<p>[<em>Ob Nixilis wasn't Legendary at the time this answer was written, but every Planeswalker was subsequently made Legendary. The question and answers are still pertinent because Ob Nixilis is still not a creature.</em>]</p>

<p>Yes<sup>[1]</sup>. Commanders are normally Legendary Creatures, and Ob Nixilis is neither Legendary nor a Creature.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>903.1. In the Commander variant, each deck is led by a legendary creature designated as that deck’s commander. [...]</p>
</blockquote>

<p>But that's fine because of the first Golden Rule of Magic:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>101.1. Whenever a card’s text directly contradicts these rules, the card takes precedence. The card overrides only the rule that applies to that specific situation. The only exception is that a player can concede the game at any time (see rule 104.3a).</p>
</blockquote>

<hr>

<ol>
<li>If it didn't, there would be no reason to put that ability on the card. </li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-13T15:44:06.120Z
Can I suggest updating the first line (after the italics) to say "and Ob Nixilis is not a Creature."? That renders the italic section unnecessary and brings the answer fully up to date.
doppelgreener
CC BY-SA 4.0
2014-11-17T01:55:24.407Z
2020-01-13T15:18:29.670Z
2020-01-13T15:18:29.670Z
ikegami
<p>The very first of Magic's Golden Rules:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>101.1. Whenever a card’s text directly contradicts these rules, the card takes precedence. The card overrides only the rule that applies to that specific situation. The only exception is that a player can concede the game at any time (see rule 104.3a).</p>
</blockquote>
<p>So yes, they contradict, and it's fine. And this isn't really unusual; tons and tons of cards have text that effectively says &quot;now the rules work a little differently, and here's how.&quot; For an extreme example, the rules say you lose the game when you're reduced to 0 or less life, but <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Platinum%20Angel">Platinum Angel</a> says you can't lose the game, and it takes precedence.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-17T01:55:36.300Z
2014-11-17T14:53:33.707Z
2014-11-17T14:53:33.707Z
Cascabel
<p><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ob%20Nixilis%20of%20the%20Black%20Oath">Ob Nixilis of the Black Oath</a> and the other Commanders in Commander 2014 say they can be your Commander. Doesn't that contradict the rule that Commanders can only be Legendary Creatures?</p>

<magic-the-gathering><mtg-commander><mtg-planeswalkers>
Don't the Planeswalkers in Commander 2014 that say they can be your Commander contradict the fact the Commanders have to be legendary creatures?
BolasStone
# Don't the Planeswalkers in Commander 2014 that say they can be your Commander contradict the fact the Commanders have to be legendary creatures?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-11-17)

[Ob Nixilis of the Black Oath](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ob%20Nixilis%20of%20the%20Black%20Oath) and the other Commanders in Commander 2014 say they can be your Commander. Doesn't that contradict the rule that Commanders can only be Legendary Creatures?

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


---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2014-11-17. Score: 12 | Accepted answer

The very first of Magic's Golden Rules:

> 101.1. Whenever a card’s text directly contradicts these rules, the card takes precedence. The card overrides only the rule that applies to that specific situation. The only exception is that a player can concede the game at any time (see rule 104.3a).

So yes, they contradict, and it's fine. And this isn't really unusual; tons and tons of cards have text that effectively says "now the rules work a little differently, and here's how." For an extreme example, the rules say you lose the game when you're reduced to 0 or less life, but [Platinum Angel](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Platinum%20Angel) says you can't lose the game, and it takes precedence.


---

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-11-17. Score: 2

[*Ob Nixilis wasn't Legendary at the time this answer was written, but every Planeswalker was subsequently made Legendary. The question and answers are still pertinent because Ob Nixilis is still not a creature.*]

Yes[1]. Commanders are normally Legendary Creatures, and Ob Nixilis is neither Legendary nor a Creature.

> 903.1. In the Commander variant, each deck is led by a legendary creature designated as that deck’s commander. [...]

But that's fine because of the first Golden Rule of Magic:

> 101.1. Whenever a card’s text directly contradicts these rules, the card takes precedence. The card overrides only the rule that applies to that specific situation. The only exception is that a player can concede the game at any time (see rule 104.3a).

---

1. If it didn't, there would be no reason to put that ability on the card.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Can I suggest updating the first line (after the italics) to say "and Ob Nixilis is not a Creature."? That renders the italic section unnecessary and brings the answer fully up to date.  

---

