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[[Image:CardBack.jpg|right]]
[[File:Magic card back.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The classic card back]]
[[File:Cardback 2.jpg|right]]
The '''card back''' is printed onto the back of each ''[[Magic]]'' [[card]], except [[double-faced card]]s, [[reversible card]]s, [[meld card]]s, [[Contraption]]s, and [[Attraction|Attractions]].  
The '''card back''' is printed onto the back of each '''Magic''' card, excepting [[Double-faced Cards]]. The back of each card is identical outside [[Commemorative Sets]] and features the '''[[Magic: The Gathering]]''' logo, a representation of the [[color wheel]] and the word "'''Deckmaster'''" at the bottom, all on top of a brown background with an oval shape meant to represent the cover of a book (your [[deck]] is your "[[library]]" of magic [[spells]], obviously kept in some kind of magical tome).  
 
==Regular backs==
The back of every card is identical, with the exception of commemorative sets. The card back features the original blue version of the ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' logo, a representation of the [[color wheel]] and the word "''Deckmaster''" at the bottom, all on a brown background with an oval shape meant to represent the cover of your book of magic spells.<ref name=reasons /> It was designed and colored by the original art director for the game, [[Jesper Myrfors]], together with [[Christopher Rush]].<ref name="Ask">{{DailyRef|making-magic/frames-reference-2003-01-27|Frames of Reference|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 27, 2003}}</ref>
 
Until the release of double-faced cards, no legal card could have a different print on the back than the regular ''Magic'' card back. That is also the reason that the back stayed unchanged during the ''[[8th Edition]]'' revision of the [[card frame]].
 
According to [[Mark Rosewater]], the topic of changing the card back "comes up every couple years [internally at Wizards of the Coast] but so far the status quo has always won."<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/164953016868/is-there-yet-a-possibility-of-the-actual-paper|title=Is there yet a possibility of the actual paper card back changing?|September 03, 2017}}</ref> The internal reasons to change the card back include updating the logo and trademark, removing the obsolete reference to "Deckmaster", and design updates to match the modern [[card face]] design.<ref name=reasons>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/164962043583/another-one-about-the-card-back-i-love-the-way-it|title=When it does come up for discussion, what do people think should be changed?|September 04, 2017}}</ref> Regarding concerns about the effect on players of changing the card back, Mark Rosewater noted that "[d]ata shows that very few players play constructed without using card sleeves".<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/164959566743/im-surprised-that-theres-been-consideration|title=I'm surprised that there's been consideration given to changing the card back.|September 04, 2017}}</ref> He also said:
 
<blockquote>
The change would have zero impact on [[limited]] [[format]]s and would only affect [[Standard]] for a year. It would have an ongoing impact on formats with older cards, but the mere fact people are playing with older cards greatly increases the chances that they play with [[sleeve]]s already.<ref name=sleeves-mandatory>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/164961620548/wouldnt-changing-the-card-back-make-playing-with|title=Wouldn't changing the card back make playing with card sleeves mandatory?|September 04, 2017}}</ref>
</blockquote>
 
However, as of 2017 Wizards of the Coast had no plans to change the card back.<ref name=sleeves-mandatory />


Until the release of double-faced cards, no legal card could have a different print on the back than the regular Magic card back. That's also the reason that the back stayed unchanged during the ''[[8th Edition]]'' revision of the [[card frame]].
 
==Different backs==
==Different backs==
Originally it was planned to feature different backs for each ''[[Arabian Nights]]'' and each follwing expansion but this was infeasible as people would be able to tell which card they would probably draw next depending on the ratio of cards from each expansion in their decks.<ref>{{DailyRef|mtgcom/arcana/153|Almost a Different Back|''[[Magic Arcana]]''|Monday, August 05, 2002}}</ref>  
Originally it was planned to feature different backs for ''[[Arabian Nights]]'' and each following expansion but this was infeasible as people would be able to tell which card they would probably draw next depending on the ratio of cards from each expansion in their decks.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/almost-different-back-2002-08-05|Almost a Different Back|[[Magic Arcana]]|August 05, 2002}}</ref>
 
For the ''[[Tempest]]'' set, design briefly considered creating cards with [[draw]] [[trigger]]s that had different backs so the opponent would see when such a card was drawn.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/top-8-and-half-tales-2014-11-24|Top 8 and a Half Tales|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 24, 2014}}</ref>
 
In 2001 or early 2002, a trademark symbol was nearly added to the word "Deckmaster", "without thinking of the ramifications the change would have on the game, namely that players could cheat by using lands that didn't have the extra trademark and spells that did, or vice versa." This problem was recognized in time and the change prevented.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/eternal-cardback-2002-03-26|The eternal cardback|[[Magic Arcana]]|March 26, 2002}}</ref>
 
On April Fools' 2004 [[Wizards of the Coast]] jokingly announced that due to a trademark challenge by the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association, the name of the game would be changed to ''Magique: the Gathering.'' To solve the problem of mixing different card backs for casual and tournament play, the company had decided to run a limited print run of each previously published ''Magique: the Gathering'' expansion with the new card back.<ref>{{DailyRef|ask-wizards-april-2004-2004-04-01|Ask Wizards|[[Mark Rosewater]]|April 1, 2004}}</ref>


==Logo==
==Logo==
Since the card back cannot change, it features some imperfections as the logo is the older, blue version while everywhere else the logo has been updated for yellow with red trim. After the blue version was locked on the card back, the brand team realized that blue was a poor choice for packaging and advertising. <ref>http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/mm/26</ref>
Since the card back cannot change, it features some imperfections as the logo is the older, blue version while everywhere else the logo has been updated for yellow with red trim. After the blue version was locked on the card back, the brand team realized that blue was a poor choice for packaging and advertising.<ref name="25Things">{{DailyRef|25-random-things-about-magic-2009-02-16|25 Random Things About Magic|[[Mark Rosewater]]|February 16, 2009}}</ref>


The only cardbacks with the updated yellow logo are the [[oversized]] ''[[Commander]]'' cards. The idea is that as long as all the oversized cards have the same back, even if it’s slightly different, it doesn’t matter. <ref>http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/20411844980/i-know-the-magic-logo-only-blue-on-card-backs-yellow</ref>.
The only paper cardbacks with the updated yellow logo are the [[oversized]] [[Commander (format)|Commander]] and [[oversized]] [[Planechase]] cards. The idea is that as long as all the oversized cards have the same back, even if it’s slightly different, it doesn’t matter.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/20411844980/i-know-the-magic-logo-only-blue-on-card-backs-yellow|title=Why is the logo on the back of the oversized Commander cards yellow?|April 03, 2012}}</ref>


==Deckmaster==
==Deckmaster==
When Magic was first designed, [[Wizards of the Coast]] had plans for a series of trading card games. To group these games together, they were all given the name "'''Deckmaster'''". Magic, '''Jihad''' (renamed '''Vampire: the Eternal Struggle''') and '''Netrunner''', for example, were all Deckmaster games. Wizards of the Coast eventually abandoned this method of grouping their trading card games, but the Magic card back is locked so the Deckmaster logo remains. <ref>http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom/askwizards/0404</ref>
When ''Magic'' was first designed, [[Wizards of the Coast]] had plans for a series of [[TCG|trading card games]]. To group these games together, they were all given the name ''Deckmaster''. ''Magic'', ''Jyhad'' (renamed ''Vampire: The Eternal Struggle''), ''Netrunner'', and ''BattleTech'' were all ''Deckmaster'' games.<ref>{{DailyRef|ask-wizards-july-2002-2002-07-01|Ask Wizards - July 2002|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|July, 2002}}</ref> Wizards of the Coast eventually abandoned this method of grouping their trading card games, but the ''Magic'' card back is locked so the ''Deckmaster'' logo remains.<ref name="25Things"/><ref>{{DailyRef|ask-wizards-april-2004-2004-04-01|Ask Wizards|[[Mark Rosewater]]|April 29, 2004}}</ref>


There are the markings of a ballpoint pen over the 'R' in ''Deckmaster'' which accidentally were introduced to the logo before the printing. <ref>http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/20275314599/ok-this-has-bothered-me-for-like-the-past-10-years</ref>
The "T" and "R" in ''Deckmaster'' overlap a blue pattern which was initially believed to be a ballpoint pen marking introduced to the logo before the printing<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/20275314599/ok-this-has-bothered-me-for-like-the-past-10-years|title=What is it really!?|April 01, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|ask-wizards-may-2004-2004-05-03-0|Ask Wizards|[[Worth Wollpert]]|May 22, 2004}}</ref>, but according to Jesper Myrfors this is not the case, as the Deckmaster logo was created with the same textured process as the blue card border.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/4sb0k6/jesper_myrfors_told_me_the_blue_mark_on_the/|title=Jesper Myrfors told me the blue mark on the 'Deckmaster' box is NOT a pen mark, or an error!|accessdate=2019-09-01|author=u/Fenton112}}</ref>


==Trademark==
==Trademark==
One more detail on the back of the card that has changed everywhere but remains the same on the back of the card is the trademark of the logo. Everywhere else the logo is used it now has a registered trademark (an ®) rather than a simple trademark (a TM). At the time of the original printing, the logo didn't yet have a registered trademark. <ref>http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/mm/26</ref>
One more detail on the back of the card that has changed everywhere but remains the same on the back of the card is the trademark of the logo. Everywhere else the logo is used it now has a registered trademark (an ®) rather than a simple trademark (a ™). At the time of the original printing, the logo didn't yet have a registered trademark.<ref name="25Things"/>
 
==On the battlefield==
If a [[permanent]] on the [[battlefield]] is turned face down by a spell or ability, it becomes a 2/2 face-down [[colorless]] [[creature]] with no [[rules text|text]], no [[name]], no [[subtype]]s, no [[expansion symbol]], and no [[mana cost]]. A card that [[enters the battlefield]] face down also has these characteristics. There is, however, an exception. If the ability that put it face down specifies other characteristics, such as <c>Tezzeret, Cruel Machinist</c> or <c>Yedora, Grave Gardener</c>, then those characteristics are used instead.
 
==Double-faced cards==
A [[double-faced card]] or [[meld card]]'s '''back face''' is indicated by the transformation related icon (often the [[Numbers and symbols|moon symbol]]) in its upper left corner.
 
== Digital ==
 
In the digital ''[[Duels of the Planeswalkers]]'', the “Deckmaster” logo has been removed. Also, the ''Magic: The Gathering'' logo has been changed from blue to yellow.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/alternate-back-2012-08-24|The Alternate Back|[[Monty Ashley]]|August 24, 2012}}</ref> This is also the design used in ''[[Magic Duels]]'', in ''[[Magic Online]]'', and on physical [[oversized]] cards. There are also official card [[sleeves]] with this design.
 
==Challenge Decks==
[[Challenge Deck]]s have different card backs, which indicate that they can't be played in regular decks.
 
==Hero cards and tokens==
[[Hero]] cards and most [[token]]s both have advertising on their card backs, to indicate that they are to be kept separate from all decks. Some token cards, however, may be double-faced to represent two different token permanents.
 
==Contraptions==
[[Contraption]]s have a special card back to show the [[sprocket]]s and the rules of the [[CRANK! counter]].
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
Magic card back 2.jpg|Considered for ''[[Arabian Nights]]''
Cardback yellow.jpg|For [[Oversized]] cards and ''Magic'' software
Planechase back.png|[[Planechase]]
Archenemy back.jpg|[[Archenemy]]
Challenge Cardback.jpg|[[Challenge Deck]]
Herocardback.jpg|[[Hero_(card_type)|Hero]] card back for ''[[Hero's Path]]''
Cardback Contraption.png|[[Contraption]]
Cardback Attraction.jpg|[[Attraction]]
UNF sticker card back.png|''[[Unfinity]]'' [[sticker]] sheet
Bounty back.png|[[Bounty]] card back for [[Bounty card|''Outlaws of Thunder Junction'' Commander decks]]
Cardback reimagined.png|Re-imagined for [[2018]] [[UltraPro]] card sleeves<ref>{{DailyRef|announcements/venturing-outward-new-magic-logo-2018-03-27|Venturing Outward with the ''Magic'' Logo|[[Matt Cavotta]]|March 27, 2018}}</ref>
Heroes of the Realm card back.jpg|[[Heroes of the Realm]]
Collectors Edition card back.jpg|''[[Collectors' Edition]]''
A30 card back.png|''[[30th Anniversary Edition]]''
</gallery>
 
'''Fake card backs'''
<gallery>
Fake purple card back.jpg|Card back mock up with [[Purple]] as the sixth [[color]].
</gallery>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


[[Category: Parts of a card]]
[[Category:Parts of a card]]

Latest revision as of 04:42, 1 April 2024

The classic card back

The card back is printed onto the back of each Magic card, except double-faced cards, reversible cards, meld cards, Contraptions, and Attractions.

Regular backs

The back of every card is identical, with the exception of commemorative sets. The card back features the original blue version of the Magic: The Gathering logo, a representation of the color wheel and the word "Deckmaster" at the bottom, all on a brown background with an oval shape meant to represent the cover of your book of magic spells.[1] It was designed and colored by the original art director for the game, Jesper Myrfors, together with Christopher Rush.[2]

Until the release of double-faced cards, no legal card could have a different print on the back than the regular Magic card back. That is also the reason that the back stayed unchanged during the 8th Edition revision of the card frame.

According to Mark Rosewater, the topic of changing the card back "comes up every couple years [internally at Wizards of the Coast] but so far the status quo has always won."[3] The internal reasons to change the card back include updating the logo and trademark, removing the obsolete reference to "Deckmaster", and design updates to match the modern card face design.[1] Regarding concerns about the effect on players of changing the card back, Mark Rosewater noted that "[d]ata shows that very few players play constructed without using card sleeves".[4] He also said:

The change would have zero impact on limited formats and would only affect Standard for a year. It would have an ongoing impact on formats with older cards, but the mere fact people are playing with older cards greatly increases the chances that they play with sleeves already.[5]

However, as of 2017 Wizards of the Coast had no plans to change the card back.[5]

Different backs

Originally it was planned to feature different backs for Arabian Nights and each following expansion but this was infeasible as people would be able to tell which card they would probably draw next depending on the ratio of cards from each expansion in their decks.[6]

For the Tempest set, design briefly considered creating cards with draw triggers that had different backs so the opponent would see when such a card was drawn.[7]

In 2001 or early 2002, a trademark symbol was nearly added to the word "Deckmaster", "without thinking of the ramifications the change would have on the game, namely that players could cheat by using lands that didn't have the extra trademark and spells that did, or vice versa." This problem was recognized in time and the change prevented.[8]

On April Fools' 2004 Wizards of the Coast jokingly announced that due to a trademark challenge by the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association, the name of the game would be changed to Magique: the Gathering. To solve the problem of mixing different card backs for casual and tournament play, the company had decided to run a limited print run of each previously published Magique: the Gathering expansion with the new card back.[9]

Since the card back cannot change, it features some imperfections as the logo is the older, blue version while everywhere else the logo has been updated for yellow with red trim. After the blue version was locked on the card back, the brand team realized that blue was a poor choice for packaging and advertising.[10]

The only paper cardbacks with the updated yellow logo are the oversized Commander and oversized Planechase cards. The idea is that as long as all the oversized cards have the same back, even if it’s slightly different, it doesn’t matter.[11]

Deckmaster

When Magic was first designed, Wizards of the Coast had plans for a series of trading card games. To group these games together, they were all given the name Deckmaster. Magic, Jyhad (renamed Vampire: The Eternal Struggle), Netrunner, and BattleTech were all Deckmaster games.[12] Wizards of the Coast eventually abandoned this method of grouping their trading card games, but the Magic card back is locked so the Deckmaster logo remains.[10][13]

The "T" and "R" in Deckmaster overlap a blue pattern which was initially believed to be a ballpoint pen marking introduced to the logo before the printing[14][15], but according to Jesper Myrfors this is not the case, as the Deckmaster logo was created with the same textured process as the blue card border.[16]

Trademark

One more detail on the back of the card that has changed everywhere but remains the same on the back of the card is the trademark of the logo. Everywhere else the logo is used it now has a registered trademark (an ®) rather than a simple trademark (a ™). At the time of the original printing, the logo didn't yet have a registered trademark.[10]

On the battlefield

If a permanent on the battlefield is turned face down by a spell or ability, it becomes a 2/2 face-down colorless creature with no text, no name, no subtypes, no expansion symbol, and no mana cost. A card that enters the battlefield face down also has these characteristics. There is, however, an exception. If the ability that put it face down specifies other characteristics, such as Tezzeret, Cruel Machinist or Yedora, Grave Gardener, then those characteristics are used instead.

Double-faced cards

A double-faced card or meld card's back face is indicated by the transformation related icon (often the moon symbol) in its upper left corner.

Digital

In the digital Duels of the Planeswalkers, the “Deckmaster” logo has been removed. Also, the Magic: The Gathering logo has been changed from blue to yellow.[17] This is also the design used in Magic Duels, in Magic Online, and on physical oversized cards. There are also official card sleeves with this design.

Challenge Decks

Challenge Decks have different card backs, which indicate that they can't be played in regular decks.

Hero cards and tokens

Hero cards and most tokens both have advertising on their card backs, to indicate that they are to be kept separate from all decks. Some token cards, however, may be double-faced to represent two different token permanents.

Contraptions

Contraptions have a special card back to show the sprockets and the rules of the CRANK! counter.

Gallery

Fake card backs

References

  1. ↑ a b Mark Rosewater (September 04, 2017). "When it does come up for discussion, what do people think should be changed?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  2. ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 27, 2003). "Frames of Reference". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. ↑ Mark Rosewater (September 03, 2017). "Is there yet a possibility of the actual paper card back changing?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  4. ↑ Mark Rosewater (September 04, 2017). "I'm surprised that there's been consideration given to changing the card back.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  5. ↑ a b Mark Rosewater (September 04, 2017). "Wouldn't changing the card back make playing with card sleeves mandatory?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  6. ↑ Magic Arcana (August 05, 2002). "Almost a Different Back". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 24, 2014). "Top 8 and a Half Tales". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  8. ↑ Magic Arcana (March 26, 2002). "The eternal cardback". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  9. ↑ Mark Rosewater (April 1, 2004). "Ask Wizards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  10. ↑ a b c Mark Rosewater (February 16, 2009). "25 Random Things About Magic". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  11. ↑ Mark Rosewater (April 03, 2012). "Why is the logo on the back of the oversized Commander cards yellow?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  12. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (July, 2002). "Ask Wizards - July 2002". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  13. ↑ Mark Rosewater (April 29, 2004). "Ask Wizards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  14. ↑ Mark Rosewater (April 01, 2012). "What is it really!?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  15. ↑ Worth Wollpert (May 22, 2004). "Ask Wizards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  16. ↑ u/Fenton112. "Jesper Myrfors told me the blue mark on the 'Deckmaster' box is NOT a pen mark, or an error!". Retrieved on 2019-09-01.
  17. ↑ Monty Ashley (August 24, 2012). "The Alternate Back". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  18. ↑ Matt Cavotta (March 27, 2018). "Venturing Outward with the Magic Logo". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
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