Welcome back to my review of Core Set 2020's flavor text. This review will individually cover every piece of flavor text in Core Set 2020. In the process, patterns will emerge, questions will be raised, and references will be expounded upon. In the end, having inspected each tree, maybe your appreciation for the forest will grow.
Last week we covered the white, blue, and black cards of Core Set 2020. Today, we'll be focusing on the red, green, and multicolored cards, and we'll finish up on Wednesday with artifacts, lands, and a deeper look at the multipart works Siege of the Bone Spire and Lament for Bala Ged. As a bonus on Wednesday I will also be reviewing the flavor text of the Core Set 2020 Planeswalker Deck cards.
Let's get started.
Red
Act of Treason
She learned a tragic lesson that day: even the purest can be corrupted when the heart's emotions are twisted.
A classic. One of the best-known examples of Red's dominion of emotion. While the emotion here is anger, the concept paved the way for things like Enthralling Victor whose similar effect twists…other emotions.
"Furballs? Try dealing with Fireballs." —Chandra Nalaar
Chandra would turn owning a pet into a contest, wouldn't she? Chandra's affinity for cats has come up before. We saw back in Kaladesh that the stray cats of Ravnica were attracted by the warmth of her higher body temperature.
Chandra's Outrage
"There's plenty of fire to go around." —Chandra Nalaar
There's a lot of Chandra quotes that largely amount to saying there's a lot of fire. This one does have the benefit of also referencing hitting more than just the target creature.
Chandra's Spitfire
"I've lit most everything on fire—trees, rocks, even the water. Now it's time to burn the clouds."
So, about how Chandra really likes pointing out just how much fire there is... I don't think this sounds all that cool or intimidating, but I do believe Chandra thinks it does.
In many ways, that's better.
Daggersail Aeronaut
"Coming down is the best part!"
In all honesty, I don't get it. Is it something hang gliders say? Have goblins fallen out of the sky so many times they've evolved to enjoy it rather than experience fear?
Destructive Digger
“I love digging. It gives me lots of time to think about how much I love digging.”
Keep in mind how much they seem to love their job when we run into some other goblins below. This reminds me a little of the humor found in the English Duel Masters' flavor text, which I dearly miss.
Dragon Mage
"Yes, it's huge and strong and breathes fire. But we're smart!"
—Tadith the Wise, last words
Gotta love ‘last words' flavor text. There's a delightful schadenfreude to witnessing such follies. Most dragons are actually pretty smart.
Drakuseth, Maw of Flames
"Spread out your idiots! Spread out!"
—Marsden, party leader, last words
With Dragon Mage, the mistake was glaring. Here, Marsden would normally be onto something. Rather than highlighting the deceased's folly, this highlights Drakuseth's unique talents.
Ember Hauler
Not every job on the goblin army is glamorous. Actually, *no* job in the goblin army is glamorous.
What's interesting is that while outsiders look at goblins and see nothing glamorous, one would think that this is a matter of cultural differences. Surely goblins have a different perspective on the matter. Nope. Even the goblins think their army sucks.
Fire Elemental
"The best way to learn from a book on pyromancy is to burn it." —Jaya Ballard
I understand what Jaya is getting at, but I still flinch at the mention of book burning. Surely there's a way to get this sentiment across without invoking that particular image.
Flame Sweep
"I have calculated that a dragon in flight, in a single strafing run, can cover an area of—"
—Thaedus the Clever, last words
This set is killing it with the last words. Many a Thaedus has brought their clever combos to FNM only to get swept by mono-red.
"I'm afraid your dinner got a little . . . overcooked."
—Marlan Farthwald, innkeeper
I get the sense Marlan just learned this spell and was overeager to try it out. The full concept seems a bit removed from the mechanic, or even the art, but not by enough to be a real issue. The ellipsis, however, is completely unnecessary.
Goblin Bird-Grabber
"I opens my mouth to catches the bugs!"
See, this guy's excited by his job. Maybe the ember hauler is just jaded.
Goblin Smuggler
"I am but a humble traveler. I have no taste for sneakery nor thiefiness."
Another piece of text that excels in elevating the name and art. Has there ever been a more blatant lie? Additionally, ‘sneakery' and ‘thiefiness' are fun almost-words that add an extra chuckle.
Infuriate
"No shirt, no shoes, no service."
—Marketplace sign
Magic has moved away from using real-life quotes as flavor text. This is the closest we're likely to see. Everyone has seen this sign, and it's funny to think it is a multiversal constant.
Keldon Raider
Keldon raiders' spoils are limited to what their colos can carry. No matter the value, the rest goes up in smoke.
This manages to convey an aspect of Keldon identity that won't exactly be news to returning players. However, as previously stated, this is a core set, so there's going to be some ‘flavor onboarding process.'
It also references the card's rummage effect (what the raiders are flavorfully doing is looting, but canon isn't beholden to out nicknames for mechanics). It may not be the most memorable or quotable, but it's good, solid, and does its job.
Lavakin Brawler
She swings with the ease of flowing lava and hits with the force of a meteor.
Even this were just metaphor, it would sound cool. It takes what could be a flowery description of a real-life martial artist and makes it into something fantastical.
Maniacal Rage
Rage is the culmination of an accelerating cycle of anger and violence that feeds itself in battle, spreading like a flame from one warrior to another.
What's interesting here is that this manages to be quite emotionally intelligent. Rage is a vicious cycle and, because people are empaths, it can spread. Here the metaphor really is just a metaphor, one with great emotional intelligence. It is a deeper insight than a warrior might give in the heat of the moment, yet it uses charged enough language to feel at home on the battlefield.
Marauding Raptor
"Stand still and try not to look like prey!"
—Skerk Hobnett, wilderness guide
I'm shocked that this isn't credited as Skerk's last words. The whole ‘dinosaurs' vision is based on movement' thing is a myth, one I hadn't even heard in years.
Pack Mastiff
Their loyalty is not to any master, but to the pack.
Short and sweet, this incorporates the card's ability and doesn't overstay it's welcome. Nothing special, but nothing wrong either.
Rapacious Dragon
"Surely it won't notice if I take—"
—Theria the Sly, last words
More last words! Once again, we delight at the foolish downfall of an ironically named hero. Dragons are known to defend their horde with extreme prejudice, and there is a precedent for them even having a sixth sense for when even a single coin is moved.
Reckless Air Strike
"I have a great idea!"
Best I can tell, this great idea is hunting gulls by strapping a goblin to a cannonball and handing them a net. If the goal is to catch a meal, then this is a terrible idea. If the goal is to make us laugh, then yes, it is a great idea.
Reduce to Ashes
"Before they can go to their final rest, the wicked must be purified by fire." —Harra the Adjudicator
Taking place on Innistrad, it makes sense that the church would burn the dead. It eliminates some (but not all) ways their Blessed Sleep could be interrupted. Such practice is common in worlds with provable afterlives. For example, the flavor text from the Guildpact printing of Cremate tells us Ravnica has a cremation industry to prevent the Golgari from grown too large.
It's in the nature of fire to grow.
This text manages to recontextualize a simple statement of fact to describe the magical phenomenon depict on the card. A simple and elegant trick which is harder to pull off than it might appear.
Ripscale Predator
Dinosaurs rarely understand the idea of boundaries between the wild and the urban landscape.
Most dinosaurs don't live on Ravnica. Considering how long dinosaurs have been around, urban development is a fairly new concept, maybe their catch on oneway, or maybe the End-Raze will arrive and the distinction rendered moot.
Scampering Scorcher
"Keep your flammables out of reach."
—Kerin, watch sergeant
All around good advice. It's interesting how fantasy settings make even mundane rules of thumb into absolute imperatives.
Scorch Spitter
"Yes, she can be a nuisance. But at least my tea never gets cold." —Marlan Farthwald, innkeeper
A quote from the same innkeeper we heard from on Fry. Considering how reckless Marlan is with fire, its a miracle the in hasn't burnt down.
Shock
"I love this thing! It's my best invention since the boulderfist gauntlet!"
Kaladesh posed the unique challenge of re-flavoring what are normally magic spells into magepunk inventions. How do you get Shock on a world without wizards? An artificer that like building increasingly destructive gauntlets.
Tectonic Rift
"You will kneel before me, even if I have to split the earth under your feet!"
—Ash Kronor, Keldon warlord
This is the sort of threat or declaration one might hear from a warlord without the power to back it up. The fun thing about fantasy is people can back up their outlandish claims. On the other hand, it seems like it would be hard to kneel when falling down a chasm.
Uncaged Fury
The cage is a crucible for the rage that builds inside, refining it into something pure and terrible.
A slightly clunky metaphor, but sleek enough to work.
Unchained Berserker
Sathros turned his restraints to revenge.
I'm unclear on exactly what's happening, but I think Sathros gets his +2/+0 from swinging the chains around. It's not the tightest flavor package, but it works well enough.
Green
Brightwood Tracker
"Many have walked here, but there is only one trail I seek."
I would have expected the tracker to comment on their ability to discern one track from the many others. Leaving it unsaid belies quiet confidence that sets this elf apart from many others in their profession.
Centaur Courser
"The centaurs are truly free. Never will they be tamed by temptation or controlled by fear. They live in total harmony, a feat not yet achieved by our kind."
—Ramal, sage of Westgate
I have my suspicions that Ramal's outside view of the centaurs is somewhat romanticized. Thus far there's no way of knowing, we haven't visited this plane.
Feral Invocation
Nylea's sacred lynx guards those who honor the Nessian Wood and hunts those who don't.
Sometimes it's enough to just stick a pertinent piece of world-building onto the card. No metaphor, no joke, no boast, just a statement of where this card fits in the world of Theros.
The strongest pack has the fiercest pups.
If pups are raised by the pack, then this stands to reason.The only problem is an 0/1 isn't exceptionally fierce and relies on the grown Wolf token. This undercuts the flavor text's claim.
Greenwood Sentinel
Within a mile of the woodland, you will feel her eyes upon you. Within its borders, you will feel her blade.
Elves being protective of their woods is the oldest of Magic tropes, dating back to Llanowar's policy of "One bone broken for every twig snapped underfoot." This elf won't even wait for you to snap a twig. Intimidating and thematically consistent, this is solid flavor text.
Growth Cycle
"Shed your faded husk! Emerge sleeker and stronger!" —Tyris, fauna shaman
We have something resembling an incantation here, though less likely than Counterspell's to be read aloud every time it's cast, especially since it's going to be played any time in one game for best results.
Healer of the Glade
"Grief and rage and nightmares fade
Where hope and comfort make their stand."
—*Lament for Bala Ged*, stanza 4
More Lament for Bala Ged. Considering how Yarok's doing I'd hold off on saying the nightmares have faded.
Howling Giant
He and his pack sing the same mournful song to the moon.
The way this is worded makes me wonder if the giant and wolves came together from a mutual connection to the moon or if the giant adopted the wolves singing once he'd joined up with the pack. If it's the latter what brought them together? I'd like to know more about this giant and the world they inhabit. As far as I'm concerned, that means the flavor text is doing its job.
Leafkin Druid
"I am rooted in the life of all that thrives around me. You cannot move me."
The text references it's wall-like stats, and it's drawing power from other creature's presence. It does its job, but little more.
Loaming Shaman
"The living don't ever stay living, and the dead don't always stay dead."
—Jeddeg, philosopher of graves
This is a fairly memorable quote, and I would like to heat more grave philosophy from Jeddeg. Throw in the fact it has a fairly direct connection to the cards effect, and we have a winner.
Mammoth Spider
"If a careless elf ends up caught in a spider's web, we must expect nature to take its course. Do not blame the spider for being a spider." —Dellin Berting, Tolarian entomologist
As much as spiders terrify me, Dellin is right: they're part of nature. If someone gets bitten (or in this case, eaten), well, that's on them.
Might of the Masses
The Joraga elves never need ask a troll to leave their territory. They merely grant it their combined strength, and it can't resist embarking on a merry rampage.
This is some inventive and impressive reverse psychology. I do have to wonder how the Joraga are so sure the troll won't rampage through their territory.
Natural End
The haunted blade shattered, and the geist drifted gratefully to the Blessed Sleep.
I suppose a haunted blade could be considered an enchanted artifact, so this beats out a lot of other Disenchant style cards for conveying it's full utility.
It is an expert at culling individuals who stray too far from the herd.
This sounds quite intimidating but isn't this what any predator does? What makes this different from a lion or a wolf? Maybe the idea is that most spiders don't display this behavior. If the idea is to distinguish this spider from others, then this text fails to execute.
Nightpack Ambusher
A strong leader means a growing pack.
A claim that can be true in both human and beast. For some, it's advice. For other's, it's a warning. In this case, the player who casts it is the former and their opponent the latter.
Overcome
"Forward! Until the horizon is ours!" —Khemses, charioteer
A remarkably aspirational battle cry depending on the plane. Whether literal or not, it is an inspiring call.
Plummet
"Even the pterodon, who chases the clouds from its skies, must bow to the great forest below."
—Mahuiz, Sun Empire archer
Sometimes a quote tells more about the speaker than the subject. Here we see the worldview held by a Sun Empire archer, the pterodon's fate is secondary.
Pulse of Murasa
"Little flower twirl and bloom, arise from this your rocky tomb. Little warrior slash and brawl, be born again to free us all."
I am a sucker for rhyming couplets. Generally, I prefer ominous or creepy ones, but these are well crafted and sure to be someone's favorite.
Rabid Bite
"You should have seen the look on both their faces."
—Morkamp, Lambholt innkeeper
A classic. It's a fun spin on a common saying that pairs well with the ‘Man Bites Dog' art.
Season of Growth
"Awake, and lift your faces to the sun."
With so much rules text the space for flavor is more constrained than usual. This manages to fit the tone of the name and art as much as anything can in less than 40 characters.
Sedge Scorpion
Thakolides the Mighty
Slayer of minotaurs
Vanquisher of giants
Killed by a scorpion
—Inscription on an Akroan grave
A slightly different take on the same idea behind ‘last words' flavor text. A grave inscription has the added benefit of a bait and switch. Those great feats are somewhat undercut by their lowly fate. Note that scorpions can be quite dangerous. Don't make the same mistake Thakolides.
"In times of need, the forest creates its own protectors."
—Vivien Reid
Is this Nature Facts™ Vivien or threatening Vivien? The answer is yes.
Silverback Shaman
The apes of Yavimaya draw strength from the spirits of their ancestors.
More world building from David Attenborough. Short sweet and tells it like it is.
Thicket Crasher
"Tread too hard in the forest and it will tread on you in return."
—Vivien Reid
Nature Facts™ with Vivian Reid: come for the Irwin-esque awe stay for the thinly veiled threats. People felt whiplash between Vivan's flavor text and her personality in the web fiction. Just like the nature she loves Vivien contains multitudes.
Thrashing Brontodon
It cares more about preserving the herd's territory than about preserving itself.
What a noble dinosaur. Littlefoot here wants to keep the territory natural and free of civilization so much that it would give its life. You could say it would sacrifice itself to naturalize the environment. Yes, this text is simply the rules text in prose. Not the most clever example of this trick but, just like the card, it does its job.
Vorstclaw
Roots reach deep, and sometimes they tap into things better left undisturbed.
It may sound like the tagline on a horror movie poster. Considering Vorstclaw inhabits Innistrad that's perfectly acceptable. Part of me thinks it too on the nose, part of me loves it.
Wakeroot Elemental
"When the forest walks, it's too late to run." —Horent, Khalni druid
Interesting that this is attributed to a specific druid, as it feels like the sort of thing that would be an old saying. It's the sort of choice that one doesn't normally think about, but its worth considering every once and a while. Whatever the case, it's a good quote.
Woodland Champion
"Every footfall on the forest floor is a heartbeat sending strength into my veins."
There are a lot of variations on this idea throughout the set see ( Leafkin Druid ), and each had a unique enough voice that they do not feel overly repetitive. This stands as a testament to the value of having a variety of voices working on a set's flavor text.
Multicolor
Corpse Knight
"With each knight that rode out from the bone-white keep, the queen's soldiers felt their courage failing."
—Krinnea, Siege of the Bone Spire
More Siege of the Bone Spire; at this point, I'm going to hold off on further analysis until the end.
Creeping Trailblazer
The destruction of a wildfire with the tenacity of a jungle vine.
The contrast and combination of opposing forces (both destruction and tenacity as well as wildfire and foliage) not only sounds cool but is one of the better justifications for an elemental that represents something which is not generally considered an element. The other source of opposite-elementals are the Izzet's Weirds on Ravnica. While the Izzet spend countless lab hours constructing weirds, this oddity came about naturally.
Empyrean Eagle
All the birds of the skies are the spirit's brood, gathered for safety under its wings.
This is quite the claim. It's reminiscent of the Ur-dragon or Arahbo, yet the card is not legendary. Even if it were only the birds of a single plane oughtn't the eagle be legendary?
Ironroot Warlord
"Alone, it's a fortification. At the head of its troops, it's a battering ram." —Skerk Hobnett, wilderness guide
It's always nice to advertise a creature's versatility. It's a fortification, it's a battering ram, it will even do your taxes! My only question is: If it's alone, what is it fortifying? Itself? Ultimately the text is referring to the fact that without other creatures the card functions as a wall. While the phrasing is a stretch, it's probably close enough.
Kethis, The Hidden Hand
"The pen is mightier than the crown."
I think Kethis is meant to be from Fiora. Considering our last visit showed the beginning of the end for monarchy, this quote has the potential to foreshadow and resonate with the next Conspiracy set.
"The raging gale fans the flames of righteous wrath."
I know this meant to be a saying, but I have absolutely no idea what it means. Perhaps when we learn more about Kykar, it will make sense, but for now, it sounds cool but signifies nothing.
Lightning Stormkin
"I strike in the same place as many times as necessary."
The idea that a belief like ‘lightning never strikes twice' would exist in a world full of wizards is hard to swallow. In a world that has wizards made of lightning, I can only imagine such an idea would be offensive.
Moldervine Reclamation
"The heroes of the past nourish our spirits by their example—and nourish our crops by their decay."
—Jeddeg, philosopher of graves
More from Jeddeg, philosopher of graves. This isn't quite as catching has their previous quote, but it still contains solemn insight. No matter the deeds in life, we all end up in the same dirt. It's a theme found throughout literature and philosophy, from the worms of Hamlet Act IV, Scene 3 to Diogenes' sifting through bones.
Ogre Siegebreaker
"What he doesn't burn, he smashes." —Captain Wellis, ogre wrangler
It's important for an ogre to have multiple talents. I suppose the idea here is that when Ogre Siegebreaker deals damage that's the burn, then if the victim survives, the activated ability is the smash.
Risen Reef
"No, not 'washed' ashore. It walked ashore."
—Shafring Hulm, beachcomber
One of the oldest joke constructions in the book, such humor must be used wisely and sparsely. Does it work here? I imagine that will be a matter of some debate. Like Destructive Digger, it reminds me of the sort of flavor text found on English Duel Masters cards.
Skyknight Vanguard
"Jump! NOW!"
In an art form where economy of language is key, congratulations should be given on conveying the spirit of a card in just two words.
Yarok, The Desecrated
"Yarok grieves within the waste
of Bala Ged's corrupted land."
—Lament for Bala Ged, stanza 1
Yarok, whom we've heard of through the rest of Lament of Bala Ged, sounds remarkably sympathetic here. Ultimately, Yarok seems to be causing some amount of turmoil. As with Siege of the Bone Spire, the totality of Lament and Yarok's nature will be addressed once all other cards have been reviewed.
Interlude
That finished off the colored cards of the main set. Is there a particular piece that you enjoyed? Feel free to comment! Come back Wednesday for the final installment, where I'll cover artifacts, lands, and the Planeswalker Deck cards, as well as taking a deeper look at Lament for Bala Ged and Siege of the Bone Spire.
