There are many different ways players, fans, and tournament organizers use the terms "proxy," "playtest card," and "counterfeit." This article is intended to clarify Wizards of the Coast's definitions of those terms and how we think about each. We know it can get confusing.

So, let's clear things up.

Our official policy specifically applies to sanctioned events. Cards used in sanctioned events must be authentic Magic cards. The only exception is if a card has become damaged during the course of play in a particular event (for instance, a shuffling accident bends a card or a drink gets spilled); in that case a judge may issue a proxy for use only for the duration of that event so the player can continue playing. In this case, "proxy" is an official tournament term that refers to a card replaced by a judge or tournament organizer for reasons unrelated to gameplay.

Our stance on counterfeits is also clear: Wizards remains committed to vigorously protecting the Magic community from counterfeiters. We will remain vigilant for illegal activity, and we will continue to work quickly and decisively with law enforcement agencies around the globe to protect against the creation or distribution of counterfeit Magic cards. Additionally, we reiterate in the strongest terms possible that any individual or retailer who knowingly deals in counterfeits works against the best interests of the community. Wizards has eliminated and will continue to eliminate from the WPN anyone who knowingly distributes counterfeit cards.

What has gotten caught up in the confusion are what we refer to as "playtest cards" used outside of sanctioned events. And the reason it has gotten confusing is because we've never really talked about them before. So, let's do that.

A playtest card is most commonly a basic land with the name of a different card written on it with a marker, or maybe a slip of paper with a printed image on it tucked in a sleeve in front of a land. Playtest cards aren't trying to be reproductions of real Magic cards; they don't have official art and they wouldn't pass as the real thing under even the most cursory glance. Fans use playtest cards to test out new deck ideas before building out a deck for real and bringing it to a sanctioned tournament. And that's perfectly fine with us. Wizards of the Coast has no desire to police playtest cards made for personal, non-commercial use, even if that usage takes place in a store.

What we really care about is that sanctioned events use only authentic Magic cards, and that we stop counterfeits.

Going forward, please take this post as Wizards of the Coast's official stance on proxies, playtest cards, and counterfeits.