Card Condition Guide

Updated: 10 March 2021

The following explains how card quality is graded for Cardsphere trading activity. All points of concern are applicable to both card face (the front of the card with images, rules text, etc) and card back (with the deckmasters logo), but in some cases examples provided cite one or the other. All activity on Cardsphere is governed exclusively by this condition guide. In the event of issues not explicitly covered herein, Cardsphere Administrators reserve the right to consider all available factors under their best judgment.

Card quality is a difficult topic because of the wide array and degree of possible defects, not to mention a high degree of subjectivity which applies. For this reason, condition disputes must include images of the cards be uploaded. Images must be high-quality and clear. Cardsphere Administrators reserve the right to request additional images as required. If images do not capture the damage, as in the case of scent damage, Cardsphere Administrators may request cards be submitted to them via mail.

Where a discrepancy exists between the condition of the card face and back, the lower condition is used.

Card print centering is considered adequate if at least 1 milimeter border appears on all four sides of the card image.

Card print accuracy is considered adequate if the card is free of printing defects including, but not limited to, ink splatter, smudging or absence, image ghosting, hologram stamp miscuts or absence, and crimping.

Near Mint (NM)

Cards in near mint condition show insignificant or no wear from gentle play, and are barely distinguishable from undamaged cards right out of a pack.

This normally includes no more than one of the following being present:

• Very minor border wear
• Very minor corner wear
• Very minor clouding
• Very minor scuffing
• Very minor loss of sheen
• Near mint foils show minimal or no scratches or clouding on their finish.
• Near mint cards are priced at 100% Cardsphere index value.

Slightly Played (SP)

Cards in slightly played condition show minor wear from typical play, but are clearly distinguishable from undamaged cards right out of a pack.

This normally includes no more than two of the following being present:

• Minor border wear
• Minor corner wear
• Minor curling
• Very minor binder bending
• Very minor denting
• Slight scratching
• Slight clouding
• Slight scuffing
• Minor loss of sheen
• Slightly played foils may demonstrate some clouding or wear on the card face.
• Slightly Played cards are priced at 90% Cardsphere index value.

Moderately Played (MP)

Cards in moderately played condition show obvious wear from typical play and are easily distinguishable from undamaged cards right out of a pack.

This normally includes no more than three of the following being present:

• Some border wear
• Some corner wear
• Significant curling
• Minor binder bending
• Very minor denting
• Some scratching
• Some clouding
• Some scuffing
• Loss of sheen
• Moderately played foils normally demonstrate obvious clouding or wear on the card face.
• Moderately Played cards are priced at 75% Cardsphere index value.

Heavily Played (HP)

Cards in heavily played condition show significant wear from typical play and are very easily distinguishable from undamaged cards right out of a pack.

This normally includes no more than three of the following being present:

• Significant border wear
• Significant corner wear
• Significant binder bending
• Minor denting
• Significant scratching
• Significant clouding
• Significant scuffing
• Significant loss of sheen
• Heavily played foils normally demonstrate severe clouding or wear on the card face.
• Heavily played cards are priced at 60% Cardsphere index value.

Not Tradeable

You may not trade cards with any of the following flaws without prior consent of your trading partner who has seen a current scan of the card's condition.

• Altered cards
• Borders inked to correct wear or discoloration
• Markings on the card face or back, including signatures and tournament stamps
• Sun-fading and major discoloration
• Major water damage
• Irreparable smoke or scent damage
• Tears or chunks missing
• Inadequate centering or print accuracy
• Ink stripping
• Splitting of layers
• Edge-to-edge creasing
• Cards that have lost their structural integrity due to any reason
• Anything worse than Heavily Played cards as graded by Cardsphere admins.

You may not trade cards with any of the following flaws:

• Cards not factory cut (These will be treated as counterfeits.)