3. What are alters?
0 Artistic modification to the face of a Magic card.
0 Not always legal for tournaments.
0 Head Judge of the tournament has the final authority
to allow or reject alters.

4. Policy & Documentation
0 “Artistic modifications to cards that indirectly provide
minor strategic information are acceptable. The Head
Judge is the final arbiter on what cards and notes are
acceptable for a tournament.”
0 - Magic Tournament Rules 2.11 “Taking Notes”

5. Policy & Documentation
0 “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. The Head Judge is the
final authority on acceptable cards for a tournament.”
0 - Magic Tournament Rules 3.33 “Authorised Cards”

6. In English…
0 We can take these major points from the MTR.
0 Alters cannot provide ‘substantial strategic information’
– but minor, indirect strategy is okay.
0 They cannot make card art unrecognisable.
0 They cannot contain offensive imagery.
0 They cannot obstruct the name or mana cost of a card.
0 The Head Judge is the final authority on all artistic
modifications.

7. “Substantial strategic information”
0 Magic is a game of skill – alters can change that.
0 Coaching on play decisions or sideboarding is not
acceptable.
0 Example: a player has a Gifts Ungiven that has the art
of four cards drawn on it. This can coach an otherwise
unknowing player which four cards to get with his
Gifts.

8. “Unrecognisable card art”
0 Many people use card art, not name, to identify cards.
0 It should not require added effort on the opponent’s
behalf to identify a card simply because it is altered.
0 Art must remain the same, or very similar.

9. “Offensive imagery”
0 “Anime forest MTG” – eBay search.
0 If you are not offended, that does not mean it is not
offensive.
0 Try and imagine if you put that card on the table in
front of your grandmother.
0 We should consider all audiences, not just the
“average Magic player”.

10. “Obstruction of name and mana cost”
0 Simply put, if your alter makes the name or mana cost
of a card unclear, then we’re not happy about it.
0 Everyone might know that Tarmogoyf costs 1G , but
we need to be able to show that in a heartbeat,
especially for new players.
0 Leads to confusion with inexperienced players.

11. Card Thickness
0 Not restricted to alters, but very important.
0 Some materials can make cards thicker.
0 Tournament Error - Marked Cards?

12. Card Thickness
0 Make sure the card is actually thicker – don’t disallow
a card because it “could be thicker”.
0 Ask players to bring their decks so that you can see
the card in its “natural environment.”
0 Better to disallow the card before the tournament
starts rather than in round 6!

13. Plastic transfers

14. Plastic transfers
0 But seriously – these are created using stickers and
placed over ‘de-foiled’ Magic cards.
0 No way of verifying the base card.
0 Personally, no card created this way is legal in my
tournament.
0 They also tend to be noticeably thicker.

15. The Head Judge
0 Last of all, the Head Judge has the power disallow any
altered card, if they wish to.
0 These are only guidelines to follow, however they are
there for good reason.

16. Activity!
0 Each group will be given a numbered example of an
alteration. In a small group of no more than five,
discuss why this alter is illegal, or if it is illegal. Use
the checklist!
0 We’ll go through them in about 5 minutes.

17. The checklist
0 Remember to check for:
0 Substantial strategic information.
0 Unrecognisable card art.
0 Offensive imagery.
0 Obstruction of name or mana cost.
0 Thickness (ask them for their deck!)
0 That it’s not a transfer/sticker.

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28. Thanks to
0 Squadron Hawk – Matt Johnson
0 Penumbra Spider – MTG Headquarters
0 Various – CardKitty
0 Various - Sandreline

29. Any Questions?