A short story I wrote for Noah Bradley’s The Sin of Man was recently posted. Check it out! 

Rorix’s Dramatic Irony

Want a fun fact about the flavor text for the new Rorix Bladewing in Eternal Masters?

Since we already know Rorix’s ultimate fate, I wanted to create a bit of dramatic irony in the card’s updated flavor text, while still paying homage to the original.

The line “In an attempt to restore pride to Shiv” is a direct reference to Rorix’s OG flavor text of “restore broken pride to their race” to help reinforce the fact that he is the same old dragon we love. The part about “forging an undying legend” is meant to hint at the fact that Rorix will ultimately die and rise again as a zombie. Sorry Rorix!

Oh, and that last bit about the Grand Colosseum in Otaria? That part was written specifically for 14 year old me. The pit fights of Otaria was, and still is, my favorite setting in all of Magic. Dont ask why. :D

Valkyrie: Prologue

For some, war was synonymous with death. Mountains reverberated with cries of agony and rage while shields splintered beneath the thrusts of pointed spears. Dry dirt transformed into slick mud as axe wielding warriors tore each other limb from limb. Soldiers fell in defeat, spilling blood onto the earth and souls into the sky.

Uthbert gazed across the battlefield. Two fighters traded blows while the God-Twins Ragnaki and Lorok watched, arguing with one another over which warrior should win. Skjolda the Stone Maiden stood vigilant behind a forming wall of shields, reinforcing the defense with an approving nod. Valkyries ascended on black feathered wings, carrying the souls of dead men home to dine with The Crow-Father. Uthbert smiled as he watched his gods complete their work, each playing a hand in forging the battle’s fate.

For Uthbert, war was synonymous with divinity.

Ant’s new... face?

Hello all!

I have decided to overhaul my tumbler slightly.

Before, the blog was very much geared toward Magic: The Gathering. Recently I have begun working hard on some additional projects that are not related to Magic, projects I would love to post about and share with all of you! But first, I figured I would need to change things up a bit in order to facilitate these non-Magic related postings. 

So I did! :D

My Twitter and Facebook all got similar facelifts in order to tie everything into my new website www.anttessitore.com making everything all matchy and stuff. I like when things are cohesive I guess? :|

Anyways... figured I should post about the change and that I am very excited to share some new things soon. 

As for you Magic: The Gathering fans out there, fear not! I am still writing Names and Flavor Text and will still post stuff about Magic and the Snack Time Podcast. 

Really I’m just here to say I hope you like the new look, and that there is a bunch of stuff on the way. :D 

<3

Ant

Genderbent versions of Urza, Tibalt and Koth

Sketches by MTG artist Victor Adame

Sea Gate Wreckage

Oath of the Gatewatch previews are finally upon us!

http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/card-image-gallery/oathofthegatewatch#

Oath was the second writing team that I was a part of, and with it comes more stories about some of the names and flavor texts I wrote that made their way to print. 

Sea Gate Wreckage is one such card, as I wrote the flavor text for this rare land. 

I was very happy with this particular text because I was able to tell two very separate stories in a single line. 

Once a center for knowledge, Sea Gate now serves as a reminder of what was lost.

Story wise, this line is straightforward. Sea Gate used to be a functioning location on Zendikar. Kozilek showed up and punched it, and now Sea Gate is a ruin. 

Mechanics wise, this line is far more subtle. This land is powerful because you can pay three mana and tap it to draw a card. The catch is that you can only use this ability if your hand is empty. 

The line creates a parallel between Sea Gate and your actual hand in game. When your hand is full of cards at the beginning of the game, it is much like the old Sea Gate (a center for knowledge). Having a fist full of seven cards is a wonderful feeling. 

When your hand is empty, you can activate the wreckage and draw a card. While drawing a card is always great, having only one in hand does not feel as nice as having a full fist of seven cards at your disposal. Using this ability will remind you that you are running out of gas (a reminder of what was lost).