What it does
Lieutenant is an ability word (not an official keyword) found on certain creatures that grants bonuses as long as you control your commander. The card spells out exactly what you get—often a stat boost to that creature, and sometimes a team-wide buff or extra effect.
The common misconception is thinking it triggers when your commander is anywhere in play; it only cares about you controlling your own commander on the battlefield. If your commander is in the command zone, your hand, the graveyard, or you've lost control of it, the Lieutenant bonus simply turns off. It's a continuous check, not a one-time trigger.
In Commander, Lieutenant rewards getting your commander onto the battlefield and keeping it there, which makes these cards strong in aggressive commander-focused decks but vulnerable to removal that bounces or kills your commander, instantly shutting the bonus down.
Iconic cards with Lieutenant
See all 13 →
