Play Cali Commander on MTGO

Freeform Commander is a Magic Online format that adds the command zone to Freeform. Magic Online calls it a format lab: its deck rules are loose on purpose, so players add their own to play a paper format online. Duel Commander and Oathbreaker are played this way too.

Magic Online does not check those extra rules. It will not stop a deck that breaks the Cali Commander ban list. So check your list on the deck checker before you play.

Magic Online starts two-player Freeform Commander games at 20 life. Cali Commander starts at 30. So a Cali game on Magic Online is played at 20 life. Make sure your opponent knows before the game starts, and agree the rest of the Cali rules together, since Magic Online does not know them.

• With a friend: add them as a Buddy, right-click their name in your Buddy list and choose Challenge Player.
• With anyone: go to the Constructed room, choose Commander, then Freeform Commander Open Play, and create or join a match.

Put this in your match description, so players looking for a Cali game can find yours:

Cali Commander: 1v1, 100-card singleton, ban list at calicommander.gg/banlist. Played at MTGO's 20 life.

If an opponent ignores the rules you posted, Magic Online suggests you block them and move on.

The short version of the rules is what Cali Commander is, the full version is the rules page, and the cards are on the ban list.

You can also play Cali Commander in your browser at 30 life, with nothing to download. See how to play online.

Magic Online: Freeform Commander, MTGO's Newest Format Lab, posted July 11, 2023. Checked October 31, 2026.