MTG Proxy Etiquette: Rule 0 Scripts
TLDR
- MTG proxy etiquette is mostly “be normal” with extra steps: ask first, be clear, keep proxies readable.
- Rule 0 is consent, not a speech. Everyone gets a vote.
- If someone says no, the correct response is swap decks or pods, not litigate your life choices.
- Prize events and sanctioned play are different worlds. Don’t blur them.
MTG proxy etiquette is the art of not turning a casual game into a courtroom drama about cardboard. The goal is simple: everybody knows what they’re signing up for, nobody feels tricked, and the game doesn’t stop every time someone squints at your “definitely-a-Gaea’s-Cradle” font choice.
This is a toolbox of short Rule 0 scripts you can actually say out loud without sounding like you’re reading Terms of Service.
Rule 0, but the real definition
Rule 0 is a group agreement. It does not let one person announce house rules unilaterally. If the pod is not into it, you undo the proposal or pick a different game.
That one sentence saves you a lot of social damage.
MTG Proxy Etiquette: the three rules that matter
1) Ask before the game, not after turn two
Surprising people mid-game is how you get the kind of salt that stains playmats.
2) Be specific, not vague
“I have some proxies” means nothing. “I’m testing ten cards, all readable, no attempt to look real” means everything.
3) Make your proxies easy to play against
Readable card name. Correct text or at least easy to verify. Consistent sleeves. No weird thickness differences. No “guess which Plains is actually a dual land” mini-game.
Rule 0 scripts (pick one and move on with your life)
These are written to be short on purpose.
Script A: the default, for strangers at an LGS
“Quick Rule 0 check: I’m running a few proxies for testing. They’re clearly marked and readable. Everyone cool with that?”
Optional add-on: “It’s not a power-level thing, it’s just access and testing.”
Script B: when you have a lot of proxies
“Just so it’s clear up front, this deck is heavily proxied. Everything is readable and I can show Oracle text fast. Are you all okay playing against that, or should I grab a different deck?”
This one works because it gives an easy out and does not guilt-trip anyone.
Script C: the cEDH or high-power table
“Are proxies fine here? My list is close to stock cEDH and I’m missing a few expensive pieces in paper.”
Script D: the budget framing (without being weird about it)
“I’m trying to keep up with the table without spending rent money. I’ve got a handful of proxies for staples. Is that cool?”
Script E: when the store has mixed vibes
“Before we start, does this pod care about proxies? I’m happy to swap decks if not.”
Script F: if someone says “I don’t play against proxies”
“Got it. No worries. I’ll switch decks or find another pod.”
Script G: if you are the one saying no
“I’d rather play against all real cards tonight. Nothing personal. If you’ve got another deck, I’m in.”
The etiquette checklist (what “good proxies” look like socially)
If you want people to say yes more often, do these:
- Mark them clearly. A tiny “PROXY” stamp on the back of an inner sleeve works. The goal is transparency, not plausibly-deniable realism.
- Make the name obvious. If the card name is hard to read, the game slows down and everyone quietly hates you.
- Have Oracle text ready. Screenshot, decklist app, printed list, whatever. Be quick and consistent.
- Proxy consistently. A few proxies is normal. A deck where half the cards are different thickness or different sleeve wear is how marked-card paranoia gets born.
- Don’t hide behind proxies to dodge the power talk. Proxies do not cause power mismatches, but they do make it easier to build something extremely powerful. Separate “are proxies okay” from “what kind of game are we playing.”
Power level and proxies are not the same conversation
Here’s the clean way to handle it:
- Ask about the game experience:
- “Are we aiming for chill combat or high-power combo?”
- Ask about proxy tolerance:
- “And are proxies fine?”
If you combine them, people hear: “I proxied a cEDH list and I’m hoping you won’t notice until you’re dead.” Even if that’s not what you mean.
Handling two common awkward moments
Awkward moment 1: someone says yes, but looks hesitant
“If anyone’s on the fence, I can just swap decks. I’d rather have a good game than win the proxy debate.”
Awkward moment 2: a player complains mid-game
“Totally fair. After this game, I’ll swap decks and we’ll reset expectations.”
You can win games. Or you can win friends. Pick the one that will still matter next week.
Stores, prize support, and why etiquette changes when prizes appear
Even when a store is proxy-friendly in casual Commander pods, prize-supported nights are different. People are paying for stakes and structure, and sanctioned events have strict card rules.
So the etiquette rule is:
- If there is entry plus prizes tied to results, assume stricter expectations and ask the organizer before you sit down.
A quick “Rule 0 script” for organizers
If you run a proxy-friendly casual night, say it plainly:
“Tonight is unsanctioned casual play. Proxies are allowed if they are readable and clearly marked. No counterfeits, no trying to pass proxies as real. If anyone is uncomfortable, swap decks or pods.”
It sets a norm without turning into a manifesto.
FAQs
Do I need to announce every single proxied card?
No. Give the gist: how many, why, and that they’re readable and clearly marked. If half the deck is proxied, say that.
Is it rude to say no to proxies?
No. Rule 0 is group consent. People are allowed preferences.
What’s the fastest way to make proxies less annoying to play against?
Readable name, consistent sleeves, and quick Oracle text access. “Playable” beats “pretty” every time.
Can Rule 0 make proxies legal in a sanctioned tournament?
No. Tournament rules are not optional social contract vibes.
What if someone is clearly using proxies to pubstomp?
Treat it like a power mismatch, not a proxy issue. Ask for a different deck or different pod.