Foreign language cards in EDH
Commander (EDH) forum
Posted on Feb. 11, 2014, 5:10 p.m. by SharuumNyan
How does everyone feel about the use of foreign language cards? It's not a big deal with cards that are easily recognizable like a Sol Ring , but since EDH uses a lot of less common cards does it cross an etiquette line to use obscure foreign cards - especially cards with lots of text?
I'm wanting to build a Rasputin Dreamweaver deck, and that's not a cheap card for a casual format. I've seen Italian ones on eBay for only $18, which is much cheaper than the English price. It's probably cheaper to buy a foreign one because that card has so much text and no one wants them in anything other than English.
How would you feel if someone had a wall-of-text commander in a foreign language? Do you think it would negatively affect the game so much that people wouldn't have fun?
Use them, if you have an issue with it, carry a smart phone.
February 11, 2014 5:16 p.m.
Rhadamanthus says... #5
I think it's fine, just like using a textless card or a textless alter. By using that card, it's that player's responsibility to know exactly what the Oracle text says, either by memory or by smartphone.
February 11, 2014 5:25 p.m.
You have to be able to see the rules text on a card for it to be officially sanctioned.
February 11, 2014 5:30 p.m.
nobu_the_bard says... #7
I'd do like raithe000 suggested. Go ahead and play the foreign language one (particularly if you can read it.) You can also make your own English proxy with a computer printout, or something, and just use that if anyone has any trouble or takes issue with it.
My only gripe with it is people playing such cards and taking issue when it takes me a little longer to understand what they do, particularly when they don't have something they can show me (as I'm partly deaf, it is harder to explain via spoken words to me).
February 11, 2014 5:31 p.m.
I don't mind foreign cards. I only use 1 foreign card, it's a spanish Final Judgment . I try to use English only ones.
If you can easily explain what it does without hesitation then I trust it's right. "He gets 7 counters and I can remove counters to prevent 1 damage and get 1 colorless mana. He gets 1 counter on my upkeep and he can't have more than 7." I don't need an exact word by word reading from the card.
If the person does hesitate in explaining it then I look it up on my phone. If the person doesn't know the name then they shouldn't be playing the card.
raithe000 says... #2
Depends entirely on your playgroup. I'd talk to them about it, see if anyone would be particularly annoyed. Maybe offer to keep a printout with the English (or in Rasputin's case, Oracle) text on it so everyone knows what it does.
February 11, 2014 5:16 p.m.