Is this Card Tournament Legal?

Can i, as a TO, get into trouble if i allow such a card?


Cheers

While it's nice to have altered cards to be played in events, if other players cannot recognize the card at a certain distance, then I wouldn't allow the altered card to be played in the event. Since the card's art had been altered in a way it won't be recognized immediately, it could cause problems with other players.

I would advise the player to use an unaltered version of the card, if he/she has one.

Here's what the Magic Tournament Rules have to say about alters:

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.

Ultimately, it's going to be up to the head judge of the tournament to decide if the card is allowed or not. If you're the head judge and you're ok with it, you can allow it, but I would probably not allow the card in one of my tournaments, since the art is fairly obscured.

Nathan Long

It's also worth pointing out that the name has been altered. If it wasn't for that, it might be a judgement call, but that sets it firmly into the “not allowed” category for me.

Two of the major things called up in the MTR about alters are that the Name must be unaltered/not obscured and the art must be recognizable. I feel this card falls foul of both of these and personally wouldn't allow it in an event I'm Head Judge of.

However if you are happy for it to be in your event that's your decision

My main concern here is that i wont get into trouble if im allowing it.

I have many players with altered brainstorms, pyromancer, lands and so on, and this discussion came up on facebook about this card, so i was wondering is it really tournament illegal (in the sense that the TO can get into trouble) or is it just a advisor/help that the TO can make his own mind about allowing those cards..

Tournament illegal is just such a strict wording…

Originally posted by Sandro Carlucci:

My main concern here is that i wont get into trouble if im allowing it.

You wont get in trouble, if you are ok with that card as a HJ of a tournament. But its important to point out to the player, that other HJs of other tournaments may not allow those cards.

Sandro, I think you are asking the wrong question to begin with. The important question is not whether you as a TO will get into trouble.

If you reread the paragraph of the MTR cited above, you will see that it is the decision of the HJ to allow or disallow an altered card, and that the rules are quite clear about the example you posted.

Some things just ARE illegal in a sanctioned tournament, and there is nothing too strict about that. Rules exist for the protection of tournament integrity, which means nothing else than if they are disregarded, it will go terribly wrong. Maybe not this time, maybe not next time, but you will see the negative impact on your community fairly quickly. At least, players who have been properly educated about the rules will get the impression that there is something shady about your tournaments, and this reputation, in turn, attracts a certain kind of players you will not want to frequent your tournaments.

Edited Isa Flues (Feb. 4, 2015 11:17:51 AM)

IMHO, if your local players really like alters, allow this at your Legacy FNM - just tell the player, he should have another unaltered copy for other tournaments.

Jack Doyle gave a presentation about alters, which you can find at http://www.slideshare.net/elkako38/jack-doyle-alterations . Technically alters that change the name or change the art substantially are not allowed, but the HJ has the final authority. I myself would not allow it in a competitive tournament, but I would certainly be fine with it being played in a commander match, or for fun.

Edited Jona Bemindt (Feb. 4, 2015 11:43:46 AM)

If you're the head judge and you're ok with it, you can allow it,

I'm a little surprise with this statement (echoed in other responses). For me the phrase “The Head Judge is the final authority on acceptable cards for a tournament.” is not a free pass to allow or disallow whatever you like/dislike.

It is there to give some acting freedom to the HJ because there are unlimited way to alter a card and codifying it would be way to complex and still not exhaustive. It doesn't allow you to accept proxies or offensive pictures just because you think “Ah well! Magic is just a game after all and should be fun!”.

I do not think allowing a card that is in direct contradiction to the MTR rules is okay and I would therefore:
1) Not allow this card because of the name and artwork
2) Would not accept the explanation of a HJ telling me “because I can”

just my 2 cents
Jeremie

Yes yes ofcourse tell them that they have to be prepared that the card may not be allowed on certain tournaments.. I get that.

I do get that there may alters i wont allow, ofcourse, but im talking here about the picture i posted, not anything else..

Originally posted by Jona Bemindt:

Jack Doyle gave a presentation about alters…

Thanks, Jona :D

Edit: After discussions with Jeremie, I actually came around to his logic. Sections of MTR 3.3 are not optional - you don't get to allow proxies, for example. This specific card violates the MTR on two separate counts - it minimally obscures the name and, more importantly, the art is not recognisable. For this reason, it is not legal for sanctioned play. Allowing it is just setting disappointing precedent for the player who owns it.

If you want to talk more about altered cards, it's something I spend far too much time musing, and my inbox is always open. Stay tuned for a judge article coming soon!

Jack

Edited Jack Doyle (Feb. 4, 2015 02:16:45 PM)

Originally posted by Gareth Tanner:

I feel this card falls foul of both of these and personally wouldn't allow it in an event I'm Head Judge of.

Missed opportunity to say this card runs “a fowl” of both.

Beyond “Your Opinion” the alter has to meet the MTR requirements. Which means some heavy alters, for example that paint all the borders, will not be a judgment call. They are not permitted unless you have a means to *know* the card is the actual card and a real card.

Andy


From: Jack Doyle
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2015 3:51 AM
To: Heckt, Andy
Subject: Re: Altered Cards (Tournament Operations)

Jona Bemindt
Jack Doyle gave a presentation about alters…

Thanks, Jona :D

Sandro - at the end of the day, it is only your opinion as Head Judge. The sections in the MTR are not detailed or extensive, and nor will they ever be. If you believe this alter won't cause confusion or offense, then allow it. I think the overriding opinion of the posters in this thread is that Duck Fayden, as cool as he is, is illegal. But no-one's going to shoot you if you allow it to be played.

If you want to talk more about altered cards, it's something I spend far too much time musing, and my inbox is always open. Stay tuned for a judge article coming soon!

Jack

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