A proxy card is a placeholder or reproduction of an official Magic: The Gathering card used in gameplay. Instead of placing the actual, expensive, or rare card in a deck, a player uses a printed version (often cut out and placed in a sleeve with a basic land card behind it for weight).

Proxies can range from handwritten basic land cards with the name of a card written in marker, to high-resolution color prints that replicate the card's original artwork and layout for an immersive playing experience.

The MTG community uses proxies for several primary reasons:

• Playtesting: Testing a new deck build or card combination in casual matches before committing to purchasing the actual cards.
• Preserving Collectibles: Keeping extremely rare or expensive cards (such as the Power Nine or Dual Lands) safe in folders or safes while still playing them in decks.
• Casual Formats: Building casual play experiences like Cube drafts or Commander (EDH) decks where players want to experience optimal, high-power games without spending thousands of dollars.
• Accessibility: Leveling the playing field so that matches are decided by player skill and strategic deck building rather than the size of a player's budget.

It is important to understand where and how proxies can be used:

• Casual & Kitchen Table: Fully allowed and highly encouraged in casual groups, playgroups, and commander pods, provided the playgroup is aligned on proxy power levels.
• Sanctioned Tournaments: Wizards of the Coast (WotC) policy forbids the use of proxy cards in officially sanctioned WPN tournaments. In these events, only genuine Magic cards are allowed.
• Proxies vs. Counterfeits: A proxy is used for personal casual enjoyment and playtesting. Counterfeits are fake cards created with the intent to replicate original cards exactly (including card back and hologram) to sell or trade them off as real. prox.cc does not support counterfeiting. Our PDF printouts are designed with clear cut boundaries and are intended for personal playtesting and casual entertainment.