MTG Proxy Staples: What to Proxy First for the Biggest Testing Value
This post helps MTG players decide what to proxy first by ranking “MTG proxy staples” by testing value, so you can learn faster, waste less money, and avoid the classic “I bought it and now I hate it” moment.
TLDR
- Proxy your mana base first (especially in 3+ colors). It changes every game, not just the games where you draw your “cool card.”
- Next, proxy the cards that change your deck’s speed and consistency: premium ramp, top-tier tutors, and the big draw engines.
- Proxy packages, not single shiny cards. Testing one combo piece without the rest is just cosplay.
- Don’t proxy cards you can’t legally play where you’re testing (format bans and store rules are real, even if your group chat isn’t).
- Sanctioned events are basically a no-proxy zone (outside rare judge-issued exceptions). Casual play is where playtesting proxies live.
You want the biggest testing value from proxies, not the biggest “wow” factor when you fan your hand like you’re in an anime. That’s why MTG proxy staples are mostly boring, structural cards: lands, acceleration, and consistency pieces that show up every game and quietly decide whether your deck feels smooth or feels like it was built by raccoons. (No offense to raccoons. They at least commit to a plan.)
What “testing value” actually means
A proxy has high testing value when it does at least one of these:
- Affects most games (not just the games where you draw it early)
- Changes decisions (sequencing, mulligans, lines of play)
- Changes deck identity (speed, consistency, resilience)
- Costs enough that you should really test before buying
If a card is expensive but only matters once every five games, it’s not a first-proxy. It’s a later-proxy, or a never-proxy, or a “borrow it from the one friend who owns everything and still complains about mana screw.”
The one rule that matters: where are you playing?
Before you proxy anything, answer this:
- Sanctioned tournament play: assume no proxies (except rare, judge-issued proxies for damage during the event).
- Unsanctioned store events: store policy.
- Home / kitchen table / private pod: your group’s policy.
If you want scripts for asking a store without making it weird, use:
- How to Ask an LGS About MTG Proxies (with Copy-Paste Scripts)
And if you want the “don’t be That Person” version of proxy etiquette: - How to Use MTG Proxies Responsibly
Now, let’s rank what to proxy first.
MTG Proxy Staples Ladder: What to proxy first, and why
Think of this like a priority ladder. Start at the top, and only move down when your deck stops tripping over its own shoelaces.
1) Mana base staples (highest testing value)
If your deck is 3+ colors, lands are the first thing to proxy. Period. It’s not glamorous, but neither is losing because your opening hand is “two taplands and a dream.”
Why lands test so well
- You see them every game.
- They change mulligans, curve, and sequencing.
- They determine whether your deck is “consistent” or “occasionally functional.”
What to proxy first in the mana base
- Fetch lands (especially if you’re multicolor)
- Shock lands / dual equivalents depending on your format
- Premium fixing lands (triomes, rainbow lands, pain lands, etc.)
- Utility lands that change play patterns (your specialty lands, not your 38th basic)
When to skip
- If you’re mono-color or two-color and your mana already behaves, proxy other stuff first.
Related reading (if your land choices are currently “whatever was in the box”):
2) Acceleration and “speed shaping” cards
After lands, the next biggest testing value usually comes from the cards that decide whether you’re playing Magic on turn 2, 3, or “eventually.”
Proxy these if they’re legal in your format
- Premium mana rocks (fast, efficient, or both)
- Big “jump the curve” pieces (the ones that turn 5-drops into 3-drops)
- Any acceleration your deck plan depends on
Huge note for Commander players
Commander’s ban list changed in a big way in late 2024 (yes, some famous fast mana got hit). If you’re testing Commander under normal rules, don’t waste proxy slots on cards you can’t actually play.
3) Free or hyper-efficient interaction
If your deck feels like it folds the moment anyone does something unfair (which is… a lot of Commander pods and basically all competitive formats), proxy interaction early.
Why this tests well
- It changes what hands you keep.
- It changes how you sequence and represent threats.
- It tells you whether you’re losing because your deck is bad, or because you brought a pillow to a sword fight.
High-testing-value interaction includes
- Free counters / protection (format-dependent)
- Premium removal suites
- Stack interaction that actually trades up on mana
4) Engines, draw, and tutors (consistency multipliers)
These are the “my deck does the thing more often” cards. They don’t just make your best draw better, they make your average draw playable.
Why these are MTG proxy staples
- They impact most games, even when you don’t notice.
- They reveal whether your deck is coherent or just vibes.
- They tell you if you should build around an engine, or if it’s win-more.
Proxy first if you’re unsure
- The top draw engines you see in your meta
- The tutor package that makes your deck consistent (or makes your friends roll their eyes)
5) Win packages and build-arounds (proxy in bundles)
This is where people mess up the most. They proxy one expensive piece, run it with budget substitutes, and then declare the card “overrated.” Congrats, you tested a different deck.
High testing value comes from complete packages
- If a combo needs 2 to 4 specific pieces, proxy the whole set.
- If a commander strategy needs a specific engine to function, proxy the engine plus the key enablers.
When to proxy win packages first
- When your entire reason for building the deck is “does this actually win the way I think it wins?”
- When the package is expensive enough that buying it blind would be financially irresponsible (which is most Magic, honestly).
A quick comparison table: testing value vs “shiny distraction”
Here’s a simple way to sanity-check your proxy list.
| Category | Testing value | Why | Proxy first if… | Proxy later if… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mana base | Very high | Impacts every game | 3+ colors, inconsistent mana | Mono-color, stable mana |
| Acceleration | High | Changes speed and lines | Your plan depends on tempo | Your meta is slow and grindy |
| Interaction | High | Changes survivability | You lose to “one scary thing” | Your pod is battlecruiser-only |
| Engines/tutors | High | Boosts consistency | Deck feels clunky | Deck already runs smoothly |
| Win packages | Medium-high | Tests deck identity | You’re unsure the plan works | You already know your wincon works |
| “Cool single cards” | Low-medium | Infrequent impact | It’s central to the plan | It’s just expensive spice |
The “Proxy Priority” checklist (use this before you print)
When deciding what to proxy first, run each card through this checklist:
- Will I see it in most games?
If not, it’s probably not an early proxy. - Does it change mulligans or sequencing?
If yes, high testing value. - Does it change the deck’s speed or consistency?
If yes, high testing value. - Is it legal where I’m testing?
If no, stop right there. - Does it require other pieces to matter?
If yes, proxy the whole package or skip for now.
If you do nothing else, proxy lands plus the cards that make your deck’s plan actually happen on schedule.
What not to proxy first (unless you enjoy learning slowly)
Some proxy choices feel good and test poorly. Like “I proxied the splashiest mythic, and my deck still loses.” Yeah. Because your deck still can’t cast it.
Low testing value early
- Your 10th favorite pet card that only matters when you’re already winning
- Narrow silver bullets you will rarely draw (unless your meta is extremely predictable)
- One-off upgrades that don’t change how the deck plays
- Anything you only want because it’s expensive (that is not a gameplay reason, that is a cry for help)
Make your proxies playable: the readability rules
Testing value drops to zero if people can’t tell what your cards are. If your table has to pause every turn to decode your “definitely-a-Gaea’s-Cradle” typography experiment, you’re not playtesting. You’re doing arts and crafts in public.
Quick standards that keep games moving:
- Card name and mana cost are clear
- Rules text is readable (or the card is instantly recognizable)
- Sleeves are opaque, backs are consistent
- Proxies are clearly not being represented as authentic cards
- You tell the table before the game starts
If you want a Rule 0-friendly approach, this helps:
A practical “first 20 proxies” template
If you want a simple starting point, here’s a high-testing-value split:
- 10 mana base upgrades (fixing lands that support your colors and curve)
- 5 consistency cards (your draw engines or tutors, depending on format and social contract)
- 3 interaction upgrades (the pieces that stop you from losing to nonsense)
- 2 flex slots (the build-around you’re unsure about, or the key win package piece)
Then play 5 to 10 games. Keep notes. Swap the flex slots first. If your mana still stumbles, you already know what the problem is.
FAQs
What are “MTG proxy staples”?
MTG proxy staples are the cards that deliver the most playtesting value because they affect your deck’s consistency, speed, and decision-making across many games. Think mana base, acceleration, premium interaction, and the engines that make your deck function.
Are proxies legal at Friday Night Magic?
Often no. Many FNM events are run as sanctioned play, which generally requires authentic cards. Ask the store whether the specific event is sanctioned, and assume proxies are not allowed in sanctioned play except rare judge-issued situations for damage during the event.
Should I proxy lands or spells first?
Almost always lands first if you are in 3+ colors or your mana base is shaky. Lands affect every hand, every mulligan, and every game. One expensive spell affects the games where you draw it.
How many proxies is reasonable in Commander?
There is no universal number. Some groups are fine with full proxy decks, some prefer a small limit, and some want none. The right answer is whatever your pod and/or store agrees to before the game starts.
If I own the real card, can I use a proxy instead?
In sanctioned events, “I own it at home” generally does not matter. In casual play, many groups are fine with it, but it’s still a Rule 0 topic. Ask first, be transparent, and have a backup plan.