Command Beacon is a unique land card in Magic: The Gathering that allows a player to put their commander from the command zone directly into their hand, effectively bypassing the cumulative "commander tax" that normally applies when recasting a commander from the command zone.
Understanding Command Beacon's Core Ability
Command Beacon's primary function is to provide a crucial resource management advantage for players in the Commander format. Its activated ability, which typically costs one colorless mana and requires sacrificing the land itself, offers a powerful strategic option:
- Bypassing Commander Tax: When you cast your commander from your hand, the additional cost (commander tax) that accumulates each time your commander is cast from the command zone does not apply. This can save a significant amount of mana, especially in longer games where a commander might have been removed multiple times.
- Protection from Counterspells: Having your commander in hand allows you to cast it at a time of your choosing, potentially when opponents are tapped out or cannot interact with the spell on the stack as easily.
- Enabling Hand-Based Synergies: Some cards or strategies benefit from having a commander in hand, rather than just in the command zone or on the battlefield.
How Command Beacon Works
When you activate Command Beacon's ability, you follow these steps:
- Activate Ability: Tap Command Beacon and sacrifice it.
- Choose Commander: Select your commander from the command zone.
- Move to Hand: Put the chosen commander into your hand.
Special Consideration for Partner Commanders
If your deck features two commanders that have the "partner" ability, Command Beacon's effect allows you to choose one of those commanders to put into your hand, not both. The chosen commander will then be available to cast from your hand without the commander tax.
Strategic Uses and Practical Insights
Command Beacon is a staple in many Commander decks due to its versatility and ability to mitigate one of the format's inherent challenges.
Key Benefits of Using Command Beacon:
- Mana Efficiency: It prevents your commander's casting cost from escalating beyond control. Imagine a commander that costs {2}{G} initially, but after being cast four times, would cost {2}{G} + {8} = {10}{G}. Command Beacon resets this cost to the base {2}{G} for one cast.
- Resilience: It offers a way to recast a commander even if you are short on specific colors of mana, as the "tax" often makes commanders prohibitively expensive.
- Flexibility: It opens up plays where you might want your commander in hand for specific card interactions or to dodge effects that only target commanders in the command zone.
Example Scenario:
| Stage of Game | Commander's Cost (from Command Zone) | Commander's Cost (after Command Beacon) |
|---|---|---|
| First cast | Base cost (e.g., {2}{G}) | Not applicable (Beacon not needed) |
| Second cast | Base cost + {2} | Base cost (if cast from hand) |
| Third cast | Base cost + {4} | Base cost (if cast from hand) |
| Fourth cast | Base cost + {6} | Base cost (if cast from hand) |
As shown, Command Beacon allows you to revert the casting cost to its base amount by moving the commander to your hand.
Credible Source
For more information on Command Beacon and other Magic: The Gathering cards, you can refer to databases like Scryfall.
