altered cards

[zulander]

So what's the deal with altered cards if the text box isn't altered?

[HammafistRoob]

They are legal. Just make sure you have the head judge take a look at them before the tournament starts to make sure. Some alters are a little thicker than your average card, which makes them easier to manipulate.

EDIT- Also, the name, mana cost, and card type must remain untouched.

[Julian23]

They can be legal if the head judge approves. Alters that deface the cards original art and thus make them unrecognizable by looks, have been known to sometimes be disallowed by judges.

[Einherjer]

My fav story about my altered cards (you can see them at the links in my signature) was at GP Strasbourg. I walk up to a judge and ask for the HJ, in order to confirm my alterations. He said I should show them to him, he'll handle it. I showed him my alters and he was like "Wow, cool one, what does this stand for? Ahh, another great one! Perfect alterations!" After looking at all of my cards I was like..:"So... they are legal?" And he answered:"Ah... yeah sure, they are really well made!" - I got deckchecked three times at D2 in 4 rounds, I bet he just wanted the others to see the alters too or something lol.

Generally, just ask the HJ!

Greetings

[HammafistRoob]

Does anyone know if they're legal at Professional REL? Can't seem to find anything on it.

[Tammit67]

Does anyone know if they're legal at Professional REL? Can't seem to find anything on it.

Always head judge discretion at any REL.

[infant_no_1]

From MTR 3.3

Artistic modifications are acceptable in sanctioned tournaments, provided that the modifications do not make the card art unrecognizable, contain substantial strategic advice, or contain offensive images. Artistic modifications also may not obstruct or change the mana cost or name of the card.
The Head Judge is the final authority on acceptable cards for a tournament.

I have HJ'd many events & have disallowed alters.

The text box is actually the least important part to me because if you play a German card I'm not going to be able to read it anyway. Cards are recognized by their art much easier than their text.

[TerribleTim68]

So this came up at our LGS last Sunday for the SCG IQ they held. The HJ was NOT letting anyone play with alters that had the border covered due to the possibility of it having been a gold border card. Just something to think about.

[[SLAYER]chaos]

Wouldn't the extremely quick check to that be just take it out of the sleeve and look at the back?

[Bed Decks Palyer]

So this came up at our LGS last Sunday for the SCG IQ they held. The HJ was NOT letting anyone play with alters that had the border covered due to the possibility of it having been a gold border card. Just something to think about.

Pretty "funny" story... :cry:
Guess I won't let the alterer BB-ize my UNL duals.

[infant_no_1]

chaos;758249']Wouldn't the extremely quick check to that be just take it out of the sleeve and look at the back?

This. Sounds like the HJ is new to the game &/or ignorant of the cards he's not allowing.
Extended borders are one of the alters that is allowed more often than anything else.

[TerribleTim68]

I'm just posting/reporting what happened. :tongue:

I've seen it posted somewhere that the mana symbols, expansion symbol and the card text should not be covered. But I had never seen any issues with the border like that before.

[SpikeyMikey]

To reiterate what other posters have said, it is always the Head Judge's discretion on what alters to allow and/or disallow. I've had alters that I've used at several tournaments disallowed at others.

what I personally am looking for when I look at an alter:

Are the name and mana cost (and P/T, if applicable) unobscured?

If I were to insert the card randomly into a deck, could I consistently cut to it? (is it thicker than a foil would be or warped or otherwise immediately discernable in a random stack of cards?)

Is it recognizable as the card in question from a distance of 4 or 5 feet? (If I'm standing behind the player's opponent and the card is in play, am I going to be able to tell what it is?)

If it passes those tests, for me, it's an alter I would accept in a tournament that I'm HJing.

[Anusien]

Does anyone know if they're legal at Professional REL? Can't seem to find anything on it.
I would bring backups to any event, Professional REL doubly so.

[Star|Scream]

FYI I got extended art cards okay'd by the head judge at GP DC

[Teluin]

You guys should really stop calling them HJs.

[apple713]

You guys should really stop calling them HJs.

what are they suppose to be called?


So this came up at our LGS last Sunday for the SCG IQ they held. The HJ was NOT letting anyone play with alters that had the border covered due to the possibility of it having been a gold border card. Just something to think about.

also this seems like a really poor decision since Gold bordered cards do not have actually MTG backings they have pro tour backings and a gold signature on the card.

[Star|Scream]

what are they suppose to be called?



also this seems like a really poor decision since Gold bordered cards do not have actually MTG backings they have pro tour backings and a gold signature on the card.

However, in sleeves there's no way to tell. You'd have to have desleeve every altered card in your deck OR the judge could just decide to not allow them at all. Seems simpler.

[apple713]

So this came up at our LGS last Sunday for the SCG IQ they held. The HJ was NOT letting anyone play with alters that had the border covered due to the possibility of it having been a gold border card. Just something to think about.


However, in sleeves there's no way to tell. You'd have to have desleeve every altered card in your deck OR the judge could just decide to not allow them at all. Seems simpler.

i think it could be easily inspected during deck checks. Plus, i don't think there are any GB cards that are worth getting "altered" the cost of alters + a GB card would probably be more than the cost of the regular card.