While Traitor's Reach was never released to the public, a leak has all the card images for the last 10 years! Here it is, the final article in this series!
by u/SomethingAboutCards
Traitor’s Reach
And here we are: Traitor’s Reach, the set that could have been. While this set was, sadly, never released, we still know what cards we would have gotten, and there are plenty of great references in there as well.
Bulomp: MC Hammer, “U Can’t Touch This
"Can't touch these." -- Bulomp's motto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otCpCn0l4Wo
If you were born anywhere close to the 90’s, knowledge of this song is already ingrained in your DNA. You know the song, you caught the reference already, I don’t even need to say anything else.
Disc of Inferno: The Trammps, “Disco Inferno”
"Burn, baby, burn!" -- Inscription on Disc of Inferno
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5lSeYd_riw
Yes, this is a fun case where the name and flavor text both tie into the reference. “Disc of Inferno” sure sounds a lot like “Disco Inferno,” and the song calls out “burn, baby, burn” pretty frequently. Another self evident one.
Sand Sark: Saturday Night Live, “Land Shark”
"Knock, knock." "Who is it?" "Sandygram!" -- Old d'Reshi Joke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_NS2H55dxI
The classic “Land Shark” sketch features a fierce, clever shark that can walk on land and trick people into opening doors for it. One of its most popular tricks is knocking and saying it’s delivering a candygram. So it’s got a little pun here, with “Sand Sark” and “Sandygram” instead of “Land Shark” and “Candygram,” but it’s still a fun reference.
Rolling Baldar: “A rolling stone gathers no moss.”
A rolling baldar gathers no Moss Trulbs.
This one’s another play on the saying "a rolling stone gathers no moss." Not a reference to a show or anything, but still counts.
N'ssah: “The Emperor’s New Groove”
"Don't listen to that guy, he's trying to lead you down the path of the Core. I'm gonna lead you down the path of rocks."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmOc4GLq8xM
In Disney’s underrated but incredibly meme-worthy “Emperor’s New Groove,” the character Kronk often has conversations with his shoulder angel and shoulder devil. When the shoulder devil first appears, he tells Kronk “Don’t listen to that guy, he’s trying to lead you down the path of righteousness. I’m gonna lead you down the path that rocks.” So that’s clearly where N’ssah’s flavor text comes from.Harvest Feast: “Braveheart”
They may take our land, but they will never take my kitchen!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr_OpFxCx-A
Yeah, it’s a play on the “Freedom” speech from “Braveheart,” where he says “they may take our lives, but they will never take our freedom.” Another one that you already knew, even if you never saw the film.
Sphor Charm: Lucky Charms commercials
"They're always after my lucky Sphor Charm!" -- Quilla
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foghWSflbIA
Here’s another one probably written during breakfast. The Lucky Charms cereal commercials always have the mascot, Lucky the leprechaun, getting chased by children “after me Lucky Charms.” And odds are you already knew that one, too.
Iain, Commando: “Commando”
Remember when I said I'd save you for last? I lied.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mYSE2xWjcI
The Paradwyn-Bograth War is clearly having its effect on Iain, who’s taken up full commando gear, knives and all. And his flavor text? A reference to the Arnod Schwarzenegger film, “Commando,” where he reveals his promise to kill Sully last was… less than truthful.Nightmare Construct: “The Wizard of Oz”
"I've got something for that meddling Rayje, and his little apprentice too." -- Warrada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ_g6NOo7yo
So this isn’t a direct quote, but saying “and his little apprentice too” is enough like “and your little dog too” to draw the parallel. Could even include a “Scooby Doo” reference by calling him “meddling,” but that might be even more of a stretch.Keru: “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”
The Tuk Berries taste like Tuk Berries!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pwvB4_Te8A
“Come with me, and you’ll be, in a world of pure Magi-Nation.” Yes, this flavor text is a reference to the line “The snozzberries taste like snozzberries.” Just do yourself a favor and don’t look up what a snozzberry is.
Marella, Savant: “The Emperor’s New Groove”
"Oh, right. The relic. The relic for Gia, the relic chosen specially to help Gia. Gia's relic. Uhh... that relic?" Kuzco's poison
That’s right, we’ve got another “Emperor’s New Groove” reference! And it’s another line from Kronk, at that, as he remembers the poison. The poison for Kuzco. The poison specially chosen to kill Kuzco. Kuzco’s poison. That poison.
Promos (LIMITED)
The promos of Magi-Nation Duel were all marked "Limited" at the bottom, and released throughout the game's history. Here are the references on them!
Orlon's Ring: “Spaceballs”
"The ring is worthless! I found it in a box of jellybeans. The power is in YOU, Orlon."
https://youtu.be/RI0i_tL-8aU?t=226
In Mel Brooks’ “Spaceballs,” characters channel the power of the Schwartz through mystical rings. But when Lone Starr loses his ring in a battle with Dark Helmet, the voice of Yogurt reaches out to tell him “the ring is bupkis, I found it in a Cracker Jack box!”
Chogus Little: Chicken Little
"Is the sky falling?"
The children’s story “Chicken Little” (which was adapted into an animated Disney film barely anyone saw) features the titular chicken freaking out over the sky falling. Of course, it’s not, but it did give us this nice little reference.
Furlosk: Bill Withers, “Lean on Me”
"We all need somebody to lean on."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHSOVEqqm44
Another musical reference. It’s a clear reference to the lyrics, so I’ll just leave it at that as you listen to the song.Thunderquake: Professional wrestling
"Are you rrrrready to rrrrrumble?" -- Gogor, Celebrated Hero of the Underneath
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoSJCzLlgk0
Even if you don’t watch professional wrestling, you’ve probably heard someone shout “are you ready to ruuumble!” or the variation, “Let’s get ready to ruuumble!” So this is another pretty clear-cut one, I don’t think I need to explain any more.
Warrior's Boots: Nancy Sinatra, “These Boots are Made for Walkin’”
"These boots were made for stompin'."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDmidrIDB4o
Stompin’, walkin’, either way, you get the reference. And yes, these boots will walk all over you, thanks to their ability to let players summon a creature before the attack step.
And that's all, folks! This concludes all the pop culture references used on flavor text or art in Magi-Nation Duel! With luck, perhaps, we'll see the release of both unreleased sets, Traitor's Reach and Daybreak, and we can get our hands on these cards, and new jokes and references for the 2020s!
This article was written by user SomethingAboutCards, you can find them on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/EliteslayerX. Also written with support from user ZucriyAmsuna.
Want to find more pop culture references from Base Set and Awakening? Check out the First Article
Or more from Dream's End and Nightmare's Dawn? Read it here!
The most recent article was on Voice of the Storms
