Are the Street Fighter mtg Cards Legal?
As a long-standing fan of Street Fighter, it is exciting to discover that a collaboration has been made with the popular trading card game Magic: The Gathering (MTG) featuring iconic characters and symbols from the world of Street Fighter. The Street Fighter: The Miniatures Game, a collaboration between Capcom, Wizards of the Coast, and Enterplay, introduces a new game that combines the universe of Street Fighter with the iconic strategy of MTG. But what’s the legality status of these new Street Fighter cards?
Are the Street Fighter cards legal for use in official tournaments?
Directly answering our question, the short response is No, the Street Fighter cards are not legal for official use in Magic: The Gathering tournaments organized by Wizards of the Coast (WOTC), the copyright holder of the Magic: The Gathering trademark. This means you cannot use the Street Fighter cards to participate in competitive tournaments sanctioned by WOTC.
Here’s the breakdown of the legality issue:
• The cards are not from official Magic: The Gathering sets (Alpha to recent sets), which means they cannot be used in Constructed, Limited, or Commander events.
• WOTC requires cards used in official events to meet specific regulations, such as licensing agreements and artwork changes, which were not met for the Street Fighter cards.
Why aren’t Street Fighter cards legal?
Licensing and branding agreements between game developers often involve exclusive terms. In the case of Magic: The Gathering, WOTC has an existing agreement with Fantasy Flight Games to produce DC Comics and Harry Potter-themed cards, excluding Capcom characters, like those from Street Fighter.
When Enterplay, the co-producer, initially announced the Street Fighter: The Miniatures Game, some fans may have interpreted that the cards were part of official Magic: The Gathering sets, causing confusion about their legality. However, in reality, Enterplay never intended for these cards to be playable in official MTG tournaments.
Additional details: Card composition and rarity
The Street Fighter cards belong to unlicensed game sets, designed solely for the cooperative miniatures game Street Fighter: The Miniatures Game, which features board game, collectible miniatures, and card combinations. These cards:
• Are separate from official MTG sets.
• Lack MTG standard card sizes and frame artwork.
• Often feature artwork modifications, additional text, and distinct card behaviors.
Card composition and rarity (Common, Uncommon, Rare) are designed around the miniatures game, with mechanics and values tailored for casual play. Unfortunately, this separation prevents them from meeting the technical specifications for official Magic: The Gathering use.
Conclusion
As much as it may be disappointing news for Street Fighter fans seeking to use the new MTG-inspired cards in competitive tournaments, WOTC’s copyright agreement and licensing issues make these cards ineligible for official play in Magic: The Gathering. Street Fighter and MTG, in this particular collaboration, cannot intersect in official sanctioned events.
Instead, enjoy exploring the miniatures game, engaging in casual matches with friends, or saving the cards as exclusive collectibles from the world of Street Fighter.
Additional FAQs and answers:
1. Can I play with these cards online?
Some popular online MTG platforms might have rules changes or custom configurations, potentially allowing casual play with the Street Fighter cards. Consult the specific platform rules before attempting play.
2. How do these cards interact with standard MTG cards?
Given they lack official set affiliation and WOTC stamp of approval, interacting with Street Fighter cards in an MTG official setting may have unintended results, potentially invalidating game state, or making some cards unrewardable. Always prioritize Standard MTG legality for official competitions.
3. Is Enterplay aware of these restrictions?
Yes, the joint producers Enterplay and Capcom clearly stated their intended use was for the Street Fighter: The Miniatures Game and not as official Magic: The Gathering cards. These cards’ design reflects a separate initiative, aimed at a different competitive landscape.
4. Can I store these cards in a specific binder for easy play?
While possible, storing the cards outside of any official binder designs may lead to durability issues. Recommend treating the cards delicately to prolong their lifespan and use.
5. Should I purchase a booster box to collect exclusive cards?
Given the cards aren’t part of official MTG sets, collectors interested in complete sets, tournaments, or booster boxes may reconsider their options. However, collectors enthusiastic about rare Street Fighter-themed art and specific card combos will still find appeal in the new line.
6. Can I make tournament decks featuring these cards?
These cards do not conform to Standard MTG rules, invalidating attempts to build official tournaments. Custom, non-official formats within the Street Fighter: The Miniatures Game framework will need separate rules adaptations, without direct official recognition.
7. Will official MTG set releases overlap with Street Fighter designs?
Though unlikely, should any future WOTC sets (past or forthcoming) feature identical Street Fighter characters or symbology, a crossover between the Street Fighter miniatures game and standard MTG is uncertain. Focus on understanding separate card regulations for each series.
8. Do I need additional rules and conversions for casual gaming?
Players, designers, and administrators can modify Street Fighter miniatures game rules or create custom hybrid formats within community settings or game nights, potentially leveraging MTG mechanics while playing with non-official Street Fighter cards.
Feel free to adapt rules and explore creative combos outside of the official Magic: The Gathering tournament scenes.