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Colorless mana gets a symbol
What this set is
Oath of the Gatewatch ends the Battle for Zendikar block with Kozilek's arrival and the formation of the Gatewatch, the team of planeswalkers who take an oath to protect the multiverse. Ulamog and Kozilek are destroyed, and Emrakul is still missing.
Its lasting rules change is the colorless mana symbol, {C}. Some Eldrazi need colorless mana specifically, not just generic, and Wastes, a basic land with no basic land type, was printed to produce it. In Commander, a deck with a colorless commander can run Wastes as its basics.
Surge, support and cohort are its new mechanics. Kozilek, the Great Distortion is the Commander pick.
Themes
Every mechanic in Oath of the Gatewatch
Colorless mana ({C})
A mana symbol that must be paid with colorless mana, unlike generic mana, which anything can pay. Wastes, a new basic land, produces it.
Surge
You may cast the spell for its surge cost if you or a teammate cast another spell this turn. Rewards chaining two spells.
Support
Put a +1/+1 counter on each of up to that many other target creatures.
Cohort
An Ally ability word: tap this and another untapped Ally you control to get an effect.
Devoid and ingest
The Eldrazi mechanics from Battle for Zendikar continue.
Where You Can Play It
Format legality
Oath of the Gatewatch shipped under a single code and is legal in Pioneer, Modern and the eternal formats.
Not Standard-legal; Standard only ever holds the last few years of sets. Oath of the Gatewatch cards are playable in Pioneer, Modern, Legacy, Vintage and Commander, except that Inverter of Truth is banned in Pioneer. Commons from any set are Pauper-legal; that isn't listed per set here.
Limited
The draft format
Drafted as Oath of the Gatewatch, Battle for Zendikar, Battle for Zendikar. Colorless mana requirements pushed Eldrazi decks toward lands that make {C}.
Colorless Eldrazi
Big creatures
Eldrazi needing {C}, supported by colorless lands and Wastes.
Allies with cohort
Synergy
Allies that tap together for cohort effects.
Commanders
The most played commanders from Oath of the Gatewatch
The legends this set is best known for. Tap one for its printings and what it costs.
Boosters, precons and singles from Oath of the Gatewatch are on TCGplayer.
FAQ
Common questions
What is the difference between colorless and generic mana?
Generic mana in a cost can be paid with any mana. A {C} symbol, introduced in Oath of the Gatewatch, must be paid with colorless mana specifically.
Can Wastes be used in Commander?
Yes. Wastes is a basic land that produces {C}, and a deck with a colorless commander often runs it as its basic land.
Who is the Gatewatch?
A team of planeswalkers that formed in Oath of the Gatewatch: Gideon, Jace, Nissa and Chandra took the oath there.
All card names, art, and mechanics belong to Wizards of the Coast. Oath of the Gatewatch released on Jan 22, 2016; details reflect the set as published. Sources: Wizards of the Coast set pages and release notes, Draftsim, Untapped.gg.
Playing Oath of the Gatewatch in Commander?
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