Proxies, Good or Evil?
The dictionary definition of “proxy” is focused solely on people acting on behalf of others. Proxies are stand ins for something else with the purpose of acting like the original but not completely taking its place.
Proxy [ prok-see ], noun
1. the agency, function, or power of a person authorized to act as the deputy or substitute for another.
2. a person authorized to act as a deputy or substitute for another; agent.
We in the card game world have co-opted the word to mean something similar.
People have been using proxy cards since the early days of tradable card games. This is generally done when a person does not have a specific hard to get or find card but still would like to test it out in a deck to see if it works for them. This can of course be done in a number of ways such as photo copies, printing images from the Internet, or writing on a piece of paper all of which can be slipped into a card sleeve in front of another card which can maintain the correct shape and feel of a sleeved card enough for testing purposes. Writing with a pen directly on a common works as well.
Outside of tournaments this has generally always been accepted as a testing method. It also allows players to easily have the same play set of a rare card in multiple decks without having to swap cards back and forth while playing for fun or prepping for a competitive event.
Fancy premade proxies are also available. There are sellers on Etsy and other online locations that are now producing high quality proxy cards for leaders. Many of these have alternate artwork in different styles from the true production cards that make them very interesting from the artistic design perspective. They include a disclaimer on the listing that they are not to be used without first checking with your opponent to make sure it is fine to use and also to have a real copy available just in case.
However there are other available items that mimic the actual cards extremely closely that when sleeved may be imperceptible to another player. The listings for these items also note that they should not be used in any official events. While mostly still focused on leaders, it should be specifically noted that for this type of proxy there are also legendary card proxies available which could create more of an issue since the cards are noted as being “slightly thicker” which could result in having marked cards in a deck.
Where then is the line between a proxy card and something being effectively a way to cheat the system?
It should be noted that proxied cards do not seem to be mentioned currently in the official rules (** See Note in next paragraph). The official SWU Tournament Regulations do state in section 3.2.1 that only cards autographed by artists or FFG staff can be used and that “No other alterations are allowed, regardless if the event is Casual or Competitive.” Believe that proxy cards would technically fall into this category and be considered altered cards that are officially not permitted in any level of Star Wars Unlimited event.
** Updated at 11:30am EST on 12/3/24 – Was referencing version 1.1 of the tournament rules. Version 1.2 does in fact have a section for Counterfeit Cards. “6.3 Counterfeit Cards – Counterfeit cards (fake cards that are created by third-party companies that can resemble officially released cards) cannot be used in your deck in an official tournament. Even if a player owns an official copy of the card, they cannot include counterfeit cards in their deck.”
Playing at a kitchen table, go ahead, use whatever you like since it’s definitely not a tournament. There’s virtually no impact. In fact in many cases it would actually be a benefit to having the actual card text available right on a proxied card instead of just the name of a rare or legendary card written on a common. It’d help with new players not necessarily knowing the exact abilities of every unit, event, etc.
Casual weekly events at an LGS go a little more into the grey area since it may not be considered a tournament. Proxied leader? Probably a non-issue if somebody wants to use some anime art version. Want to fake a wallet flex and use a proxy showcase with the true artwork, also may not be a big deal since it’s a small weekly event often self judged by the players involve and with limited prizing. Still technically would violate the official SWU tournament rules.
Store Showdowns and larger events are where it absolutely becomes an issue. Even leaders which could easily be discussed ahead of time with tournament operators and opponents are technically not allowed other than officially produced cards with approved alterations as set in the tournament rules. The bigger risk would certainly be proxied rares and legendaries of different thickness and weight which could give a player an advantage. That advantage could be exacerbated by a person that is good at sleight of hand in a similar manner to using slightly different cuts of the same card sleeve. Plus using fake cards is almost certainly cheating no matter how you measure it.
Most players, and hopefully all, would agree that certainly way beyond crossing the line is in any way selling a proxied card as being a real one. This goes beyond being a proxy and is basically just a forgery at that point.
At this point in Star Wars Unlimited’s young history there have luckily been no noticed high profile usage violations where proxied cards were attempted to be passed off as real. Does not mean it has not happened, only that it has not been noticed or not publicized if it had been. Inevitability would say that this would occur at some point and punishment will be handed out appropriately.
In the meantime, have fun with the game. If you want to proxy a leader because the showcase art looks cool or an alternate art strikes your fancy, probably fine as long as your opponent agrees to it and potentially the tournament organizer as well. Proxies for cards in the fifty card deck and ten card sideboard though should probably be highly frowned upon.