Commander's Plate MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityMythic
TypeArtifact — Equipment
Abilities Equip

Key Takeaways

  1. The Plate’s protection from all non-identity colors shields commanders effectively from removals.
  2. Mana saved from the free equip feature can be utilized for other pivotal gameplay actions.
  3. Strategic placement of the Plate allows for robust command post-defense without ongoing effort.

Text of card

Equipped creature gets +3/+3 and has protection from each color that's not in your commander's color identity. Equip commander Equip

Not all beautiful things are fragile.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Commander’s Plate is a single card that can dramatically tip the scales in your favor by making your commander nearly invulnerable to most removal spells. The protection it offers from all colors not in your commander’s identity is invaluable, reducing the need for multiple cards to safeguard your key creature.

Resource Acceleration: While Commander’s Plate doesn’t directly produce mana or ramp, the fact it can equip for free to your commander allows you to deploy other resources more efficiently. The saved mana can accelerate your game plan, helping you invest in spells and other actions that advance your position on the battlefield.

Instant Speed: Featuring flash would certainly be ideal for any equipment, but the plate does one better for your commander. It needs to be strategically placed, sure, but once equipped, your commander’s defense is significantly boosted. This allows you to concentrate on other instant-speed interactions, knowing that your commander has a sturdy layer of protection that can withstand most threats without further input from you.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Commander’s Plate doesn’t require a discard to be played, it can become a liability if it’s bounced back to your hand or if you’re forced to choose it as a discard due to an opponent’s disruption tactics.

Specific Mana Cost: Commander’s Plate demands a precise mana investment of one generic mana, which can be daunting early in the game when resources need to be allocated wisely for board development and control.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an equip cost of three generic mana, Commander’s Plate might be considered costly in terms of mana efficiency. Players could potentially access other equipment or auras with lower equip costs, allowing for quicker enhancement of creatures on the field.


Reasons to Include Commander’s Plate in Your Collection

Versatility: Commander’s Plate offers a broad spectrum of defensive capabilities. As a premier piece of equipment, it can be easily slotted into various decks, safeguarding your commander from the majority of removal spells regardless of the color pie.

Combo Potential: This card not only protects your key creatures but also elevates them with an impressive stat boost. When synergized with other equipment or aura-focused cards, it can turn your commander into a devastating force on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: With many decks depending on strategies aligned to their commander’s identity, Commander’s Plate becomes essential. It ensures your commander’s resilience in mixed-meta environments, making Commander’s Plate an asset in both casual and more competitive settings.


How to Beat Commander’s Plate

Commander’s Plate is a potent equipment card that offers comprehensive protection to your commander with its ability to grant protection from all colors not present in your commander’s color identity. To circumvent this card’s formidable defenses, consider using colorless spells and creatures, such as those with Devoid, artifacts, or even Eldrazi, to mitigate the protective shield Commander’s Plate offers.

Artifact removal is also an effective tactic against Commander’s Plate. In your match, you’d want to include versatile removal spells that can target artifacts specifically or any type of nonland permanents. This approach will help you eliminate the Commander’s Plate from the battlefield, stripping the opponent’s commander of its protections and making it vulnerable to your strategies once again.

Moreover, board wipes that don’t specify color or involve damage can outmaneuver the protections granted by Commander’s Plate. They become necessary tools in your arsenal, eradicating the buffed creature without having to directly target it. Adjusting your deck to include such measures ensures you’re well-equipped to take on any opponent wielding the mighty Commander’s Plate.


BurnMana Recommendations

The Commander’s Plate exemplifies strategic excellence in MTG, providing robust protection and a worthwhile stat boost for your commander. Its value within various game plans is undeniable, enhancing your deck’s resilience and aggression. We recommend considering this card for its ability to shield your commander from a multitude of threats while empowering them to lead your forces to victory. The Plate’s significance in diverse play environments cannot be overstated. If you’re looking to refine your deck with a card that has a profound impact on gameplay, delving deeper into the potential of Commander’s Plate is a wise move. Enhance your MTG experience with us — delve into the nuances of card synergy and strategic deployment and let Commander’s Plate be the cornerstone of your commanding victories.


Cards like Commander's Plate

Commander’s Plate is a unique equipment card that provides a distinct advantage in the Magic: The Gathering universe. It becomes even more interesting when compared to its relatives like Swiftfoot Boots and Lightning Greaves. Both are famous for providing creatures with haste and some level of protection, with the former granting hexproof and the latter shroud. Commander’s Plate, however, raises the stakes by offering protection from all colors that are not in the creature’s color identity, making it exceptionally powerful in a multicolored environment.

Another card that can be considered in the same discussion is Whispersilk Cloak which offers unblockable and shroud to a creature. Though it ensures almost certain damage to opponents, it lacks the added bonus of stat buffs. The Commander’s Plate not only protects but also bolsters the equipped creature with a +3/+3 enhancement if it’s on your commander, making it a two-fold asset in your arsenal.

The Plate’s uniqueness lies in its multifaceted nature, providing an impressive combination of defense and power boost. This makes Commander’s Plate a significant player in the MTG equipment circle, scoring high both in terms of protection and offensive advantage, particularly within the Commander format it’s named for.

Swiftfoot Boots - MTG Card versions
Lightning Greaves - MTG Card versions
Whispersilk Cloak - MTG Card versions
Swiftfoot Boots - Magic 2012 (M12)
Lightning Greaves - Mirrodin (MRD)
Whispersilk Cloak - Darksteel (DST)

Cards similar to Commander's Plate by color, type and mana cost

Glasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Wooden Sphere - MTG Card versions
Sol Ring - MTG Card versions
Iron Star - MTG Card versions
Black Vise - MTG Card versions
Urza's Chalice - MTG Card versions
Ivory Cup - MTG Card versions
Brass Man - MTG Card versions
Mana Vault - MTG Card versions
Soul Net - MTG Card versions
The Rack - MTG Card versions
Helm of Chatzuk - MTG Card versions
Obelisk of Undoing - MTG Card versions
Feldon's Cane - MTG Card versions
Throne of Bone - MTG Card versions
Meekstone - MTG Card versions
Thran Foundry - MTG Card versions
Cursed Scroll - MTG Card versions
Candelabra of Tawnos - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Dreadnought - MTG Card versions
Glasses of Urza - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Wooden Sphere - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Sol Ring - The Brothers' War Commander (BRC)
Iron Star - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Black Vise - Revised Edition (3ED)
Urza's Chalice - Masters Edition (ME1)
Ivory Cup - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Brass Man - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Mana Vault - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Soul Net - Fifth Edition (5ED)
The Rack - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Helm of Chatzuk - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Obelisk of Undoing - Rinascimento (RIN)
Feldon's Cane - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Throne of Bone - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Meekstone - World Championship Decks 2000 (WC00)
Thran Foundry - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Cursed Scroll - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Candelabra of Tawnos - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Phyrexian Dreadnought - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Commander's Plate MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Secret Lair Drop, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Commander's Plate and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Commander's Plate Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2019-12-02 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 859882015normalblackVolkan Baǵa
22019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 13392015normalborderlessScott M. Fischer
32020-09-26The ListPLST CMR-3052015normalblackVolkan Baǵa
42020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 3052015normalblackVolkan Baǵa
52020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 6922015normalblackVolkan Baǵa

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Commander's Plate has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Commander's Plate card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2020-11-10 If you have no commander, Commander's Plate grants no protection abilities. The equipped creature still gets +3/+3.
2020-11-10 If you have two commanders and attach Commander's Plate to one, it has protection from each color not in your two commanders' combined color identity.
2020-11-10 If your commander is a card that has no colors in its color identity, Commander's Plate gives it protection from all colors.

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