20 life total
Players start at 20 life instead of 40, creating faster, more decisive games suited to tournament play
Notice
Another site also calls itself Duel Commander. Here is why, and which one the Committee runs.
Read the explanation →
Competitive 1v1 · Magic: The Gathering
Commander,
Commander,
built for the duel.
20 life. 100-card singleton decks. A banlist tuned for two-player balance. The community-run competitive format for one-on-one Magic.
Play online
Your next duel is one click away
Magic: The Gathering Online is the best way to play Duel Commander. Download the free client, build your 100-card singleton deck and battle real opponents around the clock. No playgroup, no travel, no shuffling.
- Live 1v1, 24/7
- Worldwide scene
- Collection, instantly
Developed & operated by Daybreak Game Company. Magic: The Gathering is a trademark of Wizards of the Coast. Not affiliated with the Committee.
May 25, 2026 Announcement/Update
Emry, Lurker of the Loch, Najeela, the Blade-Blossom and Winota, Joiner of Forces returns on experimental basis.
March 30, 2026 Announcement/Update
A new ban category is created: Banned as Companion Only, and Lutri, the Spellchaser is moved from fully banned to this new category.
Lutri, the Spellchaser is now playable as Commander and in the main deck.
View the full banlist →
What is Duel Commander?
Duel Commander is the competitive one-on-one variant of Magic: The Gathering's Commander format. Players build 100-card singleton decks led by a legendary commander and face off in fast, strategic duels. Where multiplayer Commander starts at 40 life, Duel Commander starts at 20, and its banlist is curated specifically for two-player balance and tournament play.
20 life
100-card singleton
Pure 1v1
Curated banlist
About the format
Duel Commander is a community-driven Magic: The Gathering format based on Commander/EDH, designed for competitive 1v1 play with a regularly updated banlist.
Pure 1v1 format
Balanced and curated for two-player duels: strategic depth, no politics
100-card singleton
One or two legendary commanders plus a 98–99 card singleton deck, for variety and creativity
Dedicated banlist
Maintained for competitive 1v1 balance and updated regularly by the Committee
Why play Duel Commander?
Competitive focus
Built for tournament play: consistent rules, balanced gameplay, and regular events worldwide
Fast games
Ten to twenty minutes per game, perfect for multiple matches per session and tournament rounds
Diverse strategies
Hundreds of viable commanders across aggro, control, combo, midrange and everything in between
Global community
Thousands of players in online and offline tournaments, leagues, and casual play
Regular updates
A dedicated Committee maintains the format with periodic banlist updates for a healthy metagame
Accessible entry
Competitive decks exist at every budget, from entry-level lists to fully optimised builds
Join the community
Connect with Duel Commander players worldwide: format updates, strategy talk, decklists, tournaments, and opponents for competitive play.
Explore the format