A commander can be cast from the command zone for its normal costs, plus an additional two mana for each previous time it’s been cast from the command zone this game. If your commander would be put into your library, hand, graveyard or exile from anywhere, you may return it to your command zone instead.

Can you cycle a Commander from the command zone?

By definition, cycling cannot be performed on a Commander in the command zone. The card must be in your hand in order to be cycled.

Do Commander abilities count as Commander damage?

Ah, Commander. Abilities never deal combat damage, even if you use them during combat. So while Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind might be a powerful commander, its triggered ability is not considered combat damage, so that trigger won’t count towards that 21 points of damage.

Is cycling an activated ability?

702.29a Cycling is an activated ability that functions only while the card with cycling is in a player’s hand. “Cycling [cost]” means “[Cost], Discard this card: Draw a card.” These abilities trigger only once when a card is cycled.

Can you use abilities in the command zone?

Abilities will only work while a permanent is on the battlefield unless otherwise specified. There are very few commanders who do things in the command zone or allow abilities to be used in the command zone, an example being Oloro, Ageless Ascetic. Something else I forgot to mention earlier that’s a small clarification.

Can a commander be cast from the command zone?

Commanders begin the game in the Command Zone. While a commander is in the command zone, it may be cast, subject to the normal timing restrictions for casting creatures. Its owner must pay for each time it was previously cast from the command zone; this is an additional cost.

Where does your commander go during the game?

Command Zone. This is where your commander resides during the game when they are not in play. At the start of the game, each player puts their commander face up into the command zone.

How does the commander tax work in EDH / commander?

A legendary creature that begins the game in an untouchable zone known as the Command Zone, from which you can summon it freely. But to keep the game somewhat sane, you have to pay a little more each time it gets sent back to the Command Zone thanks to being removed.