Communication Policy Part 2: What is “Derived Information” ?

The second type of information laid out by the Magic Tournament Rules is Derived Information. Derived Information is information to which all players are entitled access, but might require some degree of skill or calculation in order to determine. If you have to think about or figure something out during the game, it is likely derived information; specific items considered derived information include:

* The number of any type of objects present in any game zone.
* All characteristics of objects in public zones that are not defined as free information
* Game Rules, Tournament Policy, Oracle content and any other official information pertaining to the current tournament. Cards are considered to have their Oracle text printed on them.

Derived Information is handled differently depending on the REL of the event. At regular REL, all derived information is considered free — so answer your opponent’s questions helpfully. Play fair and keep it fun.

At competitive REL, things are a bit more complicated.

If asked an abstract question by your opponent about Derived Information, you are not obligated to answer but any answer you give must be truthful. For example, if asked about the power and toughness of Tarmogoyf before combat, you can answer that you’ll work it out when it’s relevant. You may also work it out as a gesture of sportsmanship, or you may simply state his rules text “The star is the number of card types among cards in all graveyards.”

On the other hand, if the question is immediately relevant to free information, you must state the proper values. If the answer affects free information such as whether a creature dies, a player’s life total, etc, then be sure to answer to the best of your ability.

Today’s Rules Tip was submitted by David Hibbs, a level 2 judge from League City, Texas, United States.