Commander theft?

[Noblellama]

Can {Nighteyes the Desecrator} steal a commander "as they die" or is the "back to the command zone" a replacement effect?

[rarehuntertay]

903.11. If a commander would be put into its owner's graveyard from anywhere, that player may put it into the command zone instead.
903.12. If a commander would be put into the exile zone from anywhere, its owner may put it into the command zone instead.

It is an optional replacement effect.

[TheRagingMage]

From mtgcommander.net:
If a Commander would be put into a graveyard or exile from anywhere, its owner may choose to move it to the command zone instead.
If the owner chooses to return it to the command zone, then it is a replacement affect.

[particle]

So not an issue of he goes there for a moment before command zone-ing himself, was hoping to jack me a commander...

just play {control magic}...

[Destore117]

So not an issue of he goes there for a moment before command zone-ing himself, was hoping to jack me a commander...

just play {control magic}...

This or {Switcheroo} here lets trade this 1/1 saproling, for that beautiful commander over there.

[Remillo]

So not an issue of he goes there for a moment before command zone-ing himself, was hoping to jack me a commander...

Replacement Effects replace an event.  You're replacing the event of it going to the Graveyard with sending it back to the command zone.  Since the 'going to the graveyard' event never actually happens (as it's been replaced), there's never a chance to nab it with Night-Eyes.

[Daxos]

follow up question,

after a successful commander steal (say from player A), can I then proceed to eliminate that player by dealing 21 points of commander damage to player A, from his own commander (which I now control?)

My contention is yes, since the rule doesn't care about distinction between "your own" or " opponents' "
plus makes for fun storytelling around the table "my army pays him more, etc"

is this correct?

[particle]

follow up question,

after a successful commander steal (say from player A), can I then proceed to eliminate that player by dealing 21 points of commander damage to player A, from his own commander (which I now control?)

My contention is yes, since the rule doesn't care about distinction between "your own" or " opponents' "
plus makes for fun storytelling around the table "my army pays him more, etc"

is this correct?

any one general that does 21 points of Combat Damage is lethal. This includes your own general. the rule just says "from a commander" not from your opponents or anything.

[Daxos]

yay that's what I thought

[Daxos]

HAHAHAAAAH Good point!!