MTG Proxies in WPN Stores: What “Sanctioned” Means and Why Policies Vary
This post helps MTG players figure out when proxies are okay in WPN stores by explaining what “sanctioned” actually means, so they can show up prepared and avoid awkward conversations that start with “sooooo, about your deck…”
TLDR
- In sanctioned MTG events (reported to Wizards through official tools), your deck is expected to be real, genuine Magic cards, with only narrow exceptions for judge-issued proxies when a card becomes damaged during the event.
- In unsanctioned store play (casual nights, some Commander pods, testing), the store sets the proxy policy, and it can vary wildly.
- Policies vary because stores are balancing WPN compliance, community vibe, and basic business reality.
- If you’re not sure, use the magic spell: “Is this event sanctioned, and what’s your proxy policy?” Then accept the answer like an adult.
The awkward truth about “MTG Proxies in WPN Stores”
If you’ve ever heard “proxies are fine at my LGS” and “proxies will get you banned from the building” from two stores five miles apart, congratulations, you’ve discovered the core concept of in-store Magic.
MTG proxies in WPN stores are not governed by one universal “LGS law.” They’re governed by one boring word that matters a lot: sanctioned.
And yes, “sanctioned” sounds like a priest blessed your decklist. It actually means something far less mystical and far more bureaucratic.
What “sanctioned” means in practice
A sanctioned event is an official Wizards-organized-play event that the store schedules/runs/reports using Wizards’ systems as part of the Wizards Play Network (WPN). When a store runs events this way, they agree those events will follow Wizards’ official organized play and tournament rules.
That’s why sanctioned is not just “there are prizes.” It’s closer to: this event is being run on the record.
The key rule that affects proxies
In sanctioned events, cards must be “Authorized Game Cards,” meaning genuine Magic cards publicly released by Wizards. If a card is not an Authorized Game Card, it’s prohibited in sanctioned events. That’s the baseline that makes “my printer goes brrr” a bad tournament plan.
Proxies in sanctioned play: the one exception people misquote
Here’s the part that gets repeated incorrectly on the internet (and by one guy at every store who is weirdly confident about everything).
In sanctioned events, players can’t bring their own proxies. The proxy exception is judge-issued, and it exists for tournament integrity, not budget relief.
Judge-issued proxies, what they are actually for
A judge can issue a proxy during the tournament when an otherwise legal card can’t be used without marking the deck, typically because it became damaged or excessively worn in that event (or in a narrow foil-related case). The judge creates the proxy, it’s clearly marked as a proxy, and it’s only valid for that tournament.
If your Underground Sea is “damaged” because your dog ate it in 2019, that’s a touching story. It’s also not the point.
Why policies vary from WPN store to WPN store
If sanctioned rules are so clear, why does it still feel like every store has its own constitution? Because most of the real-world proxy drama happens outside sanctioned play.
Stores vary because they’re balancing three forces:
1) WPN compliance and risk tolerance
WPN stores agree to run and report sanctioned events according to Wizards’ rules and policies. Some stores interpret that strictly across anything that even smells like an official event. Others draw a bright line: sanctioned events are strict, everything else is house rules.
2) Commander is casual, but the store still has to run a store
Commander nights are where proxy expectations get spicy because Commander is socially casual, financially unhinged, and frequently played in stores. Some stores allow proxies to keep pods accessible and firing. Some restrict proxies because they want the singles case to remain a living, breathing ecosystem.
Both choices have tradeoffs. One optimizes for inclusivity. The other optimizes for “we need to keep the lights on.”
3) Community norms and past bad behavior
Some communities handle proxies like adults: clear playtest intent, readable cards, no misrepresentation. Other communities have dealt with counterfeits, trading scams, or “I proxied the entire deck but also I’m entering the store championship” energy. Policies tighten after stores get burned.
A quick “sanctioned or not” decision check
Use this like a pregame checklist, not a courtroom argument.
Signs the event is probably sanctioned
- The store is registering players through Wizards tools (EventLink, Companion-style registration, official reporting flow).
- It’s advertised as an official program, tournament, league, or structured event with standings.
- The store talks about it in terms of official reporting, WPN metrics, or official rules enforcement.
Signs it might be unsanctioned
- It’s clearly described as casual play, testing, open tables, or “pods firing when people show up.”
- The store explicitly says it’s not reported and is running on house rules.
- The organizer answers the proxy question quickly without looking haunted.
When in doubt, ask. Guessing is how you end up side-eyeing your own deckbox in the parking lot.
The “why can’t you just let it slide” part
If a store is running a sanctioned event, letting player-made proxies slide is not just “being chill.” It creates:
- Fairness issues for players who followed the rules and brought legal decks
- Enforcement headaches (“How fake is too fake?” is not a fun judge call)
- WPN relationship risk if the store is seen as ignoring official tournament policy
- A counterfeiting-shaped shadow over the whole table, even when your intent was harmless
You can still love proxies and also admit that sanctioned tournaments have to be boring about this. Boring is how tournaments stay functional.
Where proxies are usually fine (if the store says yes)
Here’s the practical table people want.
| Play setting | Typical proxy expectation | Who decides |
|---|---|---|
| Sanctioned tournament/event | No player-made proxies. Only judge-issued proxies for specific situations. | Wizards rules, enforced by organizer/judge |
| Unsanctioned store play (casual Commander, testing night) | Depends entirely on store policy and pod consent. | Store and players |
| Home games / private pods | Whatever your group agrees to. | Your group |
Two scripts you can steal
Because the easiest way to avoid proxy drama is to speak like a normal human.
Script 1: Asking the store (fast and polite)
“Hey, quick question, is tonight’s event sanctioned or reported, and what’s your proxy policy?”
If they say no proxies: “Got it, thanks.”
Script 2: Asking a Commander pod (Rule 0 but not a TED Talk)
“Before we start, are we cool with proxies? Mine are just playtest pieces, fully readable. If not, I can swap decks.”
You’ll be shocked how often this works when you don’t open with a manifesto.
The responsible proxy line you should not cross
Proxies are for casual play, testing, and accessibility where allowed. They are not for trying to pass as authentic cards in sanctioned events, and they are definitely not for trading, selling as real, or doing anything that turns a fun cardboard hobby into fraud.
Yes, this sounds obvious. No, it is not obvious to everyone.
FAQs
Are proxies allowed in sanctioned events at WPN stores?
Generally, no. Sanctioned events require Authorized (genuine) Magic cards. The proxy exception is judge-issued for specific cases like a card becoming damaged during the event.
What if the event is “casual” but still run at a WPN store?
“Casual” is a vibe, not a rules category. If it’s sanctioned/reported, tournament rules still apply. If it’s unsanctioned, the store (and often the pod) sets the proxy policy.
Can a store run a proxy-friendly Commander night and still be WPN?
Yes, stores can be WPN and still host unsanctioned proxy-friendly play. The key is whether that specific event is being run and reported as a sanctioned organized-play event, and what rules the store chooses to enforce.
Are playtest cards different from counterfeits?
Intent matters, but rules also matter. In sanctioned play, non-authorized cards are not allowed. Separately, Wizards has been very clear that counterfeits and dealing in them are taken seriously, especially for retailers and WPN membership.
What should I bring if I’m unsure about proxy policy?
Bring a backup deck that’s fully legal for sanctioned play (a precon is fine), or bring replacement cards. The goal is to play Magic, not to win a policy debate.
https://blogs.magicjudges.org/rules/mtr3-3/