where can't I use illegal tournament cards

Commander (EDH) forum

Posted on Oct. 18, 2019, 3:37 a.m. by ratmania

Might be a ill-founded question but I plan on finally getting down to my local store and playing with my first EDH deck that just so happens to have a non-tournament legal version of Whispers of the Muse . So I just wanna know what exactly counts as a Tournament, is it only mega big international events and if not does it really matter if my version of a alright card has different art on the back. Thanks :]

enpc says... #2

So while EDH is technically a sactioned format (yes, you can get DCI points for playing in organised events), it comes down to the store's rulings on what they want to call an organised event.

If the store is just providing tables for people to play at, then you should check with the other players prior to playing. But if the store is running any kind of event, you should clear it with them first, as they are the event holder. Same thing goes with proxies and even altered art cards (there are a bunch of rulings online about what typically does and doesn't constitute for acceptible for alters in a tournament environment).

But I think the key point here is: Ask the LGS. They should be able to give you the clearest rulings about what you can and can't use.

October 18, 2019 3:50 a.m.

ratmania says... #3

oh thanks my Whispers of the Muse is world championship deck 1998 set. Thats what i meant should have clarified.

October 18, 2019 4:21 a.m.

PepsiAddicted says... #4

i never follow up on these things, so may be wrong or outdated but my last info was the the RC allowed gold and silverboarderd cards. even tho i know no1 that plays one

October 18, 2019 6:33 a.m.

SP3CTR3_chelts says... #5

Strictly the gold/silver boarded cards are not allowed (they allowed silver boarded un cards for edh for a while after the latest un set was released.

I think the way forward is covered by previous comments (just make sure everyone is asked first because it is basically a high quality proxy), however if you are going bring a replacement card (even if it is not as good) just to make an easy transition.

I also would not have a problem and in fact one of my group does use the gold bordered world championship cards and everyone is fine with it!

(assuming you are using opaque sleeves :P )

October 18, 2019 6:38 a.m.

PepsiAddicted says... #6

SP3CTR3_chelts "they allowed silver boarded un cards for edh for a while after the latest un set was released"

ahh makes sense

October 18, 2019 7:42 a.m.

Demarge says... #7

If I remember right some of the gold bordered cards had square edges and in many cases with sleeves a sharpied signed card is often alright.

October 18, 2019 8:17 a.m.

Caerwyn says... #8

TypicalTimmy - there are two reasons gold-bordered cards are not allowed in sanctioned play. First and foremost, they have a different card back than other Magic cards, and thus would be marked cards unless you were using sufficiently opaque sleeves. Second, and likely more importantly, having the cards not be tournament legal allows Wizards to reprint Reserve List cards in the gold-bordered decks.

October 18, 2019 8:43 a.m.

ratmania says... #9

Thanks for all the help. Seriously, more paragraphs than i expected and that makes me feel like this is a really good and helpful community that I can't wait to be part of :]

October 18, 2019 10:21 a.m.

dingusdingo says... #10

You can't play with signed cards? That seems odd.

Where do card art alters fall?

October 19, 2019 5:03 a.m.

you can play with signed cards. Its the World championship cards with gold borders and a different back (that also happen to be signed) that are questionable.

October 19, 2019 11:04 a.m.

Caerwyn says... #12

dingusdingo - Alteree arts are covered within Tournament Rule 3.3, Authorized Cards:

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 cover or change the mana cost or name of the card.

October 19, 2019 11:22 a.m. Edited.

dingusdingo says... #13

Gold star to both of you, appreciated.

October 20, 2019 2:42 a.m.

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