Why Eminence Broke Commander: the History and Design Philosophy Behind Free Value
By Elena Rostova
Q1: Why hasn't the Commander Rules Committee banned Edgar Markov?
A1: The format philosophy prioritizes banning cards that ruin games across diverse decks rather than commanders that simply push specific tribal archetypes. Edgar Markov creates repetitive, high-pressure games, but casual playgroups generally regulate his appearance through pre-game Rule Zero discussions rather than an outright ban.
Q2: Can you counter an Eminence trigger?
A2: Normal counterspells like Mana Drain or Counterspell cannot touch Eminence because it is an ability, not a cast spell. To stop an Eminence trigger, you must use specialized ability counters like Stifle, Trickbind, or Tale's End, which are rare and inefficient to run in casual decks.
Q3: Does Commander Tax apply to Eminence abilities?
A3: No. Commander tax only increases the cost to cast your commander from the Command Zone onto the battlefield. It does not apply to activated or triggered abilities originating from the Command Zone.
Elena Rostova holds a Master's degree in Public Health Journalism. She covers groundbreaking medical research, holistic wellness trends, mental health awareness, and nutritional science.
