Given the following in UDE's tournament policy document:

Why then, was Jason Hager allowed to play with the GCPD officers at the Columbus 10k?

Shown here if you scroll to the bottom.

I'm sure there were officals from UDE in attendance. Possibly not however, but there were definitely PTO's there.

I'm not trying to call Jason out here. I think the artwork on them is awesome, and honestly think it should be ok to do such a thing, but I can see how it could get out of control.

It's just that I realized a deck I may want to play in an upcoming 10k has several cards autographed by the artist. Should I bring a backup deck? ... I will anyway. But I just figured I would query the community here and see what their thoughts were on this issue.

Note: The autographs on my cards "slighty" obscure text. But cards are very well known, and the rules on them are not complicated for anyone with an iota of common sense.

I guess it's a judgment call on behalf of the people running the tourney. Just seems like you could have a double standard in place. What if I drew on my cards but I suck compared to Hager?

I think I have answered my own question but I'll post this anyway :)

I wondered that exact same thing when i first read the coverage.

We have a few people locally that have paid to have their cards modified. Like Optimus Prime put on cards and crap. Differrent pictures entirely for Moon Knight, Wolverine, Cyclops, etc...

I make it a point to not allow them to play in local tourneys, and I give them hell about it even in friendly games. Partly just jokingly, but also to make it clear that those cards are NOT tourney legal.

They are now trying to say that if the TO says it is OK, then it is OK. But this is a slippery slope. The rules clearly state if the modifications are major they are illegal.

Now I have seen your Signature cards, those are a bit differrent I think. They are signed, sure... but they haven't changed any of the principal art or text on the card. I think an autographed card should be acceptable, but custom art shoudl not.

At least, thats how I would run it.

C'mon guys, its a game, he put a lot of work into it, and they looked A-mazing. As long as they were in sleeves, and the text was clearly visible, there's no reason that anyone should rain on his parade. As a judge and TO, if I could shuffle his deck and draw without any indication that a card was or was not a GCPD officer, I'd allow them. They weren't even modified to the point that the picture was replaced, causing confusion to the opponent. the modifications were reasonably slight. Not a big bloody deal at all...

i haven't had problems with my autographed cards in major tourneys......just thought i would throw in my two cents....

Like I said in my post ...

But I just was curious if anyone had any other experience or expertise regarding this issue.

Thanks for the relevant reply :)

The phrasing of the rule makes it subjective (what makes an alteration "significant"?), whether that was it's author's intention or not. So the legality of such cards is the sole discretion of the TO/head judge.

Jason Hager himself had this question. So he obtained permission to play with the modified officers before the tournament. I believe this is one of those cases that UDE has left in the hands of the "honour system" for now.

As long as there is no potential for trickery with the modifications and you do not mar the thickness or shape of the card or disguise the picture with the intent to mislead bringing "art projects" into Vs. tournament play should be applauded.

The main reason for the rule (as I understand it) is to ensure that the opponent won't get confused looking across the table.

Many players, myself included, recognize the cards my opponent has based on the picture.

If he put a completely different picture on a card (such as if some were altered to have Alfred's picture from his card on them) I would never allow it. The oppoent could think they were attacking Alfred and not realize until attack conclusion what had happened.

That is what needs to be avoided.

It's a judgement call, but since Jason asked in advance, he was given permission. I probably would have allowed him to play with them too.