Is a judge outside the game?
Asked by legendofa 7 years ago
I haven't gotten to go to any Unstable events yet. For effects like Better Than One and Kindslaver, is the judge considered to be part of the game? The judge can obviously interact with the game in the form of rulings and penalties and whatever, but controls no cards or permanents. Can I get a judge as a teammate or opponent?
Tyrant-Thanatos says... #2
I would be sure to check with the event organizer first, but I'd argue that yeah, a Judge is outside the game. Just be careful that when you get sucked into a game via Better Than One that you can still serve as a judge. :P
December 24, 2017 3:37 p.m.
shinobigarth says... #3
Yeah I mean being a judge, they could refuse to join in because they have to judge the game and be impartial.
December 24, 2017 4:05 p.m.
From the FAQ:
Who counts as a "person outside the game"?
Every person on earth except the people who are currently in your game.
This includes judges, unless they're also a player in your game. Just like any other person on earth, they aren't commanded by a higher authority to actually follow your call, though, and may refuse to do as instructed, for fairness reasons or others.
December 25, 2017 1:15 p.m.
Thanks, everyone, for the input. I'm marking BlueScope for the answer, for the FAQ link. If anyone tries it in person, please let us know what happens.
December 25, 2017 1:53 p.m.
shinobigarth says... #6
On earth? So astronauts on the ISS are considered part of your game then? XD
December 26, 2017 8:53 p.m.
Tyrant-Thanatos says... #7
No no no, read the sentence again, astronauts on the ISS are commanded by a higher authority to follow your call. :P
December 26, 2017 9:09 p.m.
shinobigarth says... #8
In light of sending people to Mars in the future, and the possibility of meeting aliens, Maro needs to update it to say, every sentient life form in the universe capable of playing MTG that isnt a player in your game is considered outside your game.
December 27, 2017 4:34 p.m.
@shinobigarth: I'd argue the meaning of the sentence would be that only people on Earth will be considered valid choices for a "person outside the game", as far as the Magic rules are concerned :)
Frankly, even if you manage to contact people on Mars or the ISS, the delay will likely get you a Slow Play issued anyway ;)
December 27, 2017 6:56 p.m.
shinobigarth says... #10
Until we develop quantum entanglement communication, that is.
December 28, 2017 4:43 a.m.
So, if someone on the ISS drops a Better Than One, and contacts someone who is a "person on Earth except the people currently in your game," they would literally have the entire Earth population to choose from. There's still the slow play issue, though...
shinobigarth says... #1
Dont think this issue has come up before as there was no need, but yeah i think judges are outside the game as they are not players.
December 23, 2017 9:30 p.m. Edited.