Card name precision
Asked by legendofa 4 months ago
This is a very rules-lawyer-y question, but Magic-ese is a very precise language.
How accurately do you need to name a card for effects like Pithing Needle?
If I wanted to prevent Kenrith, the Returned King from activating, is saying the (non-card) name "Kenrith, Returned King" acceptable? Is just "Kenrith" too ambiguous, with or without pointing at the card?
If I Underdark Rift a Chandra, Flame Whatever, can I name "the Chandra I put into your library" with Pithing Needle if I can't name the specific card?
koylucumert says... #3
you can thank the pithing needle- borborygmos incident in professional mtg. now you can just say "your creature that has 5 activated abilities, one for each color" and that would be appropriate naming (unless they print another creature with this property, then youd need to specify further, but still you dont need a precise name). if its their commander, you can also just say your commander. as long as all players agree on what card is being referred to, its good naming
Gidgetimer says... Accepted answer #1
The rules on card identification are in the Tournament Rules and as such outside of Competitive and Pro REL events the standards can be different, though the tournament rules are pretty lenient on this matter. You simply have to make clear which card you are talking about and the process of "naming" doesn't have to include the full or even partial name. As long as all participants understand what card is being referenced. For instance you could call Emrakul, the Aeons Torn "Flying Spaghetti Monster 1.0" or call Dark Confidant "Bob" and the cards will count as "named".
3.6 Card Identification and Interpretation
A card is considered named in game when a player has provided a description (which may include the name or partial name) that could only apply to one card. Any player or judge realizing a description is still ambiguous must seek further clarification.
Players have the right to request access to the official wording of a card they can describe. That request will be honored if logistically possible. The official text of any card is the Oracle text corresponding to the name of the card. Players may not use errors or omissions in Oracle to abuse the rules. The Head Judge is the final authority for card interpretations, and they may overrule Oracle if an error is discovered.
Some cards with a Universes Beyond treatment have different names for the Universes Beyond and Universes Within versions. These cards are considered to be the same card. Other special treatments of cards may alter the name in ways that are clear references to the original card (e.g. Swords2Plowshares); these are also considered to be the same card.
Some nontraditional cards (i.e., attractions) may share a name across multiple versions of the card. The name is considered to refer to all versions and does not need further disambiguation, including during deck registration.
December 28, 2023 9:43 p.m.