Magic: The Gathering (MTG) has been around since 1993. It’s a popular collectible card game cherished by millions. The game’s depth, storylines, and varied expansions have created a huge secondary market. Some rare MTG cards are worth thousands of dollars. This high value means there’s also a market for fakes—counterfeit MTG cards. But there’s another category known as proxies, which aren’t meant to deceive. They’re just placeholders, although they can sometimes look so authentic that someone else could pass them off as real.
The Appeal of Counterfeit MTG Cards
Counterfeits appear because specific cards can be extremely valuable. People who don’t care about the rules or ethics see an opportunity to profit by printing and selling near-identical copies. They often aim for iconic cards like the Power 9 or dual lands. When these fakes circulate, honest collectors might get ripped off, and the entire secondary market can suffer. It’s harder to trust a trade when you’re worried about getting scammed.
There’s also the legal angle. Making or knowingly selling counterfeit goods is illegal in many places. You could face fines or even criminal charges. Some people claim they just want cheap replicas for kitchen-table Magic, but it’s risky once money changes hands. Passing them off as real can damage the community and lead to severe consequences.
How to Identify Counterfeits
Card Ripping Test
This one is straightforward but destructive. If you tear a real MTG card, you’ll usually see a thin purple or blue inner layer. If that layer is missing or looks off, the card might be counterfeit. But you sacrifice the card by doing this test, so it’s not ideal for a high-value piece.
Light Test
Hold the card in front of a bright light. Genuine cards let a specific amount of light through, often with a uniform glow. Fakes might block light entirely or allow it through unevenly. It’s not foolproof, but it’s quick and non-destructive.
Magnifying Glass
Real MTG cards have a rosette pattern when viewed under magnification. If you zoom in on the artwork or text box, you’ll see tiny dots aligned in a consistent way. Counterfeits often miss the mark, with colors that bleed or dots that don’t line up correctly.
Proxies: Acceptable Replacements?
Proxies serve as stand-ins for expensive cards. They’re commonly used for casual play or testing new deck ideas without paying a fortune. If I want to experiment with a powerful combo but don’t have the real cards, I might print proxies or buy them from a specialized seller.
The difference between proxies and counterfeits usually comes down to intent. Proxy sellers often say upfront that their cards are not official. They encourage players to use these copies in friendly games, never in tournaments or trades. Yet high-quality proxies look so realistic that someone else could abuse them. It’s why transparency is key.
Our site prints quality proxies that aren’t meant to be passed off as real cards. Other sites like MTG.Cards offer a magic the gathering card maker so you can design your own Magic cards.
Where Do People Get Counterfeits?
It’s generally a gray area. Nobody openly advertises “counterfeit MTG for sale” on major, reputable sites, because that would be an open confession of illegal activity. Counterfeits tend to appear on sketchy websites or underground forums. Buyers might risk their money, personal data, or even legal trouble if they’re caught importing counterfeit products. Some individuals also try to sell fakes through online marketplace listings, using poor-quality photos to hide imperfections.
What About ProxyKing.biz?
ProxyKing.biz is a site that claims to provide MTG proxies. They state they don’t sell real cards. But their proxies look very close to authentic MTG cards. This quality attracts people who want realistic stand-ins for casual play. However, a dishonest person might try to sell these proxies as genuine. That’s where trouble starts.
Quality
They print their cards with high-resolution techniques, so the cards have crisp details and feel similar in weight to official MTG cards. Some people love this because it feels good to shuffle and show off. But the same realism can lead to unethical misuse.
Customization
Users can customize proxies by uploading artwork or specifying card details. That’s neat if you want unique versions of your favorite cards. It’s also a gateway for someone with bad intentions to create near-flawless knockoffs. ProxyKing.biz doesn’t promote this, but it’s an option in the wrong hands.
Shipping and Pricing
They’re based in Texas and ship worldwide. A standard proxy costs around $4, with foils at about $5. Reviews on various sites generally say they deliver on time. People mention the proxies are high quality. This is all good if you’re honest, but it’s easy to see how some folks might exploit the situation.
Ethical Use of Proxies
Most casual groups are fine with proxies if everyone agrees. Proxies let you test expensive decks without breaking your budget. You can try new strategies, experiment with combos, and see if a certain card truly fits your deck before you invest in the real one. Disclose that you’re using proxies, and typically no one cares. But official tournaments usually don’t allow proxies at all, so don’t bring them to sanctioned events.
Pitfalls and Community Impact
If someone tries to slip a realistic proxy into a trade binder and sell it at near-market value, that’s fraud. It taints the trust the community relies on. The more fakes circulate, the more paranoid people become. Shops might refuse certain cards or over-scrutinize them, and players lose confidence in trades. This can drive prices up or down unpredictably, hurting legitimate sellers and honest collectors.
Should You Buy Counterfeits?
I believe you shouldn’t. Counterfeits damage trust in the hobby and can lead to legal risks if you try to pass them off as real. If you just want placeholders for casual play, proxies are an option, but make sure you’re open about it. If you plan to build a serious collection, learn how to spot counterfeits and consider buying from reputable stores. That way, you’re less likely to get scammed, and you support the game’s official ecosystem.
Conclusion
So, where do people buy counterfeit MTG cards? Often from shady online sources that don’t clearly announce they’re selling fakes. Such transactions can be risky and unethical. On the flip side, services like ProxyKing.biz offer high-quality proxies. They don’t pretend these are genuine cards, but they’re so realistic that someone could misuse them.
If you want to save money and just play casually, proxies might help. Tell your playgroup that they’re proxies. Keep an eye on your trades, and don’t fall for deals that look too good to be true. Know the signs of a counterfeit card. And always remember that trying to pass off a fake as the real thing can hurt both you and the Magic community. It’s simply not worth the risk.
