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==History==
==History==
Early ''Magic'' had a slew of vanity cards.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/171541298738/is-maro-the-only-reference-to-magic-staff-outside|title=Is Maro the only reference to ''Magic'' staff outside of silver border?|March 4, 2018}}</ref> [[R&D]] chose to stop doing them.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/94939772018/i-read-earleir-that-timbermare-was-a-vanity-card|title=what's a 'vanity' card?|August 16, 2014}}</ref> The vanity rules now prevent making vanity cards of Wizards employees.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/180356229608/would-a-nevinyrral-card-not-violate-the-rule|title=Would a Nevinyrral card not violate the rule against vanity cards?|November 21, 2018}}</ref> The concern is that vanity cards influence how people behind the scenes make choices about cards, and make ill will among the staff.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/172794732678/does-the-opposition-to-vanity-cards-extend-to|title=Does the opposition to vanity cards extend to silver-border? If so, why?|April 10, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/145488846848/what-is-the-reasoning-behind-the-no-vanity-cards|title=What is the reasoning behind the no vanity cards rule?|June 5, 2016}}</ref> Words from existing vanity cards are grandfathered in and thus can be reprinted.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/145431072178/if-vanity-cards-are-completely-no-longer-allowed|title=Is the Phelddagrif creature type doomed to never have another creature again?|June 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/118248913678/since-magic-doesnt-do-vanity-cards-anymore|title=Could Maro never be reprinted in a future set?|May 5, 2015}}</ref> Vanity cards differ from ''Easter Eggs'' due to the latter referencing ''Magic'' itself and not a person behind the scenes. Easter Eggs (both about ''Magic'' and about the outside world) are still allowable.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/28800833733/i-know-you-dont-do-vanity-cards-anymore-but-in|title=In ROE there was a card named Enatu Golem, which is an acronym for Mega Onulet.|August 05, 2012}}</ref>
Early ''Magic'' had a slew of vanity cards.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/171541298738/is-maro-the-only-reference-to-magic-staff-outside|title=Is Maro the only reference to ''Magic'' staff outside of silver border?|March 4, 2018}}</ref> [[R&D]] chose to stop doing them regularly.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/94939772018/i-read-earleir-that-timbermare-was-a-vanity-card|title=what's a 'vanity' card?|August 16, 2014}}</ref> The vanity rules now prevent making vanity cards of Wizards employees; however, the specifics are not public. <ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/180356229608/would-a-nevinyrral-card-not-violate-the-rule|title=Would a Nevinyrral card not violate the rule against vanity cards?|November 21, 2018}}</ref> The concern is that vanity cards influence how people behind the scenes make choices about cards, and make ill will among the staff.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/172794732678/does-the-opposition-to-vanity-cards-extend-to|title=Does the opposition to vanity cards extend to silver-border? If so, why?|April 10, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/145488846848/what-is-the-reasoning-behind-the-no-vanity-cards|title=What is the reasoning behind the no vanity cards rule?|June 5, 2016}}</ref> Words from existing vanity cards are grandfathered in and thus can be reprinted.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/145431072178/if-vanity-cards-are-completely-no-longer-allowed|title=Is the Phelddagrif creature type doomed to never have another creature again?|June 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/118248913678/since-magic-doesnt-do-vanity-cards-anymore|title=Could Maro never be reprinted in a future set?|May 5, 2015}}</ref> Vanity cards differ from ''Easter Eggs'' due to the latter referencing ''Magic'' itself and not a person behind the scenes. Easter Eggs (both about ''Magic'' and about the outside world) are still allowable.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/28800833733/i-know-you-dont-do-vanity-cards-anymore-but-in|title=In ROE there was a card named Enatu Golem, which is an acronym for Mega Onulet.|August 05, 2012}}</ref>  
 
As part of [[Unknown Event/2024 list of event cards|2024's MagicFest playtest cards]], [[Gavin Verhey]] paid tribute to dozens of content creators and famous players, with names and mechanical design leaning strongly into their non-legality. As they are not employees, they are not strictly vanity cards.


===List of vanity cards===
===List of vanity cards===
*{{card|Adarkar Sentinel||ICE}}, {{card|Adarkar Unicorn||ICE}}, and {{card|Adarkar Wastes|Ice Age}} {{-}} named for [[Skaff Elias]]' friend Aditya Adarkar.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/dawn-magics-ice-age-2004-08-02|The Dawn of Magic's Ice Age|[[Skaff Elias]]|August 2, 2004}}</ref>  
*{{card|Adarkar Sentinel||ICE}}, {{card|Adarkar Unicorn||ICE}}, {{card|Adarkar Valkyrie ||CSP}}, and {{card|Adarkar Wastes|Ice Age}} {{-}} named for [[Skaff Elias]]' friend Aditya Adarkar.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/dawn-magics-ice-age-2004-08-02|The Dawn of Magic's Ice Age|[[Skaff Elias]]|August 2, 2004}}</ref>  
*<c>Barry's Land</c>, named after [[Barry Reich]].
*<c>Barry's Land</c>, named after [[Barry Reich]].
*{{card|Eladamri, Lord of Leaves|Tempest}} {{-}} named as a tribute to [[Michael G. Ryan]]'s mother Irma and his stepfather Dale.<ref name="Secrets">[[Mark Rosewater]], ''Top Ten secrets behind Tempest card names'', ''[[The Duelist]]'' #21 (January 1998), p. 19</ref>
*{{card|Deb Thomas|Celebration card|PCEL}}, created in honor of Deborah Thomas, CFO of Hasbro, at her retirement.
*{{card|Emmessi Tome|Tempest}} {{-}} named for [[Michael Elliott|Michael S. Elliott]]<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/53128311348/which-is-mike-elliots-vanity-card|title=Which is Mike Elliot's vanity card?|une 16, 2013}}</ref> (MSE), "Emmessi" is a shortened version of "Emm-ess-ee"
*{{card|Eladamri, Lord of Leaves|Tempest}} {{-}} named as a tribute to [[Michael G. Ryan]]'s mother Irma and his stepfather Dale.<ref name="Secrets">[[Mark Rosewater]], ''Top Ten secrets behind Tempest card names'', ''[[The Duelist]]'' #21 (January 1998), p. 19</ref>
*{{card|Erhnam Djinn|Arabian Nights}} {{-}} "Erhnam" is an anagram of "Herman," Richard Garfield's then brother-in-law<ref name="Words of Magic" />
*{{card|Emmessi Tome|Tempest}} {{-}} named for [[Michael Elliott|Michael S. Elliott]]<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/53128311348/which-is-mike-elliots-vanity-card|title=Which is Mike Elliot's vanity card?|une 16, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Trivial Pursuit"/> (MSE), "Emmessi" is a shortened version of "Emm-ess-ee"
*{{card|Feldon's Cane|Antiquities}} {{-}}  originally named "Feldon's Ice Cone", which was an anagram for "[[Don Felice]] Cone".<ref name="Words of Magic" />  
*{{card|Erhnam Djinn|Arabian Nights}} {{-}} "Erhnam" is an anagram of "Herman," Richard Garfield's then brother-in-law<ref name="Words of Magic" /><ref name="Trivial Pursuit"/>
**{{card|Delif's Cone|Fallen Empires}} was a second attempt to make a cone for Don Felice.<ref name=":0">[http://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.wizards.com/2021/podcasts/magic/drivetowork858_vanitycards_Jsd77whf.mp3 Mark Rosewater (August 6, 2021), "Vanity Cards" ''Drive to Work.'']</ref>
*{{card|Feldon's Cane|Antiquities}} {{-}}  originally named "Feldon's Ice Cone", which was an anagram for "[[Don Felice]]'s Cone".<ref name="Words of Magic" />  
*{{card|Ifh-Bíff Efreet|Arabian Nights}} {{-}} "Ifh-Bíff" was a childhood nickname for Richard Garfield's sister, Elizabeth<ref name="Words of Magic">[http://www.allenvarney.com/av_mgcwords.html Words of Magic]</ref>
**{{card|Delif's Cone|Fallen Empires}} was a second attempt to make a cone for Don Felice.<ref name=":0">[http://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.wizards.com/2021/podcasts/magic/drivetowork858_vanitycards_Jsd77whf.mp3 Mark Rosewater (August 6, 2021), "Vanity Cards" ''Drive to Work.'']</ref><ref name="Words of Magic" />
*{{card|Jalum Tome|Antiquities}} {{-}} named for [[Joel Mick|Joel L. Mick]] (JLM), "Jalum" is a shortened version of "Jay-el-em"
*{{card|Ifh-Bíff Efreet|Arabian Nights}} {{-}} "Ifh-Bíff" was a childhood nickname for Richard Garfield's sister, Elizabeth. Elizabeth was married to "Herman"({{card|Erhnam Djinn}}).<ref name="Words of Magic">{{WebRef|url=http://www.allenvarney.com/av_mgcwords.html|title=Words of Magic|author=Allen Varney|date=1995}}</ref><ref name="Trivial Pursuit"/>  
*{{card|Jalum Tome|Antiquities}} {{-}} named for [[Joel Mick|Joel L. Mick]] (JLM), "Jalum" is a shortened version of "Jay-el-em."<ref name="Words of Magic"/><ref name="Trivial Pursuit"/>
**{{card|Jalum Grifter|Unglued}}<ref>[[Mark Rosewater|Ma "Mark Rosewater" Ro]] (October 1998), ''Chickens and Cows and Clams, Oh My'', [[The Duelist]] #30</ref>
**{{card|Jalum Grifter|Unglued}}<ref>[[Mark Rosewater|Ma "Mark Rosewater" Ro]] (October 1998), ''Chickens and Cows and Clams, Oh My'', [[The Duelist]] #30</ref>
*{{card|Jayemdae Tome|Alpha}} {{-}} named for [[Mike Davis|J. Michael Davis]]<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/bursting-flavor-2003-02-24|Bursting with Flavor|[[Mark Rosewater]]|February 24, 2003}}</ref> (JMD), "Jayemdae" is a shortened version of "Jay-emm-dee"
*{{card|Jayemdae Tome|Alpha}} {{-}} named for [[Mike Davis|J. Michael Davis]]<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/bursting-flavor-2003-02-24|Bursting with Flavor|[[Mark Rosewater]]|February 24, 2003}}</ref><ref name="Trivial Pursuit">{{DailyRef|making-magic/trivial-pursuit-whats-in-a-name|Trivial Pursuit: What's in a Name?|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 9, 2023}}</ref> (JMD), "Jayemdae" is a shortened version of "Jay-emm-dee"<ref name="Words of Magic" />
*{{card|Joven||HML}}, {{card|Joven's Ferrets||HML}}, {{card|Joven's Tools|Homelands}} {{-}} reference to [[Kyle Namvar]], one of the designers of ''Homelands''. Joven was his nickname.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/top-8-and-half-tales-2014-11-24|Top 8 and a Half Tales|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 24, 2014}}</ref>
*{{card|Joven||HML}}, {{card|Joven's Ferrets||HML}}, {{card|Joven's Tools|Homelands}} {{-}} reference to [[Kyle Namvar]], one of the designers of ''Homelands''. Joven was his nickname.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/top-8-and-half-tales-2014-11-24|Top 8 and a Half Tales|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 24, 2014}}</ref>
*{{card|Leshrac's Sigil|Ice Age}} {{-}} "Leshrac" is an anagram of "Charles", a reference to the middle name of early ''Magic'' [[playtest]]er [[Chris Page]].<ref name="Words of Magic" />
*{{card|Leshrac's Sigil|Ice Age}} {{-}} "Leshrac" is an anagram of "Charles", a reference to the middle name of early ''Magic'' [[playtest]]er [[Chris Page]].<ref name="Words of Magic" />
Line 27: Line 30:
**{{card|Multani, Maro-Sorcerer|Urza's Legacy}}
**{{card|Multani, Maro-Sorcerer|Urza's Legacy}}
**{{card|Maro's Gone Nuts|Mystery Booster|CMB1}}
**{{card|Maro's Gone Nuts|Mystery Booster|CMB1}}
*{{card|Mijae Djinn}} and {{card|Ydwen Efreet}} {{-}} Mijae and Ydwen are anagrams of "Jamie" and "Wendy," two of Richard Garfield's best friends who got married while he was designing the set. He was the best man.<ref name="Words of Magic" />
**{{card|Greensleeves, Maro-Sorcerer|Dominaria United Commander|DMC}}
**{{card|Territorial Maro|Dominaria United}}
*{{card|Mijae Djinn}} and {{card|Ydwen Efreet}} {{-}} Mijae and Ydwen are anagrams of "Jamie" and "Wendy," two of Richard Garfield's best friends who got married while he was designing the set. He was the best man.<ref name="Words of Magic" /><ref name="Trivial Pursuit"/>  
*{{card|Mons's Goblin Raiders|Alpha}} {{-}} [[Mons Johnson]]<ref>{{DailyRef|daily-deck/mons-johnsons-goblin-raider-circus-2015-06-30|Mons Johnson's Goblin Raider Circus|[[Melissa DeTora]]|June 30, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/159799557253/mark-its-my-birthday-could-i-get-some-trivia-on|title=Could I get some trivia on my favorite creature type, Goblins!|April 20, 2017}}</ref>
*{{card|Mons's Goblin Raiders|Alpha}} {{-}} [[Mons Johnson]]<ref>{{DailyRef|daily-deck/mons-johnsons-goblin-raider-circus-2015-06-30|Mons Johnson's Goblin Raider Circus|[[Melissa DeTora]]|June 30, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/159799557253/mark-its-my-birthday-could-i-get-some-trivia-on|title=Could I get some trivia on my favorite creature type, Goblins!|April 20, 2017}}</ref>
**{{card|Mons's Goblin Waiters|Unhinged}}
**{{card|Mons's Goblin Waiters|Unhinged}}
**{{card|Pashalik Mons|Modern Horizons}}<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/185204468968/isnt-pashalik-mons-considered-a-vanity-card|title=Isn't "Pashalik Mons" considered a vanity card?|May 28, 2019}}</ref>
**{{card|Pashalik Mons|Modern Horizons}}<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/185204468968/isnt-pashalik-mons-considered-a-vanity-card|title=Isn't "Pashalik Mons" considered a vanity card?|May 28, 2019}}</ref>
*{{card|Nevinyrral's Disk|Alpha}} {{-}} is named after sci-fi author Larry Niven, of whom Richard Garfield was a fan.<ref name=":0" /> (Nevinyrral is Larry Niven backwards).
**{{card|Rulik Mons, Warren Chief|Dominaria United}}
*{{card|Nevinyrral's Disk|Alpha}} {{-}} is named after sci-fi author Larry Niven, of whom Richard Garfield was a fan.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Words of Magic" /> (Nevinyrral is Larry Niven backward).
**{{card|Nevinyrral, Urborg Tyrant|Commander Legends}}
*{{card|Richard Garfield, PhD|Unhinged}} {{-}} [[Richard Garfield]]
*{{card|Richard Garfield, PhD|Unhinged}} {{-}} [[Richard Garfield]]
**{{card|Phelddagrif|Alliances}}<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/18599108601/hey-mark-i-was-wondering-if-you-guys-were|title=Are you planning on coming out with any more phelddagrifs.?|March 2, 2012}}</ref> an anagram of "Garfield, PhD"
**{{card|Phelddagrif|Alliances}}<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/18599108601/hey-mark-i-was-wondering-if-you-guys-were|title=Are you planning on coming out with any more phelddagrifs.?|March 2, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Trivial Pursuit"/> an anagram of "Garfield, PhD"
**{{card|Questing Phelddagrif|Planeshift}}
**{{card|Questing Phelddagrif|Planeshift}}
*<c>Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd</c> {{-}} [[Michael Majors]]' dog Ophelia.<ref>{{YouTubeRef|7AWQgFxG4iQ|An Ode to Magic - Modern Horizons 3 Debut - Magic: The Gathering|channel=Magic: The Gathering|date=May 21, 2024}}</ref>
*{{card|Rysorian Badger|Homelands}} {{-}} named for editor Rhias Hall, who was also known at the time as "Auntie Badger"<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/duelist-companion-2010-08-17|The Duelist Companion|[[Monty Ashley]]|August 17, 2010}}</ref>
*{{card|Rysorian Badger|Homelands}} {{-}} named for editor Rhias Hall, who was also known at the time as "Auntie Badger"<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/duelist-companion-2010-08-17|The Duelist Companion|[[Monty Ashley]]|August 17, 2010}}</ref>
*{{card|Telim Tor|Mirage}} {{-}} An anagram of designer Elliot Segal's nickname, "Mr. Toilet".<ref name=":0" />
*{{card|Telim Tor|Mirage}} {{-}} An anagram of designer Elliot Segal's nickname, "Mr. Toilet".<ref name=":0" />
Line 41: Line 49:


==Characters==
==Characters==
*[[Arna Kennerüd]] {{-}} named after the future husband of [[Darla Kennerud]].<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/card-day-december-2008-2008-12-01|Card of the Day - December, 2008|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|December 1, 2008}}</ref>
*<c>Arna Kennerüd, Skycaptain</c> {{-}} named after the future husband of [[Darla Kennerud]].<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/card-day-december-2008-2008-12-01|Card of the Day - December, 2008|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|December 1, 2008}}</ref>
**{{card|Tura Kennerüd, Skyknight}}
*[[Orim]] {{-}} originally concepted as a minor character, ''[[Weatherlight]]'' co-creator Mike Ryan named her "Oram" ([[Mark Rosewater|MaRo]] backwards) as a joke, but the team kept the name, changing the A to an I for readability.<ref>{{DailyRef|card-day-may-2007-2007-05-01|Card of the Day - May, 2007|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|May 1, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017182417/https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/card-day-may-2007-2007-05-01|archivedate=October 17, 2021}}</ref>


==In the grey area==
==In the grey area==
Line 47: Line 57:
*<c>Timbermare</c> {{-}} Tribute to Mare Wakefield, wife of long-time ''Magic'' writer Jamie Wakefield, who was lost to cancer<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/29383001850/is-thundermare-a-vanity-card-or-an-easter-egg|title=Is Timbermare a vanity card or an easter egg?|August 13, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/94927332218/just-learned-that-timbermare-is-a-vanity-card-with|title=Just learned that Timbermare is a vanity card with a lovely story.|August 16, 2014}}</ref>
*<c>Timbermare</c> {{-}} Tribute to Mare Wakefield, wife of long-time ''Magic'' writer Jamie Wakefield, who was lost to cancer<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/29383001850/is-thundermare-a-vanity-card-or-an-easter-egg|title=Is Timbermare a vanity card or an easter egg?|August 13, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/94927332218/just-learned-that-timbermare-is-a-vanity-card-with|title=Just learned that Timbermare is a vanity card with a lovely story.|August 16, 2014}}</ref>
*{{card|Presence of the Master|Legends}} {{-}} depicts [[Wikipedia:Albert Einstein|Albert Einstein]]<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/146731128153/so-vanity-cards-are-out-what-about-cards-based-on|title=What about cards based on historical people like Presence of the Master?|June 30, 2016}}</ref>
*{{card|Presence of the Master|Legends}} {{-}} depicts [[Wikipedia:Albert Einstein|Albert Einstein]]<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/146731128153/so-vanity-cards-are-out-what-about-cards-based-on|title=What about cards based on historical people like Presence of the Master?|June 30, 2016}}</ref>
*<c>Research // Development</c> {{-}} references [[R&D]]<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/158090514163/is-research-development-a-vanity-card|title=Is "Research // Development" a vanity card?|March 6, 2017}}</ref>
*<c>Research // Development</c> {{-}} references [[R&D]], but is a stock corporate phrase or department name<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/158090514163/is-research-development-a-vanity-card|title=Is "Research // Development" a vanity card?|March 6, 2017}}</ref>
*The employee dogs from ''[[Secret Lair Drop Series: Every Dog Has Its Day]]''.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/627010237165174784/can-you-confirm-or-deny-that-the-art-andor-names|title=Can you confirm or deny that the art and/or names in the new flavor texts are vanity cards for R&D's dogs?|August 20, 2020}}</ref>
*The employee dogs from ''[[Secret Lair Drop Series: Every Dog Has Its Day]]''.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/627010237165174784/can-you-confirm-or-deny-that-the-art-andor-names|title=Can you confirm or deny that the art and/or names in the new flavor texts are vanity cards for R&D's dogs?|August 20, 2020}}</ref>
*{{Card|Elkin Bottle|Ice Age}} {{-}} is an anagram of [[Wikipedia:Klein bottle|Klein Bottle]], which in turn is named after [[Wikipedia:Felix Klein|Felix Klein]].
*{{Card|Elkin Bottle|Ice Age}} {{-}} is an anagram of [[Wikipedia:Klein bottle|Klein Bottle]], which in turn is named after [[Wikipedia:Felix Klein|Felix Klein]].<ref name="Trivial Pursuit"/>
*{{Card|Bosium Strip|Weatherlight}} {{-}} is an anagram of [[Wikipedia:Möbius strip|Mobius strip]], which in turn is named after [[Wikipedia:August Ferdinand Möbius|August Ferdinand Möbius]].
*{{Card|Bosium Strip|Weatherlight}} {{-}} is an anagram of [[Wikipedia:Möbius strip|Mobius strip]], which in turn is named after [[Wikipedia:August Ferdinand Möbius|August Ferdinand Möbius]].<ref name="Trivial Pursuit"/>
*{{card|Ecstatic Beauty|Doctor Who}} {{-}} depicts [[Wikipedia:Vincent van Gogh|Vincent van Gogh]].


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 06:29, 1 July 2024

A Magic: The Gathering vanity card is a card where some creative element references someone who works on the game (or sometimes someone close to someone who works on the game).[1]

History

Early Magic had a slew of vanity cards.[2] R&D chose to stop doing them regularly.[3] The vanity rules now prevent making vanity cards of Wizards employees; however, the specifics are not public. [4] The concern is that vanity cards influence how people behind the scenes make choices about cards, and make ill will among the staff.[5][6] Words from existing vanity cards are grandfathered in and thus can be reprinted.[7][8] Vanity cards differ from Easter Eggs due to the latter referencing Magic itself and not a person behind the scenes. Easter Eggs (both about Magic and about the outside world) are still allowable.[9]

As part of 2024's MagicFest playtest cards, Gavin Verhey paid tribute to dozens of content creators and famous players, with names and mechanical design leaning strongly into their non-legality. As they are not employees, they are not strictly vanity cards.

List of vanity cards

Characters

In the grey area

References

  1. Mark Rosewater (January 30, 2014). "What is a vanity card?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  2. Mark Rosewater (March 4, 2018). "Is Maro the only reference to Magic staff outside of silver border?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  3. Mark Rosewater (August 16, 2014). "what's a 'vanity' card?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  4. Mark Rosewater (November 21, 2018). "Would a Nevinyrral card not violate the rule against vanity cards?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  5. Mark Rosewater (April 10, 2018). "Does the opposition to vanity cards extend to silver-border? If so, why?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  6. Mark Rosewater (June 5, 2016). "What is the reasoning behind the no vanity cards rule?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  7. Mark Rosewater (June 4, 2016). "Is the Phelddagrif creature type doomed to never have another creature again?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  8. Mark Rosewater (May 5, 2015). "Could Maro never be reprinted in a future set?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  9. Mark Rosewater (August 05, 2012). "In ROE there was a card named Enatu Golem, which is an acronym for Mega Onulet.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  10. Skaff Elias (August 2, 2004). "The Dawn of Magic's Ice Age". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  11. Mark Rosewater, Top Ten secrets behind Tempest card names, The Duelist #21 (January 1998), p. 19
  12. Mark Rosewater (une 16, 2013). "Which is Mike Elliot's vanity card?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  13. a b c d e f g h i Mark Rosewater (January 9, 2023). "Trivial Pursuit: What's in a Name?". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  14. a b c d e f g h i j Allen Varney (1995). "Words of Magic"
  15. a b c Mark Rosewater (August 6, 2021), "Vanity Cards" Drive to Work.
  16. Ma "Mark Rosewater" Ro (October 1998), Chickens and Cows and Clams, Oh My, The Duelist #30
  17. Mark Rosewater (February 24, 2003). "Bursting with Flavor". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  18. Mark Rosewater (November 24, 2014). "Top 8 and a Half Tales". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  19. Mark Rosewater (December 2, 2002). "There's Always Two Maro". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  20. Mark Rosewater (March 5, 2016). "What's a vanity creature?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  21. a b Mark Rosewater (October 12, 2013). "Couldn't you team up with Doug Beyer to sneak some vanity cards past everyone else?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  22. Melissa DeTora (June 30, 2015). "Mons Johnson's Goblin Raider Circus". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  23. Mark Rosewater (April 20, 2017). "Could I get some trivia on my favorite creature type, Goblins!". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  24. Mark Rosewater (May 28, 2019). "Isn't "Pashalik Mons" considered a vanity card?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  25. Mark Rosewater (March 2, 2012). "Are you planning on coming out with any more phelddagrifs.?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  26. An Ode to Magic - Modern Horizons 3 Debut - Magic: The Gathering (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (May 21, 2024).
  27. Monty Ashley (August 17, 2010). "The Duelist Companion". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  28. Mark Rosewater (June 4, 2016). "When you say vanity cards do you also mean cards like Avalanche Riders?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  29. Wizards of the Coast (December 1, 2008). "Card of the Day - December, 2008". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  30. Wizards of the Coast (May 1, 2007). "Card of the Day - May, 2007". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on October 17, 2021.
  31. Mark Rosewater (November 23, 2020). "How Trivial". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  32. Mark Rosewater (August 13, 2012). "Is Timbermare a vanity card or an easter egg?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  33. Mark Rosewater (August 16, 2014). "Just learned that Timbermare is a vanity card with a lovely story.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  34. Mark Rosewater (June 30, 2016). "What about cards based on historical people like Presence of the Master?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  35. Mark Rosewater (March 6, 2017). "Is "Research // Development" a vanity card?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  36. Mark Rosewater (August 20, 2020). "Can you confirm or deny that the art and/or names in the new flavor texts are vanity cards for R&D's dogs?". Blogatog. Tumblr.