Choose a Background
| Choose a Background | |
|---|---|
| Keyword Ability | |
| Type | Static |
| Introduced | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate |
| Last used | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate |
| Reminder Text | Choose a background (You can have a Background as a second commander.) |
| Statistics |
31 cards  3.2%  16.1%  19.4%  19.4%  19.4%  22.6% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"Choose a Background" | |
Choose a Background is a keyword ability introduced in Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate, as a Partner variant linked together with the Background legendary enchantment subtype. You can have a Background as a second Commander.[1][2]
Description
"Choose a Background" only appears on monocolored legendary creatures. By choosing a Background, they can be customized to be your Commander.
A Background adds extra abilities to your Commander, and changes their color identity.[3] It functions similar to Partner, modifying the rules for deck construction in the Commander variant, and functioning before the game begins. Rather than a single legendary creature card, you may designate a legendary creature card in combination with a Background as your Commander(s).
Rules
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- Choose a Background
- A variant of the partner ability that lets two legendary permanent cards be your commander in the Commander variant rather than one if one of them has the “choose a Background” ability and the other is a Background enchantment card. See rule 702.124, “Partner,” and rule 903, “Commander.”
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Rulings
- Some cards, usually Backgrounds themselves, refer to "Commander creatures." Those don't refer to a Background enchantment that is a Commander unless it is also a creature.
- If a card refers to your Commander, it means either the legendary creature or the legendary Background enchantment. So cards like Command Beacon can fetch either the legendary creature or the legendary Background. Anything that cares about whether you control your Commander will be satisfied if you control one or both of them. Cards like Command Tower can add mana of either of your commander's color identities.
References
- ↑ Jess Dunks (May 18, 2022). "Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Baldur's Gate Preview Cards! Choosing a Background in Commander Legends (Video). Good Morning Magic. YouTube (May 18, 2022).
- ↑ Magic: The Gathering (May 17, 2022). "Important rules note: Backgrounds do impact the color identity of your Commander deck!". Twitter.