How is Duel Commander different from regular Commander/EDH?

Duel Commander differs from multiplayer Commander in several ways: 20 life instead of 40, no commander damage rule, optimized for 1v1 competitive play, and a different banlist specifically curated for two-player balance.

Where can I find the Duel Commander banlist?

The official Duel Commander banlist is maintained on our website at duelcommander.org/banlist and is updated regularly by the Committee to ensure format balance.

How do I start playing Duel Commander?

To start playing Duel Commander: 1) Learn basic Magic: The Gathering rules, 2) Choose a legendary commander, 3) Build a 100-card singleton deck following color identity rules, 4) Check the banlist, and 5) Find opponents at local game stores or online.

Welcome to Duel Commander - Competitive 1v1 Magic: The Gathering Format

⚠️ IMPORTANT COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

Dear Duel Commander Players,

As you may have noticed, our former official channels are no longer controlled by the Duel Commander Committee team. Following internal disagreements, our administrator, DocFX, has chosen to take exclusive control of all our networks and websites. This unilateral decision is his alone and is detrimental to our various communities.

Until this crisis is properly resolved, consider the official Discord and the Duel Commander website as having no value, regardless of any announcements that may be posted there. DocFX is acting alone, and the entire Committee team, from Core Members to Consultants and Community Managers, is mobilized to restore official means of communication as soon as possible.

We apologize for the inconvenience and hope that the problem will be resolved quickly.

📋 Read Full Situation Explanation

— The Duel Commander Committee Team

What is Duel Commander? Complete Format Overview

Duel Commander is the EDH competitive 1v1 variant of Magic: The Gathering's Commander format. Unlike multiplayer EDH with 40 life, Duel Commander features 20 starting life, a curated banlist for two-player balance, and tournament-optimized gameplay. Players build 100-card singleton decks led by legendary commanders, competing in fast-paced strategic duels.

📖 About Duel Commander - The Commander 1v1 Magic Format

Duel Commander is a community-driven Magic: The Gathering format based on Commander/EDH, specifically designed for competitive 1v1 play with a regularly updated banlist.

🎯 20 Life Total

Players start with 20 life instead of 40, creating faster, more decisive games perfect for competitive tournament play

💥 Pure 1v1 Format

Specifically balanced and curated for competitive two-player duels with strategic depth and no politics

📚 100 Singleton Cards

Build unique decks with 1-2 legendary commanders plus 99-98 singleton cards, ensuring variety and creativity

⚖️ Custom Banlist

Carefully maintained banlist optimized for competitive 1v1 balance, updated regularly by the Committee

📖 Learn the Rules 🚫 View Banlist

📢 Latest News & Format Updates

📅 Latest Update: September 29, 2025

Five cards have been unbanned in the latest rules update! These changes aim to diversify the competitive metagame and open up new strategic possibilities. Check the Announcements page for complete details and Committee analysis.

⏰ Next Scheduled Update: November 24, 2025

🌟 Why Play Duel Commander?

🏆 Competitive Focus

Optimized for tournament play with balanced gameplay, consistent rules, and a thriving competitive scene with regular events worldwide

⚡ Fast-Paced Games

Average game length of 10-20 minutes allows for multiple matches per session, perfect for tournaments and competitive play

🎨 Diverse Strategies

Hundreds of viable commanders and countless deck archetypes: aggro, control, combo, midrange, and everything in between

🌍 Global Community

Join thousands of players worldwide in online and offline tournaments, leagues, and casual play sessions

🔄 Regular Updates

Format maintained by dedicated Committee with quarterly banlist updates ensuring healthy metagame evolution

💰 Accessible Entry

Build competitive decks at various budget levels, from budget-friendly options to high-powered optimized lists

🔗 Join the Duel Commander Community

Connect with thousands of Duel Commander players worldwide. Get the latest updates, discuss strategies, share decklists, participate in tournaments, and find opponents for competitive play.

🚀 Getting Started with Duel Commander

1️⃣ Learn the Rules

Start with our beginner's guide to understand format basics, deck building, and gameplay mechanics

2️⃣ Choose a Commander

Browse legendary creatures and find one that matches your playstyle

3️⃣ Build Your Deck

Use our deck building guide and check tournament decklists

4️⃣ Verify Banlist

Always check the official banlist before finalizing your deck for tournament play

5️⃣ Find Opponents

Join our Discord to find local groups or play online via MTGO, Spelltable, or Cockatrice

6️⃣ Join Tournaments

Participate in online and offline tournaments to test your skills and compete for prizes

🎴 Explore the Format & Resources