Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate
Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate is the second Magic: The Gathering Commander set that is designed to be drafted. It was released on June 10, 2022.[3] It is also a Dungeons & Dragons crossover set.[4][5]
Set details
| “ | Draft Your Party. Build Your Legend | ” |
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 Limited Commander: 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.[6] 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-etched legendary creatures.[7]
For Booster Fun, the Showcase "rulebook" frames of Adventures in the Forgotten Realms were expanded upon to include non-creatures.[8] There are also borderless cards and foil-etched legends.[8][9]
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 Bundle Basic 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. [10]
Drafting rules
Commander draft uses three draft boosters per player. For every pick, players take two cards at a time.[11] 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.[12]
Storyline
 | This article or section discusses story elements that are not canonical. |
The set takes place in the Forgotten Realms, and focuses on the city of Baldur's Gate.[7] The "Time of Troubles" is one of the most major events in Forgotten Realms history and centered here.[13] The city is under attack by the forces of Avernus and the Dead Three: Bhaal, Lord of Murder; Myrkul, Lord of Bones; Bane, Lord of Darkness.
Marketing
Battle for Baldur's Gate is sold in 20-card Draft booster packs. Each booster pack contains 1–4 cards of rarity Rare or higher and 1 guaranteed Traditional Foil card. A 21st card is a Marketing card. The set is also sold in 15-card Set Boosters, Collector Boosters, a Draft Pack, the Baldur's Gate Bundle and four Commander decks.[14] The Draft Boosters feature art from TBA ; the Set Boosters depict Boo and the Collector Boosters feature art from TBA. https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/
Events
- Prerelease: June 3–5, 2022
Promotional cards
- Prerelease: a year-stamped card that can be any rare or mythic rare.[15]
- Buy-a-Box promo: Alternate art foil Elder Brain
- Bundle promo: Alternate art foil Wand of Wonder
Tokens and markers
Battle for Baldur's Gate comes with 20 tokens and markers. Tokens and markers appear in the marketing card slot.[16]
0/1 Goat creature, for Contraband Livestock.- 2/2 Knight creature, for The Council of Four and Recruitment Drive.
- 1/1 Pegasus creature with flying, for Pegasus Guardian.
- 1/1 Rabbit creature, for Cadira, Caller of the Small.
- 1/1 Soldier creature, for Abdel Adrian, Gorion's Ward, Recruitment Drive, Undercellar Sweep, Veteran Soldier, You're Confronted by Robbers, and Ysgard's Call.
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.- 4/1 Skeleton creature with menace, for Bone Offering, Gut, True Soul Zealot and Undercity.
Boo, a 1/1 legendary Hamster creature with trample and haste, for Minsc & Boo, Timeless Heroes.- 1/1 Devil creature with "When this creature dies, it deals 1 damage to any target.", for Raphael, Fiendish Savior.
- 4/4 Dragon creature with flying, for Dragon Cultist.
2/2 Boar creature, for Carefree Swinemaster and Contraband Livestock.- 4/4 Ox creature, for Contraband Livestock.
- 1/1 Saproling creature, for Undercellar Myconid.
- 1/1 Squirrel creature, for Cloakwood Hermit.
1/1 Construct artifact creature," for Jan Jansen, Chaos Crafter and Nimblewright Schematic.- Treasure artifact, for Ancient Copper Dragon, Bathe in Gold, Battle Angels of Tyr, Blood Money, Deadly Dispute, Descent into Avernus, Dungeoneer’s Pack, Ganax, Astral Hunter, Guild Artisan, Gluntch, the Bestower, Heap Gate, Hoarding Ogre, Inspired Tinkering, Jan Jansen, Chaos Crafter, Mahadi, Emporium Master, Marching Duodrone, Marut, Noble’s Purse, Patron of the Arts, Prized Statue, Safana, Calimport Cutthroat, Shiny Impetus, Skullport Merchant, Swashbuckler Extraordinaire, Thieves' Tools, Undercity, You've Been Caught Stealing, and Zhentarim Bandit
- 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.
- Copy for Elminster’s Simulacrum, Irenicus’s Vile Duplication, Miirym, Sentinel Wyrm and Myrkul, Lord of Bones.
- Undercity dungeon / The Initiative marker.
The List
The List for Baldur's Gate returned to being 300 cards long, featuring cards from throughout Magic's history. The List includes all the Magic-themed versions of the Secret Lair Drop Series: Stranger Things except for the double-faced Havengul Laboratory.[9] These dropped to the same rarity as the other cards on The List.
Themes and mechanics
Battle for Baldur's Gate features new legendary creatures themed as D&D characters and several multiplayer keywords.[8][17]
Adventure, D20 dice rolling, Goad, and Myriad are returning mechanics. Flavor words also made a comeback.[5]
Each prerelease pack comes with an Undercity Dungeon 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.[18] However, the Forgotten Realms Dungeons are not making a return. The Bundle provides an oversized version.
Monocolored Legendary creatures in the set have the ability to Choose a Background. By choosing a Background, you can customize your Commander.
Limited archetypes
Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate features the following limited archetypes:[19]
- : Blink (Oji, the Exquisite Blade)
- : Initiative (Rilsa Rael, Kingpin)
- : Treasure & Sacrifice (Mahadi, Emporium Master)
- : Dragons: power matters (Thrakkus the Butcher)
- : Tokens (Cadira, Caller of the Small)
- : Aristocrats / "Revolt" (Minthara, Merciless Soul)
- : Dragons: spells matters (Lozhan, Dragons’ Legacy)
- : Graveyard Recursion (Kagha, Shadow Archdruid)
- : Myriad, "melee" (Commander Liara Portyr)
- : Dragons: Ramp (Korlessa, Scale Singer)
Card types
The set features the new Background enchantment type, that is only featured on Legendary Enchantments.[17]
The set also introduces the Elminster, Minsc and Tasha planeswalker types, the Gith and Walrus creature types and the Undercity dungeon type.
Cycles
Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate has at least ten cycles.
| Cycle name |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mythic metallic dragons | Ancient Gold Dragon | Ancient Silver Dragon | Ancient Brass Dragon | Ancient Copper Dragon | Ancient Bronze Dragon |
| Five mythic rare Dragons each with an ability to roll a d20 when they deal combat damage to a player. | |||||
| Rare background legends | Lae’zel, Vlaakith’s Champion | Gale, Waterdeep Prodigy | Shadowheart, Dark Justiciar | Wyll, Blade of Frontiers | Jaheira, Friend of the Forest |
| Five rare legendary creatures with choose a Background. | |||||
| Rare character spells | Lae’zel’s Acrobatics | Gale's Redirection | Astarion's Thirst | Wyll's Reversal | Jaheira's Respite |
| Five rare instants that depict the cycle of rare background legends. | |||||
| Rare backgrounds | Noble Heritage | Shameless Charlatan | Cultist of the Absolute | Popular Entertainer | Raised by Giants |
| Five rare Backgrounds. | |||||
| Rare adventurers | White Plume Adventurer | Tomb of Horrors Adventurer | Ravenloft Adventurer | Caves of Chaos Adventurer | Undermountain Adventurer |
| Five rare creatures that take the initiative and become more powerful if you've completed a dungeon. | |||||
| Gem dragons | Crystal Dragon | Sapphire Dragon | Topaz Dragon | Amethyst Dragon | Emerald Dragon |
| Five uncommon dragons with adventure. | |||||
| Uncommon "dethrone" backgrounds | Veteran Soldier | Sword Coast Sailor | Agent of the Shadow Thieves | Guild Artisan | Hardy Outlander |
| Five uncommon Backgrounds that check if you are attacking the opponent with the most life. | |||||
| Uncommon dice rollers | Contraband Livestock | Cone of Cold | Nothic | Thunderwave | Overwhelming Encounter |
| Five uncommon spells that have the caster roll a d20. Each have a "critical hit" for a natural 20. | |||||
| Common dice rollers | Recruitment Drive | Contact Other Plane | Myrkul's Edict | Hoarding Ogre | Druid of the Emerald Grove |
| Five common spells that have the caster roll a d20. Each have a "critical hit" for a natural 20. | |||||
| Invokers | Bane's Invoker | Tymora's Invoker | Myrkul’s Invoker | Bhaal's Invoker | Silvanus's Invoker |
Five common creatures with an activated ability costing  .
| |||||
| Common backgrounds | Flaming Fist | Candlekeep Sage | Scion of Halaster | Tavern Brawler | Master Chef |
| Five common Backgrounds. | |||||
| Thriving gates | Citadel Gate | Sea Gate | Black Dragon Gate | Cliffgate | Manor Gate |
| Five common Gates that are functional reprints of the Thriving lands but with the added subtype. | |||||
| Cycle name |
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| Bond lands | Sea of Clouds | Morphic Pool | Luxury Suite | Spire Garden | Bountiful Promenade |
| Five rare dual lands that enter the battlefield tapped, unless you have two or more opponents. Reprinted from Battlebond. | |||||
Double cycles
| Cycle name |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold rares | The Council of Four | Jon Irenicus, Shattered One | Raphael, Fiendish Savior | Raggadragga, Goreguts Boss | Gluntch, the Bestower | Astarion, the Decadent | Neera, Wild Mage | Baba Lysaga, Night Witch | Duke Ulder Ravengard | Alaundo the Seer |
| Ten rare dual-colored legendary creatures. | ||||||||||
| Gold signposts | Oji, the Exquisite Blade | Rilsa Rael, Kingpin | Mahadi, Emporium Master | Thrakkus the Butcher | Cadira, Caller of the Small | Minthara, Ruthless Soul | Lozhan, Dragons’ Legacy | Kagha, Shadow Archdruid | Commander Liara Portyr | Korlessa, Scale Singer |
| Ten uncommon dual-colored legendary creatures, each a signpost for a draft archetype. | ||||||||||
| Uncommon legend pairs | Abdel Adrian, Gorion's Ward | Imoen, Mystic Trickster | Sivriss, Nightmare Speaker | Ganax, Astral Hunter | Halsin, Emerald Archdruid | Lulu, Loyal Hollyphant | Vhal, Candlekeep Researcher | Viconia, Drow Apostate | Amber Gristle O'Maul | Wilson, Refined Grizzly |
| Alora, Merry Thief | Safana, Calimport Cutthroat | Gut, True Soul Zealot | Skanos Dragonheart | Ellyn Harbreeze, Busybody | Sarevok, Deathbringer | Livaan, Cultist of Tiamat | Erinis, Gloom Stalker | Rasaad yn Bashir | Renari, Merchant of Marvels | |
| Ten pairs of uncommon monocolored legendary creatures with choose a Background, each together making a signpost for a draft archetype. | ||||||||||
| Cycle name |
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| Tricolor legends | Gorion, Wise Mentor | Bane, Lord of Darkness | Zevlor, Elturel Exile | Bhaal, Lord of Murder | Mazzy, Truesword Paladin | Jan Jansen, Chaos Crafter | Miirym, Sentinel Wyrm | Myrkul, Lord of Bones | Dynaheir, Invoker Adept | Nine-Fingers Keene |
| Ten rare tri-colored legendary creatures. | ||||||||||
Mini-cycles
Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate has one cycle of three cards:
| Cycle name |
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Orbs of Dragonkind | Lapis Orb of Dragonkind | Carnelian Orb of Dragonkind | Jade Orb of Dragonkind |
| Each of these uncommon mana rocks gives an extra effect if their produced mana is spent in a dragon spell. | |||
Pairs
| Mirrored pair | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Volo, Itinerant Scholar ()
|
Karlach, Fury of Avernus ()
|
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. |
| Young Blue Dragon ()
|
Young Red Dragon ()
|
Two common dragon with adventure. |
| Lore pair | Description | |
| Descent into Avernus ()
|
Ascend from Avernus ()
|
Two cards representing the fall and later rise of Elturel from Avernus. |
Reprints
- Ambition's Cost, first printed in Portal Three Kingdoms, last seen in Commander 2021.
- Arcane Encyclopedia, first printed in Core Set 2019, last seen in Jumpstart.
- Arcane Signet, first printed in Throne of Eldraine, last seen in Neon Dynasty Commander.
- Bag of Holding, first printed in Core Set 2020, last seen in Adventures in the Forgotten Realms.
- Basilisk Collar, first printed in Worldwake, last seen in Forgotten Realms Commander.
- Blade of Selves, first printed in Commander 2015
- The Allied color Bond lands, first printed in Battlebond, last seen in Zendikar Rising/Expeditions.
- Bramble Sovereign, first printed in Battlebond.[20]
- Burnished Hart, first printed in Theros, last seen in Forgotten Realms Commander.
- Cast Down, first printed in Dominaria, last seen in Commander Legends.
- Command Tower, first printed in Commander 2011, last seen in New Capenna Commander.
- Contact Other Plane, first printed in Adventures in the Forgotten Realms.
- Dawnbringer Cleric, first printed in Adventures in the Forgotten Realms.
- Deadly Dispute, first printed in Adventures in the Forgotten Realms.
- Dream Fracture, first printed in Eventide, last seen in Conspiracy.
- The Diamonds cycle, first printed in Mirage, last seen in Commander Legends.
- Evolving Wilds, first printed in Rise of the Eldrazi, last seen in Innistrad: Double Feature.
- Fireball, first printed in Alpha, last seen in The List.
- Gate Colossus, first printed in Ravnica Allegiance.
- Geode Golem, first printed in Commander 2018.
- Hoarding Ogre, first printed in Adventures in the Forgotten Realms.
- The Impetus cycle, first printed in Commander 2020
- Kindred Discovery, first printed in Commander 2017, last seen in The List.
- Lightning Bolt, first printed in Alpha, last seen in Secret Lair.
- Manifold Key, first printed in Core Set 2020, last seen in Time Spiral Remastered.
- Meteor Golem, first printed in Core Set 2019, last seen in Forgotten Realms Commander.
- Mind Stone, first printed in Weatherlight, last seen in Forgotten Realms Commander.
- Minimus Containment, first printed in Adventures in the Forgotten Realms.
- Murder, first printed in Magic 2013, last seen in Streets of New Capenna.
- Nature's Lore, first printed in Ice Age, last seen in Forgotten Realms Commander.
- Pilgrim's Eye, first printed in Worldwake, last seen in Commander 2021.
- Prophetic Prism, first printed in Rise of the Eldrazi, last seen in Commander Legends.
- Reflecting Pool, first printed in Tempest, last seen in Conspiracy.
- Run Away Together, first printed in Throne of Eldraine, last seen in Commander Legends.
- Skullport Merchant, first printed in Adventures in the Forgotten Realms.
- Skullwinder, first printed in Commander 2015, last seen in The List.
- Slaughter the Strong, first printed in Rivals of Ixalan, last seen in Commander Legends.
- Swiftfoot Boots, first printed in Magic 2012, last seen as Streets of New Capenna launch party promo.
- Thieves' Tools, first printed in Adventures in the Forgotten Realms.
- Traverse the Outlands, first printed in Commander 2017, last seen in The List.
- Treasure Keeper, first printed in Aether Revolt, last seen in Double Masters.
- Universal Solvent, first printed in Aether Revolt, last seen in Commander Legends.
- Wayfarer’s Bauble, first printed in Fifth Dawn, last seen in Streets of New Capenna/Commander decks.
- You Meet in a Tavern, first printed in Adventures in the Forgotten Realms.
Notable cards
- Faceless One 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 The Prismatic Piper did in the original Commander Legends. It lacks a creature type.
- Venture Forth is the green member of a mega cycle started with Inspiring Refrain and Rousing Refrain (Commander 2021).[21] These are all rare sorceries with suspend 3.
- Zevlor, Elturel Exile received errata before it was released, "When you next cast an instant or sorcery spell that targets only a single opponent [...]".[22]
Preconstructed decks
Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate features four preconstructed Commander decks that are released as a regular part of a set's product line.[4] These are meant to be on-ramps to Commander.
| Theme deck name |
Color Identity | Commander | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| ||
| Party Time | W | B | Nalia de'Arnise | |||
| Mind Flayarrrs | U | B | Captain N'ghathrod | |||
| Draconic Dissent | U | R | Firkraag, Cunning Instigator | |||
| Exit from Exile | R | G | Faldorn, Dread Wolf Herald | |||
References
- ↑ Information below the text box
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (March 26, 2022). "Hi Mark, what was the code name for Baldur's Gate?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (February 24, 2022). "Streets of New Capenna and Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate Release Dates". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b Adam Styborski (March 24, 2022). "A First Look at Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b Mark Rosewater (May 17, 2022). "First Out of Baldur's Gate". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Magic Online (May 24, 2022). "Magic Online Announcements, May 24, 2022". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b Adam Styborski (August 24, 2021). "What Happened In Magic Showcase 2021?". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b c Magic Showcase 2021 (live) (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (August 24, 2021).
- ↑ a b Max McCall (May 17, 2022). "Collecting Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Commander Legends Baldur's Gate Leak Gallery. Reddit (April 15, 2022).
- ↑ WPN (April 25, 2022). "How to Draft Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate". Wizards Play Network.
- ↑ Adam Styborski and Billie Kaplan (May 17, 2022). "Welcome to Your Magic Adventure with Dungeons & Dragons". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 06, 2022). "Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate Vision Design Handoff". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Harless Snyder (May 17, 2022). "Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate Product Overview". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Gavin Verhey (June 1, 2022). "Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate Prerelease Primer". Magic.gg.
- ↑ Kendall Pepple (June 2, 2022). "The Tokens of Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b Jess Dunks (May 18, 2022). "Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ WPN (March 24, 2022). "Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate Retail Guide". Wizards Play Network.
- ↑ Gavin Verhey (My 28, 2022). "Here are the MTGBaldursgate draft archetypes.". Twitter.
- ↑ Magic: The Gathering (May 17, 2022). "Bramble Sovereign translated to the D&D concept very neatly and contributes to the politics at a Commander table.". Twitter.
- ↑ Gavin Verhey (June 1, 2022). "Things we talked about today.". Twitter.
- ↑ Jess Dunks (June 1, 2022). "Oracle Changes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
External links
- The Forgotten Realms Wiki
- Mark Rosewater (May 23, 2022). "Going Baldur's Gate, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- Mark Rosewater (May 30, 2022). "Going Baldur's Gate, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- Mark Rosewater (June 06, 2022). "Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate Vision Design Handoff". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
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