Centurion is a 1v1 Commander variant born from the passion of the Italian community in January 2019. Created with the goal of offering a competitive, stimulating, and accessible gameplay experience, the format has quickly gained popularity among players. Here are some reasons why more and more people are choosing to play Centurion.
One of the elements that makes Centurion so appealing is the accessibility of many iconic cards that might be banned elsewhere. In our format, you can play cards like Force of Will, Hermit Druid, Lotus Petal, and Oath of Druids, without unnecessary restrictions. Our philosophy is based on balancing power and interaction: powerful cards, when properly contextualized, enrich the game without breaking it.
Even commanders once considered problematic have been successfully reintegrated. Examples like Baral, Chief of Compliance and Breya, Etherium Shaper show that in a well-balanced environment, the metagame can absorb them without imbalance.
1. A Lean Banlist Aligned with the Power Level
Centurion acknowledges that the average power level of cards has increased over time. Instead of trying to hold this trend back, the format embraces it, maintaining a banlist focused only on what truly harms the health of the metagame.
The goal is to avoid excessive restrictions, allowing players to experiment, revive old favorites, and breathe new life into forgotten strategies. Changes to the banlist are rare, driven by data and objective observations, and aim to ensure a stable, creative, and engaging play environment.
2. 25 Life Points: Balanced without Sacrifice
In Centurion, players start with 25 life points. This choice, refined after extensive testing, allows for a perfect balance between game speed and strategic depth. Compared to formats that adopt lower or higher life totals, 25 life allows for exciting games without dragging on or ending too quickly. Additionally, this balance greatly reduces the need for frequent interventions on the banlist, keeping it stable and permissive.
Commanders like Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar, Akiri, Line-Slinger, Geist of Saint Traft, or Zurgo Bellstriker are perfectly playable, contributing to a rich and diverse metagame.
3. Shared Tax: More Strategic Freedom
With the introduction of commanders with the partner ability, 1v1 Commander players had to deal with incredibly powerful combinations. Since this mechanic was designed for multiplayer, various communities sought ways to avoid having to ban an excessive number of commanders.
- Some chose to implement a rule where players using two commanders must put a certain number of cards at the bottom of their deck after mulligans, equal to the number of mulligans taken plus one.
- Others decided that you could only cast one of your two commanders during the game.
- In Centurion Commander, we opted for a shared commander tax between the two partners.
This not only allows partner decks to continue existing without unfair penalties but also gives players more strategic options throughout the game. A good example of this flexibility is the Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful / Jeska, Thrice Reborn deck, which takes full advantage of the synergy between these two commanders.
4. An Attentive and Responsive Committee
One of Centurion’s greatest strengths lies in how the format is managed. The Centurion Committee is devoted to the administration, promotion, and development of the format, investing their personal time and resources into its upkeep. Operating independently from Wizards of the Coast, the committee has a flexible structure that can evolve over time based on the needs of the community, without a fixed number of members or rigid roles.
Our committee is made up of active players who live and breathe the format, staying closely connected with the community and responding quickly to its needs. We’re not distant or unreachable—receiving constant feedback from players and making necessary adjustments to keep the game balanced. With a network of local coordinators, we can act swiftly and ensure that every player’s voice is heard.
5. A Welcoming Community and a Inclusive Format
Centurion promotes a vibrant and well-structured competitive scene, without sacrificing the human side of the game. Tournaments have a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere, where players compete to improve and have fun.
Thanks to a less restrictive banlist and clear, stable regulations, deck variety is one of the format’s strongest points. Whether you love control, aggro, midrange, or combo, you’ll find room to express your playstyle.
Interested in playing Centurion Commander? Our Beginner’s guide and helpful links page have all the information you’ll need to get started.
