TLDR
- MTG proxy etiquette is mostly about one thing: tell the table what you are doing before you shuffle up.
- If someone says “no proxies,” do not argue. Swap decks, borrow, or find another pod. Easy.
- Keep proxies readable, consistent, and clearly not for deception. If it looks like you are trying to trick someone, you already lost.
- Use a simple Rule 0 script: intent, power, clarity, options. It takes 15 seconds and prevents 15 minutes of weirdness.
Commander is a social format. That sentence sounds like a bumper sticker until you watch a game implode because somebody quietly dropped a stack of “totally fine” proxies and the table discovered the surprise mid-combat.
This post is here to save you from that. Not by lecturing. By giving you copy-paste scripts that work in real pods with real humans.
What MTG proxy etiquette is (and what it is not)
MTG proxy etiquette is not “convince the table proxies are morally pure.” Nobody came to game night for a philosophy duel.
- being upfront
- being readable
- being flexible
- not using proxies as a stealth power-level upgrade
- not making your friends play detective
Also, one boring but important point: if you are at a sanctioned event, none of this matters. You use real cards, full stop. (This article is about casual Commander, kitchen-table pods, and other unsanctioned worlds where Rule 0 actually exists.)
Words matter: proxy vs playtest vs counterfeit
People say “proxy” to mean three different things:
- Playtest card: A stand-in used for casual play or testing. It is not meant to pass as real. Think “basic land with Sharpie,” or a printed card that is clearly labeled.
- Proxy (tournament policy meaning): A judge-issued replacement in a sanctioned event, for a narrow set of situations. Not something you bring from home.
- Counterfeit: A fake intended to look real. If your goal is deception, that is not a proxy conversation. That is a different conversation with different consequences.
You do not need to give a vocabulary quiz at the table. Just understand the vibe you are creating. If your “proxy” looks like you are trying to sneak it past someone, people will react accordingly.
MTG proxy etiquette starts before you shuffle
Here is the framework that works almost everywhere:
The 15-second Rule 0 proxy talk
- Intent: Why are you proxying? (budget, testing, accessibility, cube, etc.)
- Power: Does proxying change the deck’s strength? (be honest)
- Clarity: Are the proxies readable and consistent in sleeves?
- Options: If the pod is not into it, what will you do instead?
That is it. You are not asking permission to exist. You are giving the pod the information they need to opt in.
The phrasebook: Rule 0 scripts you can actually use
Pick the one that matches your situation. Deliver it casually. Then stop talking. The goal is clarity, not a TED Talk.
1) The quick default
“Quick Rule 0 note: I have a few proxies in this deck. They’re clearly labeled and just for casual play. Power-wise it plays like a normal mid-power list. If proxies are a no-go, I can swap decks.”
2) Budget proxies
“Just so you know, I’m proxying a few expensive staples because I’m not buying a second mortgage for cardboard. Everything is readable and sleeved. If you’d rather play no-proxy, I can switch.”
3) Testing before buying
“I’m playtesting a list before I buy anything. A handful of cards are playtest proxies, nothing trying to look real. If that bugs you, I can grab a different deck.”
4) Accessibility and comfort
“Quick heads-up: I use proxies for accessibility. They’re labeled and consistent. If the pod prefers no proxies, I can swap, but I wanted to be upfront.”
5) New pod, unknown power level
“I’m running a deck with a few proxies. More importantly, what power are we aiming for? This one can be tuned up or down depending on the table.”
6) The “I brought heat” disclosure (high power)
“Rule 0: this deck is high power and a bunch of cards are proxied. If you want a more relaxed game, I have a different deck. I’m not trying to pubstomp, I’m trying to play the right table.”
7) cEDH table check
“Are we doing cEDH? If yes, cool, I’ve got proxies because that is how most people make cEDH actually playable as a hobby. If not, I’ll switch to something slower.”
8) Store night, unclear policy
“Before we start, is this pod okay with proxies tonight? If the store has a policy, I want to follow it. I’ve got a non-proxy deck if needed.”
9) When someone says “no proxies”
“No problem. Thanks for saying so. I’ll swap decks, or I can find another pod.”
That is the whole script. Do not add a closing argument.
10) When proxies are unreadable (the polite fix)
“Hey, quick thing. I’m totally fine with proxies, but I’m having trouble reading a couple of those across the table. Do you mind sliding them out of the sleeve when they come up, or swapping in a clearer version?”
11) When the proxy looks suspiciously real
“I’m fine with playtest proxies, but that one looks a little too close to the real thing. Do you have a version that’s clearly labeled? I just don’t want anyone getting weird about it.”
This keeps the focus on table comfort, not accusations.
12) The “I brought extras” power move
“I’ve got a few proxies in here, and I also brought a small stack of extras if anybody wants to test something too. Totally optional.”
This is how you turn proxy talk from friction into generosity.
The do and don’t list (keep it simple)
Do
- Say it up front. Not “after turn two when it matters.”
- Make proxies readable. Card name, mana cost, and rules text you actually need.
- Keep them consistent. Similar print quality and thickness in sleeves.
- Label them clearly. “Playtest” or “Proxy” is not hard.
- Bring a backup deck. The easiest conflict resolution tool in Magic.
- Match the pod’s power level. Proxies are not a free pass to become the final boss.
Don’t
- Don’t try to pass proxies as real. If your goal is deception, you are not playing the same game.
- Don’t argue with a “no.” Nobody owes you their time.
- Don’t hide your proxies. Surprise is for combat tricks, not table expectations.
- Don’t use proxies to dodge Rule 0 power discussions. “It’s just proxies” is not a power level.
- Don’t sell or trade playtest cards as if they are real. This should go without saying. And yet.
Handling the awkward moments
If the table is split
If two players are fine and one is not, default to the “lowest common denominator” for that pod. Swap decks or find a different pod. Commander is not a court. Nobody is getting subpoenaed.
If someone is proxying to punch down
You will know it when you see it. The proxies are not the issue, the mismatch is.
Try:
“Hey, this deck feels a bit above where we’re at. Want to switch decks, or should we find a higher power pod for that one?”
If you are the one with the proxies and the game is lopsided
Own it:
“Yeah, this is too much for this table. I’ll switch after this game, or we can reset now if you want.”
That sentence earns more goodwill than any proxy policy debate ever will.
If you are playing with newer players
New players do not need a proxy lecture. They need clarity.
Try:
“Some of my cards are playtest proxies, but they work the same. If anything is confusing, ask and I’ll explain it.”
Keep it friendly and move on.
If you are hosting or organizing pods
If you run a recurring Commander night, your life gets easier if you set expectations early. Post a one-paragraph policy that says:
- whether playtest proxies are allowed
- what “readable” means
- that counterfeits are not welcome
- what happens if someone refuses to disclose
People do better with clear rules. Also, people do less arguing when you remove ambiguity. Magic players are amazing at exploiting loopholes that exist only in their head.
FAQs
Are proxies allowed in Commander?
In casual Commander, it is up to the pod or the organizer. The social norm in many groups is “yes, if they are readable and disclosed,” but you should ask.
Is Rule 0 an actual rule?
Not in the rules text the way “draw a card” is a rule. It is a community norm for agreeing on expectations before a casual game.
What is the best way to bring up proxies without starting drama?
Use the 15-second script: intent, power, clarity, options. Then stop talking.
What if someone refuses to play against proxies?
That is allowed. Swap decks or switch pods. Do not turn it into a debate club.
How many proxies is “too many”?
The number is not the point. The point is whether the proxies change the power level, reduce clarity, or create trust issues. A deck with five proxied fast mana rocks can be more of a problem than a deck with fifty proxied jank cards.