Proxies
Asked by Brebro 5 years ago
If I were to use nail polish remover on an actual mtg card (non-foil) and print on the actual card a land card that looks cooler. Would I be able to use that card at FNM? If not then why are people allowed to pain on the actual magic a card and it still be legal?
Gidgetimer says... #2
In case it wasn't clear, the answer to your subsequent question ("If not then why are people allowed to pain on the actual magic a card and it still be legal?") is that they aren't tournament legal either if they are full art swaps.
December 17, 2018 11:36 p.m.
Rhadamanthus says... #3
Right, the other players' alters are only legal if they don't make the card marked (noticeably thicker, etc.), don't make the art unrecognizable, and don't obscure the name or mana cost.
December 18, 2018 10:47 a.m.
So if I'm making a land prin onto an actual mtg card it's not legal? even though it isn't changing the thickness of the card and still has the name at the top of the card?
December 19, 2018 1:01 a.m.
Gidgetimer says... #5
If the card art is unrecognizable, it isn't legal. The alter on the left is tournament legal, the one on the right isn't. Middle for reference if you don't know the card.
December 19, 2018 1:59 a.m.
What I'm asking is if I use nail polish remover on a normal (non-foil) mtg card, then print on the actual card a picture of the unstable island (which is not changed from the original one), will it be legal in FNM or tournaments?
December 19, 2018 12:49 p.m.
Gidgetimer says... #7
See, we are now getting into a fuzzy area. If the original card were an island and you left the name, it is technically recognizable as AN island and you haven't obscured the name or mana cost. Some head judges might think this is fine. You have however made the original art unrecognizable, some head judges may not think this is acceptable.
I personally would just recommend finding another island you like and buying them. Island is 34 cents and Island is 28 cents as a couple examples of decent looking, cheap full arts.
December 19, 2018 7:56 p.m.
Gidgetimer says... #8
If your question has been fully answered, please select an answer to remove the question from the unanswered queue. If you require further clarification on anything, please ask so that we can fully resolve your question.
December 23, 2018 5:05 p.m.
Rhadamanthus says... #9
Brebro: Correct answers to this question have been up for a while. I chose one to mark as the "Accepted Answer" so that the thread can move out of the Unanswered queue. Please remember to take care of this yourself in the future.
Usually I avoid selecting one of my own responses when I have to do this but in this case I felt it was the one that best answered the original question. If you prefer one of the other responses, feel free to re-select the answer.
Rhadamanthus says... Accepted answer #1
The card won't be tournament legal. The specific rules about card alters (from Section 3.3 of the Magic Tournament Rules, with the important parts for your question in bold) are "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." What you're suggesting won't work because it involves completely erasing the original art and name of the card.
Since the difference matters: Technically, a "proxy" is a non-card substitute for an actual card. The only proxies that are allowed in a tournament are ones issued by a Judge in that specific event to:
December 16, 2018 5:59 p.m.