# 2020 Magic: The Gathering Commander 2020 #45

> The Netherborn Altar (C20 #45) from the 2020 Magic: The Gathering Commander set, a versatile artifact that offers strategic depth for black-aligned commanders.

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## Identity

- **Year**: 2020
- **Brand**: Magic: The Gathering
- **Set**: Commander 2020
- **Card Number**: 45
- **Featured**: Netherborn Altar
- **Game**: Magic: The Gathering
- **Rarity**: Rare
- **Mana cost**: {1}{B}
- **Type**: Artifact
- **Color**: B
- **Language**: English
- **Material**: Card Stock
- **Finish**: Normal

## Description

The Netherborn Altar, designated as card number 45 in the 2020 Commander set (C20), serves as a foundational artifact for players building black-aligned decks. Designed by Titus Lunter, this card provides a unique mechanism that balances immediate board presence with significant resource management. As a common artifact, it is accessible to builders looking to enhance the resilience and flexibility of their commander strategy without requiring rare or mythic rarity slots.

The card’s ability allows players to place a soul counter on the Altar by tapping it. Once activated, this counter enables the player to return their commander from the command zone directly to their hand. This interaction is crucial for maintaining tempo and ensuring that the central figure of the deck remains active on the battlefield. However, the effect comes with a steep cost: the controller loses 3 life for every soul counter currently on the artifact. This design encourages players to carefully track the counters, weighing the benefit of retrieving the commander against the potential health deficit.

Collectors of Magic: The Gathering trading cards often appreciate the Netherborn Altar for its elegant simplicity and strategic utility. It represents the thematic essence of the Commander format, where long-term planning and resource allocation are key to victory. The card’s black color identity makes it a staple in decks focused on recursion and attrition strategies. Its inclusion in the Commander 2020 product highlights Wizards of the Coast’s commitment to providing powerful, yet balanced, tools for the singleton format. For enthusiasts of the game, owning this card is not just about gameplay but also about engaging with the rich lore and mechanical diversity that defines the Magic universe. The Netherborn Altar remains a respected piece in any serious collector’s library of Commander-era artifacts.

## FAQ

### What does the Netherborn Altar do in gameplay?

It allows you to tap the artifact to put a soul counter on it. You can then put your commander from the command zone into your hand, but you lose 3 life for each soul counter on it.

### Is the Netherborn Altar a rare card?

No, the Netherborn Altar is a common artifact card found in the Commander 2020 set (C20), making it widely available for deck construction.

### Which color identity does the Netherborn Altar support?

The card has a black color identity, making it suitable for commanders that include black mana in their color requirements.

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Editorial content updated: 2026-09-27.

Site deployment: 2025-11-29.