My Top 20 Flavor Texts in Magic History

Every Magic player at some point has wondered, "Why do Magic cards have flavor texts?" or "When and why did Wizards of the Coast decide include them?" The reasoning behind flavor text is most likely strongly connected to the fact that Magic: The Gathering exists in a multiverse with its own places, legends, and epic figures. You might still find a trace of this in the comics, books, and other published stories behind the various expansions and eras of the game – and I'm not only referring to Urza and Mishra. Everything else follows…

The Criteria for My Ranking

Let me already begin by saying that this is not a competition or some sort of award; these are my personal selections because I must admit, I haven't read all the flavor texts of all the Magic cards in existence. (Any of you actually have?) Basically, I chose cards that I remembered as, "This has a wonderful flavor text, doesn't it?" as well as cards popular for precisely their flavor text. Some, however, are suggestions from friends.

I also personally tried to avoid texts that referred to specific names and characters i.e. planeswalkers and similar others. I wanted flavor texts with "general value" and with phrases that were "out of time and context", making them valid even outside the world of Magic and the game.

Last but not the least, please mind the edition of the card that I've chosen, as flavor texts can change between versions e.g. from Invasion versus from the Eighth Edition.

Now, for those who want to just get straight to it, here we go! The last card will be my top favorite.

The Countdown to Flavor

 #20 Darksteel Plate

"If there can be no victory, then I will fight forever."

There's not much to say about the flavour text in – huge motto, fighting and competing for the sake of it without being too dependent on victory. That's how many Magic players are like!

#19 Goblin Sledder

"Let's play 'sled.' Here's how it works: you're the sled."

is here to represent all the "funny" flavor texts, although I personally don't love it that much. (Otherwise, this list would be a collection of cards from U-expansions.)

#18 Primeval Titan

"When nature calls, run."

has a simple yet very effective text. This here is for all you mana rampers and lovers of green beasts. A good card indeed!

#17 Ancient Tomb

"There is no glory to be gained in the kingdom of the dead."

This text brings with it some reflection… I, myself, have witnessed many games wherein the player was at 2 or 1 life and could have won the game by tapping , but couldn't. Predictive!

#16 Wasteland

"The land promises nothing and keeps its promise."

has a similar feel to Ancient Tomb. Yes, I like nihilism and the tone of the card. It's also already a very popular card further boosting its flavour text's popularity.

#15 Yawgmoth's Bargain

"He craves only one commodity."

I have ALWAYS loved this flavor text, mostly because I adore . It's clean, simple, and direct. It's tuned to the feeling of power you get when you have this dude in play.

#14 Obliterate, Eighth Edition

"The enemy has been destroyed, sir. So have the forest, the city, your palace, your dog..."

This flavor text perfectly depicts the feeling of an . It's definitely useful to read this BEFORE you cast the card!

#13 Mana Leak

"The fatal flaw in every plan is the assumption that you know more than your enemy."

's flavor text is one that I rate in the 'wisdom' category. True wisdom starts from humility and Socrates' moto "know thyself". Awesome.

#12 Fodder Cannon

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

is another example of "funny" flavor texts. As I've already mentioned, I don't love them, but this one has always made me laugh.

#11 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."

This pairs perfectly with another flavor text that I will be posting some positions ahead. is particularly remarkable because, in my opinion, hate is a feeling that Magic players know very well. And this text is a mantra for haters.

#10 Black Knight

"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."

could have easily been #1 if you try read it loud and made it part of Game of Thrones or a phrase from a videogame. It's just tenth for me, however, because the phrase is quite long for a mantra.

#9 Grafted Skullcap, Seventh Edition

"Every day, I fight for my life and win. Every night, I fight to remember my name and lose."

At this point, you might be thinking that all my choices are similar. I admit, I have a kind of "epic-pessimist" taste. And among such cards, is absolutely one of the best.

#8 Vindicate, Eternal Masters

"I have seen entire civilizations rise and fall. You mortal are but dust to me."

There are few words to describe . Just imagining the face of Sorin Markov saying this flavor text is enough.

#7 Stifle

"If I wanted your opinion, I'd have told what it was."

is an absolute classic and a phrase that I've heard many times outside MTG.

#6 Juzam Djinn

"Expect my visit when the darkness comes. The night I think is best for hiding all."

I'm not neutral with this since [Juzam Djinn] one of my favorite cards of all time. Also, the text is a milestone in Magic history.

#5 Rancor

"Hatred outlives the hateful."

is the card connected to that I mentioned above. It's a single, but unforgettable sentence. It sounds like dogma.

#4 Akroma's Memorial

"No rest. No mercy. No matter what."

An easy picture. A no brainer for a flavor text. has what every power player needs to say in front of a mirror before a tournament.

The Podium

#3 Last Word

"Someday, someone will beat me. But it won't be today, and it won't be you."

I know could be #1 for most of you. This could easily be a movie sentence in the top 10. But it's just too popular and too obvious to be at the very top.

#2 Squandered Resources

"He traded sand for skins, skins for gold, gold for life. In the end, he traded life for sand."

Astonishing phrasing and true wisdom here. Absolutely worthy. Also, ' image contributes to its epic-ness.

#1 Dark Confidant

"Greatness, at any cost."

And here we are with . Bob and his unforgettable motto. His heritage to every Magic player, both in the game and in actual life. The difference is that in the game, you have to sacrifice some life points to draw some extra cards. In real life, you have to consider the actual costs you will have to pay to reach it. But anyway…

May greatness be with you!

Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily Cardmarket.