Oh my… Companions are just released since some weeks .. and yet they get nerfed. Nope, it’s not our fault, but they dominated the tournaments in such an overwhelming kind, that WotC altered the Companion mechanic. You can read the article here.

So what are the official Free-for-All-Commander Rules regarding companions ?

They accept the rules change, and now companions cost to put from outside the game into your hand.

• “702.138a Companion is a keyword ability that functions outside the game. It’s written as “Companion—[Condition].” Before the game begins, you may reveal one card you own from outside the game with a companion ability whose condition is fulfilled by your starting deck. (See rule 103.1b.) Once during the game, any time you have priority and the stack is empty, but only during a main phase of your turn, you may pay {3} and put that card into your hand. This is a special action that doesn’t use the stack (see rule 116.2g). This is a change from previous rules.”

So yes, Companions and Commanders are quite hard to play (most likely just in combo decks with infinite mana, where a oneshot companion just kicks in), as you can’t rely as thoroughly on a campanion as on a commander, who can „always return“ from the command zone.

But ! Don’t be sad, don’t be sour: the cards still are great inclusions as „regular cards“ and part of your 99 other cards, or just as an addition as a companion – draw an additional (companion)card once per game isn’t bad at all.