Flavor Judge MTG Card
Text of card
: Choose target spell or ability that targets a permanent you control. Then ask a person outside the game if the story of what will happen makes sense. If they say no, sacrifice Flavor Judge and counter that spell or ability.
"...and now they're trying to make a brick wall on my property fight a dinosaur to the death."
Cards like Flavor Judge
Flavor Judge finds its niche within the diverse universe of Magic: The Gathering’s silver-bordered cards, designed for a lighthearted approach to gameplay. Resembling cards such as Rules Lawyer, Flavor Judge also interacts uniquely with the game’s rules. Where Rules Lawyer dictates state-based actions can’t cause permanents to be destroyed, Flavor Judge offers a whimsical twist by allowing a player to settle disputes regarding flavor text or card interpretation.
Another parallel can be drawn with Barren Glory, which has a win condition based on the absence of cards and permanents. Flavor Judge doesn’t carve a path to victory but influences the game through clever language and interpretations, much like Barren Glory’s unusual condition calls for strategic depletion of one’s own board. Cheatyface shares the humorous, unconventional spirit of Flavor Judge. It can be sneak into play; however, it lacks the adjudicative role that makes Flavor Judge a unique piece on the board.
Ultimately, while there are similarities among these quirky cards, Flavor Judge stands out in MTG for offering a distinctive play experience that encourages players to engage with the game’s text in a completely new light, adding an additional layer of strategy and fun.
Cards similar to Flavor Judge by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Flavor Judge card offers players a unique way to utilize their knowledge of the game’s lore, transforming flavor text into a strategic gameplay element. With the capacity to assess and leverage certain cards based on their flavor text, this card can enhance a player’s hand and overall strategy.
Resource Acceleration: One of the key abilities granted by Flavor Judge is its potential to affect the battlefield indirectly. Although not directly akin to producing mana or tokens, being able to judge cards for their flavor could, in certain game states, expedite resource access through careful selection and deck synergy.
Instant Speed: Flavor Judge operates at instant speed, providing players the flexibility to respond quickly to an opponent’s moves. This adaptability can be a crucial advantage, allowing for surprise tactics and on-the-fly decision making that can disrupt an opponent’s strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Flavor Judge card imposes a discard condition that necessitates you to lose another card from your hand. This demand for an extra card could put you at a disadvantage, especially when your hand is already dwindling or if you’re required to part with a substantial gameplay component.
Specific Mana Cost: Flavor Judge’s mana cost demands a particular combination which could be restrictive. Its dependency on a precise mix of mana types might not align well with decks that are structured around a different color scheme or that prioritize mana flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that some might consider on the higher end of the spectrum for its effects, players might find that Flavor Judge competes directly with other cards that can potentially offer more impact or versatility for the same or lower cost.
Reasons to Include Flavor Judge in Your Collection
Versatility: Flavor Judge is a unique card that can have a place in decks that appreciate a whimsical edge. This card provides a fun and interactive way to engage with game mechanics, enhancing the casual play experience.
Combo Potential: For players who enjoy exploring creative combos, Flavor Judge offers a quirky way to interact with Silver-bordered cards. It can pair well with cards that have unusual or humorous text, opening up inventive gameplay strategies.
Meta-Relevance: While not a staple in competitive formats, Flavor Judge is perfect for Un-set or silver-bordered focused games where its ability to assess flavor text shines. It’s a card that can turn a regular match into a memorable experience, adapting well to kitchen table meta where fun and flavor are just as important as performance.
How to beat
Flavor Judge brings a unique twist to the gameplay of Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to dictate the terms during discussions about card interactions can turn the tide of a battle. Encountering Flavor Judge on the board requires a strategic approach. To effectively counteract this card’s influence, players can consider deploying instant-speed removal or counterspells prior to engaging in complex card interactions where Flavor Judge’s input might be decisive. By proactively managing the field and making key decisions away from its oversight, a player can mitigate the impact of Flavor Judge.
Employing creature-based strategies that rely on battlefield presence rather than the stack can also nullify Flavor Judge’s advantage. Such tactics focus on setups that are not prone to its rule-bending influence, ensuring that the critical aspects of gameplay remain outside its purview. Another robust approach is to leverage graveyard-centric strategies, placing less emphasis on the current state of play and thus sidestepping the potential leverage Flavor Judge holds.
Overall, the key to overcoming Flavor Judge lies in minimizing situations where its unique ruling can be exercised, thus maintaining control over game outcomes and diminishing the card’s potential to swing the game in the opponent’s favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Flavor Judge MTG card by a specific set like Unsanctioned and The List (Unfinity Foil Edition), there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Flavor Judge and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Flavor Judge Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-02-29 and 2022-10-07. Illustrated by Mike Burns.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2020-02-29 | Unsanctioned | UND | 4 | 2015 | Normal | Silver | Mike Burns | |
| 2 | 2022-10-07 | The List (Unfinity Foil Edition) | ULST | 3 | 2015 | Normal | Silver | Mike Burns |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Flavor Judge card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-02-29 | If the outside person says the story makes sense, nothing happens. The spell or ability will resolve (unless something else happens in response). If you control more than one Flavor Judge, or if you have a way to untap it, you can try again with a new outside person. While we can’t stop you from trying again with the same person, we encourage you to really think about whether that’s a good use of everyone’s time. |
| 2020-02-29 | While players are discouraged from trying to overtly influence the outside person toward a desired answer, you may use tonal inflection, gestures, and the like to make your telling of the story more interesting. Simply explain what’s going to happen and let them decide if it makes sense. |