April 26, 2023

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Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 1-3: Deep Dive

As a prominent entertainment website, we are well-versed in the world of cinema and pop culture. One of the biggest blockbuster film franchises of recent years is the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The MCU is a series of interconnected superhero films that have taken the world by storm. In this article, we will explore the history and impact of the MCU, specifically delving into Phases 1-3. The MCU began in 2008 with the release of Iron Man and has since exploded into an all-encompassing universe featuring a vast array of famous superheroes. The franchise has become a cultural phenomenon, with numerous box office hits and a vast following. In this article, we will discuss the importance of the MCU in pop culture, providing a brief overview of the franchise’s history and exploring the different phases of the MCU. Join us as we journey into the fascinating and thrilling world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Origins of the MCU The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has become a household name and has taken the world by storm over the past decade. The roots of the MCU, however, can be traced back much further. Marvel Comics originally created iconic characters like Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America in the 1960s, revolutionizing the comic book industry. As a result, these characters became a part of popular culture, inspiring millions of fans throughout the world. Before the MCU, Marvel released many films, both in and out of the superhero genre, including the original Spider-Man trilogy and X-Men series. However, these movies were not part of a larger, interconnected universe like the MCU. The idea of creating an interconnected universe came in 2008, with the release of the first Iron Man movie directed by Jon Favreau. This film helped to establish the character of Tony Stark as a centerpiece for the MCU, as well as introducing fans to post-credit scenes and the ever-growing list of MCU Easter eggs. From there, Marvel Studios created a well-oiled machine with interconnected storylines, introducing characters like Thor, the Hulk and Captain America with their own movies. This allowed audiences to become invested in these characters before being thrown together in epic team-up films like The Avengers. The expansion of the MCU continued with the introduction of new heroes and franchises, such as Ant-Man, Black Panther, and Guardians of the Galaxy. It became notable for its ability to balance comedy, drama, and action all while telling more significant overarching stories. The MCU is a perfect example of how a studio can deliver not only quality but also fan engagement and investing the public in its stories while changing the industry as a whole. The next section of this article will dive into Phase 1 of the MCU, exploring how it all began. Phase 1 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (2008-2012) The beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe saw the introduction of Iron Man, which launched a franchise that has expanded over several phases. This phase was a crucial time for Marvel as it laid the groundwork for the interconnected universe that would continue to develop in future years. Along with the introduction of Iron Man, The Avengers came together to assemble for the first time under the direction of Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. This was a moment that changed the course of superhero cinema, setting in motion a series of interconnected films that spanned over a decade. This phase also provided a chance for the development of key characters such as Thor, Hulk, and Captain America, all of whom played essential roles in the larger narrative of the MCU. Moreover, the phase introduced us to Black Widow and Hawkeye, who would go on to become fan favorites within the franchise. The first phase of the MCU had a significant impact on the superhero genre, and this can be attributed to the success of films such as Iron Man, The Avengers, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger. Since then, these properties have been iconic in the superhero landscape, and they have earned their place in fan’s hearts. Phase 2 of the MCU (2013-2015) The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) took a step forward with Phase 2, showcasing darker and more mature themes, compared to the first phase. Phase 2 marked the beginning of complex storylines and the invasion of outer space, along with the introduction of new characters such as Ant-Man and the Guardians of the Galaxy. The decision to introduce the Guardians of the Galaxy was initially met with skepticism. But in hindsight, it was a testament to Marvel’s bold creativity even in its most challenging days. Phase 2 was critical in setting up the path that eventually led to the end of the Infinity War and the subsequent Endgame. The increasingly complex storylines and the introduction of new characters and plot arcs marked a turning point in the MCU’s strategy. The phase brought a new level of seriousness to the table without losing its sense of humor. The Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 3 Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe brought about the most significant events in the entire franchise, leading up to the ultimate climax in Avengers: Endgame. This phase introduced new heroes such as Spider-Man and Black Panther, who quickly became fan favorites. One of the most significant dramatic events that occurred during Phase 3 was the arrival of Thanos. The galaxy’s biggest villain threatened the lives of all the Avengers and the entire universe with his plan to gather the Infinity Stones. The Avengers’ repeated attempts to stop Thanos through movies like Avengers: Infinity War made for an unforgettable viewing experience. Spider-Man’s introduction to the MCU in Phase 3 brought an injection of youthful energy to the franchise. Portrayed by Tom Holland, Spider-Man quickly became a fan favorite due to his ability to mix heroics with humor. Meanwhile, Black Panther, portrayed by the late Chadwick Boseman, became a cultural icon for his representation of a powerful African superhero. Phase 3 was also significant for its impact

Paperboy | Nintendo 64 Retro Video Review

Paperboy is a classic retro video game that was originally released for arcade machines in 1984, but later received multiple ports. The Nintendo 64 port of Paperboy is widely considered to be one of the best versions of the game. As a pioneer of the video game industry, Paperboy was instrumental in the rise of the arcade culture and the evolution of gaming. In this article, we will provide an overview, history, and review of Paperboy for the Nintendo 64 console. The objective is to evaluate the game in detail and provide our expert opinion on its gameplay, graphics, story, sound design, replayability, and difficulty. This article will score Paperboy on a scale of 1 to 10, to help retro gamers decide whether to add it to their collection. So without further ado, let’s dive straight into the world of Paperboy for the Nintendo 64! Paperboy – Nintendo 64 Retro Video Game: Overview and History Have you ever heard of the classic video game Paperboy? This game was developed by Atari Games and was first released in arcades in 1984. It went on to be released on several other platforms, including the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Nintendo 64. In Paperboy, players control a young paperboy on his daily paper route. The objective of the game is to deliver newspapers to houses while avoiding obstacles like cars, runaway tires, and various other hazards. Players are awarded points for delivering papers and completing the route without missing a house. This game was a massive success during its time and had a significant impact on the video game industry. It was one of the first games to bring a unique concept to the table, and it was a game that had broad appeal with everyone from casual players to hardcore gamers. With its simple yet challenging gameplay and unique premise, Paperboy became an instant classic. The game’s popularity and impact on the video game industry were so significant that it was even included in the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s “The Art of Video Games” exhibit in 2012. Despite being released over 30 years ago, Paperboy still remains a beloved game that holds up to this day. It is one of those rare games that is timeless and can still be enjoyed by gamers of all ages. In the next section, we’ll dive into the gameplay mechanics of Paperboy and see how well they hold up in modern times. Gameplay Review Paperboy’s gameplay mechanics were groundbreaking when the game was first released on the N64. The innovative concept of delivering newspapers while avoiding obstacles using a bicycle was a winning combination during that era. However, how does the game hold up in modern times? The game mechanics are still fun, but the controls feel a bit wonky compared to contemporary titles. Maneuvering the bicycle is challenging, and sometimes frustrating, for modern gamers. The game’s pace is suitable, but it feels slow in comparison to modern games. However, some gamers may appreciate the classic feel of the game itself. One of the most significant obstacles that players face while playing Paperboy is the difficulty spikes. It’s frustrating when these spikes arrive unexpectedly, causing players to fail to complete deliveries. Without proper focus and skill, the difficulty can hinder players’ enjoyment of combating the quickly approaching obstacles. Furthermore, a specific flaw of Paperboy is the absence of a proper save feature. The game’s track record for completing the entire game in one sitting is beyond most modern gamers’ reach. It makes for an uncomfortable gaming experience when progress cannot be saved, meaning players have to start again at the beginning every time they decide to play. In summary, while Paperboy was innovative during its time, it holds up a bit-clunky game mechanics-wise, and its difficulty spikes interrupt the player’s enjoyment. Nevertheless, despite the absence of modern features, the game still remains entertaining for nostalgic gamers. Graphics and Sound Design Review When considering graphics and sound design, it is important to take into account the age of the game. After all, it was released in 1999, and the Nintendo 64’s capabilities, while groundbreaking at the time, are primitive by today’s standards. However, Paperboy does retain its charm and personality, even after all these years. Beginning with the graphics, we find that the character and environment design still holds up, despite being pixelated and somewhat blocky. The Paperboy himself is animated and smooth, with his bike animations keeping things lively and well-realized. The various environments that Paperboy rides through – from suburban streets to main roads – are all well-realized and energetic. The level of detail in the graphics may not match today’s high-end games, but it still provides a sense of place and fun. As far as the sound design is concerned, it still holds its weight. The game’s various sound effects, from the sound of papers hitting doorsteps to the grunts of the Paperboy trying to evade obstacles, are all still fun and satisfying. The game’s background music, while simple, is catchy and energetic, giving players something to hum along to while they navigate the course. Overall, while the graphics and sound design in Paperboy are certainly dated, it has held up remarkably well. Its charm and sense of personality still shine through, making it a worthwhile addition to any retro gamer’s collection. Story Review Nintendo released Paperboy for the Nintendo 64 in 1999. Players play Paperboy, delivering daily newspapers to subscribers across the suburban town. As the game progresses, the story is not fully fleshed, with any specific plot or overarching narrative. The story is more aligned with experiences in suburbia, delivery deadlines, and obstacles on the player’s path. The simple premise of Paperboy revolves around delivering the newspaper to various houses, dodging obstacles such as dogs, lawnmowers, cars, and pedestrians. The delivery routes become riskier as players progress, with rampaging storms and even burglars attacking delivery vans! Despite the lack of an overarching plot, Paperboy provides an immersive experience. The nameless player,

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LG Put a Microphone in Your Living Room. Its Terms Make You Responsible for Everyone It Hears.

TLDR There is a microphone in the television. According to LG’s own service terms, certain voice-recognition features may capture and analyze the voices of family members, guests, children, and bystanders nearby. LG’s answer to the obvious privacy problem is blunt: obtaining the necessary consent is the owner’s responsibility. The wording reviewed for this article appears in current regional LG service terms. It says customers must notify household members and guests that their voices may be captured and processed in compliance with wiretapping, eavesdropping, and privacy laws. If someone does not consent, LG tells the owner to disable the microphone or voice features. LG then disclaims liability for the owner’s failure to obtain that consent or provide the warning. That is an extraordinary obligation to place on someone who bought a television. LG developed the product. LG included the voice-recognition system. LG operates or enables the AI-based services. But when another person’s voice enters the system, LG’s terms attempt to make the customer responsible for understanding the law and managing everyone else’s consent. LG supplies the listening technology. The owner gets the compliance problem. What LG’s Voice-Recognition Terms Actually Say The most alarming part of LG’s terms is not a vague statement that voice data may be processed. It is the list of people who may be affected. LG says third-party voices and utterances in the vicinity may be recorded and analyzed to provide AI-based services. The examples include: These are not all people who intentionally activated the voice assistant. A guest may not know the television has voice-recognition features. A child may not understand what audio processing means. A contractor, babysitter, cleaner, neighbor, or friend may have no reason to expect that speaking in the room could involve an LG service. LG’s terms then state that it is the user’s “sole responsibility” to obtain all necessary third-party consents and notify household members and guests. The company specifically mentions wiretapping, eavesdropping, and privacy laws. The terms do not give an ordinary customer a realistic system for doing any of this. There is no suggested notice to place on the door. There is no guest-consent screen. There is no household privacy dashboard explaining whose consent is needed in each jurisdiction. LG simply assigns the responsibility to the owner and advises turning off the microphone when someone objects. LG Says It Does Not Record Ambient Conversations It is important not to turn LG’s disturbing legal language into a claim the evidence does not support. LG has said its televisions do not collect, record, or store ambient conversations. The company says voice recognition is optional, user-initiated, and processes voice data only when activated to fulfill a request. It also says customers can use smart TV features without enabling voice recognition. LG’s US support instructions also show that voice recognition can be enabled or adjusted through the television’s AI Service settings. Some models support wake-word and hands-free controls, while available features vary by model and webOS generation. Those facts matter. The terms do not prove that every LG television continuously records every conversation in the room. They do not prove that LG is intentionally violating wiretapping law. They also may not apply identically in every country, since LG publishes different terms and services across regions. But LG’s response does not make the terms harmless. The company’s own agreement still recognizes that third-party voices may be captured during use of voice-recognition features. It still names children, guests, and bystanders. And it still attempts to make the customer responsible for consent, notification, and legal compliance. The concern is narrower than “LG listens to everything.” It is also more defensible: LG created a voice-processing system that may capture people who never bought the television, never opened an LG account, and never accepted LG’s terms. Your Guests Never Agreed to LG’s Terms A customer may click “agree” during television setup. That does not mean everyone entering the customer’s home has also agreed. Consider a normal living room during a football game. Friends are talking over the television. Children are playing nearby. Someone uses a voice command to search for a player or change the volume. Another person’s words are picked up at the same time. Who gave consent? LG’s terms appear to say that answering that question is the owner’s job. The same problem exists in less obvious settings. LG televisions may be found in hotel rooms, rental properties, conference rooms, waiting areas, restaurants, classrooms, offices, and shared homes. The person who agreed to the service terms may not even be present when someone else’s voice is captured. A contract between LG and the device owner cannot automatically create informed consent from every third party near the product. That does not mean voice capture is always illegal. Recording and privacy laws vary by country and state. Some laws focus on whether a person reasonably expected privacy. Others distinguish between recording a conversation and processing a voice command. The details matter. But those details are exactly why LG’s “sole responsibility” language is so unreasonable for an ordinary buyer. The average television owner should not need to research state recording statutes before asking the television to open Netflix. What Does LG Expect Owners to Tell Visitors? Taken literally, LG’s terms create a social ritual that almost no one will follow. A homeowner would need to say something like: Before we watch the game, you should know that this LG television has voice-recognition features. Your voice may be captured and processed when those features are used. Please tell me if you do not consent so I can disable the microphone. That might satisfy the spirit of LG’s warning. It would also be absurd in a normal home. Should parents obtain permission before their children bring friends into the room? Should someone warn a plumber before demonstrating a noise coming from the television? Should a short-term rental owner place an audio-processing disclosure beside the remote? LG’s terms give customers the obligation without giving them a usable process. And when consent is not

Fixing MTG Arena Friends List Not Working

The MTG Arena friends list may stop working for a few common reasons: friend requests fail, a display name or five-digit number does not match exactly, Direct Challenge or Challenge Lobby screens get stuck, the social panel shows outdated information, or Arena is dealing with a server-side issue. If you are trying to add friends, receive requests, or start a match and nothing behaves the way it should, the usual fixes are checking the exact account name and number, restarting the client, updating the game, and making sure your network connection is stable. The MTG Arena friends list is supposed to make playing with friends simple: add a player, send a challenge, pick decks, and start the match. When it works, great. When it does not, you get the full Arena social experience: missing friend requests, stuck challenge screens, mismatched names, and two players staring at menus while insisting they definitely typed everything correctly. Most MTG Arena friends list problems fall into a few buckets. The friend request will not send. The friend does not appear. The display name or five-digit number is wrong. Direct Challenge or Challenge Lobby invites get stuck. The social panel shows outdated information. Or the entire friends list behaves like it has been hit by a very legal, very annoying bounce spell. Wizards has also acknowledged multiple social and challenge-related issues over time, including Direct Challenge mismatched-option behavior, friend requests lingering after acceptance, challenge animations looping, and friend challenge UI problems. So if you are having trouble, it is not always user error. Sometimes the client is simply doing Arena things. This guide focuses on the fixes that matter most to players dealing with friends list and challenge problems, from basic checks and cache clearing to advanced network troubleshooting, bug reporting with logs, and a few habits that help keep the feature working reliably. https://magic.wizards.com/en/mtgarena Gathering Arena Friends List Context The friends list in MTG Arena is tied to your Wizards account display name, your five-digit identifier, the client’s social menu, and the current challenge system. Older guides and many players still say “Direct Challenge,” while newer Arena updates introduced Challenge Lobbies, which unified Friend Challenge and Direct Challenge into one lobby-style system. Wizards announced Challenge Lobbies as a social feature upgrade that lets players create lobbies from the Challenges section of the social menu or invite online friends from the friends list. That matters because some troubleshooting depends on which flow you are using. A friend request issue is different from a challenge issue. A display name problem is different from a server-side social outage. And a challenge that will not start may have nothing to do with your friends list at all. Start with the simplest explanation first. Check spelling, restart the client, confirm the game is updated, then move into cache, reinstall, logs, and support. Quick Checks For MTG Arena Friend List Before deleting files or reinstalling anything, run through the basic fixes. They are boring, yes. They also solve a surprising number of Arena problems, which is somehow both comforting and irritating. First, restart MTG Arena completely. Do not just return to the home screen. Close the client, wait a few seconds, and relaunch it. On mobile, force close the app and reopen it. Next, check the official MTG Arena status page. The status page tracks platform and service components such as Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Game, Logins, Matches, Social, and Store. If Social, Logins, or Matches are degraded, your friends list may not behave normally no matter what you do locally. Then update the game. If Arena is asking for a small download or restart after a patch, both players should update before trying to add friends or challenge each other. Wizards notes that update and install problems can come from network issues, Windows-level problems, or leftovers from a partial install. Finally, confirm your network is stable. If Arena loads slowly, hangs on menus, or disconnects often, the friends list may only be a symptom. On mobile, Wizards recommends checking the device’s internet connection, toggling Wi-Fi off and on, restarting the device, force closing background apps, updating the app, and reinstalling if needed. Troubleshoot: Add Friends And Display Name Issues Most failed friend requests come down to the display name. Friends list issues in MTG Arena are common because Arena is strict about username formatting. MTG Arena names are not just “PlayerName.” They include the visible display name plus a five-digit number, usually shown in the format DisplayName#12345. Wizards’ Direct Challenge FAQ says players need both the display name and the five-digit number associated with the account. It also notes that display names are case sensitive, which means DragonFan#12345 and dragonfan#12345 may not be treated the same. Check these details before assuming the friends list is broken: Make sure the display name is typed exactly as shown. Confirm capitalization. Confirm the five-digit number separately. Do not include extra spaces before or after the name. Make sure your friend is sending you the correct account name, not the name from an old or secondary account. That last point matters. Wizards explains that two accounts can have the same display name text but different five-digit identifiers, such as SameDisplayName#12345 and SameDisplayName#54321. If a player accidentally logs into or creates a secondary account, the friends list lookup will not point to the account they actually use. The safest method is to have your friend copy their full Arena name from the client and send it to you outside the game. If they type it manually, ask for a screenshot. It feels overly cautious until you lose ten minutes to one lowercase letter. Step-by-Step: Add Friends To add a friend in MTG Arena, use the friends list panel rather than guessing from the main Play menu. Open the Friends List panel, usually found at the bottom-left of the Arena client. Click the plus sign at the top right of the friends list. Enter the exact Arena username for the person you want to

Cheap MTG Cards: Budget Options for Magic Collections

Cheap MTG Cards are not just for new players. They are for Commander brewers, cube builders, collectors who like having options, and anyone who has ever looked at the price of one land and thought, “Surely cardboard has gone too far.” The best budget strategy is not one single source. It is a mix. Use real singles when you need tournament legality, use lots when you want volume, use proxies for casual testing, and use ready-made cube products when you want a complete play experience without turning your evenings into spreadsheet maintenance. Gathering Cards: Cheap MTG Cards Sources The cheapest MTG collection strategy usually breaks into four lanes. ProxyMTG.com is a strong choice for bulk budget proxies and on-demand printed proxy cards for casual use. Print-at-home proxies are the cheapest overall route if your group allows them and you already have a printer. PrintACube.com is worth considering if you want a ready-to-draft 540-card cube near the $100 mark. For authentic cards, compare singles against bulk lots before buying, because “cheap” can mean very different things depending on your goal. Singles are better when you need specific cards. Lots are better when you want maximum cardboard per dollar. Proxies are better when you want to test decks or protect expensive originals. Cubes are better when you want an entire repeatable format in one purchase. ProxyMTG.com And Bulk Proxies ProxyMTG.com is one of the better budget options for players who want bulk proxies and on-demand printing. The value improves as order size increases, which matters if you are printing a Commander deck, testing multiple decks, or building a cube. Before ordering from any proxy seller, check the reputation, production samples, card feel, customer photos, and shipping policies. Good proxy cards should be clearly treated as proxies, not as tournament-legal originals. They should also be readable, consistent in size, and easy to sleeve. Also check delivery times and shipping costs before buying. A low per-card price can get less exciting once shipping, tracking, taxes, and rush fees join the table like an uninvited combo player. Print At Home: Cheapest Route Printing proxies at home is usually the lowest per-card cost. It is not the prettiest option, but it works well for deck testing, kitchen-table Commander, cube prototypes, and deciding whether a card is actually good before spending money on the real version. For better durability, print on heavier cardstock or print on paper and sleeve the proxy in front of a bulk card. The sleeve and backing card do a lot of the work. You are not trying to create a museum object. You are trying to remember whether your seven-mana dragon is playable or just emotionally persuasive. Check local event rules before using printed proxies. Home-printed cards are fine for many casual groups, but sanctioned Magic events require authentic cards except for judge-issued proxies in narrow tournament situations. PrintACube.com Cheap Cube Option PrintACube.com is a useful shortcut for players who want a full cube without buying hundreds of individual singles. Its headline value is the ability to get a complete 540-card cube around $100, which is hard to beat if your goal is draft nights rather than collecting originals. This is especially attractive for cube beginners. Building a cube from scratch can be fun, but it also means choosing archetypes, balancing colors, sourcing cards, sleeving everything, and updating the list over time. Buying a ready cube skips a lot of that work. If your playgroup wants a repeatable draft experience and does not care whether every card is an authentic original, a ready-made proxy cube can be one of the most cost-efficient MTG purchases you make. Buying Singles Vs Lots Buy singles when you need exact cards. This is the right move for Commander staples, missing lands, sideboard cards, or format-specific pieces. Singles reduce waste because you are not buying 800 random cards to find three that matter. Buy lots when you want volume. Bulk lots are useful for new players, casual deckbuilding, school clubs, cube experiments, and anyone who wants a pile of commons and uncommons for cheap. Just understand that most lots are not secretly filled with expensive staples. Sellers also know how Google works. Compare per-card prices across multiple sellers. A $20 lot of 1,000 cards sounds great, but if shipping is $18 and the lot is mostly duplicate draft chaff, the value may be less impressive. On the other hand, a well-sorted lot with lands, tokens, commons, uncommons, and usable rares can be a great starter purchase. Local Sources And Community Local game stores are still one of the best places to find cheap MTG cards. Many stores have bulk boxes, discounted binders, damaged-card bins, and low-cost singles that are not worth listing online. Trade nights can be even better. Bring cards you do not use and trade into cards you actually need. For budget players, trading is often more effective than buying because you are converting dead collection value into playable cards. Also scan Facebook Marketplace, local classifieds, and community groups regularly. Collections appear when players move, quit, clean out closets, or decide that they have too many white storage boxes. Which, to be fair, is all of us eventually. MTG Cards: Quick Buying Tips Compare market prices across major trading sites before you buy. Do not rely on a single listing. One seller asking $12 for a $3 card does not make the card $12. It makes that seller optimistic. Check seller photos for condition accuracy, especially on older cards, foils, and higher-value staples. “Lightly played” can mean very different things depending on the seller’s eyesight and moral flexibility. Set alerts for price drops on targeted cards. Price trackers are useful for Commander staples, reprints, and cards that spike because of new set previews. If you can wait, waiting often saves money. Magic The Gathering Basics For Budget Buyers Rarity affects price, but it does not control price by itself. Commons and uncommons are usually cheaper because they are printed more frequently, while rares and

Where to Buy MTG Proxies: Best Sites, Pricing, And How To Order

TLDR The best place to buy MTG proxies depends on what you need. ProxyMTG.com is the best pick for deck-building tools and bulk pricing. PrintMTG.com is best for high-quality print on demand proxies with strong cardstock and service. ProxyKing.biz is best for single staples, dual lands, and realistic proxy cards. For print-at-home testing, use MTGprint. For cubes and large custom batches, consider ProxyPrintery or MakePlayingCards with MPCFill. Avoid PrintingProxies for bulk orders if price matters, since its published high-volume pricing is much higher than ProxyMTG and PrintMTG. Avoid Proxxied if you are trying to buy finished cards, because it is a browser-based print-at-home tool, not a finished-card seller. What This Guide Covers Buying MTG proxies can mean a few different things. Some players want a full Commander deck printed and shipped. Some want a few expensive staples for casual play. Some want a print-at-home PDF. Some want custom cards, double-sided cards, foil upgrades, or an entire cube. This guide is for players who want to know where to buy MTG proxies, what each site is best at, how pricing works, and how to place an order without creating a pile of unusable cards. The selection criteria are simple: print quality, cardstock fidelity, price per card, bulk-order value, ordering tools, decklist import support, turnaround, reputation, realistic appearance, and whether the site is better for casual play, playtesting, custom cards, or full-deck production. The short version: start with ProxyMTG.com, PrintMTG.com, or ProxyKing.biz if you want finished cards. Use MTGprint if you want print-at-home control. Use MPC if you are comfortable with a more involved workflow and want low per-card pricing on custom deck production. Why Choose MTG Proxies Players use MTG proxies for three main reasons: casual play, playtesting, and protecting expensive Magic cards. Casual play is the big one. Commander players often want to try a mana base, a few Reserved List cards, a cEDH shell, or a new deck idea without spending hundreds or thousands of dollars first. A proxy lets the group focus on the game instead of everyone’s collection value. Playtesting is another good use. If you are tuning a cube, testing a new Commander list, or trying cards before buying real copies, proxies save time and money. You can test ten versions of a card package before deciding which real cards are worth buying. Protection matters too. If you own expensive MTG cards, you may not want to shuffle them every week. ProxyKing describes proxies as stand-ins that let players avoid damaging high-value cards, especially expensive staples, dual lands, fetch lands, and other cards that can be costly to replace. Proxies are also useful for custom cards. Some players print custom commanders, cube cards, joke cards, tokens, alternate art versions, or entire deck projects. This is where services like PrintMTG, ProxyMTG, ProxyPrintery, MTGprint, and MPC start to feel very different from each other. How We Chose The Best MTG Proxies The first filter is print quality. A good proxy should be readable, centered well enough for sleeved play, and printed on cardstock that does not feel like paper in a sleeve. For higher-end orders, S33 German black-core stock is a common premium choice because it has a black-core center layer that blocks light and gives cards a more finished feel. The second filter is price. A few single cards can cost more per card and still make sense. A full Commander deck, cube update, or 500-card bulk order needs better pricing. ProxyMTG and PrintMTG both publish bulk pricing that drops as low as $0.30 per card at 1,000+ cards. The third filter is ordering friction. Decklist import matters. Searching card by card is fine for five cards. It is not fine for a full cube unless you enjoy turning admin work into a second hobby. The fourth filter is reputation and use case. Some sellers are best for realistic singles. Some are better for high-volume deck building. Some are better for home printing. And some are fine products but not the best value for the job. Best 6 Sites To Buy MTG Proxies For Deck Building 1. ProxyMTG ProxyMTG.com is the strongest first stop for players who want to print MTG proxies from a decklist, build large orders, and keep pricing clear. It is built around Commander, cube, casual play, and deck testing, with tools for browsing sets, searching cards, uploading lists, choosing versions, and checking out. Its main strength is bulk pricing. ProxyMTG lists a single card at $3, then $2 per card for 2–9 cards. Pricing drops as the order grows: $1.50 at 10–29 cards, $1.25 at 30–49, $1 at 50–74, $0.80 at 75–99, $0.55 at 100–199, $0.45 at 200–499, $0.35 at 500–999, and $0.30 at 1,000+ cards. That makes it especially good for full Commander decks, cube updates, and larger playtest batches. Ordering And Import Decks The cleanest ProxyMTG workflow is to upload a decklist or build a list inside the order tool. The site says users can browse the card library, choose versions, adjust quantities, and watch pricing update as the order grows. A typical order looks like this: ProxyMTG states that it prints on premium S33 German black-core cardstock with a UV coating, which is a good sign if you want cards that feel more like finished game pieces than paper inserts. Double-Sided MTG Proxies And Foil Options For double-sided cards, check the current order builder and ask support if the option is not obvious. ProxyMTG’s public customization guidelines mention custom backs and printed “holo stamp” style graphics when offered, but also clarifies that those are printed graphics, not physical foil stamps or authentication features. That distinction matters. If you need true foil upgrades or double-sided MTG proxies, confirm the option before placing a large order. Do not assume every proxy printer handles MDFCs, transform cards, custom backs, and foil effects the same way. Best for: full Commander decks, cube updates, large-volume deck building, and players who want strong pricing without building an MPC order themselves. Contact: ProxyMTG lists support@proxymtg.com as