MTG custom cards (1 Viewer)

[Heather]

Hi everyone,

I don't play Magic, but the comic book store owner gave me 4 starter decks for free, telling me Magic was like crack and he was a dealer. I've been trying to learn by reading, playing with my partner, and watching tournaments on Youtube. Anyway, I can easily see myself starting to collect these cards even if I don't know how to play -- it's a lot like my chip addiction when I first started playing poker.

I stumbled upon this site and I was wondering if anyone knows what these cards are used for:
http://store.5colorcombo.com/

Thanks!

 

[Pokerdweebz]

In Magic there are creatures or items called "tokens" which get put into play by other cards. These tokens typically have a basic card representation and seeing as they aren't "live" cards that go in your deck many people create or draw their own custom token cards. This is what you see in the link you posted. For example the card Blisterpod puts a 1/1 token creature onto the battlefield when it dies.

Edit: There is also a section of cards called "alters" which are live cards you put in your deck with modified artwork. This could anything from expanding the picture into the worded box area to a completely new artwork. To be honest I don't know the legality of these cards in professional tournaments, but they are very cool

 

[Heather]

In Magic there are creatures or items called "tokens" which get put into play by other cards. These tokens typically have a basic card representation and seeing as they aren't "live" cards that go in your deck many people create or draw their own custom token cards. This is what you see in the link you posted. For example the card Blisterpod puts a 1/1 token creature onto the battlefield when it dies.

Thanks.

Are these as collectible as actual Magic cards?

Where do players keep these cards in the field of play if not in their deck?

And on an unrelated note, when I was watching a tournament on Youtube, I noticed one player kept looking into his deck and putting something on the bottom, removing it -- both players seemed to be playing simultaneously so I couldn't tell if it was that player's turn or not. Very confusing.

Should I get out now before it's too late?

 

[Pokerdweebz]

Thanks.

Are these as collectible as actual Magic cards?

I would definitely say no they are not as collectible as actual Magic cards, but they are definitely very popular among hardcore players and collectors (especially if done from a professional Magic artists).

Where do players keep these cards in the field of play if not in their deck?

Since they are not cards that are playable in a deck since you can't cast them from your hand (they are only playable through other cards) you keep them with your deck but separate from it since they can be put into play when conditions are met (Blisterpod dies). Tokens don't even have to be cards. I often times use dice to represent tokens, but you can literally use anything as long as you specify what it is.

And on an unrelated note, when I was watching a tournament on Youtube, I noticed one player kept looking into his deck and putting something on the bottom, removing it -- both players seemed to be playing simultaneously so I couldn't tell if it was that player's turn or not. Very confusing.

Many cards require you to draw cards, puts cards on the bottom of your library, search your library for a certain card, or shuffle your library. Some of these affect you, your opponent, or both. It was probably one of these.

Should I get out now before it's too late?

It's an interesting hobby. It's to the low to medium end of cost (for hobbies) assuming you play casually for fun among friends and don't take it too seriously. To build good or better decks or collect lots of cards is when it gets more expensive. I play for fun, but have spent more money than it would have taken me to play at my level. I don't know your financial situation, but buying packs of cards and single cards for you decks can get out of hand quickly so be sure to be watchful if you start. The top decks can cost anywhere from 200 to 600 dollars or more.

 

[mipevi]

You can customize your Magic cards by painting them. I had an artist touch up my Vish Kal a bit.

If you want to enjoy MtG, I recommend a format called Commander: http://mtgcommander.net/rules.php

 

[Psypher1000]

Are these as collectible as actual Magic cards?

Collecting MTG alters would be much more akin to collecting fine art rather than collecting baseball cards or MTG cards. People do collect them, but the ones that are actually collected/displayed typically range in the $200 - $1000 range. Steve Argyle (Liliana of the Veil) alters regularly sell for $400-$800.