Commander Sideboards
Commander (EDH) forum
Posted on Dec. 23, 2015, 6:19 a.m. by Ravolt
Do they exist? Do they follow the same 1 card per limit rule as the main decks?
The commander format only lists rules for the main deck not the sideboard.
December 23, 2015 7:16 a.m.
DeathChant17 says... #4
Ah. Maybe it's just where I play then.
With commander, it being more casual, LGS' may use 'house rules.' Where I play, infect is 15 points instead of 10 (stupid rule), you get penalized points for going infinite (kinda stupid, but it helps the newer players), too many extra turns will cost you points too.
I don't use a sideboard but I want to say I was wrong and it's actually a 10 card sideboard.
December 23, 2015 7:37 a.m.
DeathChant17 says... #5
Even if you are just looking to get into commander with your friends, playgroups are allowed to make their own house rules to make the game more enjoyable.
I also want to apologize, I answered in a rush and just now realized my first post makes me sound like a jerk.
December 23, 2015 7:42 a.m.
CastleSiege says... #6
Commander decks are allowed a 10 card sideboard. Any card that uses the wish mechanic can only take cards from said sideboard. There can still only be one copy of each card. For example, you can't use up a Cyclonic Rift in your deck and then use Cunning Wish to grab a second from your sideboard. That second copy would be illegal.
I only bring up the wish mechanic because it specifically interacts with your sideboard.
December 23, 2015 7:43 a.m.
Epochalyptik says... #7
Technically, the scope of wish effects is agreed upon by all players prior to the game starting. It isn't a hard and fast rule that wishes interact only with the sideboard (in Conmander, anyway).
December 23, 2015 9:33 a.m.
from the mtgcommander.net "house rules" tab:
C. Sideboards
Some more competitive groups add a sideboard to bring flexibility to their decks and combat some of the degeneracy. The most common structure of sideboards is:
- Players may bring a 10 card sideboard in addition to their 99 cards and 1 Commander.
- After Commanders are announced, players have 3 minutes to make 1-for-1 substitutions to their deck.
In groups whose members all use sideboards, they can also be used to wish for cards that are outside the game.
December 23, 2015 10:02 a.m.
Named_Tawyny says... #9
GEnerally, since Commander matches are best of 1, sideboards aren't really needed - you're not making minor changes to your deck between games, you just adapt your deck for a new match.
I suppose in a multi-stage tournament, sideboards would make sense, but that's about it IMNAAHO.
December 23, 2015 1:12 p.m.
I usually try to make my decks without a sideboard mostly because I use Dragonshield sleeves and they only come in packs of 100. A sideboard would require me to purchase a second 100 sleeve pack.
Considering I'm running almost every gloss color sleeve they make, it doesn't make financial sense. Dragonshield last forever so replacing them almost never happens.
December 23, 2015 3:31 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #11
You could always desleeve the cards in your deck and use the sleeve for the newly sideboarded card; you have to make 1:1 substitutions, so it isn't much of a problem. Unless you're worried about the cards getting damaged in your case.
December 23, 2015 4:10 p.m.
Alright, so this is how this works. If you are doing an actual competitive EDH event, such as the StarCityGames Night as your local game shop, or you've brought your deck to a Grand Prix or something, you are allowed a TEN card sideboard. If you have wish effects in your deck, you can ONLY wish from that sideboard. End of discussion.
If you are playing EDH anywhere else, you can have as many cards in your "sideboard" as you want. If you friend is playing Brimaz and you want to include Desolation in your list before the game begins, go right ahead and take it out of your binder.
If you have wish cards in your main board, and it's not a competitive event, you can wish from a 10 card sideboard you've prepared. You can wish into your binder. You can wish into another EDH deck you own. As long as the card is within your decks colors, and you OWN the card, there is no limit. Well, obviously you can't like, leave the place you're playing, drive to your house, and grab something. But other than that, anything is game.
However, if you do have wish cards in your deck, it would be considerate to have your targets on hand. You just don't need to limit yourself to 10.
December 23, 2015 5:18 p.m.
Commander does indeed allow for a 10-card sideboard. A few people use them for Wishboards. I personally use mine to deal with specific decks/strategies, much like a Modern / Standard Sideboard. Typically artifact, enchantment, EtB, Tutoring, and additional creature hate is included there.
December 23, 2015 7:10 p.m.
Deckologist says... #15
Most tournaments I have gone to have been no sideboard.
The most annoying tournament I went to was at my shop where there was a 15 card sideboard and wishes were fair game. I wasn't even playing but I got so damn tired of hearing the words wish and blightsteel with haste by the end of the day.
January 2, 2016 3:40 a.m.
I've never heard of a tournament that doesn't follow the EDH rules from the Rules Committee. According to the rules, you can only Wish for cards that are in your side board. That is odd.
What's wrong with Blightsteel with Haste? If the board lets that happen, fair game.
January 5, 2016 1:51 a.m.
Deckologist says... #17
nothing is wrong with it. but tell me all of the cards you have in your deck that get rid of a hasty hexproof blighsteel on turn one and the opponent still has 2 cards in hand that you know are a random blue card and force of will.
January 5, 2016 12:47 p.m.
That happens. That is the nature of the game. I'm not sure how they did it but that is impressive. Sometimes you will face these things, you can always rematch because that isn't a consistent play.
DeathChant17 says... #2
If I'm correct, I'm not sure on the card amount, you are allowed a 15 card sideboard that follows the 'only 1 of each card rule.'
So if a card is already in the main deck, it cannot be in the sideboard.
Commander is a singleton format. Why would the sideboard not have to follow that?
December 23, 2015 6:28 a.m.