Hatred Outlives the Hateful | Magic's Best Flavor Text

[@smerdopsis6092]

Drainpipe Vermin- "When times are tough, the poor eat the rats. When times are tougher, the rats eat the poor."

[@metaljeffenc]

yes!

[@kelseycampen4318]

My god you're right, I knew the flavour text the second you said the card name

[@briantinsman9592]

Hey, I wrote that ftext for Rancor! Really flattering to see the praise! Keep up the awesome videos.

[@RhysticStudies]

holy smokes. thanks for stopping by again, Brian: I'm stoked to finally find the author!

[@briantinsman9592]

Let me look through my old files and I can show you my many rejected ftext pieces for Urza's Legacy. :)

[@Nykolara]

Brian Tinsman any chance those ftexts could become public? I'm sure many Magic enthusiasts would love to be able to read it! Thanks for the great flavor!

[@jorgef.guerrapineiro8894]

Any chance you could share them?

[@lukesalter9600]

You should get a play mat with the flavor text in bold over the art of rancor. I would buy it

[@BLHLF]

My favorite flavor text has always been for Goblin Assassin. "The more victims he kills, the more likely he is to get the right one." Both silly and explains what the card does.

[@Darth_Fatass]

Goblins have the best flavor text. "Let's play 'Sled'. Here's how it works: you're the sled."

[@rraune7515]

Some of my favourites are "Fire, aim, ready" from Goblin War Strike and "Step1: Find your cousin. Step2: Get your cousin in the cannon. Step 3: Find another cousin" from the Fodder Cannon.

[@CCAndPinkie]

bob8065 Goblin flavor text really showcases how actual Goblins would really act, their foolish, reckless and delightfully cruel behavior. They’re like 3rd graders.

[@ohmygoditisspider7953]

@@rraune7515 dude I don't even play this game and you unlocked an ANCIENT memory of having a starter deck with fodder cannon in it. btw you guys have good settings. we have dnd books for theros and ravnica. I've used the guild rules in ravnica in almost every one of the 5e games I've run.

[@dylanmcla]

"You. Poet. Be sure to write this down." -Fabled Hero

[@davidhassan3023]

Dylan McCollum one of my favorites from theros

[@vutava8292]

I really hope that's an intentional Diskworld reference.

[@LeoJS98]

check this one out ! one with nothing : when nothing remains, everything is equally possible

[@NStripleseven]

Heh

[@johnbaird6752]

Gives me Name of the Wind vibes

[@shimsham9113]

the flavor text of traumatize is easily the best in all of magic the gathering "He was left with just enough memory to remember what he lost."

[@nv_johan8711]

Thonk

[@juleswinter7083]

Balthor also had a similar text In French, it can be translated to “he remembered enough of his life to weep what he had lost”

[@JeremyHoffman]

Interestingly, the first printing of Traumatize in Odyssey went with whimsy flavor text: "Dreads had half a mind to leave." It's a solid pun that aptly ties into the rules text (literally, discarding half of a player's deck). But it doesn't fit for a card named "Traumatize", does it? Next version, in 9th edition: "You won't know what you're missing." Again, a bit too quippy, and this time it doesn't even reflect the rules text. In 10th edition and Magic 2010: "The educated mind is heavy with lore and knowledge. It's also the most likely to collapse under its own weight." -Ambassador Laquatus A bit dull. Finally in Magic 2011 and Magic 2014, we get the heavy-hitting flavor text that is finally worthy of the name "Traumatize": "He was left with just enough memory to remember what he lost."

[@dj_koen1265]

This always hits me, because i feel it regularly And i know what it feels like to experience such a state of mind

[@holy_oreoo8594]

I love that card! Best surprise in my EDH deck

[@beerasaurus]

Favorite whimsy is the card Goblin Offensive. "They certainly are."

[@Schnokers]

Reckless Cohort: You have a family, Mine died at sea gate. You go to your's and I'll go to mine. My heart...

[@redultra4324]

Schnokers goosebumps

[@Ilovevidgames123]

Damn, dude. I don't even play Magic. That flavor text is making me sympathetic to a fictional character on a card I've never seen in a card game I've played once in a training-wheels, hand-of-someone-who-knows-how-to-guide-you-on-your-back kind of way.

[@m3ntal_floss937]

Schnokers it pulls the heartstrings and gives that card meaning. I use it just because of that.

[@rhymeswithmoose228]

An absolute king

[@B1gLupu]

Damn, thats a tearjerker for sure

[@NickOnFire1490]

"Greatness, at any cost." 4 words that just perfectly encapsulate the color black and its beliefs.

[@johnbaird6752]

Hot take: this is the best flavor text in MTG history

[@zackerychapman7193]

that was the one that came to my mined too. Bob for the win

[@aritargownik]

Also a pun of sorts relating to the mechanic of the card

[@spencersmith4373]

Reminds me of Swain from LoL

[@SymmetricalDocking]

This is easily number one. It's memorable and iconic. It perfectly and poetically represents the card, and even calls back to the situation that lead to the card existing in the first place.

[@danielgehring7437]

My favorite flavor text: _"The willow knows what the storm does not: that the power to endure harm outlives the power to inflict it."_ -Blood of the Martyr

[@SoulRippster]

That's actually brilliant.

[@marcodambrosio4711]

[@poolfuhrer]

And of course the one example I could think of was already mentioned two years prior >:(

[@MerlinTheCommenter]

Unless the harmed is killed 🤷‍♂️

[@BornToBeUai]

WOW

[@elipetrou9308]

One of my other favourite ones is canal monitor. “The first goblin tried to swim the canal. The second built a raft. The third and final goblin launched herself from a fire canon and soared over the canal, trailing smoke. All three were eaten, but only one was cooked.”

[@SFLBrave]

My favorite flavor text is on the card Last word. "Someday, someone will best me. But it won't be today, and it won't be you."

[@animemaniac2]

Lol

[@ariksanderstuckwisch1604]

SFL Brave I may fall, the flavor text.

[@CapRock9900]

Ariksander Stuckwisch I understood that reference.

[@william4996]

I dont play or collect mtg cards. But I have that card. I love it.

[@IdentityChrist]

@@ariksanderstuckwisch1604 That's one obscure reference I found, holy smokes.

[@kozlowskinator6056]

One of my favorites is the text from Abomination of Llanowar: "Run!" screamed its living mouths. "Come!" cried its dead ones.

[@daplague7282]

Same man, it's the commander of my elves deck and the flavor text was a large part of that decision. It just hits different

[@lathier]

Funny, I thought the agreed upon best flavor text of all time was: Gerrard: "But it doesn't do anything!" Hanna: "No - it does nothing."

[@yugen]

Anyone remember the old Something Awful thread about a quote similar to this? msgboard.snopes.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=32;t=000374;p=1

[@shieldgenerator7]

whats this from?

[@jmanwild87]

@@shieldgenerator7 null rod. My favorite is from the exodus version of mana breach "The wizard had it all. Until she tried to use it."

[@tychoMX]

This one is great. And the connection with the Collector Ouphe that has a similar effect and has a Rod amongst the stash.

[@InTheMistByTheHills]

I remember opening Tragic Lesson at HoU's pre-release and loving the flavour. It reads: "Though Kefnet's followers feverishly searched his last words for some final riddle, they found only the gurgles of a dying god."

[@PicoPlaytime]

InTheMistByTheHills the artwork for that card is outstanding. Really hammers home the tragedy.

[@lucarioknightb7685]

This one was sad af

[@scatmanfan2]

"Man was matter, that was Kefnet's secret. Drop him out a window and he'll fall."

[@elipetrou9308]

Kefnet was the first mythic I ever pulled. Hits even harder to me

[@RicoLoco52]

There's a card in the newest set 'Adventures in the Forgotten Realms' named 'Split the Party'. The flavor text is simply 'Don't' and it's perfect.

[@eldritchexploited5462]

It's very solid advice

[@tylerspeegle108]

@@eldritchexploited5462 if your an inexperienced group

[@ToxicAtom]

I feel like Damning Verdict would have been better served with a single word flavor text. Seeing the gavel come down in the art and the board devoid of foes, a single _"Guilty!"_ ringing out would be much more powerful.

[@B1gLupu]

I have waited for them to print a counterspell with the flavor text of just "No"

[@vee-bee-a]

​@@B1gLupu There's a similar card to Counterspell in Arkham Horror the Card Game from the Mystic class, if that makes any difference.

[@torysaccount5753]

“You say this Tenth District, not Rubblebelt. But where smash happen, that Rubblebelt. Rubblebelt state of mind.“ - Urgdar, cyclops philosopher

[@memejohnson3022]

Really makes you thonk

[@lucasdargert4265]

Ahead of his time

[@melissalutherpendragon]

Why does this make for a great reggae song?

[@poyo0000]

Beautiful

[@CloudCuckooCountry]

My favourite flavour text is from Unsummon, M13 edition: *Not to be. That is the answer.* Concise, witty, makes you think, AND a literary reference. 10/10 imo

[@alexchen2519]

There are many words and phrases that can cause an experienced wizard to tremble in fear. Chief among them is "oops." I love this one.

[@B1gLupu]

At the academy, "show and tell" too often becomes "run and hide."

[@TheRealSpellstar]

"she wished for gold, but not for the strength to carry it." from Glittering Wish is one of my favorites

[@raze956]

i actually remember that one too. the other wishes were nice as well!

[@TheRealmDrifter]

"I love lightning! It's my best invention since the rock." -Toggo, goblin weaponsmith.

[@RhysticStudies]

this is great.

[@melissalutherpendragon]

Omg, this is where the Commander Legends card is from!

[@captainchaos5705]

My favorite flavor text of all time is Black Knight's "Battle doesn't need a purpose; the battle is its own purpose. You don't ask why a plague spreads or a field burns. Don't ask why I fight."

[@ad-96magdumps87]

Similarly, one of my favorites is actually Blood Knight. It may be a bit much but paired with his art, I absolutely love it. "His is the fury of the wildfire, the boiling blood of the volcano. He fights you not because you've wrong him, but because you are there." And with this being a red card, I think it sums up that color perfectly well.

[@captainchaos5705]

@@ad-96magdumps87 it's just a mindset that has helped a lot with motivating me particularly for working out. I don't do it for some self image or for others. Improvement is the purpose, working out is the purpose

[@JakeEnglishVS]

My favorite flavor text comes from Near Death Experience: Lands ravaged, cities in ruins, so many lives sacrificed, and yet there was no other word for it but victory.

[@velvety2528]

one of my all time favorites is darksteel plate. "If there can be no victory, then I will fight forever."- Koth of the Hammer

[@Vesdus]

And then he was reprinted in the art Phyrexian Arena. Such an awesome Planeswalker.

[@tombrown407]

"Its diet consists of fruits, plants, small woodland animals, large woodland animals, woodlands, fruit groves, fruit farmers, and small cities."

[@aylamaiia]

Tom Brown which card is that?

[@ajjdgj6tmgedvnmtmek]

Enormous Baloth

[@RagingRugbyst]

@@ajjdgj6tmgedvnmtmek the good old green ramp slam the vanilla fatty decks... the memories...

[@crumbs7826]

BALOTH!!!!!

[@milocebatron5249]

There's a friend in the group we call Baloth, that is how we salute him XD

[@ezraszanton8685]

Yes wrath of god is cool without flavor text. But what if it had the flavor text from totally lost?

[@RhysticStudies]

hahahaha. touché.

[@Zondac]

Talk about elevating the card huh

[@lucasdargert4265]

Fblthp is my one, true god

[@eirikwf1]

"Fbhltp had always hated crowds. So he absolutely nuked them."

[@NStripleseven]

Lol

[@OnlyZunkin]

"Time passes. Time crawls. Time doesn't move at all."

[@RhysticStudies]

holy smokes, that one is so good!!

[@gameinsane4718]

Hey just like my graveyard shift lol

[@davispo7550]

I like Skullcrack's flavour text the most: "The lawmage's argument was clever and well reasoned, but Blunk's response proved irrefutable." It syncs up with and calls back to both the name and art of the card, and adds a bit of world-building and whimsy to an otherwise brutal concept

[@skoolier]

An older version of Lava Axe simply reads: "Catch!" and I still say that to people when I do it to them on draft night whenever it's legal, despite the current text saying something mundane about a cinder hatchet

[@uscilid]

one that always stuck with me was anarchist: "those who do not follow are doomed to lead"

[@PixelBush]

"Sometimes death comes knocking. Sometimes it tears down the walls." Army of the Damned. Adore that flavour text.

[@WWFanatic0]

When you scroll comments and notice a DBD creator...

[@TastySnackies]

One of my favorite comes from Mana Leak; "The fatal flaw in every plan is the assumption that you know more than the enemy." It has always resonated with me not only as a lesson in how to play Magic, but how to handle the perspective of someone else. You don't know their life's experiences, and to assume so can backfire in the most spectacular way, especially when deciding in how to interact with them.

[@Collisto2435]

Brother's War came with a card called Audacity, which is a sort of homage to Rancor. Not only does it also give a creature +2/+0 and trample, but its flavour text reads 'Bravery outlives the brave.'

[@cdanggg]

"Don't just have an idea -- Have all of them" --Niv-Mizzet

[@sepiajoy2871]

Caleb Dang Always loved that

[@Rishkar-Peema-Pants]

Enter the infinite

[@TecKirb]

From War of the Spark, one of my favorite pieces of flavor text has to be heartfire: *The mage looked within and realized there was still one piece of fuel to burn.* The way that meshes in with the desperate nature of the set and the fact you have to sacrifice someone to cast it really hits home on this one, especially with the card art to go with it.

[@exiledhero3791]

I go to reckless cohort’s in the same vein: “You have a family. Mine died at Sea Gate. You go to yours, and I'll go to mine."

[@calebthecondor]

Well said, love this one

[@wiartalexandre9349]

Talking about Zepellin (and especially Bonham) just makes me love this channel even more!!! Gorgon's head (Born of the Gods) has a flavor text that cracks me up, silly one though: "You slew the gorgon? Show me." --King Igalus, last words

[@RhysticStudies]

that one is great!

[@gwalden]

Hahahahahha

[@samb9645]

Yes!!! I was looking for this and just put up my own comment about it

[@myrsta5764]

Time of Heroes is one that stuck with me: No one spoke. There was no need. The threat of the Eldrazi presented a simple choice: lay down your weapons and die for nothing, or hold them fast and die for something.

[@KuroAcedia]

Wow. Fuck.

[@gochadc]

I just love the rats tribe flavor text and how it represents the way society looks at rats and also the representation of the mechanic of discarting cards: "Nothing is sacred to rats. Everything is simply another meal" "When times are tough, the poor eat the rats. When times are tougher, the rats eat the poor" "Rats come in one amount: too many"

[@gochadc]

Senpai noticed me!

[@JeffGodofBiscuits88]

"When times are tough, the poor eat the rats. When times are tougher, the rats eat the poor." -Drainpipe Vermin

[@eldritchexploited5462]

Humorously, IRL rats are actually very empathetic and intelligent little critters.

[@calebhorowitz8057]

My Top 10 flavor texts: 1: Vesuva: "It is everywhere you've ever been." 2: Vorel of the Hull Clade: "I used to hurl rocks and eat scraps of meat burned over a fire. Look at what I've become and tell me Simic does not hold infinite possibility." 3: Vanishing: "Careless, like a child with fire, was I with time." 4: Blazing Archon: "Through the haze of battle I saw the glint of sun on golden mane, the sheen of glory clad in mail, and I dropped my sword and wept at the idiocy of war." 5: Obliterate: "For his family, Barrin made a funeral pyre of Tolaria." 6: Llanowar Elves: "One bone broken for every twig snapped underfoot." 7: Hatred: "I will flay the skin from your flesh and the flesh from your bones and scrape your bones dry and still, you will not have suffered enough." 8: Ogre Resistor: "He didn't have a word for 'home,' but he knew it was something to be defended." 9: Lyra Dawnbringer: "You were not alone. You never were." 10: Wandering Ones: "I saw them once, when I was a child. They led me to my parents' arms when I was lost. Why have they abandoned me now? Why won't they take me home again?"

[@Level_1_Frog]

"But..." - City of Ass. Best flavour text hands down.

[@jakedanielsen4512]

Da fuck is the City of Ass

[@Manakyn]

The five types of flavor text: 1. quotes from literature 2. world-building 3. dialogue 4. goblins 5. stand-alones

[@RhysticStudies]

I laughed.

[@Lashnakh]

I think Loyal Cathar and (flipped side) Unhallowed Cathar together tell a fantastic story. A soldier afraid of becoming a zombie is reassured that his soul is protected by the angels, but on the flipped side we can see that his fears were fully realized. It shows the breakdown of the Avacyn faith - and it's waning power to offer any real protection against the mounting evil - quite beautifully. And the timing of the conversation makes it almost seem like a camera cut in a movie or something, how the reassurance only comes after we already see him turned. It's a great use of the two "scenes" flavour text can play with on a transforming card.

[@jackhuber6835]

I love how the first one has vigilance and the second can't block.

[@NextstepBadger]

"Paradox? We'll worry aboutt that yesterday!" One of my personal faves.

[@jackrubyultima]

"These fiends are slightly less tolerable than you." "A sentiment that warms my heart, sister."

[@jsnipn]

Canyon minotaur: "We'll scale these cliffs, traverse Brittle Bridge, and then fight our way down the volcanic slopes on the other side." "Isn't the shortest route through the canyon?" "Yes." "So shouldn't we-" "No."

[@kuromoriroyal2291]

one of my favorites ever.

[@DotHackerBlackWing]

@@kuromoriroyal2291 same

[@timothymclean]

I remember seeing that flavortext and thinking "This joke is kinda weak. I prefer the Conflux flavortext...shame it only works for Alara, though." For reference: "On Jund, the deep canyons were the best places to hide. When the goblins wandered into Naya, they found that was not so true."

[@gwalden]

That's my fav flavor text

[@supersaiyanweegee5599]

My faves (all whimsical) "Its diet consists of fruits, plants, small woodland animals, large woodland animals, woodlands, fruit groves, fruit farmers, and small cities." "'Ach! Hans, run! It's the lhurgoyf!' -Saffi Eriksdotter, last words" "'The purpose of existence is simple: everything is fuel for the magmaw.' -Jaji, magmaw worshipper" "'Early olive buds? A good omen. Flock of crows? Not so good. Mountain exploding? Bad. Very, very bad.' -Hira, street oracle" "Many who cross Sorin's path come down with a sudden and fatal case of being-in-the-way-of-a-millennia-old-vampire." "'If I fight, I might step on a butterfly. That would be sad.' -Krowg of Qal Sisma" "Step 1: Find your cousin. Step 2: Get your cousin in the cannon. Step 3: Find another cousin." "'And if I'm lying,' he began . . ." "'These kids today with their collector numbers and their newfangled tap symbol. Twenty Black Lotuses and twenty Plague Rats. Now that's real Magic.'"

[@jushthehermit]

Intrepid Hero: "A fool knows no fear. A hero shows no fear."

[@Promaxer]

Delver of Secrets flavor text is another good piece of literature... tells a full story with the help of the art. "Unfortunately, all my test animals have died or escaped, so I shall be the final subject. I feel no fear. This is a momentous night." -Laboratory notes, final entry

[@multibomble]

I think my favorite part about clear a path is that the guards on it are a card, and their flavor text is "none may pass. For free."

[@shieldgenerator7]

whats the name of the card?

[@multibomble]

@@shieldgenerator7 Basilica Guards

[@ricardoalmeida9926]

Loved the video, as always. I wonder why nobody ever talks about Fit of Rage's (sixth edition) flavour text: "Anger is fleeting, remorse is eternal." - Karn, the Silver Golem Not only does it complement the card and the art perfectly, as it gives you something to think about.

[@moralessanchezoscarelias6412]

Agreed! It also tells us about the character, his personal moral code!

[@ssn_toby4956]

Ricardo Almeida rageing goblin is awesome flavor text

[@MisterMomotaro1996]

Morales Sánchez Oscar Elías not just his moral code. Karn is a really tragic, melancholy character and it fits perfectly with that.

[@rhymeswithmoose228]

Ayy, I have that one.

[@gotliebj1]

“I’d be happy to stop contradicting you, just as soon as you start being right.”

[@harryertai4718]

"Don't laugh, it works" Armadillo Cloak Brilliant !

[@KuroAcedia]

I've had this card since I was a child but I never really understood the flavor text

[@jakikazu]

KuroAcedia You play it on an enemy’s creature and give it +2/+2 and trample, but you gain life equal to the damage it deals, so it can even net you life if you block intelligently.

[@JeanValjean875]

@@jakikazu You can play armadillo cloak on your own creatures.

[@dylanmcla]

"If I fight, I might step on a butterfly. That would be sad." -Krowg of Qal Sisma Pacifism has some amazing texts through the years.

[@samb9645]

I remember that one

[@starlitnight6982]

Pacifism was my favourite card xd

[@Glacius91]

Oh man, I hoped that you would mention my favorite one, Reflecting Pool: "Does it reflect the future that once was or the past that can never be?" This flavor text just got me forever obsessed, it's so great.

[@peterbillings3276]

Wasn’t sure if I personally liked (or understood) the flavor text you quoted enough for me to “like” your comment, but then I saw you profile picture (currently Ginko from Mushishi). Sold. XD

[@elipetrou9308]

I still don’t understand it lol

[@zardecil9419]

It's even better wordplay when you consider self-reflection, and how in mental health: 1. Anxiety is worries about the future. 2. Depression is about things in the past that went wrong. So, does it reflect the future that once was possible? Or does it reflect the past that can never change?

[@lyanderthegreat663]

"When defeat is near and guidance is scarce, all eyes look in one direction." -Command Tower

[@amassasa]

I love the flavor text of Crested Craghorn: "Craghorns experience a wide range of emotions: rage, fury, anger... " ___Foothill guide

[@wiartalexandre9349]

It reminds me of two others... Ill-Tempered cyclops: "A cyclops has two moods: angry and asleep." Spiked Baloth: "If a baloth isn't hungry, it's dead."

[@battosaijenkins946]

@Rhystic Studies, What a terrific video. I remember a flavor text that I can't seem to remember a name but was really funny. It was something like, "I got it... I got it... I got.." and it ends there. Always makes me chuckle!

[@patrickgutmann6563]

Battosai Jenkins I think you mean the card “Mog fanatic“

[@gasman5555]

My absolute favorite is the Enormous Baloth with the flavor text "Its diet consists of fruits, plants, small woodland animals, large woodland animals, woodlands, fruit groves, fruit farmers, and small cities."

[@elaine7136]

I like Go for the Throat: “Having flesh is increasingly a liability on mirrodin”

[@lucarioknightb7685]

“In a healing world, I write-I, who will never be healed. Let my last gift to you be one of memory; from a thousand lost thoughts, choose one, and remember my name.” Tragic Poet, Dominaria. Gives me literal chills. Somber, fitting, a gentle reminder of a scarred world and the people trying to make life mean something there.

[@Loaderiser]

"As I died, I rejoiced. I would see my family again. But then I woke up back on the battlefield. Back in Kamigawa. Back in hell." -Kenzo the Hardhearted

[@giantotter319]

That's that white spirit legendary! I remember me pal playing a deck with it.

[@simplecliche5833]

Loaderiser wrong, yomiji, who bars the way

[@simplecliche5833]

Loaderiser unless there’s some story line stuff that I’m missing

[@cinderheart2720]

Really feels like something from WWI

[@multibomble]

Matthew piano Kenzo the hard hearted is literally part of the text

[@dapperghastmeowregard]

I've always liked Wandering Ones "I saw them once, when I was a child. They led me to my parents' arms when I was lost. Why have they abandoned me now? Why won't they take me home again?" -Unnamed beggar Like, it makes prime use of the real estate provided by being vanilla, and just kinda provides a quiet moment that gives them a place in the world and summarizes the effects of the Kami war without being overly cringey or expositional.

[@Caseyuptobat]

Gruul Charm still has my favorite flavor text of any card: "Not Gruul? Then die!" -Borborygmos The mechanics of the card all make sense on their own, but only through the flavor text can you understand why they are all together on the Gruul Charm >Creatures without flying can't block this turn The non-Gruul player will die >Deal 3 damage to each creature with Flying Creatures which cannot possibly be Gruul will die >Gain control of all permanents you own That which is rightfully Gruul shall not die, and instead shall return home

[@nealmuir6207]

"Try to pretend like you understand what's important." -Fact or Fiction. Something about the gameplay of this card coupled with its iconic flavor text and the way you feel hopeless against it encapsulates such beauty.

[@QvsTheWorld]

"Of course you should fight fire with fire. You should fight everything with fire." -Jaya Ballard, task mage

[@dj_koen1265]

This flavour text makes me appreciate the card “ fight with fire” much more I wish a lot of cards that Didnt have flavour text had them And I wish a lot of good flavoured cards like jayas immolating inferno Were at least somewhat playable

[@danielgolubchik2023]

i’ve always loved the flavor text for heartfire: “The mage looked within and realized there was still one piece of fuel to burn” does a great job of tying into the cards mechanic of sacrificing a creature to deal damage

[@karfsma778]

My favorite nonexistent flavor text is Murder. Just three words on the card. Destroy Target Creature. That's all. Nothing else.

[@yotyytoy9294]

Jackson Mccreery, “it’s not work if you enjoy it.”

[@JonaxII]

Mine is 4th Wrath of God, for the Same reason. 'Bury All Creatures.' nothing more to say there.

[@scottcisek2376]

Nothing worse than cheap spot removal

[@grayroot141]

Time Walk. "End the turn."

[@cosmcbun]

I agree, and Vindicate (A25) is good for the same reason.

[@mrjanemba]

"My mind has changed. My strength has not." -Kamahl, Fist of Krosa. if you take every argument made for Rancor's flavor text that makes it great, it applies just as much, if not moreso, to Kamahl, Fist of Krosa. Text that fits on a single line. Text that refers bavk not only to the first kamahl card, but also refers to his growth and change as a character in mtg canon. Most importantly, however, it's ability to resonate with those who read it. People change. No one is who they were a month ago. a year ago. or whenever it was that you an opening hand for a first time and realized that this game would change who you are and how you perceive other gaming experiences you have. But no matter what changes you've made or have had forced upon you, you're still here. and if you can still stand on your own two feet, if you can get up after life shoves you down, thrn you damn well wont let anyone forget how hard you can push back. Your circumstances will change. Your opinions will change. the people you hold dear, they just might change too. But who you are, deep down inside. that power within. it doesnt matter if it strikes like lightning or overruns the obstacles in your path. youre still you. dont let anyone forget it.

[@RhysticStudies]

I can dig this.

[@TreespeakerOfTheLand]

This sums up the experience of being a trans woman really well. Thank you :)

[@PaddyMcMe]

@@TreespeakerOfTheLand Oh God.

[@Solusist]

It doesn't think It doesn't feel It doesn't laugh or cry All it does from dusk til dawn Is make the soldiers die

[@FrostJarl]

- Onnean Children's Rhyme Always loved Phyrexian Hulk's old flavor text.

[@jondeoliveira8248]

Solusist That Card was amazing, the original drawing, coupled with the fact that the flavour text was a children's rhyme, made the Phyrexians feel like such brutal, apocalyptic, and world-ending monsters, like every place they conquered was just so transformed afterwards, that the guttural and mechanical violence they inflicted became extremely common even to children.

[@Solusist]

I mean, it was absolute shit mechanically. But the flavour was amazing - I even think the old "rusty" card frames they used for artifacts back then added to the effect.

[@LaserfaceJones]

Solusist I posted the same thing without looking. God damn, that one sticks out and takes me back.

[@TheCarribeanCat]

Solusist Yes! This is my favorite flavour text, especially combined with the amazing art. Shame it was such a short lived combination.

[@zacharyrichard3830]

I really like Utter End: "I came seeking a challenge. All I found was you." -Zurgo, khan of the Mardu

[@AlphaInvestments69]

Your videos are so polished and well spoken. Great Work Sam

[@starmorpheus]

@@billowen3285 lmao

[@coitis2002]

I always loved Eternal Witness’ flavor text, “She remembers every word spoken, from the hero’s oath to the baby’s cry.”

[@lilgiantrobot6169]

"For his family, Barrin made a funeral pyre of Tolaria." What 8th Edition did to Obliterate should be a crime.

[@Thor8151990]

Barrin is easily my favorite character from the MTG universe, it's a shame he was "just" a wizard so he'll never be printed on another card.

[@cheesushcrust4545]

This reminds me so much of a quote from my favorite book "we will make a pyre of this city, and there shall be no weeping for its passing, for none will remain to weep."

[@Jake_the_tank]

@@Thor8151990 :)

[@nerothewizard]

My two favorites are Goblin Offensive - "They certainly are." - and the original Mad Prophet from Avacyn Restored - "There's no heron in the moon! It's a shrew! A five-legged shrew with a voice like whispering thunder!"

[@TheSimicSlaw]

"Your first mistake was thinking I'd let you live long enough to make a second."-mental misstep

[@Tugel11]

"There's nothing to worry about." - Just the Wind

[@sophieharris3496]

Not a bad one, I feel like it doesn't need flavor text though.

[@javaguru7141]

@@sophieharris3496 I think it's helpful to avoid "whooshing" players who don't catch the meaning :)

[@nomukun1138]

I've never heard such a reasonable explanation for disliking Gorilla Titan's text.

[@RhysticStudies]

Ant is brilliant. I lucked out to snag an interview with him.

[@Sorain1]

It also limits the art options for future printing if you want to keep that flavor text.

[@CollinM24]

"If there's anything a werewolf hates, it's a collar- especially Avacyn's Collar, the symbol of her church. You see, Avacyn hunted werewolves, but mostly just the ones that hunted humans. Most of them did, but it's worth pointing out that some didn't. Who knows? In the future, if Sorin (the planeswalker who created Avacyn (the Angel God thing that the people of Innistrad worship at churches (where holy symbols of Avacyn's Collar are kept, like the one pictured), and who basically considers Sorin her father) comes back, maybe the balance in the world can be restored or something. But it seems unlikely that such an event would happen. For now, let's just focus on the fact that this werewolf is destroying a collar and that the collar happens to be the symbol of Avacyn, the guardian Angel of Innistrad, where both the werewolves and Avacyn are from."

[@egoalter1276]

Thats an actual flavourtext?

[@CollinM24]

Not exactly - it's a satire of the flavour text of the card Ancient Grudge, which reads: "If there's anything a werewolf hates, it's a collar- especially Avacyn's Collar, the symbol of her church." - kinda one of the shittiest and most unnecessarily drawn out instances of flavour text in the game.

[@Khyrberos]

y o u s h o u l d w r i t e f o r W o t C

[@FishMr3]

*Read in a Ben Shapiro voice*: "Let's say hypothetically that you were a werewolf. Now, logically you would dislike collars, right? Now let's say for the sake of argument that you were being hunted by Avacyn, the guardian angel of Innistrad. Clearly you would dislike her too, right? So, imagine if you will that you were presented with a collar of Avacyn, the symbol of her church. Clearly you would hate it, right? And therefore it follows that you, a werewolf, would try to destroy Avacyn's collar, the symbol of her church, am I not correct?”

[@qpalzm4949]

@@FishMr3 brilliant

[@gaiusjuliuspleaser]

Sorry, Sam, but the best flavor text is Counterspell from Tempest. "It was probably a lousy spell in the first place." as you counter your opponent's most important combo piece... intensely satisfying.

[@gusf1840]

"Not all heroes die in armor" Blessed Spirits (Origins)

[@dylanmcla]

oooof

[@LawnPygmy]

The art makes it.

[@Squireissocooli]

"Some trade in goods, some in secrets. My soul has walked the futures, and I offer the rare coin of possibility." -Magus of the Bazaar

[@patterofheads256]

My favorite flavour text has always been Reparations: "Sorry I burned down your village. Here's some gold."

[@Mat-tg4fk]

Really hammers the authoritarian nature of blue white that gilds itself in a "redeemable" shine that black normally doesn't concern themselves with. On top of that the flavor text is light hearted, cynical AND enhances the ability of the card.

[@Hoshiningen]

My favorite flavor text would be "Each year that passes rings you inwardly with memory and might. Wield your heart, and the world will tremble." from Doran, the Siege Tower

[@misterspaceman9563]

From one of my favorite cards in function art and lore, Anguished Unmaking "Sorin had created Avacyn, so it was a cruelty beyond imagining, a pain beyond description, that it fell upon him to end her forever."

[@RosieMode]

with this, take the flavor text of live fast: "When you have the chance, take it. Laugh, sing, dance. Don't allow the night to end."

[@movezig5]

hellinabottle What I like most about that card is that it gives a rare glimpse into a lesser-seen aspect of Black's color philosophy. It might be the most positive take on Black's self-interest.

[@CollinM24]

"Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

[@LunariosLP]

It also captures the nature of the aetherborn in a perfect way, some storytelling there. Great on so many levels!

[@LionbugLP]

+Collin Mitchell I somehow thought of GRRM when I read that

[@XpPotions]

And when the time comes, let go. Nothing lasts forever.

[@TheXBladeist]

"The Battle is won. There's Work to be done. / The Blessed Sleep must wait. / A fiend is about. It stalks the devout./ I'll save them from my fate." - The Good Geist's Vow. My favorite flavor text. It invokes feelings of heroism, tragedy and solidarity. It's just so beautiful it brings a tear to my eye.

[@nonofyabidnez5737]

Crash of Rhinos has a flavor text that really stuck with me: _"Love is like a rhino, short-sighted and hasty; if it cannot find a way, it will make a way."_

[@shieldgenerator7]

life finds a way

[@calebthecondor]

I didn’t know this one actually 10/10 thats great

[@korbenstone4849]

Passwall Adept “My doors are called trespassing, my signatures, forgeries. They don’t respect my talents, and I don’t respect their labels.”

[@DankAudioStash24]

[@NinjaDaemen]

Step 1: Find your cousin. Step 2: Get your cousin in the cannon. Step 3: Find another cousin.

[@_Olorin]

One of my favourites is the one for Goblin Piker: "Once he'd worked out which end of the thing was sharp, he was promoted to guard duty". As you said, it elevates the card. The goblin looks dim-witted in his badly fitted armor and the 2/1 card has no other text, it's just another goblin to use in the front lines.

[@alistairgraham3643]

"All memory of your existence will be wiped from reality. You will die, and no one will mourn." -Memnarch Fifth Dawn's Door to Nothingness flavour text remains the most brutal, shiver inducing flavour I've seen on a card.

[@solidkingcobra]

One of my favorite flavor text as of right now is with Lyra Dawnbringer *"You are not alone. You never were."* (one single manly tear)

[@mawillix2018]

One of my favorites that I haven't seen mentioned is that of Arcane Laboratory. "Too many wizards spoil the spell, but too many spells spoil the wizard. -Sign on entry to arcane lab" For quick reference: Arcane Laboratory 2U Enchantment Each player can't play more than one spell each turn.

[@RhysticStudies]

this is great! thank you for putting it on my radar.

[@TheBoss4711]

MawilliX For addtional quick reference, it's actually "2U" lol.

[@mawillix2018]

Derek Albanese Whoops! You're completely right. xD

[@Ezghiel]

My favorite has to go to Day of Judgment from Zendikar: ""I have seen planes leveled and all life rendered to dust. It brought no pleasure, even to a heart as dark as mine." -Sorin Markov

[@FoodtimeFoodtime]

"Murder" without flavor text is love. I have one from M13 in foil, Its perfect.

[@RhysticStudies]

I'm very partial to M13, so this does sound perfect.

[@floataway3]

Hands down my favorite flavor text of all time. It doesn't let you laugh about anything, or give you something pretty to look at or admire. You just straight up cold blooded murdered something, and the card doesn't give you anything to forget that fact. Just three words: "Destroy target creature." Then they went and ruined the whole aesthetic the conspiracy printing.

[@voxolotl6894]

I love the text they gave it in Eldritch Moon. "It's not work if you enjoy it."

[@spidermonkey7280]

Same. It's my favorite foil, and one of my favorite magic cards ever. Perfectly designed

[@hacksignify]

Like how disturbing is that? "Destroy target creature" Like it's trying to imitate the action itself, a void where a soul use to be.

[@MrTombombodil]

"Each year that passes rings you inwardly with memory and might. Wield your heart, and the world will tremble." I loved the treefolk from Lorwyn block, they had such a noble, gentle, wise, ancient flavor to them, and Doran's flavor text combines with the inscrutable might of the card to create something truly special

[@jeremybds1901]

One who goes unpunished never learns. Grim Tutor

[@sancturillore]

My favorite flavor text in MtG is "Phyrexian Negator"'s "They exist to cease."

[@sancturillore]

Their function is to cease the existence of others, and so they exist to cease. Then, there's also how when they are damaged, things on your side also cease to be.

[@ethancarter115]

My personal favorite flavor text is the one on the tarmogoyf reprints "What doesn't grow dies, and what dies grows the tarmogoyf"

[@bernhardlangers778]

"The enemy has been destroyed, sir. So have the forest, the city, your palace, your dog . . ." One of my all time favorites on a card reserved for desperate times.

[@AscendedBeyond]

One of my favorite recent flavor texts is from Oketra's Last Mercy: "In the end all Oketra did was for others". Really gave me some weird feelings.

[@TheGahta]

Phyrexian arena: a drop of humanity for a sea of power Everything i love about black in one sentence :)

[@r.r.theninja6812]

He raged at the world, at his family, at his life. But mostly he just raged.- Raging Goblin

[@halfpintrr]

I like Omniscient. "The things I once imagined would be my greatest achievements were only the first steps toward a future I can only begin to fathom." - Jace Beleren It's inspiring really. Your best will pale to the possibilities of tommorow, don't stop creating. Also, the Jace snark cards are fun.