Track Commander Life with LifeLink Counters

Quick Answer

Use a LifeLink Counter to track your Commander life total by clicking the dial up or down as your life changes. The Dark Iron Hexbreaker and Battleworn Silver models offer satisfying clicks and a durable build for long games.

How to Track Commander Life with a LifeLink Counter

1. Set Your Starting Life Total: Rotate the dial to set your starting Commander life total (usually 40). Most LifeLink Counters have a clear window or marked increments. Start at the correct number to avoid mid-game adjustments. Double-check the starting number before the first turn to avoid a common reset mistake.
2. Click Up for Life Gain, Down for Life Loss: When you gain life (e.g., from lifelink or a spell), click the dial upward. When you lose life (combat damage or a spell), click downward. Each click moves the counter by one point. Listen for the click to confirm the change. If the dial feels stuck, don’t force it—gently rotate in the opposite direction first to free the mechanism.
3. Adjust for Commander Damage or Poison Counters: If you need to track Commander damage separately, use a second LifeLink Counter or a dice. For poison counters, note that the LifeLink Counter tracks your life total, not status effects. Keep a separate token or dice for poison. LifeLink Counters are for life totals only—don’t rely on them for poison or commander damage tracking.
4. Reset Between Games: After the game, rotate the dial back to your starting life total (usually 40). This prevents confusion at the start of the next game. Store the counter in a safe place to avoid accidental clicks. Always reset to 40 before the next game to avoid starting with the wrong life total.

LifeLink Counter Options

• LifeLink Counter - Dark Iron Hexbreaker: The Dark Iron Hexbreaker features a hexbreaking countercharm design from the Hexbreaker metal collection. Its themed design fits a spellcasting Commander deck, and the metal construction provides a premium feel and durable click mechanism.

  

• LifeLink Counter - Battleworn Silver: The Battleworn Silver is one of Castle Die Hard’s most sought after products, with satisfying clicks and a battle-worn aesthetic. The battle-worn finish adds character to your table, and the satisfying clicks make life changes easy to confirm without looking away from the game.