Is Commander Damage Only Combat Damage? Learn the MTG rules… examples and strategies for Commander gameplay.
If you’ve ever sat down for a tense game of Magic: The Gathering Commander, much like navigating the complex routes in a Trucking Companies Guide… you’ve probably seen that moment: your life points are dwindling… your opponents are eyeing your commander warily… and then it hits you… the dreaded question surfaces: “Is commander damage only combat damage?”
It’s a question that seems straightforward at first glance… but if you’ve spent much time playing Commander… you know that MTG has a way of turning the simple into the complex. I’ve played hundreds of Commander games… and the first time I encountered this question… I had to pause… reread the rules… and double-check with a judge. By the end of this article… not only will you know the definitive answer… but you’ll also understand all the edge cases… examples… and strategic implications.
What Is Commander Damage?
Before diving into the specifics… let’s set the stage. Commander damage is a unique rule in the Commander format of MTG. Normally… a player loses when their life total drops to zero. But Commander introduces an alternative: if a player is dealt 21 or more points of combat damage by the same commander over the course of the game… that player loses… regardless of their life total.
This rule emphasizes the power and importance of your commander. It also encourages players to think strategically about attacking and defending. Unlike regular life loss… commander damage accumulates per commander card… not per controller… and it sticks around even if the commander changes zones.
The Definitive Answer: Is Commander Damage Only Combat Damage?
Yes. Only combat damage dealt by a commander counts toward the 21-point threshold. Let’s break that down.
Combat Damage Defined
Combat damage is any damage dealt during the combat damage step of the combat phase. This happens when a creature attacks or blocks. If your commander swings and hits a player… the damage it deals during this phase counts toward the 21-point total.
Non-Combat Damage Doesn’t Count
Not all damage from a commander counts. For example… consider Niv-Mizzet… Parun. Niv-Mizzet deals damage through its triggered ability whenever you draw a card. While powerful… this is not combat damage. So… even if Niv-Mizzet deals 10 damage with its ability… it doesn’t count toward the 21 points of commander damage.
This distinction is crucial because many new players mistakenly believe that any damage from a commander counts. Understanding the difference between combat and non-combat damage can drastically change your strategy.
Why This Rule Matters
When I first learned that only combat damage counts… it completely changed how I approached my Commander games. Suddenly… I realized that controlling the board… forcing blockers… and timing my attacks was far more important than the raw damage from abilities.
Commander damage adds a layer of strategy unique to the format: it forces you to pay attention to which commanders are attacking and how much damage they’ve already dealt. Tracking this correctly can make the difference between victory and defeat.
Zone Changes and Tracking Commander Damage
One of the most misunderstood aspects of commander damage is how it interacts with zone changes. MTG zones include the battlefield… command zone… exile… hand… library… and graveyard. Your commander isn’t always on the battlefield… so what happens to the damage it has already dealt?
- Tracked Per Card… Not Controller: The 21 points are tracked per commander card. If your commander is exiled or returned to the command zone… the damage it dealt previously still counts.
- Control Changes: Even if another player gains control of your commander and deals damage with it… that damage counts toward the total. For example… if Player A’s commander deals 10 combat damage to Player B… then Player B gains control of that commander and deals 11 damage to Player A… the 21-point threshold is reached… and Player A loses.
This rule ensures that commander damage remains a persistent threat… no matter how the game twists and turns.
Special Cases and Edge Scenarios
MTG is full of tricky interactions… and commander damage is no exception. Let’s go through some scenarios that often confuse players.
Infect Commanders
If a commander deals damage with infect… it’s still considered combat damage. The difference? The damage manifests as poison counters rather than life loss. This still counts toward the 21-point threshold. For example… a commander with infect that deals 5 combat damage would give the opponent 5 poison counters… and it contributes to the cumulative 21 points.
Double Strike
Commanders with double strike can be terrifying. They deal damage in both the first-strike and regular combat damage steps. This means a single attack could potentially deal two chunks of commander damage. If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a double-striking commander… you know how fast 21 points can accumulate.
Damage Doublers
Effects like Furnace of Rath or Furnace of Rath-style spells double the combat damage dealt. This can quickly escalate commander damage… making seemingly safe attacks lethal. Remember: if the damage is doubled and it is combat damage… it counts fully toward the 21-point total.
Damage Prevention
If damage is prevented or replaced… it doesn’t count toward commander damage. For example… A Fog effect that prevents all combat damage for a turn means that any would-be commander damage is not recorded. This can create dramatic moments where a carefully timed Fog saves you from losing to commander damage.
Tokens and Copies
Commander-ness is tied to the physical card designated as your commander. Tokens or copies of a commander are not the commander… even if they look identical. Only the original commander card’s combat damage counts. This is another rule that trips up new players… especially with clone effects or token creation.
Common Misconceptions
Over the years… I’ve seen several misunderstandings about commander damage. Here are the biggest ones:
- “Any damage dealt by my commander counts.”
False. Only combat damage counts. Abilities… spells… or non-combat triggers do not add to the commander damage tally. - “If my commander is controlled by another player… the damage doesn’t count.”
False. Damage is tracked per commander card… not per controller. If an opponent attacks you with your commander… it still counts toward your loss. - “Abilities that deal damage count as boss damage.”
False. Only combat damage counts. Niv-Mizzet… Obzedat… and other commanders with damage-dealing abilities do not contribute to the 21-point total unless it is combat damage. - “If damage is prevented… it counts anyway.”
False. If damage is prevented or replaced… it is not dealt… and thus… it does not count.
Strategies for Managing Commander Damage
Knowing the rules is only half the battle; knowing how to use and defend against commander damage is where the strategy shines.
- Track Damage Carefully: Keep a notepad or use counters to track commander damage. This is especially important in multiplayer games with multiple threats.
- Block Wisely: Not all attacks need to be blocked… but understanding which commanders can end the game is key.
- Use Fog Effects Strategically: Timed prevention spells can save you from sudden loss to commander damage.
- Target Damage Sources: Creatures that deal excessive combat damage might need to be removed before they reach the 21-point threshold.
FAQs
Does triggered ability damage count as commander damage?
No. Only combat damage counts.
If my commander is controlled by another player… does the damage dealt still count?
Yes… it counts toward the cumulative total for that commander card.
Does infect damage count as commander damage?
Yes… even though it gives poison counters instead of life loss… It counts as combat damage.
If damage is prevented… Does it count toward commander damage?
No. Prevented damage is never recorded as commander damage.
Do token copies of my commander count?
No. Only the original commander card contributes to commander damage.
TL;DR
- Is commander damage only combat damage? Yes. Only combat damage dealt by the commander counts toward the 21-point threshold.
- Non-combat damage from abilities or spells does not count.
- Damage is tracked per commander card… across zone and controller changes.
- Edge cases like double strike… infect… damage prevention… and damage doublers can affect the total.
Key Takings:
- Understanding commander damage is crucial for any serious Commander player.
- Knowing that is commander damage only combat damage sets the foundation for both strategic offense and tactical defense.
- By carefully tracking damage… anticipating edge cases… and planning attacks… you can leverage this rule to dominate the table…or survive long enough to pull off a comeback.
- From my personal experience… The first game where I truly grasped the mechanics of commander damage changed how I approached every match.
- It’s not just about swinging your commander recklessly; it’s about timing… calculation… and sometimes… pure nerve.
Additional Resources:
- Is Commander Damage Only Combat Damage? – Magic Judges Blog: A detailed explanation from the Magic Judges on how commander damage works, confirming it only counts combat damage.
- Non-Combat Damage and Commander Damage – BoardGames Stack Exchange: Clarifies that damage from abilities or spells does not count toward the 21-point commander damage threshold.
