WotC Card Altering rules/guidelines
General forum
Posted on Aug. 8, 2015, 4:33 p.m. by ABadMagicPlayer100
First off, I don't know if this belongs here or in the Q&A, so sorry mods.
I can't find the guidelines for card alters that Wizards puts out (if there are any). Mainly, I'm wondering what still needs to be present on the card to still be legal (I'd like to extend the borders on my Alhammarret's Archive and thought it would be cool to have the rules text box removed if possible). Any help would be appreciated.
Also, if you do alters and would be interested in extending the borders on an Alhammarret's Archive, please get in touch with me and see if we can work something out.
ducttapedeckbox says... #4
Also, TheAnnihilator does alter work. He did my Nekusar, the Mindrazer which came out really nice.
August 8, 2015 4:40 p.m.
gnarlicide says... #6
I am one of the dudes at 2 LGS in my area that does alters. The first thing I ask from a potential client is, "what format is this used for?" If they say EDH, that pretty much gives me free reign to go over text boxes or whatever. If they say anything else, I make sure that they know that I won't go into any text boxes under any circumstances (there are a few exceptions) and I explain how every single one of my alters has passed the "judge test" at a Super IQ and higher, but that does not guarantee that they will always pass.
I have completely covered the original artwork before, I have never had any complaints. mostly I do border extensions.
right now the new hotness at my LGS is people want foil tokens from me. I create silhouettes of the token creatures over a de-inked foil card, and holy shit they POP!
August 8, 2015 4:46 p.m.
ducttapedeckbox says... #8
Basically this. This is from TA's binder page, but it isn't the exact one he did for me. Sorry for the massive image.
August 8, 2015 4:51 p.m.
filledelanuit says... #9
ducttapedeckbox you're not right.
The Head Judge has the final decisions as to allow certain alters so you should speak to them before the tournament. Having said that here are some things that you cannot do:
Have the artwork not be recognizable. The alter must still appear to have the same artwork as the original. Ex. you can't alter you Force of Will to look like a Misdirection
The mana cost, name and power/toughness have to be visible and unchanged. These cannot be obscured although the name and p/t can have artistic styling added to them (although I wouldn't recommend it; that would make it less likely to be allowed).
You should not be able to tell the difference between an altered card and an unaltered card from the back/in a sleeve.
If you follow those rules you have a pretty good chance of getting it approved but make sure you have unaltered versions in case something happens.
August 8, 2015 4:52 p.m.
ducttapedeckbox says... #10
Oh, and here is the Tron set I traded for (not overly concerned at them passing a judge test, I just thought they were awesome):
August 8, 2015 4:52 p.m.
ducttapedeckbox says... #11
@ lordoftheshadows -- I believe we said the same thing? If I was bad with my words, I meant what you wrote.
August 8, 2015 4:55 p.m.
ABadMagicPlayer100 says... #12
Thanks all!
It seems as though the general consensus for my particular case is that I can't have the rules text altered off, but otherwise I should be fine with just extending the borders, especially if I check with my judge before I try to play it.
August 8, 2015 5 p.m.
filledelanuit says... #13
You can cover up the text box. There are textless promos that are legal and the text of foreign cards aren't useful if you can't read it.
August 8, 2015 5:03 p.m.
ducttapedeckbox says... #14
@ lordoftheshadows -- Right. I didn't think about the textless promos, thank you for clearing that up!
August 8, 2015 5:10 p.m.
ABadMagicPlayer100 says... #15
@lordoftheshadows, Well, the textless promos are better known cards like Lightning Bolt, and the Archive is a very new card, so I'd rather play it really safe there.
August 8, 2015 5:14 p.m.
TheAnnihilator says... #16
So, as stated above, I do card alters. What everyone else said is right -- you have to have the name, mana cost, and P/T (if it's a creature) visible. Also, art has to be recognizable. Generally, simple border extensions (which I dabble in most often) should be tourney legal, but as I always say -- ask your local judge. It's really up to them.
But, in most cases, you should be fine by carrying an extra regular copy of the card alongside the altered one.
P.S. You can find examples of my alterwork under the spoiler on my page! =D
ducttapedeckbox says... #2
As long as the alter doesn't cover any relevant information or alter the art beyond recognition, you should be ok. ALWAYS check with the head judge before the event, it's entirely up to their discretion. Most experienced alter artists will have a good idea of how to retain a card's tournament legality. Things to consider:
Always carry an un-altered version with you in case you come across a picky judge.
I recently acquired an altered set of Tron lands. The judge at my LGS would allow them, but said that most wouldn't.
August 8, 2015 4:39 p.m.