What's The Difference Between Brawl And Commander?

Brawl and Commander are two popular Magic: The Gathering formats that have many similarities but also some important differences.

Both formats are singleton, meaning that each deck can only have one copy of any given card (with some exceptions), and both formats require players to choose a legendary creature as their commander.

However, there are some key differences between the two formats that can have a big impact on gameplay.

What's The Difference Between Brawl And Commander? A Comprehensive Comparison

Understanding the basics of Brawl and Commander is essential to appreciate the differences between the two formats.

Brawl is a relatively new format that was introduced in 2018 and is played on Magic: The Gathering Arena. It is similar to Commander in that players choose a legendary creature as their commander and build a deck around it, but the deck must be Standard legal and only contain cards that share a color identity with the commander.

Commander, on the other hand, is an older format that has been around since 1993 and is played in paper and online. It allows players to use any card that has been printed in Magic: The Gathering history (with some exceptions) and has a more flexible color identity rule.

Key Takeaways – What’s The Difference Between Brawl And Commander?

Brawl and Commander are two popular Magic: The Gathering formats that have many similarities but also some important differences.
Understanding the basics of Brawl and Commander is essential to appreciate the differences between the two formats.
Brawl is a newer format that is played on Magic: The Gathering Arena and has more restrictive deckbuilding rules, while Commander is an older format that allows players to use any card and has a more flexible color identity rule.

Understanding the Basics of Brawl and Commander

Defining Brawl and Commander

Brawl and Commander are two popular formats of the Magic: The Gathering card game. In both formats, players build a deck of cards around a “commander” card, which is a legendary creature or planeswalker.

The commander starts the game in the “command zone” and can be cast at any time during the game. The objective of both formats is to reduce your opponent’s life total to zero.

Brawl is a newer format that was introduced in 2018. It is a 60-card singleton format, which means that each card in the deck must be unique except for basic lands. The color identity of the commander determines which cards can be included in the deck.

Brawl is typically played as a 1v1 format, but it can also be played in multiplayer.

Commander, also known as EDH (Elder Dragon Highlander), has been around since 1993. It is a 100-card singleton format, which means that each card in the deck must be unique except for basic lands. The color identity of the commander determines which cards can be included in the deck.

Commander is typically played as a multiplayer format, with games consisting of three to four players.

Key Differences in Deck Construction

One of the key differences between Brawl and Commander is the deck size. Brawl decks are 60 cards, while Commander decks are 100 cards.

This means that Brawl decks are more focused and consistent, while Commander decks are more varied and can include more niche cards.

Another key difference is the starting life total. In Brawl, players start with 25 life, while in Commander, players start with 40 life.

This means that Brawl games tend to be faster and more aggressive, while Commander games tend to be longer and more strategic.

Starting Life Total Variations

The starting life total is not the only variation in life total between Brawl and Commander.

In Commander, each player has a “commander damage” total, which tracks the amount of damage dealt by a player’s commander to another player. If a player takes 21 or more commander damage from a single commander, they lose the game. Brawl does not have a commander damage rule.

Gameplay Dynamics in Brawl and Commander

When it comes to gameplay dynamics, there are some key differences between Brawl and Commander. In this section, we will explore the main differences in gameplay between these two formats.

Multiplayer vs. One-on-One Formats

One of the most significant differences between Brawl and Commander is the number of players involved in the game.

Commander is primarily a multiplayer format, with games often involving four or more players. In contrast, Brawl is typically played as a one-on-one format, although it can also be played in multiplayer.

The difference in the number of players has a significant impact on gameplay dynamics. In multiplayer formats, players must be more strategic in their decision-making and take into account the actions of multiple opponents.

In one-on-one formats, players have more control over the game’s pace and can be more aggressive in their playstyle.

The Role of the Command Zone

Another key difference between Brawl and Commander is the role of the command zone.

In Commander, players select a legendary creature to serve as their commander, which is then placed in the command zone. The commander can be cast at any time during the game, and its presence in the command zone has a significant impact on gameplay.

In Brawl, players select a legendary creature or planeswalker as their commander, which is also placed in the command zone. However, the commander’s impact on gameplay is not as significant as in Commander.

This is because the commander can only be cast during the game’s first main phase, and if it is removed from the battlefield, it must return to the command zone.

Impact of Planeswalkers

Another significant difference between Brawl and Commander is the impact of planeswalkers.

In Commander, planeswalkers are not allowed in the command zone, while in Brawl, players can choose a planeswalker as their commander.

The inclusion of planeswalkers in Brawl has a significant impact on gameplay.

Planeswalkers are powerful cards that can generate card advantage and control the board state. Their presence in the command zone means that players must be prepared to deal with them throughout the game.

Card Restrictions and Ban Lists

Brawl’s Standard Card Pool

Brawl is a Magic: The Gathering format that uses Standard-legal cards. This means that only cards from the current Standard set and the two most recent Standard sets are legal to play in Brawl.

Unlike Commander, Brawl has a smaller card pool, which makes it easier for players to build decks and find the cards they need.

However, Brawl has a ban list that restricts certain cards from being played in the format.

Some of the cards that are banned in Brawl include Pithing Needle, Drannith Magistrate, and Golos, Tireless Pilgrim. These cards are considered too powerful or disruptive for the Brawl format.

Commander’s Vast Card Selection

Commander is a much older Magic: The Gathering format that has a much larger card pool than Brawl.

In Commander, players can use any card that has been printed in Magic: The Gathering, with the exception of a few banned cards. This means that players have access to thousands of cards to choose from when building their decks.

However, Commander also has a ban list that restricts certain cards from being played in the format.

Some of the cards that are banned in Commander include Lutri, the Spellchaser, Oko, Thief of Crowns, Runed Halo, and Sorcerous Spyglass. These cards are considered too powerful or disruptive for the Commander format.

Cultural and Social Aspects

The Social Contract of Commander

Commander is a format that heavily relies on the social contract between players. This means that players are expected to adhere to a set of unwritten rules that govern the game.

For example, players are expected to not play overly competitive decks in casual settings, not target a single player repeatedly, and not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct. This social contract is what makes Commander a fun and social experience for many players.

On the other hand, Brawl is a newer format that does not have the same level of social contract as Commander.

This is because Brawl is still in its infancy and does not have a well-established community like Commander. As a result, Brawl players may have to communicate more explicitly with each other to ensure that everyone is having a good time.

Brawl’s Accessibility for New Players

One of the benefits of Brawl is that it is more accessible for new players than Commander.

Brawl has a smaller card pool, with only cards from the current Standard sets being legal. This means that players do not need to have an extensive collection of cards to build a competitive deck.

Additionally, Brawl is available on MTG Arena, which makes it easier for new players to try out the format without investing in physical cards.

Commander, on the other hand, has a larger card pool, which can be overwhelming for new players.

Additionally, Commander decks can be expensive to build, especially if players want to include powerful cards. This can be a barrier to entry for new players who are not yet invested in the format.

Strategic Complexity and Player Experience

Commander’s Strategic Depth

Commander is known for its strategic depth and complexity.

With a larger deck size and a wider card pool, players have more options to build their decks and create unique strategies. The format encourages players to think long-term and plan their moves carefully.

Control decks are popular in Commander, as they allow players to manipulate the board state and limit their opponents’ options.

Mana management is also crucial in Commander, as players must balance their resources and use them efficiently.

The inclusion of powerful mana rocks such as Arcane Signet can greatly impact the game and give players an advantage.

Brawl’s Evolving Meta

Brawl, on the other hand, has a smaller card pool and a 60-card deck size, which makes it more accessible to newer players.

The format is constantly evolving, as new sets are released and new cards are added to the mix. This means that the meta is always shifting, and players must adapt to stay competitive.

Brawl decks tend to be more focused on their commander, as they are limited to a single color identity. This can lead to more streamlined and focused gameplay, with players relying on their commander’s abilities to win the game.

Great! I’ll get started on finding relevant articles. Please give me a moment to gather and rewrite the descriptions for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Brawl and Commander formats differ in deck construction?

In Commander, players build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature or planeswalker called a “commander.”

In Brawl, players build a 60-card singleton deck around a legendary creature or planeswalker as well. However, the card pool for Brawl is limited to only cards that are legal in Standard, while Commander allows cards from throughout Magic’s history.

What are the distinct rules for Brawl compared to Commander?

While Brawl shares many similarities with Commander, there are a few distinct differences.

In Brawl, players start with 30 life instead of 40, and there is no commander damage rule. Additionally, Brawl can be played in both 1v1 and small groups, offering a more streamlined and faster-paced experience due to the smaller card pool and life total.

Can you explain the differences in gameplay between Brawl and Historic Brawl?

Historic Brawl is a variant of Brawl that allows players to use any card that is legal in the Historic format.

This means that players have access to a much larger card pool than in Standard Brawl. Additionally, Historic Brawl can be played on Arena, while Standard Brawl is only available in paper or through third-party programs.

What are the card pool limitations for Brawl versus Commander?

As mentioned earlier, Brawl is limited to only cards that are legal in Standard, while Commander allows cards from throughout Magic’s history. This means that Commander has a much larger card pool and allows for more diverse and powerful decks.

How does the multiplayer aspect of Brawl differ from that of Commander?

Both Brawl and Commander can be played in multiplayer settings, but there are some differences.

In Commander, players start with 40 life and can deal commander damage to their opponents by attacking with their commander. In Brawl, there is no commander damage rule and players start with 30 life. Additionally, Brawl is often played in smaller groups, while Commander can accommodate larger groups of players.

What are the differences in banned card lists between Brawl and Commander?

The banned card lists for Brawl and Commander are different. While there is some overlap, there are also cards that are banned in one format but legal in the other.

For example, the card [[Oko, Thief of Crowns]] is banned in Brawl but legal in Commander, while the card [[Iona, Shield of Emeria]] is banned in Commander but legal in Brawl.

It’s important to check the banned lists for both formats before building a deck.

What’s The Difference Between Brawl And Commander? A Comprehensive Comparison

Key Takeaways – What’s The Difference Between Brawl And Commander?