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'''''Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate''''' is the second ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' [[Commander (format)|Commander]] set that is designed to be [[draft]]ed. It was released on June 10, 2022.<ref>{{DailyRef|news/streets-new-capenna-and-commander-legends-battle-baldurs-gate-release-dates|Streets of New Capenna and Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate Release Dates|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|February 24, 2022}}</ref> It is also a ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' crossover set.<ref name="First Look">{{DailyRef|news/first-look-commander-legends-battle-baldurs-gate-2022-03-24|A First Look at ''Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate''|[[Adam Styborski]]|March 24, 2022}}</ref><ref name="First Out">{{DailyRef|making-magic/first-out-baldurs-gate-2022-05-17|First Out of Baldur's Gate|[[Mark Rosewater]]|May 17, 2022}}</ref>
'''''Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate''''' is the second ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' [[Commander (format)|Commander]] set that is designed to be [[draft]]ed. It was released on June 10, 2022.<ref>{{DailyRef|news/streets-new-capenna-and-commander-legends-battle-baldurs-gate-release-dates|Streets of New Capenna and Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate Release Dates|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|February 24, 2022}}</ref> It is also a ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' crossover set, using the cast from the ''Baldur's Gate'' video games series, including those from the then-unreleased ''Baldur's Gate 3''.<ref name="First Look">{{DailyRef|news/first-look-commander-legends-battle-baldurs-gate-2022-03-24|A First Look at ''Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate''|[[Adam Styborski]]|March 24, 2022}}</ref><ref name="First Out">{{DailyRef|making-magic/first-out-baldurs-gate-2022-05-17|First Out of Baldur's Gate|[[Mark Rosewater]]|May 17, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/commander-legends-battle-baldurs-gate-release-notes-2022-06-01|
[[Commander draft]] uses three draft boosters per player. For every pick, players take '''two''' cards at a time.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://wpn.wizards.com/en/article/how-draft-commander-legends-battle-baldurs-gate|title=How to Draft Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate|author=[[WPN]]|date=April 25, 2022|publisher=[[Wizards Play Network]]}}</ref> This is to ensure coherency of decks, as players will need to conform to the color identities of their eventual commanders, and for speed.
[[Commander draft]] uses three draft boosters per player. For every pick, players take '''two''' cards at a time.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://wpn.wizards.com/en/article/how-draft-commander-legends-battle-baldurs-gate|title=How to Draft Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate|author=[[WPN]]|date=April 25, 2022|publisher=[[Wizards Play Network]]}}</ref> This is to ensure coherency of decks, as players will need to conform to the color identities of their eventual commanders, and for speed.
After the draft, players build a 60-card deck — much like how a traditional deck of ''Magic'' is 60 cards and a traditional draft is 40, here it's 60 to Commander's 100. All other Commander rules apply with one exception: the [[Singleton]] rule does not apply. You may play as many copies of a card as you draft of it, though given the set size compared to how many cards players get, it's not very likely to get more than 1 copy of a card. Players may always use one or more Faceless Ones as a commander, even if they didn't draft one.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/welcome-your-magic-adventure-dungeons-dragons-2022-05-17|Welcome to Your ''Magic'' Adventure with ''Dungeons & Dragons''|[[Adam Styborski]] and Billie Kaplan|May 17, 2022}}</ref>
After the draft, players build a 60-card deck — much like how a traditional deck of ''Magic'' is 60 cards and a traditional draft is 40, here it's 60 to Commander's 100. All other Commander rules apply with one exception: the [[Singleton]] rule does not apply. You may play as many copies of a card as you draft of it, though given the set size compared to how many cards players get, it's not very likely to get more than 1 copy of a card. Players may always use one or more {{card|Faceless One|title=Faceless Ones}} as a commander, even if they didn't draft one.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/welcome-your-magic-adventure-dungeons-dragons-2022-05-17|Welcome to Your ''Magic'' Adventure with ''Dungeons & Dragons''|[[Adam Styborski]] and Billie Kaplan|May 17, 2022}}</ref>
===Storyline===
===Storyline===
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===Marketing===
===Marketing===
''Battle for Baldur's Gate'' is sold in 20-card [[Draft Booster|Draft]] [[booster pack]]s. Each booster pack contains 1–4 cards of rarity Rare or higher and 1 guaranteed [[Traditional Foil]] card. A 21<sup>st</sup> card is a [[Marketing card]]. The set is also sold in 15-card [[Set Booster]]s, [[Collector Booster]]s, a [[Draft Pack]], the ''Baldur's Gate'' [[Bundle]] and four [[Commander deck]]s.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/commander-legends-battle-baldurs-gate-product-overview-2022-05-17|''Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate'' Product Overview|[[Harless Snyder]]|May 17, 2022}}</ref> The Draft Boosters feature art from TBA ; the Set Boosters depict [[Boo]] and the Collector Boosters feature art from <c>TBA</c>. https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/
[[File:CLB Set Booster.png|thumb|right|Set Booster depicting [[Boo]]]]''Battle for Baldur's Gate'' is sold in 20-card [[Draft Booster|Draft]] [[booster pack]]s. Each booster pack contains 1–4 cards of rarity Rare or higher and 1 guaranteed [[Traditional Foil]] card. A 21<sup>st</sup> card is a [[Marketing card]]. The set is also sold in 15-card [[Set Booster]]s, [[Collector Booster]]s, a [[Draft Pack]], the ''Baldur's Gate'' [[Bundle]] and four [[Commander deck]]s.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/commander-legends-battle-baldurs-gate-product-overview-2022-05-17|''Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate'' Product Overview|[[Harless Snyder]]|May 17, 2022}}</ref> The Draft Boosters feature art from [https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Lae%27zel Lae'zel] ; the Set Boosters depict [[Boo]] and the Collector Boosters feature art from a [[dragon]].
====Events====
====Events====
* [[Prerelease]]: June 3–5, 2022
*[[Prerelease]]: June 3–5, 2022
====Promotional cards====
====Promotional cards====
*[[Prerelease card|Prerelease]]: a year-stamped card that can be any rare or mythic rare.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.magic.gg/news/commander-legends-battle-for-baldurs-gate-prerelease-primer|title=''Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate'' Prerelease Primer|author=[[Gavin Verhey]]|date=June 1, 2022|publisher=[[Magic.gg]]}}</ref>
*[[Prerelease card|Prerelease]]: a year-stamped card that can be any rare or mythic rare.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.magic.gg/news/commander-legends-battle-for-baldurs-gate-prerelease-primer|title=''Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate'' Prerelease Primer|author=[[Gavin Verhey]]|date=June 1, 2022|publisher=[[Magic.gg]]}}</ref>
This list only includes the reprints that appear in the draftable main set. The Commander decks feature 245 additional reprints.
*<c>Dawnbringer Cleric</c>, first printed in ''[[Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]''.
*<c>Martial Impetus</c>, first printed in ''[[Commander 2020]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander 2021]]''.
*<c>Minimus Containment</c>, first printed in ''[[Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]''.
*<c>Slaughter the Strong</c>, first printed in ''[[Rivals of Ixalan]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander Legends]]''.
*<c>Contact Other Plane</c>, first printed in ''[[Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]''.
*<c>Dream Fracture</c>, first printed in ''[[Eventide]]'', last seen in ''[[Conspiracy]]''.
*<c>Kindred Discovery</c>, first printed in ''[[Commander 2017]]'', last seen in ''[[The List]]''.
*<c>Psychic Impetus</c>, first printed in ''[[Commander 2020]]'', last seen in ''[[Forgotten Realms Commander]]''.
*<c>Run Away Together</c>, first printed in ''[[Throne of Eldraine]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander Legends]]''.
*<c>Ambition's Cost</c>, first printed in ''[[Portal Three Kingdoms]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander 2021]]''.
*<c>Ambition's Cost</c>, first printed in ''[[Portal Three Kingdoms]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander 2021]]''.
*<c>Cast Down</c>, first printed in ''[[Dominaria]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander Legends]]''.
*<c>Deadly Dispute</c>, first printed in ''[[Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]''.
*<c>Murder</c>, first printed in ''[[Magic 2013]]'', last seen in ''[[Streets of New Capenna]]''.
*<c>Parasitic Impetus</c>, first printed in ''[[Commander 2020]]'', last seen in ''[[Forgotten Realms Commander]]''.
*<c>Skullport Merchant</c>, first printed in ''[[Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]''.
*<c>Thieves' Tools</c>, first printed in ''[[Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]''.
*<c>Fireball</c>, first printed in ''[[Alpha]]'', last seen in ''[[The List]]''.
*<c>Hoarding Ogre</c>, first printed in ''[[Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]''.
*<c>Lightning Bolt</c>, first printed in ''[[Alpha]]'', last seen in ''[[Secret Lair]]''.
*<c>Shiny Impetus</c>, first printed in ''[[Commander 2020]]'', last seen in ''[[Forgotten Realms Commander]]''.
*<c>Band Together</c>, first printed in ''[[War of the Spark]]''.
*<c>Bramble Sovereign</c>, first printed in ''[[Battlebond]]''.<ref>{{TwitterRef|wizards_magic|1526605488296706048|author=[[Magic: The Gathering]]|title=Bramble Sovereign translated to the D&D concept very neatly and contributes to the politics at a Commander table.|date=May 17, 2022}}</ref>
*<c>Nature's Lore</c>, first printed in ''[[Ice Age]]'', last seen in ''[[Forgotten Realms Commander]]''.
*<c>Predatory Impetus</c>, first printed in ''[[Commander 2020]]'', last seen in ''[[Forgotten Realms Commander]]''.
*<c>Skullwinder</c>, first printed in ''[[Commander 2015]]'', last seen in ''[[The List]]''.
*<c>Traverse the Outlands</c>, first printed in ''[[Commander 2017]]'', last seen in ''[[The List]]''.
*<c>You Meet in a Tavern</c>, first printed in ''[[Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]''.
*<c>Arcane Encyclopedia</c>, first printed in ''[[Core Set 2019]]'', last seen in ''[[Jumpstart]]''.
*<c>Arcane Encyclopedia</c>, first printed in ''[[Core Set 2019]]'', last seen in ''[[Jumpstart]]''.
*<c>Arcane Signet</c>, first printed in ''[[Throne of Eldraine]]'', last seen in ''[[Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty/Commander decks|Neon Dynasty Commander]]''.
*<c>Arcane Signet</c>, first printed in ''[[Throne of Eldraine]]'', last seen in ''[[Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty/Commander decks|Neon Dynasty Commander]]''.
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*<c>Basilisk Collar</c>, first printed in ''[[Worldwake]]'', last seen in ''[[Forgotten Realms Commander]]''.
*<c>Basilisk Collar</c>, first printed in ''[[Worldwake]]'', last seen in ''[[Forgotten Realms Commander]]''.
*<c>Blade of Selves</c>, first printed in ''[[Commander 2015]]''
*<c>Blade of Selves</c>, first printed in ''[[Commander 2015]]''
*The [[Allied color]] [[Bond land]]s, first printed in ''[[Battlebond]]'', last seen in ''[[Zendikar Rising/Expeditions]]''.
*<c>Bramble Sovereign</c>, first printed in ''[[Battlebond]]''.<ref>{{TwitterRef|wizards_magic|1526605488296706048|author=[[Magic: The Gathering]]|title=Bramble Sovereign translated to the D&D concept very neatly and contributes to the politics at a Commander table.|date=May 17, 2022}}</ref>
*<c>Burnished Hart</c>, first printed in ''[[Theros]]'', last seen in ''[[Forgotten Realms Commander]]''.
*<c>Burnished Hart</c>, first printed in ''[[Theros]]'', last seen in ''[[Forgotten Realms Commander]]''.
*<c>Cast Down</c>, first printed in ''[[Dominaria]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander Legends]]''.
*<c>Charcoal Diamond</c>, first printed in ''[[Mirage]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander Legends]]''.
*<c>Command Tower</c>, first printed in ''[[Commander 2011]]'', last seen in ''[[New Capenna Commander]]''.
*<c>Fire Diamond</c>, first printed in ''[[Mirage]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander Legends]]''.
*<c>Contact Other Plane</c>, first printed in ''[[Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]''.
*<c>Dawnbringer Cleric</c>, first printed in ''[[Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]''.
*<c>Deadly Dispute</c>, first printed in ''[[Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]''.
*<c>Dream Fracture</c>, first printed in ''[[Eventide]]'', last seen in ''[[Conspiracy]]''.
*The [[Mana stone#Cycles|Diamonds cycle]], first printed in ''[[Mirage]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander Legends]]''.
*<c>Evolving Wilds</c>, first printed in ''[[Rise of the Eldrazi]]'', last seen in ''[[Innistrad: Double Feature]]''.
*<c>Fireball</c>, first printed in ''[[Alpha]]'', last seen in ''[[The List]]''.
*<c>Gate Colossus</c>, first printed in ''[[Ravnica Allegiance]]''.
*<c>Gate Colossus</c>, first printed in ''[[Ravnica Allegiance]]''.
*<c>Geode Golem</c>, first printed in ''[[Commander 2018]]''.
*<c>Geode Golem</c>, first printed in ''[[Commander 2018]]''.
*<c>Hoarding Ogre</c>, first printed in ''[[Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]''.
*The Impetus cycle, first printed in ''[[Commander 2020]]''
*<c>Kindred Discovery</c>, first printed in ''[[Commander 2017]]'', last seen in ''[[The List]]''.
*<c>Lightning Bolt</c>, first printed in ''[[Alpha]]'', last seen in ''[[Secret Lair]]''.
*<c>Manifold Key</c>, first printed in ''[[Core Set 2020]]'', last seen in ''[[Time Spiral Remastered]]''.
*<c>Manifold Key</c>, first printed in ''[[Core Set 2020]]'', last seen in ''[[Time Spiral Remastered]]''.
*<c>Marble Diamond</c>, first printed in ''[[Mirage]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander Legends]]''.
*<c>Meteor Golem</c>, first printed in ''[[Core Set 2019]]'', last seen in ''[[Forgotten Realms Commander]]''.
*<c>Meteor Golem</c>, first printed in ''[[Core Set 2019]]'', last seen in ''[[Forgotten Realms Commander]]''.
*<c>Mind Stone</c>, first printed in ''[[Weatherlight]]'', last seen in ''[[Forgotten Realms Commander]]''.
*<c>Mind Stone</c>, first printed in ''[[Weatherlight]]'', last seen in ''[[Forgotten Realms Commander]]''.
*<c>Minimus Containment</c>, first printed in ''[[Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]''.
*<c>Moss Diamond</c>, first printed in ''[[Mirage]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander Legends]]''.
*<c>Murder</c>, first printed in ''[[Magic 2013]]'', last seen in ''[[Streets of New Capenna]]''.
*<c>Nature's Lore</c>, first printed in ''[[Ice Age]]'', last seen in ''[[Forgotten Realms Commander]]''.
*<c>Pilgrim's Eye</c>, first printed in ''[[Worldwake]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander 2021]]''.
*<c>Pilgrim's Eye</c>, first printed in ''[[Worldwake]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander 2021]]''.
*<c>Plague Spitter</c>, first printed in ''[[Invasion]]'', last seen in ''[[World Championship Decks|World Championship Decks 2001]]''.
*<c>Prophetic Prism</c>, first printed in ''[[Rise of the Eldrazi]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander Legends]]''.
*<c>Prophetic Prism</c>, first printed in ''[[Rise of the Eldrazi]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander Legends]]''.
*<c>Reflecting Pool</c>, first printed in ''[[Tempest]]'', last seen in ''[[Conspiracy]]''.
*<c>Sky Diamond</c>, first printed in ''[[Mirage]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander Legends]]''.
*<c>Run Away Together</c>, first printed in ''[[Throne of Eldraine]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander Legends]]''.
*<c>Skullport Merchant</c>, first printed in ''[[Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]''.
*<c>Skullwinder</c>, first printed in ''[[Commander 2015]]'', last seen in ''[[The List]]''.
*<c>Slaughter the Strong</c>, first printed in ''[[Rivals of Ixalan]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander Legends]]''.
*<c>Swiftfoot Boots</c>, first printed in ''[[Magic 2012]]'', last seen as ''[[Streets of New Capenna]]'' [[launch party]] promo.
*<c>Swiftfoot Boots</c>, first printed in ''[[Magic 2012]]'', last seen as ''[[Streets of New Capenna]]'' [[launch party]] promo.
*<c>Thieves' Tools</c>, first printed in ''[[Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]''.
*<c>Traverse the Outlands</c>, first printed in ''[[Commander 2017]]'', last seen in ''[[The List]]''.
*<c>Treasure Keeper</c>, first printed in ''[[Aether Revolt]]'', last seen in ''[[Double Masters]]''.
*<c>Treasure Keeper</c>, first printed in ''[[Aether Revolt]]'', last seen in ''[[Double Masters]]''.
*<c>Universal Solvent</c>, first printed in ''[[Aether Revolt]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander Legends]]''.
*<c>Universal Solvent</c>, first printed in ''[[Aether Revolt]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander Legends]]''.
*<c>Wayfarer’s Bauble</c>, first printed in ''[[Fifth Dawn]]'', last seen in [[Streets of New Capenna/Commander decks]].
*<c>Wayfarer’s Bauble</c>, first printed in ''[[Fifth Dawn]]'', last seen in [[Streets of New Capenna/Commander decks]].
*<c>You Meet in a Tavern</c>, first printed in ''[[Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]''.
*The [[Allied color]] [[Bond land]]s, first printed in ''[[Battlebond]]'', last seen in ''[[Zendikar Rising/Expeditions]]''.
*<c>Command Tower</c>, first printed in ''[[Commander 2011]]'', last seen in ''[[New Capenna Commander]]''.
*<c>Evolving Wilds</c>, first printed in ''[[Rise of the Eldrazi]]'', last seen in ''[[Innistrad: Double Feature]]''.
*<c>Reflecting Pool</c>, first printed in ''[[Tempest]]'', last seen in ''[[Conspiracy]]''.
==Notable cards==
==Notable cards==
* <c>Faceless One</c> is a [[Background]] creature, and printed at common. As such, it is the second common [[legendary]] creature printed, the second legal in [[Pauper]], and fills the role that <c>The Prismatic Piper</c> did in the original ''[[Commander Legends]]''. It lacks a [[creature type]].
*<c>Faceless One</c> is a [[Background]] creature, and printed at common. As such, it is the second common [[legendary]] creature printed, the second legal in [[Pauper]], and fills the role that <c>The Prismatic Piper</c> did in the original ''[[Commander Legends]]'' and has the same [[Special]] [[rarity]]. It lacks a [[creature type]].
*<c>Venture Forth</c> is the green member of a [[mega cycle]] started with <c>Inspiring Refrain</c> and <c>Rousing Refrain</c> (''[[Commander 2021]]'').<ref>{{TwitterRef|GavinVerhey|1531866762232401920|author=[[Gavin Verhey]]|title=Things we talked about today.|date=June 1, 2022}}</ref> These are all [[rare]] sorceries with [[suspend]] 3.
*<c>Venture Forth</c> is the green member of a [[mega cycle]] started with <c>Inspiring Refrain</c> and <c>Rousing Refrain</c> (''[[Commander 2021]]'').<ref>{{TwitterRef|GavinVerhey|1531866762232401920|author=[[Gavin Verhey]]|title=Things we talked about today.|date=June 1, 2022}}</ref> These are all [[rare]] sorceries with [[suspend]] 3.
* <c>Zevlor, Elturel Exile</c> received [[errata]] before it was released, "When you next cast an instant or sorcery spell that targets '''only''' a single opponent [...]".<ref>{{DailyRef|news/oracle-changes-2022-06-01|Oracle Changes|[[Jess Dunks]]|June 1, 2022}}</ref>
*<c>Zevlor, Elturel Exile</c> received [[errata]] before it was released, "When you next cast an instant or sorcery spell that targets '''only''' a single opponent [...]".<ref>{{DailyRef|news/oracle-changes-2022-06-01|Oracle Changes|[[Jess Dunks]]|June 1, 2022}}</ref>
===Banned and restricted cards===
*The [[Initiative]] was determined, much like the Monarch, to be a turnwise engine much more powerful when ported to two-player Magic, especially in Eternal where many decks do not regularly engage in combat. Only one spell could grant the Initiative at three mana, <c>White Plume Adventurer</c>, which made up the "Initiative Stompy" deck with <c>Seasoned Dungeoneer</c>. As such, <c>White Plume Adventurer</c> was banned in March 2023; Delver also suffered a ban that month and the two decks were considered opposing forces.
==Preconstructed decks==
==Preconstructed decks==
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|Exit from Exile|RG|Faldorn, Dread Wolf Herald
|Exit from Exile|RG|Faldorn, Dread Wolf Herald
}}
}}
==Reception==
''Baldur's Gate'' was quickly overshadowed by the follow-up set ''[[Double Masters 2022]]'', which actually contained stronger cards and better value [[reprint]]s for [[Commander (format)|Commander play]]. This led to unsalable stock for [[LGS]]'s, dropping prices and distributors refusing to take back products.<ref>{{YouTubeRef|8C3fQ6fmCRE|Double Masters 2022 DISASTER - MTG Is In Crisis Mode|channel=The Magic Historian|date=June 17, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{YouTubeRef|SmoVxPGFP1U|Baldurs Gate Is The Biggest FAILURE In MTG History - What Happened?|channel=The Magic Historian|date=June 22, 2022}}</ref> [[Mark Rosewater]] later stated that it shouldn't have been called ''Commander Legends'', as it set up incorrect expectations.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/state-of-design-2022|State of Design 2022|[[Mark Rosewater]]|August 1, 2022}}</ref>
Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate is the second Magic: The GatheringCommander set that is designed to be drafted. It was released on June 10, 2022.[3] It is also a Dungeons & Dragons crossover set, using the cast from the Baldur's Gate video games series, including those from the then-unreleased Baldur's Gate 3.[4][5][6]
Battle for Baldur's Gate is larger than a normal set, with both Commander reprints and new cards. There are 344 new cards, including 85 legendary creatures and planeswalkers. The set is designed to play LimitedCommander: you can play Draft or Sealed with it. It was originally planned to be be available and draftable on Magic Online, but that goal wasn't realized.[7] Building on the Commander-first gameplay of 2020's Commander Legends, Battle for Baldur's Gate was advertised to bring in iconic characters, new mechanics, more flavorful spells from D&D, and Commander Legends-style foil-etchedlegendary creatures.[8]
Similar to the original Commander Legends, Battle for Baldur's Gate contains 361 regular cards (141 commons, 120 uncommons, 77 rares, 22 mythic rares, 1 special) and includes randomly inserted premium versions of all cards. Alternate card frames have another card number than the original version. Borderless planeswalkers are numbered #362-364. Other borderless cards are #365-374. "Rulebook frames" are #375-450. The BundleBasic lands are #451-470. Foil-etched Legendaries are #471- 552. The extended artwork cards of the main set are numbered #553-606. The cards of the Commander decks have the same expansion code as the main set. The borderless versions of the Commander exclusive cards are numbered #607-645, while the regular versions are numbered #646-685. These are followed by the reprints #686-930. Cards #931-934 are the display commanders. The Bundle promo is #935 and the Buy-a-Box card is #936.
Eight weeks before the release of the set, someone opened multiple Collector Boosters on TikTok. Multiple cards and mechanics were revealed.
[11]
Drafting rules
Commander draft uses three draft boosters per player. For every pick, players take two cards at a time.[12] This is to ensure coherency of decks, as players will need to conform to the color identities of their eventual commanders, and for speed.
After the draft, players build a 60-card deck — much like how a traditional deck of Magic is 60 cards and a traditional draft is 40, here it's 60 to Commander's 100. All other Commander rules apply with one exception: the Singleton rule does not apply. You may play as many copies of a card as you draft of it, though given the set size compared to how many cards players get, it's not very likely to get more than 1 copy of a card. Players may always use one or more Faceless Ones as a commander, even if they didn't draft one.[13]
Storyline
This article or section discusses story elements that are not canonical. The story discussed here is based on another IP than Magic: The Gathering. It has no bearing on Magic continuity.
Volo’s Journal, a legendary artifact with hexproof and “Whenever you cast a creature spell, note one of its creature types that hasn’t been noted for this artifact.”, for Volo, Itinerant Scholar.
Each prerelease pack comes with an UndercityDungeon Card. This is a unique card that shares the same mechanic as Dungeon Cards from Adventures in the Forgotten Realms. The card is not included in a player's deck size or sideboard and is activated by the Initiative mechanic to Venture into Undercity.[19] However, the Forgotten Realms Dungeons are not making a return. The Bundle provides an oversized version.
Two mythic rare legendary creatures with Choose a Background. They synergize with creatures in different ways: Card draw equal to the noted creature types for Volo, and extra attacking for Karlach.
Zevlor, Elturel Exile received errata before it was released, "When you next cast an instant or sorcery spell that targets only a single opponent [...]".[23]
Banned and restricted cards
The Initiative was determined, much like the Monarch, to be a turnwise engine much more powerful when ported to two-player Magic, especially in Eternal where many decks do not regularly engage in combat. Only one spell could grant the Initiative at three mana, White Plume Adventurer, which made up the "Initiative Stompy" deck with Seasoned Dungeoneer. As such, White Plume Adventurer was banned in March 2023; Delver also suffered a ban that month and the two decks were considered opposing forces.
Preconstructed decks
Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate features four preconstructedCommander decks that are released as a regular part of a set's product line.[4] These are meant to be on-ramps to Commander.
Baldur's Gate was quickly overshadowed by the follow-up set Double Masters 2022, which actually contained stronger cards and better value reprints for Commander play. This led to unsalable stock for LGS's, dropping prices and distributors refusing to take back products.[24][25]Mark Rosewater later stated that it shouldn't have been called Commander Legends, as it set up incorrect expectations.[26]
0/1 Goat creature, for Contraband Livestock.
1/1 Faerie Dragon creature with flying, for Ancient Gold Dragon, Elminster, Feywild Caretaker, and Feywild Visitor.
3/3 Demon creature, for Tasha, the Witch Queen.
Boo, a 1/1 legendary Hamster creature with trample and haste, for Minsc & Boo, Timeless Heroes.
2/2 Boar creature, for Carefree Swinemaster and Contraband Livestock.
1/1 Construct artifact creature," for Jan Jansen, Chaos Crafter and Nimblewright Schematic.
.
to cast, enters the battlefield tapped, and produces one mana of the appropriate color when tapped.