Hybrid Mana in Commander: A Rule Change That Could Help Everyone?
Hybrid Mana in Commander: A Rule Change That Could Help Everyone? On accessibility, affordability, and the future of deckbuilding in Magic’s most popular format A quiet but potentially massive shift is being considered for Magic: The Gathering’s Commander format —and it has nothing to do with bans, power levels, or new sets. Instead, it’s about how we interpret a 17-year-old mechanic: hybrid mana . Right now, Wizards of the Coast is listening to player feedback on a proposed rule change that would treat hybrid mana symbols (like {W/U} or {R/G}) as “either/or” for color identity—instead of the current “both/and” standard. If adopted, this would make nearly 500 cards newly playable in mono- and dual-color decks. But while many see this as a long-overdue fix, others worry it could blur the lines that make Commander creatively rewarding. Let’s break down what’s changing, who it helps, and why it matters— without taking sides . ...