A Complete List of Every Commander and MTG Life Counter Option
Do you play Magic: The Gathering, either 1v1 or Commander?
Awesome. So do we 🙂
Are you looking for a new magic the gathering life counter?
Great.
This post is for you.
Lists pretty much every choice you can make.
Both physical and digital.
Let’s you know what you’re dealing with.
Of course, we are MatchPunk… we prefer you choose us.
But it’s still good to know your options… right?
First, some definitions, and then scroll away!
What is a life tracker and why do you need one?
A life tracker is any tool used to keep a running tally of each player’s life total during a game of Magic: The Gathering. It’s a simple counting device, starting at 20 for 1v1 and 40 for Commander.
Why do you need a life tracker?
As players cast spells and attack, life totals change. You lose/forget the life total? Sorry… you just ruined the game. A reliable magic the gathering life counter ensures everyone understands exactly where they are in the match.
What else do you track in Commander?
In the multiplayer format of Commander, tracking becomes more complex. You not only have your own life to worry about but also the life totals of three (or more) other players. Plus, you need to track commander damage from each opponent’s commander and the “commander tax” for recasting your own.
Physical Life Counter Options
Spindown Dice
Spindown dice are twenty-sided dice (d20s) specifically designed to be an mtg life tracker. Unlike a standard d20 where the numbers are randomized for fair rolling, a spindown die has its numbers arranged in sequential order.
Many players receive their first spindown dice from Prerelease kits or Bundles. They come in countless colors and styles, including premium metal dice versions that have a satisfying weight and feel. But they can also be knocked over, potentially losing your life total.
“Are there any other specialty MTG tracker dice?”
Yep. Many local game stores and online retailers (like this one) sell specialty d6 dice you can use as positive and negative counters. Usually come in big enough packs to share with a friend. And always are offered in a variety of resin and color designs.
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Wheel Counters
Wheel counters are devices that feature one or more numbered wheels you turn to show your life total. They often display numbers from 00 to 99. You can use separate wheel counters to keep a tally of experience counters, commander damage, or other persistent totals throughout a game of MTG.
Wheel counters are very popular, probably the most popular physical life counter device. You see them everywhere. Partly because they are stylish with different colors and intricate designs and motifs. But they are also satisfying… while some are plastic, a lot are made of metal and quite heavy, and the “click” it makes when you adjust just, I dunno, it just feels GOOD.
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Radial Dial Life Trackers
Ok… so a lot of different designs fall into the “dial” category. But they all share the following basic mechanic: some numbers are visible, and you shift the gear to change the numbers. Usually a sturdy and satisfying “click” every time it moves.
The above picture would track life… and only life… for a single player. Its design goes from 0-99. Others have multiple slots, allowing you to track life, commander damage, poison, and more on a single device.
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Abacus Slider Devices
Honestly… this might be the true “original gangsta” of magic the gathering life counters. Older than even a pen and paper! As you score, slide over a lil’ bead to the other side. Great for visual learners who want context for how much damage they have done. But all the MTG branded ones only have two slides and can only work for duels.
Fun fact: the abacus was probably invented 4500 years ago somewhere in Mesopotamia. And now, you can get one to help track damage when your play Gulgalanna to destroy your opponents Nebuchadnezzar creature on an Ancient Ziggarat land card. The ancient Akkadians would be so proud…
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Command Trays
These are life counters specific to Commander. They do not just track life, but EVERYTHING all in one place. Commander cast tracker. Life total tracker. Even damage dealt by your Commander.
Some are made of balsa wood. Others are high-end plastic. Some have all dials and others hold other forms of life trackers. Custom paint yours to match your commander card. A handy, aesthetic, practical luxury to make the games a little more fun :).
Spinner
The above example is on the Magic official website, so I assume it’s the “preferred” physical life counter of WotC…? Maybe? I dunno.
The positives. Heavy, embossed metal. REALLY cool design of the 5 colors. Crazy simple. Goes from 40-21 on one side and 20-1 on the other. Feels like you are changing a grandfather clock.
The negatives. It’s a big, heavy dial. It tracks literally nothing else. Unless you are the cats pajamas playing against the bees knees in a tournament, some might think you take yourselves too seriously. And despite appearances, it does not make a “gong” sound when the clock strikes 12.
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Tokens
The above are just math tokens for kids, but work perfect for damage tokens. There are also some dry erase ones out there if you need more flexibility. But I am reserving this category for things using ANYTHING physical to symbolize damage. Glass beads. Poker chips. Space Marines you SWEAR you will paint this weekend.
You simply have a pile representing your life total and remove tokens as you take damage or add them as you gain life. While it might be less precise for rapid life total changes, the token method is an intuitive, visual, hands-on approach.
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Handwritten Options
At the end of the day, all of these other forms of scorekeeping are just improvements of the simplest tool of all: handwritten scorekeeping. This category includes everything from a smart tablet with a stylus to a dry erase board to a quill with inkwell and parchment.
At the end of the day, you can bust out a pen and piece of paper just mark down and cross out your score as you play. Just create columns for each player and write down the new total every time the life changes. Plus, you can doodle monsters, spells, or whatever in the margins!
Digital Life Counters for MTG
Physical magic the gathering life counters have their benefits… and limitations. But now let’s survey the digital options. For more information, you can read more about physical vs digital life counters here.
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Non-Smart Phone Digital Life Counters
But before I get to the apps…
I was going to make a joke about how this isn’t 1996 and no one makes micro-game electronic devices like the they did for Star Wars when it was released when I was a wee-lad….. (deep breath)... buuuuut I did some research and boy was I wrong!
There is this handheld digital score keeper by D1 Games. It is not specific to Magic but it will get the job done. Its small enough to fit in your deck box (7cm by 10 cm), runs forever (they claim 2 months), and if you drop it you don’t have to buy a new $800 i-phone.
Center of Table Smart Phone Apps
99% of all digital life trackers are apps. Search on the App Store or Google Play, and dozens will pop up. Since pretty much every single magic the gathering life counter app can be used on tablet or PC, we’re not going to hash out which is best for which format (that can be covered in THIS post).
A “center of table” app is designed to be placed in the middle of the play area for all players to see and use. They typically feature layouts that give each player their own section of the screen. These apps work for large group multiplayer games… but have some downsides. Most notably:
- Players have to reach across the table every time they want to make an adjustment
- Depending on the angle, it can be hard to see your or your opponents remaining life, not to mention commander damage and other trackers.
As a result, these apps are better on a tablet instead of a smartphone. Visuals aside, many apps offer additional features like dice rollers, turn timers, and trackers for poison or experience counters. Some of these apps even include fun animations or sound effects when a player is eliminated, adding a bit of extra excitement to your MTG games.
Wizard’s Companion App
We couldn’t just lump the companion app with all the other ones. And that’s for two reasons: 1) it’s the official app, and many competitions require it. And 2) it’s the worst-performing high-budget app.
We could pick it apart, but that is a blog post in and of itself. Long story short, the reason there are SO MANY Magic apps is because the Companion app is so substandard. It’s ambitious, trying to be everything… but each element is mediocre at best.
Also, all officially sanctioned competitions require it. Which sucks because it crashes all the time and you lose your score. And when you win or lose, it doesn’t record anything; you have to tell the event coordinator who enters in the match results manually.
Match Punk: Your Personal Magic the Gathering Life Counter App
Finally… we get to OUR contribution to MTG life counters. Here is what makes Match Punk different than other apps:
- Each player keeps their own score. The phone is right next to you, instead of awkwardly in the center of the table
- We designed everything ourselves from the ground up. We didn’t just steal a format like so many copycats.
- We focused on GROUPS as well as games. Create groups among your friends, FLGS, or community.
- Wins + losses are not only automatically tracked… but RANKED. Players are given ELO scores based on the skill of their opponents.
- Because of our player ratings, events are effortlessly easy. Anyone can make any number of events, and any games within the group count.
- In other words, Match Punk doesn’t just keep score, but encourages healthy, fun competition 🙂
- We keep it simple. Rather than trying to be a “jack of all trades”, we excel in our areas of expertise.
- We are free for 2026, and we don’t sell your data. A teeny tiny monthly payment is being considered for 2027, but we want user input first.
Match Punk offers functionality with innovation for better gameplay
Try Match Punk Now
BONUS: Fancy Smartwatch Option
What if a phone right next to you is still too far away? Like, what if you need your life tracking device ON you? In that case, there is only one good (emphasis on good) smartwatch option: MTG wrist counter.
While the small screen limits functionality—you won’t be tracking complex commander damage for four players—it’s perfect for a one-on-one game. You can discreetly tap your wrist to update your life total, keeping the gameplay moving quickly.
Of course, smart watches are not as ubiquitous as smartphones. And a life tracker is hardly a reason to fork over hundreds of bucks for a wrist computer. But if you got one and want to use it, have at it!
Conclusion: What Will YOU Choose?
So what will you choose?
First of all, think about the kinds of games you play. If you are Commander first, then you’ll need something that can go to 40 for your Commander damage.
Also, you have to decide how you will keep track of stuff other than life. What about experience and poison counters? Do you your life tracker to also know how much mana is floating in your mana pool? At the end of the day, your ideal magic the gathering life counter should take care of whatever you need tracked.
All in all, the perfect mtg life tracker for you depends entirely on your personal preferences and how you play:
- Prefer tactile feel of components? Then try a spinner or wheel clicker.
- Detailed and flexible record keeping? Go handwritten.
- Need something you always have with you? Try a free digital life counter.
- Want an all-in-one device that also has a card database? Then the companion app or Mythic Tools might work best.
- Want a device that works for events AND tracks wins and losses AND keeps score? Then you have to use Match Punk.
Ultimately, the right tracker is one that feels intuitive to you and clearly communicates your life total to everyone at the table. It comes down to clarity, reliability, and functionality. Your chosen tracker should keep the game clear and smooth, not slow it down with questions of “wait… whats your Commander’s damage again?”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: “What features should I look for in a good MTG life tracker?”
A: When selecting a good life counter, you should look for features such as clear visibility, ease of use, portability, durability, and the ability to track multiple players if needed. Some life counters also offer additional features like a poison counter tracker or commander damage tracking, which can be particularly helpful for certain formats like Commander.
Q: “Can I use digital life counters in official Magic tournaments?”
A: Yes, in most cases. A digital magic the gathering life counter is generally acceptable in a tournament as long as it is clearly visible to both players and doesn’t slow down the game. However, a paper record is still the official method, and a judge may ask you to use it instead.
Q: “Where can I buy reliable physical life trackers for Magic?”
A: Etsy. Amazon. Your local game store. TCG player. Nerd Gaming gear. Google search and pick your poison. Y
Q: “How do I identify trustworthy digital life counter apps?”
A: This is such a good question that we wrote a whole blog post about it. But long story short, make sure the app 1) doesn’t crash, 2) is intuitive, 3) won’t sell your information, 4) you can try it for free, 5) has all the functions you are looking for.
Q: “How do I identify unknown digital life counters for Magic: The Gathering?”
A: If you see a strange device with numbers that are being adjusted, you can politely ask the player across from you if what they are using is a life counter or a ticking time bomb. Or just run. Up to you.
Q: “How do most players keep track of life in Magic: The Gathering Tournaments?”
A: Depends on the tournament. Players will use whatever is their favorite sanctioned method for a particular event. That said, they often must also use the Companion App in some way for official competitions.