Vanity Cards

Possibility of Vanity Card

Would making a Squirrel card named Sally be a violation of the rules against vanity cards?

Unsure.

Rules Squirrels Vanity Cards

Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd Query

Does the printing of Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd mean that vanity cards are back?

No. There are no dogs currently working in R&D. : )

Card Printing Dog Humor Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd Vanity Cards

Implications of Legal Name Changes

Let’s say hypotheticallyWOTC hire somone named “John Doe”, and then, after being hired, he changes his legal name to be “Jace Chandra Belern Nissa Nicol Mizzet Bolas Niv…” continuing like that until it has listed all names of all magic characters. Does that just stop you from making cards or what?

Once a character name exists, it’s not considered a vanity card if it matches the name of an R&D member.

Vanity Cards

Blogatog Card Possibility

if when, a card named "blogatog"

If. I’m not sure if it counts as a vanity card, which are off limits.

Vanity Cards

Potential Vanity Cards

If/when: Are we going to see the great Mark Rosewater depicted in Magic card form? Whether something like we got for Richard Garfield, or at least a card that very obviously represents you?

If. We currently have a rule against vanity cards.

If/When Mark Rosewater Richard Garfield Rules Vanity Cards

Future Phelddagrifs

If the no vanity card rule only applies to Wizard's employees does that mean we can get more Phelddagrifs? Its not like Richard Garfield doesn't already have a card with his name and face on it.

Vanity cards already printed are grandfathered in, so it wasn’t stopping more Phelddagrifs.

Card Printing Employee Phelddagrif Richard Garfield Rules Vanity Cards Vanity Cards

Post Malone Card Fact

I thought vanity cards were ruled out from new products - why is there an actual Post Malone card in the upcoming Secret Lair ?

The vanity rule is specifically for Wizards employees, as it can make people internally make poor decisions.

Employee Rules Secret Lairs Vanity Cards Vanity Cards Wizards Employees

Sally in Unfinity

Hi Mark! I know you don't do vanity cards anymore, but can I get a maybe on Sally getting a card in Unfinity?

There are Squirrels, but sadly no Sally.Don’t tell her. She doesn’t know.

Squirrel Vanity Cards

Hope for Phelddagrif

"Old vanity cards are grandfathered in. New cards can refer to them."Does this mean there's still hope that we may someday see a third phelddagrif?

There is hope.

Phelddagrif Vanity Cards Vanity Cards

Vanity Cards Explained

How is there a new Maro card? I thought vanity cards were banned?

Old vanity cards are grandfathered in. New cards can refer to them.

Bannings Format Legality Mark Rosewater Vanity Cards

Maro Card Naming Origins

On the note of Maro, the story you have told was that you designed the card, it was put into the file under your office's message system naming convention ma(rk) ro(sewater) and no one realized or didn't mind the incidental vanity card.

That is not the story I told as it isn’t the story. I filled a hole in a Mirage development meeting. Bill Rose wrote Maro on it because it was what he typed into our email system to get my name. The creative team was aware it was named after me, but thought it sounded okay and left it. It predates R&D’s no vanity rule (so it’s grandfathered in).

Bill Rose Mark Rosewater Mirage Rules Story / Lore Vanity Cards

Vanity Card Rule Instigation

You said you don’t have a vanity card rule, isn’t there literally a card that YOU DESIGNED called “Maro”?

That was from before the rule was created.

Mark Rosewater Rules Vanity Cards

Vanity Cards Rule

If or when, a card named “Mark Rosewater, Head Designer”?

If, as we have a no vanity cards rule. I’d make one if they let me. : )

Head Designer Humor If/When Mark Rosewater Rules Vanity Cards

Gavi, Nest Warden's Vanity Card

Hey Mark, regarding vanity cards, was Gavi, Nest Warden a vanity card for Gavin Verhey, or was it just a coincidence? I remember when Gavin was teasing and spoiling the Ikoria commander cards some people got up in arms about him getting a vanity card when they were supposed to have stopped.

That was not an intended vanity card.

Commander Gavi, Nest Warden Gavin Verhey Vanity Cards

Potential Podcast on Vanity Cards

Could you do a podcast on vanity cards and why they stopped getting made, please? :)

I’m not sure I have 30 minutes. I’ll look into it.

Drive to Work Vanity Cards

Green-identity Vanity Card Story

If green is the color you least identify with (hoping I remember that answer correctly) how did it happen that your vanity card back in the day, and by extension an entire family of legendary creatures to come, was monogreen?

The vanity card was just a happy accident. It wasn’t something a lot of thought went into.

Card Backs Colors Creatures Green Legendary Creatures Story / Lore Vanity Cards

Dog References in Artwork

Can you confirm or deny that the art and/or names in the new flavor texts are vanity cards for R&D's dogs?

They did a dog search among employees’ dogs to find the models for the dog Secret Lair illustrations.

Art Dog Flavor Search Secret Lairs Vanity Cards

Drive//Work as Vanity Card

Wouldn't drive//work be considered a vanity card or is just the name not enough for that?

It would probably be thought of as a vanity card.

Vanity Cards

End of Vanity Cards

How long ago did you stop doing vanity cards? I thought many new cards were references to MTG figures, such as Kess, Dissident Mage and Tolarian Scholar.

We stopped doing vanity cards fifteen plus years ago. Note vanity cards are defined as referencing the people who make the game.

Kess, Dissident Mage Tolarian Scholar Vanity Cards Vanity Cards

Vanity Cards Issue

Being an older player from way back, I remember little jokes being a major part of the game. Things like Jayemdae Tome, Maro, and Pheldagriff. What is wrong with “vanity” cards? I understand when a person made it themself, but what’s wrong with paying homage or tipping the hat to a specific person?

It was decided many years ago that it led to bad incentives, so we stopped the practice. I personally miss vanity cards.

Humor Jayemdae Tome Mark Rosewater Vanity Cards Vanity Cards