Why does Commander have a Rules Committee but other formats do not?
General forum
Posted on Aug. 29, 2021, 10:12 p.m. by TypicalTimmy
WOTC has outlined rules for all formats; Legacy, Vintage, Pauper, Modern, Standard, Two-Headed Giant, Archenemy, even Casual, Draft, etc. Every single major and minor format under the sun that they cater toward specifically. Except for Commander.
In the early days of EDH - Elder Dragon Highlander - the rules were established. Eventually a Rules Committee formed and as EDH quickly became popular, WOTC adopted and modified it ever-so-slightly to become Commander.
But, they still follow the whims of the RC. Why is this? Mark Rosewater has stated numerous times he wishes he could dissolve or end the RC. Well, the format Commander is not the format EDH. The RC are not employees of WOTC. Additionally, MTG has proven they can easily circumvent the RC by printing cards with "Can be your Commander" on Planeswalkers, and now the new Grist, Hunger Tide Planeswalker. If WOTC really wanted to, they could print "Can be your Commander" on literally anything; Artifacts, Enchantments, Instants, Sorceries... hell even Lands if they can figure out a means to "cast" it, such as with a Suspend cost or something.
And the MFDCs are just further examples of WOTC pushing against the RC.
So, I think it's time for a legitimate discussion. Why does a giant $840M company even entertain, much less listen to, a handful of nerds, on how their own product operates?
Omniscience_is_life says... #3
Simple. Commander is a casual format. The RC is primarily dedicated to keeping the format enjoyable, whereas rulings made for any other formats are specifically to keep them from breaking under overpowered cards/strategies.
August 29, 2021 10:22 p.m.
ork_mcgork says... #4
EDH was not created by Wizards, and while they rebranded it as Commander and started supporting it, they still can't claim it in that capacity. At least not without a lot of community backlash. As stated, they can push the design space and the RC can opt out of stuff - they take the flak. In general though, the RC tries to be as hands-off as possible and only makes changes when absolutely necessary. WotC tends to be a lot more handsy with their formats.
Also, since Commander is a casual format (except those that self-organize into cEDH), each individual playgroup has the right and ability to make their own rules adjustments (I have friends with silver-border cards in their decks and I don't mind, but I don't include them in my decks).
So, there's no real incentive to shun the RC. Rosewater can whine all he wants, but as head of R&D or w/e his official role is, they've been messing the bed a lot lately so I'd rather have someone else watching over Commander haha!
August 29, 2021 11:54 p.m.
ClockworkSwordfish says... #5
5-color Magic had its own Rules Committee, too.
August 30, 2021 1:48 a.m.
TypicalTimmy says... #6
So did Oathbreaker but nether were officially recognized by WOTC, to the best of my knowledge. Commander, however, is.
August 30, 2021 1:51 a.m.
plakjekaas says... #7
Someone else is dealing with all the annoying rules disputes and backlash, the RC not being Wizards employees actually saves money too. And the 840M company still sells all the cards for it, making all the money. Sounds like a comfortable symbiosis for everyone on the business side of things, something only the Design Team would object about. Seeing how the commander ban list is seeded throughout with cards like Hullbreacher and Trade Secrets, which were specifically designed for the format, but actually fit in horribly, I kinda like them not making the rules.
August 30, 2021 5:07 a.m.
Wotc only bans cards in competitive formats edh is not a competitive format. The moment theres an mpl or something for commander wotc.will takeover the format. Also wotc controls the 1v1 edh ban list as far as I know.
Timmy I forgot all about oath breaker. It was an interesting month
August 30, 2021 8:16 a.m.
Grubbernaut says... #9
I mean, you largely answered your own question; EDH wasn't made by Wizards, even if they kinda-sorta support it now.
They're out of touch with EDH, simply put, and they stand to gain nothing by trying to get rid of the RC.
August 30, 2021 10:46 a.m.
TypicalTimmy says... #10
shadow63, I actually know people who still play Oathbreaker.
August 30, 2021 11:29 a.m.
PhotogenicParasympathetic says... #11
There's also just the issue of practicality.
The RC doesn't answer to Wizards. They can't be fired. They can't be dissolved. Unless the RC chooses to stop operating, there's nothing that Wizards can do that would force them out. Sure, they could print their own ban list and formalize their own set of rules, but 1) that opens them to lawsuits from the RC for intellectual property violations and 2) that would just mean confusion for the players, as every game of commander would have to open with a discussion about "are we following Wizards rules, or the RC's?"
August 31, 2021 3:12 p.m.
RNR_Gaming says... #12
The fastest way to kill that format would be to hand total control over to wizards. I'm sure they have a few fingers in that pot but total control would result in easily obtainable tournment results, followed by bannings, a bigger influx of product if that's possible lol...and the inevitable trickle down deck building style that'll ruin play groups.
August 31, 2021 6:05 p.m.
The rules committee may be independent, but it also can't act totally on it's own. Scott Larabee, one of the committee members, is an employee of Wizards, so they have a seat at the table.
Caerwyn says... #2
Wizards probably does not want to rock the boat - Commander is their single most popular format right now, and they don’t want to start changing something that works.
Plus, it insulates them from criticism - they’d catch a lot of flack if they were controlling the ban lost (they do in other formats). This allows them to wash their hands of that entire side of format maintenance, keeping their hands relatively clean.
August 29, 2021 10:21 p.m.