Flavor is important... as is Flav.
Today I am going to take you on a trip down memory lane. But this time we are going to take the road not often traveled. We are going to look at a few cards that you may own, and might even have played, but you may not have stopped to smell the roses, as it were. The following are just a few of the gems I’ve come across in my time. We’ll take a look at three different types of desirable flavor text – Funny Flavor Text, Horrible Puns (Sorry) and Badass Flavor Text.
Horrible Puns – Ahh the classic pun. The groaners. How can you not smile at some of these? Some would argue that puns pull a player out of the fantasy, but I would completely disagree. Attachment to the game is built not just on your love for great cards, but amidst the entire emotional spectrum. Whether you cherish, hate, fear or loathe a particular card, you have essentially built a relationship with that game piece. Puns are just one of the ways the creators of the game remind you that they’re gamers too. They know they’re creating cards for real people out there who appreciate a good laugh (or groan). I do think its possible to ruin a classic card with a pun (like putting something silly on a Wrath of God reprint) but for the most part, I’ll give these a curtsy laugh.
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Funny – In a contest of hilarious flavor text (or any contest really)- goblins have no equal. The butt of most every joke, Goblins are a wonderful combination of humor and effectiveness. I’ve actually found myself reading the flavor text of these cards out loud as I play my goblin deck. Humor, injected at appropriate times, can really enhance the atmosphere of a game. Particularly in multiplayer, they add a lightness and relief to the sometimes heavy competition that can swell up, even in a casual atmosphere. Take a look through some of your old, unplayed cards and read some of the flavor text. You might just find one of your new favorite cards.
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Badass – Have you ever played a “stuff-it” card like Rebound or Shunt and just said the first thing that came to your mind? Maybe something like “I don’t think so” or “How about not?” Well, wizards understands that urge and has created some, for lack of a better word, “totally badass” flavor. Cards like Last Word and Aven Augur ooze big-pimpery. The best type of flavor text is one that makes me feel like a champ. Often, the condescending nature of a card like Last Word will ring (hopefully) with that of a more humorous tone. Jaya Ballard always seems to know what to say after casting her spells. From the classic “I think toast is an appropriate description” to the lesser known “Walls?- What Walls?” Jaya takes badassery to a whole new level. Feeling like a powerful Pimp-Ninja-Wizard is the goal of any hot blooded MTG enthusiast.
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Flavor text is oft overlooked but can add so much to your gaming experience. I am reminded of the outrageous deck descriptions on the backs of the old pre-constructed decks that are so incredibly hilarious I’ve gone back to read them more than once. So take a look at some of the cards in your decks, as well as your collections. You might be surprised at the nuggets of fun and flavor that have been staring you in the face all these years.
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On an entirely different note I wanted to take this opportunity to direct you towards a really great site for buying Magic singles. While there are many choices for purchasing MTG singles, AllMagicCards.com is one of the only sites I’ve used that lets you not only view prices from multiple sites, but lets you buy them all in the SAME shopping cart. You can also do the same with selling. Is your normal store not buying your new Birds of Paradise? Try the several stores on AllMagicCards.com and find one that is. Give it a try. Also, I’d just like to add that GatheringMagic is not a shill for any outside company including WotC. We tell it like it is and I wouldn’t recommend another Magic related site if we didn’t honestly believe in it. Give it a try next time you’re buying or selling cards.
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Flavor text is great. At the very least it givestyou somethign to do while your opponent(s) make decisions.
Although I miss the first few years where they quoted Poe, Shakespear, and Frost. That was flavor!
Flavor text is awesome, another good one from goblins, “Everyone but me, Charge”. Sorry its been so long boys!
You make a good point, but have you thought about how it may affect other people? I do not say you are wrong, I just want to point out that there is more than one side to this story.