# Hardened Scales Hardened Scales represents a pivotal card for +1/+1 counter strategies in Commander. Collectors value it as a cornerstone enabler that transforms how counter-focused decks function, doubling counter production across the board. The Commander 2016 printing holds particular significance as the card's original source, making it sought after by players building around commanders like Atraxa or Ozolith-based strategies. Most collectors recognize this as a staple rather than a chase card, though its utility keeps demand steady. The nonfoil version remains accessible compared to foil printings. Hardened Scales appears in multiple subsequent sets, but the Commander 2016 edition carries nostalgic weight for those who built around it during that era.