<p><strong>Yes, you can.</strong></p>

<p>The Companion keyword only functions outside of the game. This means that if a card with Companion is in your deck, whether as a Commander or just any regular card, then the Companion part of the card doesn't do anything; it's just a normal creature. In the case of a Commander deck, it would just be a normal Legendary Creature which is therefore valid as your Commander.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>702.138. Companion</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>702.138a Companion is a keyword ability <strong>that functions outside the game</strong>. It’s written as “Companion—[Condition].” Before the game begins, you may reveal one card you own from outside the game with a companion ability whose condition is fulfilled by your starting deck. (See rule 103.1b.) If you do, once during that game, you may play that card from outside the game.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <ol start="903">
  <li>Commander
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>903.3. Each deck has <strong>a legendary creature card</strong> designated as its commander. This designation is not a characteristic of the object represented by the card; rather, it is an attribute of the card itself. The card retains this designation even when it changes zones.</p>
  </blockquote></li>
  </ol>
</blockquote>

<p><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bJegantha%2c%20the%20Wellspring%5d">Jegantha, the Wellspring</a> is a legendary creature, therefore it can be your Commander.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-22T17:53:26.240Z
Wonderful. I wasn't sure if companion was a requirement or a choice. Thank you!
Ragazinski
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-24T16:47:27.387Z
@ragazinski If this answer was helpful and a better one doesn’t come along, please mark it as “accepted”, thanks!
GendoIkari
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-07-05T23:17:05.737Z
In this case then, the deck wouldn't have to meet the companion condition?
BadPirate
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-07-06T00:40:38.007Z
@BadPirate Correct.. the entire companion ability would just be ignored as if it weren’t there.
GendoIkari
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-22T15:34:15.373Z
2020-05-22T15:34:15.373Z
GendoIkari
<p>Haven't seen this covered, but can you use a companion card such as <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bJegantha%2c%20the%20Wellspring%5d">Jegantha, the Wellspring</a> as your commander instead of as a companion?
The text on the card reads If this card is your chosen companion you may cast it once from outside the game. 
Does this mean if I don't choose it as a companion I can use it like any other regular legendary creature?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<magic-the-gathering><mtg-commander>
Companion commander question
Ragazinski
# Companion commander question

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-05-22)

Haven't seen this covered, but can you use a companion card such as [Jegantha, the Wellspring](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bJegantha%2c%20the%20Wellspring%5d) as your commander instead of as a companion?
The text on the card reads If this card is your chosen companion you may cast it once from outside the game.
Does this mean if I don't choose it as a companion I can use it like any other regular legendary creature?

Thanks.

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering, mtg-commander


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-05-22. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

**Yes, you can.**

The Companion keyword only functions outside of the game. This means that if a card with Companion is in your deck, whether as a Commander or just any regular card, then the Companion part of the card doesn't do anything; it's just a normal creature. In the case of a Commander deck, it would just be a normal Legendary Creature which is therefore valid as your Commander.

> 702.138. Companion
>
> > 702.138a Companion is a keyword ability **that functions outside the game**. It’s written as “Companion—[Condition].” Before the game begins, you may reveal one card you own from outside the game with a companion ability whose condition is fulfilled by your starting deck. (See rule 103.1b.) If you do, once during that game, you may play that card from outside the game.
>
> 903. Commander
>      > 903.3. Each deck has **a legendary creature card** designated as its commander. This designation is not a characteristic of the object represented by the card; rather, it is an attribute of the card itself. The card retains this designation even when it changes zones.

[Jegantha, the Wellspring](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bJegantha%2c%20the%20Wellspring%5d) is a legendary creature, therefore it can be your Commander.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Wonderful. I wasn't sure if companion was a requirement or a choice. Thank you!  
> **username_1**: @ragazinski If this answer was helpful and a better one doesn’t come along, please mark it as “accepted”, thanks!  
> **username_2**: In this case then, the deck wouldn't have to meet the companion condition?  
> **username_1**: @username_2 Correct.. the entire companion ability would just be ignored as if it weren’t there.  

---

