How do the card styles work with things like the alt-art PWs we got for closed beta?
Card styles are based on the card's illustration, and not the card's name. A card with the same name (e.g. Luminous Bonds) but multiple illustrations (Core Set 2019, Guilds of Ravnica) would have separate card styles for each illustration.
So, using the example of the Masterpiece Planeswalkers from Guilds of Ravnica - if we were to make a card style for the Masterpiece version, it would be separate from the card style used for card as it appears in Dominaria booster packs because they use different illustrations.
I hope they make it super clear that buying a card style will not give you the card, otherwise it'll make a ton of people unhappy by purchasing something useless.
Wizards Megan
Card styles are based on the card's illustration, and not the card's name. A card with the same name (e.g. Luminous Bonds) but multiple illustrations (Core Set 2019, Guilds of Ravnica) would have separate card styles for each illustration.
So, using the example of the Masterpiece Planeswalkers from Guilds of Ravnica - if we were to make a card style for the Masterpiece version, it would be separate from the card style used for card as it appears in Dominaria booster packs because they use different illustrations.
Wizards Megan
There will be messaging in-game if you attempt to purchase a card style and you have 0 copies of the card in your collection. I've also added this screenshot to the Cosmetic FAQ!