How Many Proxies Is “Too Many” in MTG Commander? A Social, Not Math, Answer
TLDR
- “Too many proxies” usually means “we didn’t agree on the kind of game we’re playing.”
- The only hard limit is the one set by the organizer, the store, or your pod. If they say no proxies, the number is zero.
- If your proxies are readable, clearly not for deception, and your deck’s power matches the table, the “limit” can be basically whatever your group is cool with.
- Proxies become a problem when they create confusion, trust issues, or power mismatches. That’s social friction, not arithmetic.
- The fix is a 20-second Rule 0 check, not a spreadsheet of “proxy counts.”
How many proxies is too many in Commander? The annoying answer is “it depends,” but the useful answer is this: it’s not a number, it’s a vibe check. And yes, I know “vibe check” sounds like something you’d say right before you cast Cyclonic Rift and pretend you’re the victim.
Commander is built around the idea that the table is trying to have fun together. So when proxies cause a problem, it’s almost never because someone hit Proxy Number 37. It’s because someone hit Surprise, Confusion, or Mismatch, and the pod didn’t consent to that experience.
The only hard number is the one your table already chose
Let’s get the boring but necessary bit out of the way: sanctioned events are not proxy-friendly, outside of narrow judge-issued exceptions. If you’re at an event where authentic cards are required, “too many proxies” is any proxies you brought. If you’re at a casual night, unsanctioned event, or someone’s kitchen table, then it’s a social agreement.
That’s why the best proxy guideline is also the least dramatic:
- If the organizer/store says “no proxies,” that’s the whole conversation.
- If they say “ask your pod,” you ask your pod.
- If your pod says “sure,” then you follow the pod’s expectations like a functional adult.
A simple framework: the 3 C’s (Consent, Clarity, Calibration)
If you want a real answer you can use, here’s the ProxyKing-friendly framework. Proxies are “too many” when you fail one of these:
1) Consent: Did everyone agree?
This is the actual Rule 0 moment. You don’t need permission to exist as a person. You do need permission to bring a deck experience that your table didn’t sign up for.
A pod can be:
- Fully proxy-friendly
- “Proxy what you own” friendly
- “A few for testing” friendly
- Or zero-proxy, because they like the collectible side of the collectible card game
None of those are morally superior. They’re just different social contracts.
2) Clarity: Can people understand what your cards do quickly?
“Readable” is not an aesthetic preference. It’s a gameplay requirement.
Proxies become “too many” when:
- People have to pick up every card to read it
- The text is wrong or missing key details
- You’re using “trust me bro” versions of complicated staples
- The board state turns into a guessing game
If your proxies slow the game down, you’re not running 50 proxies. You’re running 50 speed bumps.
3) Calibration: Does your proxy access jump your deck’s power past the table?
This is where most proxy arguments are secretly hiding.
Proxies don’t automatically make a deck stronger. Your choices do. But proxies can make it very easy to jump from “precon plus upgrades” to “all the fast mana and best tutors, because why not.”
If your deck is tuned to win on turn 5 while the rest of the table is still casting their third tapped land, the issue isn’t the cardstock. It’s that you brought a different kind of game than everyone else.
What “too many proxies” looks like in real life
Here are the most common “too many” scenarios, translated from polite table language into what’s actually happening.
“I don’t mind proxies, but…”
Usually means: “I mind what your proxies enabled.”
Translation:
- You proxied a pile of expensive staples and raised power dramatically
- Your deck is now a greatest-hits playlist of the same cards they’re tired of losing to
- The game is going to be lopsided, and nobody wants to be the person who says that out loud
Fix: Talk power and win conditions first. Proxy count is a distraction.
“Can you not use those here?”
Usually means: “This environment has rules, and we’re following them.”
Translation:
- The store or organizer has a policy
- The event is sanctioned, or they’re trying to keep it close to sanctioned standards
- Or they’ve had bad experiences with people “accidentally” blurring the proxy vs real line
Fix: Swap decks, borrow cards, or play a different table. This is not the hill to die on.
“I can’t tell what anything is.”
Usually means: “Your cards are making the game worse for me.”
Translation:
- The proxies are low readability
- The art is confusing or the text is unreadable
- The table is spending more time verifying than playing
Fix: Improve readability. If you want to proxy heavily, readability is your rent.
Common proxy policies, and what they’re trying to protect
Different groups use different rules because they’re protecting different values. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Pod Policy | What it’s protecting | The tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| No proxies | Collectible feel, store norms, fewer gray areas | Budget and accessibility can suffer |
| Proxy what you own | Avoids “pay to win,” reduces arms race | Rewards collectors, punishes new players |
| A few proxies max | Keeps games legible, reduces surprise | Arbitrary limits don’t actually solve power mismatch |
| Anything goes, match power | Gameplay accessibility, creativity | Requires honest calibration and real Rule 0 talk |
| Testing only | Encourages experimentation without permanent arms race | “Testing” can become “forever,” and everyone knows it |
Notice what’s missing: a universal “10 proxies is fine, 11 is evil” rule. That’s because Commander isn’t a courtroom. It’s four people trying to enjoy their evening.
The 20-second proxy conversation that prevents 80 percent of drama
You don’t need to apologize for proxies. You just need to be clear.
Try something like:
- “Quick heads up, this deck has about [rough number] proxies, mostly [mana base / staples / testing cards]. They’re readable and clearly marked. I’m aiming for a game around turn [X to Y], mostly winning via [combat / combo / value]. Everyone cool with that?”
If someone says no, the correct response is not a debate club audition. It’s:
- “All good, I can swap decks or find another pod.”
And if you’re the one who’s uncomfortable, you can say:
- “I’m not into heavy proxies tonight, but I hope you find a good table for it.”
That’s it. No speeches. No moralizing. No pretending you’re being persecuted because someone doesn’t want to play against proxied Mana Crypt for the third game in a row.
If you want to run lots of proxies without becoming “that proxy person”
Here’s the checklist that actually matters.
Proxy-friendly checklist
- Clear identity: Card name and rules text are readable at a glance.
- Correct info: The card matches current Oracle text (or is close enough that it won’t cause disputes).
- No deception: Proxies are not represented as authentic, traded as authentic, or used where authentic cards are required.
- Sleeved consistently: So nobody’s dealing with marked cards, different backs, or “this one feels different.”
- Power calibrated: You’re not using proxies as a free elevator to a higher bracket than the table wants.
- Rule 0 is normal: You mention proxies the same way you mention extra turns or infinites, calmly and before the game.
If you check all of those boxes, you can show up with 5 proxies or 95 proxies and most reasonable Commander players will shrug and shuffle up.
If you don’t check those boxes, your deck can be 100 percent authentic and you’ll still be miserable to play against. So, congratulations on spending money, I guess.
The actual answer, in one sentence
Proxies are “too many” when they break the table’s agreement on what game you’re playing, by damaging consent, clarity, or calibration.
That’s the whole thing. Commander is social. Social problems have social solutions. Math is innocent here.
FAQs
Are proxies allowed in Commander?
Commander is usually played casually, so proxy acceptance depends on the pod and the organizer. Official Commander guidance emphasizes using real cards, with exceptions requiring prior approval from the group.
Are proxies allowed at FNM or sanctioned events?
In sanctioned play, authentic cards are required, with limited judge-issued proxy exceptions for cards damaged during the event. If the store is running sanctioned events, assume “no” unless the organizer explicitly tells you otherwise.
Do I have to own the card to proxy it?
Some pods require you to own a copy, others don’t care. “Own it first” is a social rule meant to limit arms races and preserve the collectible feel. It’s not a universal Commander law.
What if someone has a fully proxied deck?
A fully proxied deck can be totally fine if it’s readable, clearly not for deception, and matches the table’s power expectations. If it’s not fine, the issue is usually power mismatch or readability, not the percentage of proxies.
How do I say “no” to proxies without being a jerk?
Keep it short and about your preference: “I’m not into proxies tonight, I’m going to find a different pod.” You don’t need a closing argument.
ProxyKing.biz additional reading