Card Condition Guide

The raw-card conditions we sell

These labels describe the individual raw card you are buying. We follow the Cardmarket condition scale and grade conservatively: if a card sits between two conditions, we use the lower one.

Condition	What it means at ElytheraGames	Typical examples
Mint	Perfectly preserved under normal inspection, with no visible handling wear.	Clean surface, sharp corners and edges, and no visible whitening. Minor production characteristics such as centering can still exist.
Near Mint	Looks unplayed and almost perfect.	At most a tiny isolated edge or corner spot, or a similarly minute imperfection. No scratches, clouding, dirt, or bends.
Excellent	Light wear is visible on close inspection.	Small white spots, faint surface marks, or light edge and corner wear. No bends or serious damage.
Good	Clearly worn from regular use.	Whitening, scratches, surface dirt, or broader edge and corner wear, but no bends or water damage.
Light Played	Heavily worn, but still tournament legal in a sleeve.	Strong whitening, scratches, dirt, or extensive wear. The card has not been altered.
Played	Extremely worn from normal play.	Heavy wear throughout; tournament legality may be questionable even in a sleeve. The card has not been altered.
Poor	Damaged or altered beyond normal play.	Creases, water damage, ink, peeling, severe bends, or other damage that can make the card tournament illegal.

What to inspect

• Surface: scratches, dents, print lines, stains, clouding and foil loss.
• Corners: whitening, softness, splitting and bends.
• Edges: chips, rough cuts, silvering and compression.
• Back: whitening and pressure marks that may be less obvious from the front.
• Centering: border balance on both sides.
• Alteration: trimming, recolouring, cleaning or other changes intended to disguise wear.

Supplier-sourced cards

Condition labels follow the definitions above. Product photographs and the selected condition variant remain part of the item description. If a high-value card needs additional confirmation before purchase, contact us with the product URL.

Returns and condition concerns

If the received product does not match the ordered item or its stated condition, contact us promptly with the order number and clear photographs. Statutory rights are not limited by this guide. See Returns and Right of Withdrawal for the applicable process.