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Do the effects of a Commander that deal (non-combat) damage, such as Obzedat, Ghost Council, count towards Commander damage?
I have not been able to find whether or not it has to be, specifically, combat damage, or simply damage dealt by the Commander.
Per the official rules on mtgcommander.net,
If a player has been dealt 21 points of combat damage by a particular Commander during the game, that player loses a game.
"Combat damage" refers only to damage dealt in combat as a result of attacking and blocking; direct-damage abilities don't count. Note also that Obzedat, Ghost Council's triggered ability doesn't deal damage: it simply causes your opponent to lose life.
From the Comprehensive Rules
104.3j In a Commander game, a player that's been dealt 21 or more combat damage by the same Commander over the course of the game loses the game. (This is a state-based action. See rule 704. Also see rule 903.14)
