star Spangled Failure
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EDH: BWR Oros GWU Jenara
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Modern: B (small)Pox GWUBR Enchantress RW Stax(less) Records
Couple questions about this.
1. Lets say I have Horde of Notions or anyother WUBRG costing legend as my general. Can I play cards which have colorless mana symbols on them?
2. Lets say, for example, I have Dosan the Falling Leaf as my general. Does my Birds of Paradise produce only colorless, only green or green and colorless mana?
It would add Green or Colorless.
The rule say, if you can generate mana of an illegal color, it would be added as colorless mana.
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"The universe is not required to be in perfect harmony with human ambition."
"Who are we? We find that we live on an insignificant planet of a humdrum star lost in a galaxy tucked away in some forgotten corner of a universe in which there are far more galaxies than people."
~Carl Sagan
T2:Rafiq ControlWUG EDH:Ramirez Extended:NinjaffinityUXB Peasent: Rites of InitiationUR Themed:Oðinn's ArmyGR Multiplayer[T1.5]:Elves of RivendellG
I am new to EDH and I have a casual "sealed" cardpool that I play with a group of friends. We have been purchasing ~8 boosters a set since Mercadian Masques or so. No trades or buying outside of the set packs purchases. With that being said, my pool of available legends is semi-limited, especially multi-color. The only legend I have with WU in its cost is Ith, High Arcanist. I have a question about his cost, given the option to suspend.
Question: Does Ith, the Arcanist's casting cost go up by 2 each time you need to recast/suspend him after death? So regardless of how I bring him into play, the next attempt is always +2 for each recast?
If my general is Vorosh, the Hunter, can I play Bloodstained Mire in my deck? It doesn't actually produce Red mana, but I'm still not sure on the rule.
I just realized. Mycoloth perfectly demonstrates the devour mechanic.
Mycoloth: NOMNOMNOM on Dragon Fodder.
One turn later, 1/1 turds come out.
Quote from kalkris »
btw i did it because i could. i was bored and decided to let my little med-free spree go ahead. I am bipolar, explaining all the drama that ensued after. I have problems.
Quote from ShadowWaveInc. »
Jon Finkel can simply walk into Mordor.
"When an artist dies the world loses two lives, that of the artist and that of his unfinished work."
Question: Does Ith, the Arcanist's casting cost go up by 2 each time you need to recast/suspend him after death? So regardless of how I bring him into play, the next attempt is always +2 for each recast?
Actually, you can't suspend him at all if he is in the General Zone (removed from game), as you can only suspend cards from your hand. You'll have to pay retail to play him the first time, and an additional 2 each time.
If my general is Vorosh, the Hunter, can I play Bloodstained Mire in my deck? It doesn't actually produce Red mana, but I'm still not sure on the rule.
Yes. The restriction is on mana symbols appearing, not the names of the basic land types, so any of the fetchlands (from Onslaught or Mirage) are playable.
City of Brass and Reflecting Pool are also fine, as they have no mana symbols. City of Brass can tap for any color your General has in its mana cost; keep in mind, however, that if you choose to tap it for mana that your General does not include, that mana will default to colorless. Reflecting Pool just taps for anything you could already tap for. They're both acceptable.
Unless I missed it, I did not see any rules specifically addressing General's w/ suspend. Thank you for the clarification The Aardvark!
It's more of a game rule, as suspend only works with cards that are actually in your hand.
However, I neglected to mention that some groups do allow Ith to be suspended from the General zone as a House Rule. If your group allows or will allow this, then the additional cost should probably be added for each time you suspend Ith. Otherwise it might be seen as a bit unfair to some, and they may renege the rule on you.
Hey everyone, I've never tried the EDH format before but I saw some folks at the shop playing it and it looked like a lot of fun, and I had some ideas, but I have one big question.
I really want to use Kaervek the Merciless as my general, but with his ability damage is done to opponents whenever they cast a spell, so does the damage they incur in this way count towards the magic 21 from a single general since the reason they are taking the damage is his ability? I'm guessing it would be, but I just want to be sure before my dreams of a Rakdos-style EDH deck fizzles :).
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Decks
Commander
Ezuri, Renegade Leader (Aggro/Combo - Favorite) Skullbriar, the Walking Grave (Sac and Grave hijinks) Azusa, Lost but Seeking (Landfall hijinks) Kaalia of the Vast (Heavily modded)
I really want to use Kaervek the Merciless as my general, but with his ability damage is done to opponents whenever they cast a spell, so does the damage they incur in this way count towards the magic 21 from a single general since the reason they are taking the damage is his ability?
Ah, okay, I gotcha. Kaervek is still good, but that did seem a little too easy, thanks for the clarification.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Decks
Commander
Ezuri, Renegade Leader (Aggro/Combo - Favorite) Skullbriar, the Walking Grave (Sac and Grave hijinks) Azusa, Lost but Seeking (Landfall hijinks) Kaalia of the Vast (Heavily modded)
Elder Dragon Highlander is a Magic: The Gathering variant which provides a way of encouraging casual, interactive games with a low barrier to entry while still requiring good deck building skills. It can be played 1-on-1 but is usually multiplayer.
This page details the official rules common to most groups. Local groups often play with house rules, but this consensus version exists so that players know what to expect if they join an edh game outside their local play area. In particular, after-hours EDH games at Pro Tours and Grand Prix use these rules.
Deck Construction Rules
Play Rules
Because EDH games are long and usually not played in multigame matches, EDH uses a modified mulligan rule designed to aleviate mana-light hands without significantly increasing the odds of finding individual cards. This is also known as the "Brittany" mulligan rule.
The banned list can be found here http://edh.truespace.ca/EDH_Forum/viewtopic.php?t=261
Welcome.
I don't believe that you could, unless you found a creative way to pull it from the RFG zone to the graveyard, using only black mana.
Well, for one I don't see a problem with Mulldrifter because it's not a legend and therefore can't be a general. But I suppose that if a general did have evoke (and I think there are ... I'm outta the loop a little), you could, sacrificing it and adding 2 to the cost cumulatively.
Mishra, Artificer Prodigy: His ability is useless. Alternatives to his ability I have seen were:
Search for an artifact with the same CMC.
Put a copy of that artifact into play.
Bosh, Iron Golem and Memnarch: Both of these are colourless generals, meaning that you could never play their abilities. I have seen many a group allow them as red and blue. However, Memnarch is obscenely strong.
Daughter of Autumn: Can't use her white ability, again rendering her useless other than a beatstick. I have seen this one allowed as a GW general.
I do have some questions though:
When I play a Celestial Dawn and use Preacher to gain control of a creature with an off color activation cost, can I pay for that cost?
Will Karn, Silver Golem cost less if I have an Mycosynth Golem in play?
If a general is put into a zone other than in play, the graveyard or removed from the game, does that mean the cumulative +2 gets reset?
I believe so long as Celestial Dawn is in play, you may activate off color acrivation costs, simply because Celestial Dawn lets you use white mana to activate them, so, strictly speaking, you aren't producing off-color mana.
I also believe that Mycosynth golem will reduce Karn's price. It says "Artifact creatures you play..", and it doesn't specify that they have to be played from your hand to get the effect, so I imagine that it works.
However, regarding your third question, I don't think that the +:2mana: ever gets reset.
I'll edit some of this into the FAQ.
Edit: Oh, and is there an exception for Phage, the Untouchable?
This amazing banner created by Le_Gambit over at [Æther]
U Azami, Lady of Scrolls
B Horobi, Death's Wail
UB Dralnu, Lich Lord
GU Experiment Kraj
WUBSen Triplets
WUBRG Scion of the Ur-Dragon
WWUUBBRRGG Progenitus
Retired EDH Decks
WUB Zur, the Enchanter
:sym2w::sym2u::sym2b::sym2r::sym2g: Reaper King
Actually, technically Bosh, Iron Golem, Memnarch, Rhys the Exiled, daughter of autumn, and thelon of havenwood are all Illegal general choices because they will always violate the rule "a card in your deck may not contain any mana symbols not in the general's mana cost"
Also, Can I use hybrid cards in a regular deck, so if I have a Black and Red general can I use Ashenmoor Liege in the deck?
Would you trade with me?
1. You said that there's a 21 damage limit. if a general deals damage and other sources deal damage, is this added together as one total, or is this counted separately?
2. Why do you have 40 life if there is a 21 damage limit?
3. Does your EDH deck have to revolve around the abilities of the general?
And what's the point and difference between an edh deck and a normal magic deck?
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The truly sick and twisted people are the ones who won't admit it.
21 Combat damage from a single opposing general is sort of an alternate Loose condition.
40 life is your life total, general damage is lost from life as well is damage from all other sources.
nope...as long as you follow the rules for construction you can ignore the general altogether if you want
EDH is meant to be a multiplayer format and a more casual setting. More expensive (to cast, cheaper to buy), more casual cards become viable in the format
Primarily because it is too easy to combo with thing like Fastbond, along with Strip Mine/Wasteland/Ghost Quarter. It's about as fun as having someone paper cut your urethra.
Credit for the banner and avatar goes to the people at High~Light Studios.
alright, so do other sources of damage besides the genral count towards your 21 damage limit?
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Saprolings burn better if you use fireballs.
The Cakes is no lie. How do i know? I have eatens it.
The truly sick and twisted people are the ones who won't admit it.
Nope. It's only combat damage from a General. Think of it like poison counters. 10 of those and you lose no matter if your at 0 life or 20. Only difference in EDH is the is no Leeches effect to remove the damage.
B Pox
WG(R/B) Enchantress
WRU Star Spangled Failure
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BWR Oros
GWU Jenara
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B (small)Pox
GWUBR Enchantress
RW Stax(less) Records
Yes
It would add Green or Colorless.
The rule say, if you can generate mana of an illegal color, it would be added as colorless mana.
"Who are we? We find that we live on an insignificant planet of a humdrum star lost in a galaxy tucked away in some forgotten corner of a universe in which there are far more galaxies than people."
~Carl Sagan
T2:Rafiq ControlWUG
EDH:Ramirez
Extended:NinjaffinityUXB
Peasent: Rites of InitiationUR
Themed:Oðinn's ArmyGR
Multiplayer[T1.5]:Elves of RivendellG
I live in a blue state now (NV)
Question: Does Ith, the Arcanist's casting cost go up by 2 each time you need to recast/suspend him after death? So regardless of how I bring him into play, the next attempt is always +2 for each recast?
Edit: I actually had the same question about Reflecting Pool and City of Brass.
Actually, you can't suspend him at all if he is in the General Zone (removed from game), as you can only suspend cards from your hand. You'll have to pay retail to play him the first time, and an additional 2 each time.
Yes. The restriction is on mana symbols appearing, not the names of the basic land types, so any of the fetchlands (from Onslaught or Mirage) are playable.
City of Brass and Reflecting Pool are also fine, as they have no mana symbols. City of Brass can tap for any color your General has in its mana cost; keep in mind, however, that if you choose to tap it for mana that your General does not include, that mana will default to colorless. Reflecting Pool just taps for anything you could already tap for. They're both acceptable.
It's more of a game rule, as suspend only works with cards that are actually in your hand.
However, I neglected to mention that some groups do allow Ith to be suspended from the General zone as a House Rule. If your group allows or will allow this, then the additional cost should probably be added for each time you suspend Ith. Otherwise it might be seen as a bit unfair to some, and they may renege the rule on you.
Good luck.
I really want to use Kaervek the Merciless as my general, but with his ability damage is done to opponents whenever they cast a spell, so does the damage they incur in this way count towards the magic 21 from a single general since the reason they are taking the damage is his ability? I'm guessing it would be, but I just want to be sure before my dreams of a Rakdos-style EDH deck fizzles :).
Commander
Ezuri, Renegade Leader (Aggro/Combo - Favorite)
Skullbriar, the Walking Grave (Sac and Grave hijinks)
Azusa, Lost but Seeking (Landfall hijinks)
Kaalia of the Vast (Heavily modded)
Standard
Waiting for Innistrad...
Extended
Hah!
Modern
Living End Cascade (RGB)
Legacy
Burn
Vintage
None
Casual
WB Aggro-Control
Green Stompy
Pink Floyd (UWr Wall Control)
Lunch Box (Fatty ramp)
D-Bag (White Control)
Level 13 Task Mage
It would be too easy if you could win outside of combat with your General.
Commander
Ezuri, Renegade Leader (Aggro/Combo - Favorite)
Skullbriar, the Walking Grave (Sac and Grave hijinks)
Azusa, Lost but Seeking (Landfall hijinks)
Kaalia of the Vast (Heavily modded)
Standard
Waiting for Innistrad...
Extended
Hah!
Modern
Living End Cascade (RGB)
Legacy
Burn
Vintage
None
Casual
WB Aggro-Control
Green Stompy
Pink Floyd (UWr Wall Control)
Lunch Box (Fatty ramp)
D-Bag (White Control)
Level 13 Task Mage
If Ghost Council of Orzhova is my General, can i play Kitchen Finks in my deck???
EDH: WEight-and-a-half-tailsW
EDH: U/ Dralnu, Lich Lord B/
Extended:U/ Fish U/