Say a certain card, let's say Island in this case, has been scribbled on, drawn on, etc etc to the point where the original card is totally covered and unrecognizable. However, from all the drawings and the writings, it can be inferred that it's an island.
Can you legally play with such card, as an Island?
Disclaimer: Do not take this as a ruling of any sort. I can't definitively say anything without looking at the card and it's up to the head judge of the tournament anyway.
That said, given your description, no, you cannot play that card in a tournament. The rules state that a card must be clearly recognizable by it's art from across the table, and your description said the art, etc was completely obscured.
No you cannot. The card text is indecipherable and the art is obscured, therefore they can't figure out what the card is. If the title was unchanged, or the rules text, you would be fine. As it is, it can't be used.
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Since it's a fairy recognized card, I guess it won't be too much trouble, but what if a less known card were to be heavily altered like that, to the point where its true card name as well as its text can't be read?
A card has to be identifiable by its artwork. Foreign cards are allowed in tournaments, so that's the reason why text isn't as important.
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Scientists have calculated that the chance of anything so patently absurd actually existing are millions to one. But magicians have calculated that million-to-one chances crop up nine times out of ten.
What about misprinted cards (in a constructed tournament)? Some of them might not only be unrecognizable, but even be considered marked, due to texture differences.
I'm also curious how far art alterations are generally allowed to go. I want to draw on the commons in my decks but I don't want to have to replace them at a moment's notice...
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"I'm sure it came with the place. I don't think you build one on purpose." —Gerrard Flavour text from Bottomless Pit.
As always, it's up to the head judge of whatever tournament you happen to be at.
With respect to misprinted cards, if they're in opaque-backed sleeves and the art is easily recognizable from across the table (what constitutes "easily recognizable" is up to the head judge), then you should be fine, but as always, it's much safer to check.
As for altering cards, same thing as I've said in the rest of this post. Right now we're in one of those hazy areas in the rules where there's never a definite answer. If there's ever question as to whether or not something like this is legal, ask the head judge at the tournament. And be warned, if it's on the edge, you may get two different answers at two different tournaments.
What about misprinted cards (in a constructed tournament)? Some of them might not only be unrecognizable, but even be considered marked, due to texture differences.
Texture differences can affect how the card is shuffled and cut. I would disallow any card with a texture difference, but the head judge of your event has the final say.
I'm also curious how far art alterations are generally allowed to go. I want to draw on the commons in my decks but I don't want to have to replace them at a moment's notice...
The rules say the card must be recognizable by its artwork. Anything that makes it less than recognizable would not be allowed. Again, however, what's allowed and not allowed is up to the head judge of the event.
Would bigger allowances be made for older format tournaments like vintage?
I have seen time walks and moxs on e-bay in a terrible condition (like a dog has used it for a chew toy) that have still been sold for a lot of money. Why would anyone do this if someone was then going to tell them they couldnt use it.
collectors. casual. or they just use sleeves if it isn't too bad.
to OP.
i know someone who was DQ'd because their seige gang commander said "gang bang commander" on it.
that's it, just written over it in a black marker.
so it's really really up to the judge, and if he's a jerk, you get cooked.
Judges usually follow guidelines and rules. They're not making those documents to ignore them and do what they want, ROORftw.
The guideline is as Natedogg says : a card must be identifiable by its artwork alone.
Which means : - yes, you can draw stuff on the artwork, but you should always be able to recgonize the card by the artwork alone, so don't redraw the whole picture.
- yes you can fully use the text box and name box to draw on.
apart from that rule, the head judge may also disallow offensive or inappropriate drawings on cards. e.g. "gang bang commander". Not allowing is not DQ. The head judge should ask you to replace the card. If you can't find one, you'll be given the opportunity to replace them with basic land.
Unless a (head) judge really is an ass (in which case you should send an e-mail to Andy, the judge manager), this will be the rules they follow.
To support Dr. Tom, I would also "feel" if the cards are considered marked. If you can feel the difference between the cards, then you can't play them.
Try to play them in sleeves. Sometimes this won't help and cards will still be thicker than others and thus considered marked.
Would be helpful if you could post a scan. But that's just for our second-guessing what amounts to DCI policy. Which can happen - if the card is particularly iconic and the artwork is still recognizable. But the problem with this is, it's the judge's word against the field, and judges usually have more knowledge of cards and what they do than the average tournament attendance. That's why there's a policy.
What's worse is, the types of tournaments where defaced cards or cards with markings frequently see play - Legacy and Vintage. There are simply TOO MANY cards legal in those format for any given player to know ALL of them by a tiny fragment of art peeking out in a sea of Sharpie black. Furthermore, who's to say that Mox is really a Mox, it's got most of the face blacked out, it could just be an unlimited Island with a fragment of blue sky showing!
EDIT: As for "texture" add to that "stiffness". I made some custom lands for a 5-color deck years ago. I scraped away parts of the card face and replaced them with drawings straight on the cardboard backing. Despite coating them with a layer of matt acrylic medium, they were still "bendier" than my other cards and I could tell through the sleeves. The same goes for adding layers to a card, whether paint, paper cutouts, or "foiling". You can feel it in the way the card shuffles and bends. Painting directly on the face of a card like Ron Spencer and others sometimes do is a very risky process. Unless you know what you're doing, you could render the card illegal for tournament play.
Can you legally play with such card, as an Island?
That said, given your description, no, you cannot play that card in a tournament. The rules state that a card must be clearly recognizable by it's art from across the table, and your description said the art, etc was completely obscured.
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I don't care if I was framed for murder if I only got a warning I would let it go.
Any other card....you might be out of luck?
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And how about things like this? http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/59/459/2/95/93/2970295930097957600drgCop_th.jpg
Since it's a fairy recognized card, I guess it won't be too much trouble, but what if a less known card were to be heavily altered like that, to the point where its true card name as well as its text can't be read?
Scientists have calculated that the chance of anything so patently absurd actually existing are millions to one. But magicians have calculated that million-to-one chances crop up nine times out of ten.
I'm also curious how far art alterations are generally allowed to go. I want to draw on the commons in my decks but I don't want to have to replace them at a moment's notice...
Flavour text from Bottomless Pit.
With respect to misprinted cards, if they're in opaque-backed sleeves and the art is easily recognizable from across the table (what constitutes "easily recognizable" is up to the head judge), then you should be fine, but as always, it's much safer to check.
As for altering cards, same thing as I've said in the rest of this post. Right now we're in one of those hazy areas in the rules where there's never a definite answer. If there's ever question as to whether or not something like this is legal, ask the head judge at the tournament. And be warned, if it's on the edge, you may get two different answers at two different tournaments.
Winner of the Weekly Signature & Avatar Contest Weeks 51, 59, 78, & 118.
I don't care if I was framed for murder if I only got a warning I would let it go.
Texture differences can affect how the card is shuffled and cut. I would disallow any card with a texture difference, but the head judge of your event has the final say.
The rules say the card must be recognizable by its artwork. Anything that makes it less than recognizable would not be allowed. Again, however, what's allowed and not allowed is up to the head judge of the event.
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collectors. casual. or they just use sleeves if it isn't too bad.
to OP.
i know someone who was DQ'd because their seige gang commander said "gang bang commander" on it.
that's it, just written over it in a black marker.
so it's really really up to the judge, and if he's a jerk, you get cooked.
The guideline is as Natedogg says : a card must be identifiable by its artwork alone.
Which means : - yes, you can draw stuff on the artwork, but you should always be able to recgonize the card by the artwork alone, so don't redraw the whole picture.
- yes you can fully use the text box and name box to draw on.
apart from that rule, the head judge may also disallow offensive or inappropriate drawings on cards. e.g. "gang bang commander". Not allowing is not DQ. The head judge should ask you to replace the card. If you can't find one, you'll be given the opportunity to replace them with basic land.
Unless a (head) judge really is an ass (in which case you should send an e-mail to Andy, the judge manager), this will be the rules they follow.
To support Dr. Tom, I would also "feel" if the cards are considered marked. If you can feel the difference between the cards, then you can't play them.
Try to play them in sleeves. Sometimes this won't help and cards will still be thicker than others and thus considered marked.
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540> 360 Powered CubeWhat's worse is, the types of tournaments where defaced cards or cards with markings frequently see play - Legacy and Vintage. There are simply TOO MANY cards legal in those format for any given player to know ALL of them by a tiny fragment of art peeking out in a sea of Sharpie black. Furthermore, who's to say that Mox is really a Mox, it's got most of the face blacked out, it could just be an unlimited Island with a fragment of blue sky showing!
EDIT: As for "texture" add to that "stiffness". I made some custom lands for a 5-color deck years ago. I scraped away parts of the card face and replaced them with drawings straight on the cardboard backing. Despite coating them with a layer of matt acrylic medium, they were still "bendier" than my other cards and I could tell through the sleeves. The same goes for adding layers to a card, whether paint, paper cutouts, or "foiling". You can feel it in the way the card shuffles and bends. Painting directly on the face of a card like Ron Spencer and others sometimes do is a very risky process. Unless you know what you're doing, you could render the card illegal for tournament play.