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What are altered MTG cards?

Altered art cards are cards that have been modified by an artist in order to make them unique.

What are the rules regarding altering a MTG card?

In my own research the only hard and fast rule I have been able to uncover is that the card must still be able to be recognized by its artwork after being modified for it to be legal.  Some judges insist that cards must have a clean border; this is because if the artwork is extended to the edge of the card it may be able to be identified in a stacked deck from its edge.  For the same reasons a cards weight should not be changed when the card is modified and its thickness should stay the same.

I have found that if a card is sleeved all of the above issues are resolved.  Although there is no 'written rule' for what about the card can be altered most artists suggest that the title of the card, manna cost, strength and toughness should not be in any way obscured.  This is to ensure the card is easy to recognize and that the player cannot claim a false property but I don't believe that these 'rules' are necessary as long as the card can be recognized by its artwork.

If you are concerned that the modification that you want for your card will make it unplayable, talk with the judges in your area regarding their preferences.




What stands in the written rules?:

UTR 28 states that:

"Cards used in a tournament may not have writing on their faces other than signatures or artistic modifications. Modifications may not obscure the artwork so as to make the card unrecognizable. If modifications to a card are deemed by the Head Judge to constitute outside notes or unsporting conduct, the player using such cards will be subject to the appropriate provisions of the DCI Penalty Guidelines."

UTR 32 states that:

"The Head Judge is the final authority regarding card interpretations. See the DCI Floor Rules for the appropriate game for more detailed rules regarding how cards should be interpreted. If the Head Judge determines that a player is using non-English–language cards and/or misprints to create an advantage by using misleading text or artwork, that player will be subject to the appropriate provisions of the DCI Penalty Guidelines."