Vanity card
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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
- Adarkar Sentinel, Adarkar Unicorn, Adarkar Valkyrie, and Adarkar Wastes (Ice Age) — named for Skaff Elias' friend Aditya Adarkar.[10]
- Barry's Land, named after Barry Reich.
- Deb Thomas (Celebration card), created in honor of Deborah Thomas, CFO of Hasbro, at her retirement.
- Eladamri, Lord of Leaves (Tempest) — named as a tribute to Michael G. Ryan's mother Irma and his stepfather Dale.[11]
- Emmessi Tome (Tempest) — named for Michael S. Elliott[12][13] (MSE), "Emmessi" is a shortened version of "Emm-ess-ee"
- Erhnam Djinn (Arabian Nights) — "Erhnam" is an anagram of "Herman," Richard Garfield's then brother-in-law[14][13]
- Feldon's Cane (Antiquities) — originally named "Feldon's Ice Cone", which was an anagram for "Don Felice's Cone".[14]
- Delif's Cone (Fallen Empires) was a second attempt to make a cone for Don Felice.[15][14]
- Ifh-Bíff Efreet (Arabian Nights) — "Ifh-Bíff" was a childhood nickname for Richard Garfield's sister, Elizabeth. Elizabeth was married to "Herman"(Erhnam Djinn).[14][13]
- Jalum Tome (Antiquities) — named for Joel L. Mick (JLM), "Jalum" is a shortened version of "Jay-el-em."[14][13]
- Jayemdae Tome (Alpha) — named for J. Michael Davis[17][13] (JMD), "Jayemdae" is a shortened version of "Jay-emm-dee"[14]
- Joven, Joven's Ferrets, Joven's Tools (Homelands) — reference to Kyle Namvar, one of the designers of Homelands. Joven was his nickname.[18]
- Leshrac's Sigil (Ice Age) — "Leshrac" is an anagram of "Charles", a reference to the middle name of early Magic playtester Chris Page.[14]
- Maro (Mirage) — short for Mark Rosewater[19][20]
- Adamaro, First to Desire (Saviors of Kamigawa)[21]
- Kagemaro, First to Suffer (Saviors of Kamigawa)
- Kiyomaro, First to Stand (Saviors of Kamigawa)
- Masumaro, First to Live (Saviors of Kamigawa)
- Soramaro, First to Dream (Saviors of Kamigawa)[21]
- Molimo, Maro-Sorcerer (Invasion)
- Multani, Maro-Sorcerer (Urza's Legacy)
- Maro's Gone Nuts (Mystery Booster)
- Greensleeves, Maro-Sorcerer (Dominaria United Commander)
- Territorial Maro (Dominaria United)
- Mijae Djinn and 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.[14][13]
- Mons's Goblin Raiders (Alpha) — Mons Johnson[22][23]
- Nevinyrral's Disk (Alpha) — is named after sci-fi author Larry Niven, of whom Richard Garfield was a fan.[15][14] (Nevinyrral is Larry Niven backward).
- Richard Garfield, PhD (Unhinged) — Richard Garfield
- Phelddagrif (Alliances)[25][13] an anagram of "Garfield, PhD"
- Questing Phelddagrif (Planeshift)
- Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd — Michael Majors' dog Ophelia.[26]
- Rysorian Badger (Homelands) — named for editor Rhias Hall, who was also known at the time as "Auntie Badger"[27]
- Telim Tor (Mirage) — An anagram of designer Elliot Segal's nickname, "Mr. Toilet".[15]
- Wyluli Wolf — Wyluli is an anagram of Lily Wu, the maiden name of Richard Garfield's first wife[14]
- All Invitational Cards with the likeness of the professional player in the art[28]
Characters
- Arna Kennerüd, Skycaptain — named after the future husband of Darla Kennerud.[29]
- Orim — originally concepted as a minor character, Weatherlight co-creator Mike Ryan named her "Oram" (MaRo backwards) as a joke, but the team kept the name, changing the A to an I for readability.[30]
In the grey area
- Selenia, Dark Angel — named after Michael Ryan's cat Selena, which itself was named after a character from a role-playing game Michael played in.[31]
- Timbermare — Tribute to Mare Wakefield, wife of long-time Magic writer Jamie Wakefield, who was lost to cancer[32][33]
- Presence of the Master (Legends) — depicts Albert Einstein[34]
- Research // Development — references R&D, but is a stock corporate phrase or department name[35]
- The employee dogs from Secret Lair Drop Series: Every Dog Has Its Day.[36]
- Elkin Bottle (Ice Age) — is an anagram of Klein Bottle, which in turn is named after Felix Klein.[13]
- Bosium Strip (Weatherlight) — is an anagram of Mobius strip, which in turn is named after August Ferdinand Möbius.[13]
- Ecstatic Beauty (Doctor Who) — depicts Vincent van Gogh.
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 30, 2014). "What is a vanity card?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (March 4, 2018). "Is Maro the only reference to Magic staff outside of silver border?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 16, 2014). "what's a 'vanity' card?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 21, 2018). "Would a Nevinyrral card not violate the rule against vanity cards?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (April 10, 2018). "Does the opposition to vanity cards extend to silver-border? If so, why?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 5, 2016). "What is the reasoning behind the no vanity cards rule?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 4, 2016). "Is the Phelddagrif creature type doomed to never have another creature again?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (May 5, 2015). "Could Maro never be reprinted in a future set?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 05, 2012). "In ROE there was a card named Enatu Golem, which is an acronym for Mega Onulet.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Skaff Elias (August 2, 2004). "The Dawn of Magic's Ice Age". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater, Top Ten secrets behind Tempest card names, The Duelist #21 (January 1998), p. 19
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (une 16, 2013). "Which is Mike Elliot's vanity card?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j Allen Varney (1995). "Words of Magic"
- ↑ a b c Mark Rosewater (August 6, 2021), "Vanity Cards" Drive to Work.
- ↑ Ma "Mark Rosewater" Ro (October 1998), Chickens and Cows and Clams, Oh My, The Duelist #30
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (February 24, 2003). "Bursting with Flavor". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 24, 2014). "Top 8 and a Half Tales". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (December 2, 2002). "There's Always Two Maro". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (March 5, 2016). "What's a vanity creature?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Melissa DeTora (June 30, 2015). "Mons Johnson's Goblin Raider Circus". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (April 20, 2017). "Could I get some trivia on my favorite creature type, Goblins!". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (May 28, 2019). "Isn't "Pashalik Mons" considered a vanity card?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (March 2, 2012). "Are you planning on coming out with any more phelddagrifs.?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ An Ode to Magic - Modern Horizons 3 Debut - Magic: The Gathering (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (May 21, 2024).
- ↑ Monty Ashley (August 17, 2010). "The Duelist Companion". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 4, 2016). "When you say vanity cards do you also mean cards like Avalanche Riders?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (December 1, 2008). "Card of the Day - December, 2008". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 23, 2020). "How Trivial". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 13, 2012). "Is Timbermare a vanity card or an easter egg?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 16, 2014). "Just learned that Timbermare is a vanity card with a lovely story.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 30, 2016). "What about cards based on historical people like Presence of the Master?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (March 6, 2017). "Is "Research // Development" a vanity card?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ 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.