TLDR
- SpellTable MTG proxies are usually fine in casual webcam games, as long as your pod agrees and the cards are readable.
- Do not treat SpellTable like a tournament. Sanctioned events require authentic cards, with narrow judge-issued proxy exceptions only.
- SpellTable’s card recognition often struggles with glare, camera tilt, and custom proxy layouts. Fix lighting and angle before blaming your printer.
- The social “hack” is boring but effective: ask about proxies in your first sentence, and be willing to swap tables if someone says no.
The real final boss of SpellTable is not your deck. It’s glare.
You can build a beautiful board state, curve out like a champion, and then your overhead light turns your battlefield into a shiny rectangle museum. That’s the moment you learn the secret truth of SpellTable MTG proxies: the game is only as smooth as your table can read your cards.
And proxies add one more variable. Not “are proxies morally allowed to exist,” we are not doing that today. The practical question is: can your opponents identify your stuff without asking you to narrate every permanent like an audiobook.
What SpellTable is (and why proxies show up there)
SpellTable is Wizards’ webcam platform for playing paper Magic remotely. It’s popular for Commander pods, includes built-in audio/video, and has card recognition that can pull up a card when you click it. It’s also free and runs in a browser with a Wizards account.
Proxies show up on SpellTable for the same reasons they show up anywhere else:
- Testing: You want reps before buying cards.
- Protection: You own the card but don’t want it living on a webcam table under a lamp.
- Budget: You want to play with friends, not take out a small loan for a mana base.
- Convenience: You want the deck to exist now, not after eight trades and two shipping delays.
So yes, SpellTable is basically “Commander night, but with more tripods.”
Are proxies allowed on SpellTable?
The honest answer: it’s a Rule 0 decision
Most SpellTable games are casual. That means proxy acceptance is table-by-table. Some pods are fully proxy-friendly. Some allow a few. Some want “I own it, I just don’t bring it.” Some want zero proxies. The important part is that none of those preferences are “wrong”, but springing proxies on people mid-game is how you get exiled from the group chat.
The clarity answer: sanctioned events are different
If something is a Wizards-sanctioned tournament, the baseline expectation is authentic Magic cards, with very limited judge-issued proxy exceptions during the event (damage, marked-card issues, etc.). Your home-printed deck is not in that category.
SpellTable itself is not automatically “sanctioned Magic.” It’s a webcam platform. But some organizers run events with their own rules. When in doubt, ask the organizer, or assume “real cards only” if it’s framed like a tournament with prizes.
Quick rule that prevents 90% of arguments
- Casual SpellTable game: Proxies can be fine if the pod agrees and you’re not trying to misrepresent them.
- Sanctioned event: Authentic cards required, except judge-issued proxies under narrow conditions.
Why SpellTable struggles with proxies (even when everyone is cool with them)
SpellTable card recognition is convenient when it works, and mildly comedic when it confidently identifies your Sol Ring as a basic land. The common failure modes matter more with proxies:
1) Your proxy isn’t in the database (or doesn’t look like it)
SpellTable’s own FAQ basically acknowledges the limitation: if a card is a proxy, alter, custom token, or otherwise modified, it may not be in the recognition database, or it may be harder to identify.
Translation: your gorgeous anime alt-art with tiny name text might be beloved by your pod, but SpellTable’s scanner is not a connoisseur.
2) Glare wipes out the name line
Wizards’ own SpellTable setup tips call out glare and camera angle as the first things to fix. If the name line is blown out, recognition has nothing to “read.”
3) Camera angle warps the card
SpellTable prefers a straight-down camera view. Tilt distorts the card shape, makes text less legible, and usually makes glare worse.
4) Resolution is not your magic spell
You can own a great camera and still get mediocre results if lighting and focus are off. Many players report that recognition can be inconsistent and that they often just use the manual search feature instead.
SpellTable MTG proxies readiness: Good, Better, Best
| Level | What it looks like | Best for | What you give up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Sharpie playtest on a basic land (legible name) | Testing lines, quick reps | Recognition usually won’t help, you must communicate clearly |
| Better | Printed face slipped over a land in a sleeve | Most casual SpellTable pods | Needs decent contrast and readable text |
| Best | Clean, readable printed proxies using normal frames, plus glare-friendly setup | Smooth webcam gameplay | You must be intentional about readability (and still ask first) |
Notice what is not in this table: “make it indistinguishable.” That is not the assignment.
The SpellTable MTG proxies readability checklist
If you want your proxy deck to feel “normal” on camera, optimize for the camera, not your printer ego.
Camera and framing
- Straight down over the play area.
- Keep the battlefield in-frame without needing to zoom so far out that text becomes microscopic.
- If your camera has a “focus hunt” problem, lock focus or increase light so it can settle.
Lighting (the real meta)
- Avoid a single harsh light directly overhead. That’s glare with benefits.
- Use diffuse light (bounce off a wall or ceiling, or soften it with a shade).
- If glare is persistent, change light angle first, then sleeve finish, then playmat.
Playmat and contrast
- A solid mat helps recognition and helps humans.
- Dark mats often work well, but if you run dark sleeves and dark mat, your board can turn into a stealth mission. Some players have better results by increasing contrast with a lighter mat.
Sleeves
- Matte sleeves can reduce glare.
- If you insist on glossy sleeves, you are choosing hard mode. That’s fine, just be aware.
Proxy print choices that help on SpellTable
- Keep the card name and mana cost high-contrast and easy to read.
- Avoid “full art everything” if it makes the rules text and name line tiny.
- If you love alt-art, consider using alt-art only on a few splashy cards, not the entire 99.
- Mark proxies clearly in a non-annoying way (small “PROXY” text, different back, or a consistent proxy frame).
Rule 0 scripts that work in real life (and don’t start a debate club)
You want something short, neutral, and early.
The 10-second opener
“Hey, quick Rule 0: I’m running a few proxies in this deck for testing, all clearly marked. Is everyone cool with that?”
If the table hesitates
“No worries. I can swap decks, or I can find a proxy-friendly pod.”
If you’re fully proxied
“Full transparency, this deck is fully proxied for playtesting. If that’s not your vibe, totally fine.”
SpellTable games move faster when people can opt in or opt out without feeling like they’re being cross-examined.
When card recognition fails, keep the game moving
Even with perfect setup, recognition will miss sometimes. Plan for that.
- Use SpellTable’s search-by-name when a card won’t scan.
- Announce key pieces clearly: “Casting Rhystic Study,” not “I play this enchantment.”
- If you run niche cards or wild alt-art, consider having the Oracle text ready (or at least be willing to explain accurately).
- If your proxies are custom and unscannable, offer a workaround: “If anything’s unclear, tell me and I’ll type it into search.”
The goal is not perfect automation. The goal is a readable board state.
FAQs
Can SpellTable recognize proxy cards?
Sometimes. If the proxy uses official-looking layout and readable name text, recognition can work. If it’s heavy custom art, low contrast, or altered layout, recognition often struggles and you’ll rely on manual search.
Do I need to use official artwork on SpellTable?
You don’t “need” to, but many players strongly prefer it because it improves recognition and reduces “what is that” interruptions. If you use custom art, compensate by making the name line and key info very readable.
Are proxies legal in tournaments if I own the card?
In sanctioned play, players generally must use authorized, authentic cards. Judge-issued proxies exist for narrow situations during the tournament. Casual play rules are set by the group or organizer.
What’s the biggest mistake with SpellTable MTG proxies?
Not asking first, and printing proxies that look cool up close but are unreadable on camera. Cool art is great. Invisible mana costs are not.
How do I reduce glare fast?
Change the light angle, diffuse it, and consider matte sleeves. A straight-down camera angle also helps.
Can I use my phone as the camera?
Yes. Many guides (including Wizards coverage) treat phone cameras as a normal option, especially with a camera arm or mount.