June 8th, 2018 will mark the release of WotC trying out a new set designed around two-headed giant. Battlebond is something that hasn’t been seen before and so far it looks to be incredible. Whether you enjoy two-headed or simply card reprints, you will most likely enjoy Battlebond. Many semi-competitive and casual commander Commander staples have already been spoiled just over the last couple of days. Most notably so far: Seedborn Muse, Doubling Season, Greater Good, and Land Tax.
There are several brand new cards that look like they will reshape the Commander Meta. Arena Rector is a card that pays homage to Academy rector back in the Urza’s Destiny set. Though instead of Arena Rector tutoring out enchantments he’s snagging out a planeswalker. Let’s also not forget true to its name “Battlebonds” there is a new variation on the partner mechanic. This time around it’s specific to what cards each can partner with, and instead of partner commanders these cards tutor their partner card from your deck and put it into hand.
One more interesting mechanic introduced in Battlebonds is “Assist.” Assist allows another player, without specifying teammate or opponent, to pay up to X of a cost for certain spells. This could change how some of the politics in multiplayer games play out. More exciting news for Commander players is the spoiler of two new planeswalkers that can be used as your commander. Perhaps this is a sign from WotC that non-standard sets will now start including more planeswalkers that are designed around being possible commanders? We will have to wait for the next set to see, and in the meantime jam out some Battlebond games.