Commander, also called EDH, is the format where proxies feel most at home. Games are social, decks are personal, and the format's whole culture is built around players agreeing on what kind of game they want before they shuffle.
Here is how proxies fit into that culture, how to bring them to a new table, and how to decide between proxying a few cards and playing a full proxy deck.
Why Commander is so proxy-friendly
- It is a casual format. Most Commander is played outside sanctioned tournaments, so the playgroup sets its own norms.
- Singleton decks are expensive to complete. A 100-card deck with one copy of each card can still hit several high-priced staples, and you need a different set for every deck you build.
- Old cards are legal. Commander allows cards from across Magic's history, including Reserved List cards that will never be reprinted.
- Self-expression is the point. Commander players love decks with a strong identity. Themed art and custom frames add to that identity rather than take away from it.
Rule 0: talk about it before you shuffle
"Rule 0" is the conversation Commander players have before a game: what each deck does, how strong it is, and anything unusual. It is the right moment to say your deck contains proxies.
Keep it simple: "Heads up, this deck is all proxies, custom art. Same power level as a precon with upgrades." Most groups answer with a shrug or a question about the artwork. If someone prefers to play against real cards only, respect it — swap decks or play another game.
Proxies and power level
The most common worry about proxies is not the cardboard but the power level. When money is no object, it is easy to build a deck stuffed with the strongest cards ever printed and end up miles above the rest of the table.
Commander's Brackets system gives players a shared vocabulary for deck strength, from casual decks to optimized ones. Use it in your Rule 0 talk, and build proxy decks for the bracket your group actually plays — not the one your budget would otherwise have kept you out of.
A few staples or a full proxy deck?
| A few proxied staples | Full proxy deck | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical use | Fill gaps in a deck you own | Play a whole new deck or theme |
| Look | Mixed: real cards + proxies | Uniform: one style for 100 cards |
| Effort | Print or buy a handful of cards | Buy a ready-made deck or print 100 cards |
| Best for | Upgrading an existing deck | Themed decks, testing an archetype, travel decks |
A mixed deck works well, but the contrast between official cards and proxies can look patchy. A full proxy deck solves that: every card follows the same style, so the deck looks deliberate rather than improvised.
Themed full proxy decks
Themed decks are where full proxy decks really shine. Imagine a horror deck where every creature is a slasher icon, or a superhero deck where the commander is the hero and every spell is a famous scene. The game plays exactly like Magic, but the table talk changes completely.
Vanyrix builds exactly these: complete 100-card Commander proxy decks, each with original artwork on every card and a playable list around one commander. Our selection of the best MTG proxy Commander decks is a good place to start.
Proxy etiquette checklist
- Announce proxies during Rule 0.
- Make sure every card name and rules text is readable from across the table.
- Sleeve the whole deck in identical sleeves.
- Match your group's power level.
- Be ready to explain any card with unusual art — players will ask, and that is half the fun.
New to proxies in general? Start with the complete MTG proxy guide.
Frequently asked questions
Are proxies allowed in Commander?
In casual Commander, proxies are up to your playgroup. Raise them in the Rule 0 conversation before the game. Store events can have their own rules.
What is Rule 0 in Commander?
Rule 0 is the pre-game conversation where players agree on the kind of game they want: deck power, house rules and anything unusual, such as proxies.
Is a full proxy Commander deck worth it?
If you want a complete themed deck that looks consistent, or you want to try an archetype without buying every card, a full proxy deck is the simplest option.
Will a proxy deck be too strong for my table?
Only if it is built that way. Choose or build proxy decks for the power bracket your group plays.
Ready to play?
Themed Commander proxy decks, ready to shuffle
Complete 100-card decks with original artwork on every card — as print-ready files or printed on black-core card stock. Or print your own list with our free tool.
Keep reading
- MTG Proxy: The Complete GuideThe complete guide to Magic proxy cards: what they are, where they are welcome, how to make them look good, and when a full proxy deck makes sense.
- Best proxy Commander decksOur most popular themed Commander proxy decks, updated from the shop, plus a short guide to picking the right deck for your table.
- Are MTG proxies legal?The difference between a proxy and a counterfeit, where proxies are and are not allowed, and why honesty is the line that matters.
Vanyrix is an independent fan project. It is not affiliated with, endorsed, sponsored or approved by Wizards of the Coast. Magic: The Gathering is a trademark of Wizards of the Coast LLC. Proxy cards are for casual play and collection and are not official Magic cards. This guide is general information, not legal advice.