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MTG Proxy Decision Guide: What to Proxy and What Not to Proxy

Proxy Knowledge
MakeProxyCard Team· 2026-09-30 · 5 min read

Two U.S. Air Force Airmen playing Magic The Gathering at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany — players engaged with cards spread on a table in a casual gaming setting. Real MTG play captures the social, casual-table atmosphere where proxy cards play at the same level as originals.

Source: Scryfall

MTG Proxy Decision Guide: What to Proxy and What Not to Proxy

Most proxy guides skip the hardest question: what to proxy and what not to proxy? The honest answer is that not every card is a good proxy target. A $1.60 proxy saves nothing on a bulk rare — but it saves 96% on a $40 staple. MakeProxyCard‘s tier pricing starts at US$1.60 per card and drops to US$0.50/card at the 505-612 tier, so the bigger your order, the bigger the savings per card. That math only matters if you’re proxying the right cards. Scryfall‘s price tracker and EDHREC‘s Commander data both confirm the same pattern: a small set of high-cost staples drive the bulk of any deck’s paper value. Proxy those first, hold the rest as real cards, and your deck ends up cheaper to build, easier to upgrade, and just as legal at casual tables.

What This Article Covers

What This Article Covers
  • The 4 tiers of cards ranked by proxy priority (and why most players get this wrong)
  • The 5-card decision matrix that tells you in 60 seconds whether to proxy
  • 3 card categories where real cards still beat proxies
  • The cost math behind tier-91 bulk proxying (and why it doesn’t always win)
  • How to mix proxies and originals without breaking playgroup trust
  • When to upgrade from proxy to real — and when to keep the proxy

The Proxy Priority Framework: 4 Tiers of Cards

Not every card has the same proxy math. Here’s the framework that decides:

Tier 1 — Always Proxy ($25+)

Cards like Wheel of Fortune, Earthcraft, Imperial Seal, and Grim Monolith are almost always proxied. The savings dwarf the print cost. A $300 Wheel of Fortune at $1.60 per proxy saves $298.40. The only reason to keep the real card is collectible value (Reserved List, Alpha print, foil specialty) — not play value.

Tier 2 — Usually Proxy ($5-25)

This is the gray zone. Cards like Swords to Plowshares ($8-12), Rhystic Study ($30-50), Demonic Tutor ($20-40), and Smothering Tithe ($20-35) are commonly proxied. Decision rule: if you don’t already own one and it’s not a Reserved List card, proxy it. If you have a playset from years ago, keep the real cards.

Tier 3 — Sometimes Proxy ($1-5)

Cards like Path to Exile ($2), Arcane Signet ($1.50), Sol Ring ($1.50), and most Commander staples. Proxy only when:

If you only need 5-10 cards at $1.50 each, real cards are cheaper.

Tier 4 — Rarely Proxy ($0.10-1)

Cards like Forest, Giant Growth, Counterspell (reprints $0.50). The proxy cost ($1.60 per card minimum) is higher than the real card. Always buy real unless you’re ordering 500+ proxies in one batch and the bulk rate drops to $0.50/card.

Commander format play area with multiple players at a table — 4-player multiplayer pods where proxy cards are most common. Commander's social format and 100-card deck size make it the #1 proxy target for casual playgroups.

Source: Scryfall
Tier 3 — Sometimes Proxy ($1-5)
  • You’re filling out a 100-card deck that pushes your order into tier 91+ pricing
  • You already own one and need 3 more copies for a decklist
  • You want a specific alternate art for the deck

The 5-Card Decision Matrix

Run any card through this matrix in 60 seconds. Score 1 point per “yes”:

Score 4-5: Proxy without question. The math is overwhelming. Score 2-3: Decide based on your order size. If your deck pushes tier 91+, proxy. If under 50 cards, buy real. Score 0-1: Buy real.

Question If Yes
1. Does the card cost more than $5 retail? Proxy candidate
2. Is it on the Reserved List? Definitely proxy (real price will only rise)
3. Do you already own a playset of real copies? Keep real, skip proxy
4. Does your decklist need 4 of this card? Proxy (4× real = $40+, 4× proxy = $3.20-6.40)
5. Will the card rotate in the next 12 months? Buy real (rotation drops price)

Collection of Magic The Gathering cards — assorted cards including rares and staples. Use this kind of collection to assess your own: count which cards cost over $5 (proxy candidates) vs under $1 (buy real).

Source: Scryfall

3 Card Categories Where Real Cards Still Beat Proxies

Proxies are excellent for most situations. But there are 3 categories where real cards still win:

1. Reserved List Cards You’re Collecting

Dual lands (Volcanic Island, Tundra, Bayou), Wheel of Fortune, and other Reserved List cards often appreciate. If you own one and might sell it someday, keeping the real card preserves resale value. But the real value of playing the card — that’s where proxies shine.

2. Cards You Pulled With Personal Meaning

Your first Black Lotus, the Force of Will from your first prerelease, the Jace you opened at a draft that pushed you into Magic — these have value that no proxy can replace. Keep the real card. Sleeve it. Frame it.

3. Sanctioned Tournament Staples

If you play Modern, Pioneer, Legacy, or Vintage at sanctioned events (FNM, RCQ, Pro Tour), proxies are banned. Cards you actually sideboard into those decks need to be real. This is non-negotiable per the Magic Tournament Rules (MTR 3.4).

Card binder open showing organized Magic The Gathering cards in 9-pocket pages — illustrates the storage and organization practice that pairs with proxy collections. Binders work for mixed real/proxy collections if you use distinct sleeve colors per card type.

Source: Scryfall

The Bulk Tier Math: When Proxying Beats Buying Real

The proxy math flips when you hit tier 91 pricing ($0.80/card). At that point, proxying cards below $1 each becomes profitable:

If you’re proxying a 100-card Commander deck, you’re in tier 91. At $0.80/card, even basic lands become proxy candidates if you’re ordering 100+ cards total.

The math shortcut: If your decklist has 30 cards above $5 and 70 cards below $5, proxy the 30 high-cost cards and buy the 70 low-cost cards. You’ll spend ~$48 on proxies + $50-100 on real cards = $100-150 total. Compare to $300-2,000 for the full original deck.

Order Size Per-Card Cost Break-Even Card Price
1-18 cards $1.60 Buy anything above $1.60
19-36 $1.40 Buy above $1.40
37-55 $1.20 Buy above $1.20
56-90 $0.90 Buy above $0.90
91-198 $0.80 Buy above $0.80
199-234 $0.70 Buy above $0.70
235-504 $0.60 Buy above $0.60
505-612 $0.50 Buy above $0.50

Mixing Proxies and Originals: The Playgroup Trust Rule

Most playgroups don’t care if your deck is 100% proxies, 100% real, or mixed — as long as you’re transparent. Here’s the etiquette that matters:

1. Tell your group on the first game you proxy — not after they spot a misprint. One sentence: “I’m playing a proxy of Gaea’s Cradle tonight, the real one’s outside my budget.” 2. Use different sleeves for proxies — a colored inner sleeve or a sleeve brand your group can spot signals “this is a proxy” without you having to call it out every game. 3. Don’t proxy reserved list cards you’re selling — if you own the real card and you proxy it in your deck, your group might wonder if you took the real card off the table. The optics matter. 4. Match the art when possible — a Beta print proxy of Mox Sapphire for a Beta print real Mox Sapphire looks better than a Mystery Booster proxy. MakeProxyCard stocks most major sets.

When to Upgrade From Proxy to Real

The order reverses when you find yourself:

When to Upgrade From Proxy to Real
  • Buying a $200+ card you used to proxy — Reserved List staples like Workshop, Dual lands, and Moxes sometimes drop to buy-in price. If you can afford it, upgrade.
  • Trading for a card you proxied — A playgroup trade or an SCG trade-in gives you the real card. Swap it in and free up the proxy slot for the next deck.
  • Selling the deck — if you’re passing the deck to a friend or selling it, upgrade the proxies first. A real-card deck has resale value; a proxy deck doesn’t.
  • Playing a sanctioned event — If you qualified for a Regional Championship with a deck you’ve been proxying, you need to buy real copies before the event.

Bottom Line: Real vs Proxy

Tier 1 ($25+ cards) Always proxy — save $20-300 per card
Tier 2 ($5-25) Usually proxy, except favorites
Tier 3 ($1-5) Buy real unless bulk tier 91+
Tier 4 ($0.10-1) Always buy real (proxy costs more)
100-Card Proxy Deck (Tier 91) US$80 total vs US$500-3,000 original
Reserved List Cards Proxy and keep the real card preserved
Sanctioned Tournament Cards Always real (MTR 3.4)

The right answer depends on what you’re building. A casual Commander deck meant to be played weekly? Proxy everything in tier 1-2, buy the rest real, and your $500 deck costs $80. A cEDH deck meant to be tournament-tested? Same approach, but budget for the eventual upgrade when cards trade in at accessible prices.

MakeProxyCard’s bulk tier pricing means every 100-card deck pushes you into tier 91 ($0.80/card). At that point, the math is always: proxy the cards where the savings matter, keep the real cards where the value is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q
Should I proxy a card I already own?
No. If you own a real copy of a card, play the real card. Proxy only the cards you don’t own. Keeping your real card and proxying it confuses your playgroup, breaks the transparency rule, and uses a print slot that could go to a card you actually need.
Q
Are there cards you should never proxy?
Yes — Reserved List cards you own and might sell. These hold resale value, and keeping the real card preserved means it can fund your next deck. Everything else can be proxied if your playgroup allows it.
Q
What about foil cards? Are foil proxies worth it?
Foil proxies cost more (US$1.80 starting, $1.00 at tier 91). They’re worth it for showcase cards (Secret Lair, Judge Promo, Masterpiece) where the foil look defines the card. For standard foil Commander staples, regular proxies shuffle better and look identical at the table.
Q
How do I tell my playgroup I’m proxying?
One sentence on your first game with the deck: “I’m running proxies of [card names] while I save up for the originals.” Most playgroups don’t care — they want a fun game, not a deck-price audit. Transparency matters more than the proxy decision itself.
Q
What if my playgroup doesn’t allow proxies?
Talk to them. Most “no proxies” rules are actually “no counterfeits” rules — the difference is intent and disclosure. A proxy with a printed “Proxy” stamp on the back is universally accepted. Real counterfeits try to pass as originals; proxies don’t.
Q
Is it worth proxying a $3 card?
At order sizes under 90 cards, no — the $1.60 proxy costs more. At tier 91+ bulk pricing ($0.80/card), yes — proxying a $3 card saves $2.20. If you’re already in the bulk tier for other reasons, add the $3 cards to the order.
Q
Can I proxy cards from the Reserved List?
Yes. The Reserved List restricts Wizards from reprinting these cards — it doesn’t restrict players from proxying them. Most Reserved List cards are tier 1 proxy targets because real prices only go up.
Q
What’s the cheapest way to proxy a full Commander deck?
Order all 100 cards in one batch via MakeProxyCard. Tier 91 pricing puts you at $0.80/card = $80 total for the full deck. The 100-card minimum is what unlocks the bulk discount.

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