Melissa DeTora @MelissaDeTora Twitter profile

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Melissa DeTora

3 years

I am leading the new MTG Casual Play Design team at Wizards, and I am doing and AMA today at 4pm Pacific on MTG's official discord server. I'll be answering most of your questions there, but for now here is a little info on what our team is doing.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

2 years

New #mtg tattoo! I love it!

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

3 years

I’ve been promoted to Senior Game Designer @Wizards . I’ve grown so much since starting on the Magic development team in 2015, but if I’ve learned anything in my time here it’s that there’s still so much more to learn! Going to keep doing my best to make Magic awesome. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

1 year

This had to be vanilla so we could fit this important flavor text 😂 #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

2 years

Finally a new Phyrexian Walker. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

Boyfriend, who has been playing Magic for 1.5 years, when I showed him this card: “It’s green Fblthp!” #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

7 years

Announcement: I am a Wizard.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

1 year

It’s done!

Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

1 year

@AcornEllieYa @thequietfish @CarmenHandiego Watch my arm get stabbed repeatedly for hours.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

1 year

What other legendary mashups do you want to see? #mtgmom #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

5 years

I now own this monstrosity. After spending the last 3 hours assembling it, I realized I can never move out of this house.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

7 years

Magic history was made today at #GPMinn . For the first time, two women were in the booth commentating on matches. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

I sold half of my power over 5 years ago so I could afford to move to Seattle, and that made me sad. Today I acquired this at #MTGPortland from @CoolStuffInc ! Slowly getting it back! Thanks to their employee Victor for a great experience! #WOTCstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

8 years

I'm officially going back to WotC. I got another year contract in Magic R&D. I'm super excited to help make Magic the best game it can be.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

2 years

My team is hiring an associate game designer. If you love Magic (especially Commander) and are passionate about Magic design, please apply. I can answer (some) questions about the position here. If any of my mutuals are interested please reach out.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

Magic: The Gathering is looking for writing samples from BIPOC writers for upcoming paid freelance licensed fiction projects. Come help us create stories in our fantasy IP! Please submit writing samples to MTGStory @wizards .com. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

2 years

My new @wizards_magic Play Design token. Thanks to the artist Joseph Ramirez who did a great job on everyone’s token, and congrats to both Play Design teams, you do awesome work! #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

2 years

What was the first MTG product you opened? Mine were starter decks of Tempest and Ice Age. No basic lands in boosters back then so I needed these to build my first decks. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

3 years

I have a lot of loose packs, so I made an MTG advent calendar for me and my housemates. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

2 years

Today I heard @NumotTheNummy call this card “bar of soap” on his stream and I thought it was far more funny than it probably should have been. I can’t believe I never heard that before. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

9 months

Here's White Craterhoof (yes, we called it that during playtesting). Do you think it's stronger or weaker than Green Craterhoof in Commander? #wotcstaff

Jacob Mooney

@JacobDMooney

9 months

I'm super curious to see what people think of the White Craterhoof. We debated a lot about how to cost this and whether it was stronger or weaker than the OG Craterhoof.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

3 years

One of my favorites that I designed from Midnight Hunt, for the slot “green rare with coven.” I wanted to make something fun for both Standard and Commander. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

Changed the art in the living room today. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

5 years

Our Trick or Treaters get Magic decks tonight 😮 #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

3 years

I designed this card for those looking for a sweeper that isn’t a dead draw in creatureless matchups. Its playtest name was Devil’s Mischief. #wotcstaff #MTGMID

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

2 years

While looking through cards today I found a play set of Hatreds. These were the same Hatreds I used to win a Black Lotus in a Type 1.5 tournament back in 2000 or so. I still have the Lotus to this day. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

2 years

Sweet “Black Lotus” I received from the #wotcstaff DuelMasters team as a thank you for my work on the game.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

3 years

Super thankful to be part of the team that was awarded cards for Heroes of the Realm 2019. The projects that these cards represent are: Throne of Eldraine, War of the Spark, Booster Fun, Modern Horizons, and Secret Lair. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

A new wholesome Magic card. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

6 years

Life-size @maro254 saying phrases such as “Magic is awesome!!!” in English and Japanese. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

5 years

Just got asked if I was on #GameKnights while in line at a Renton coffee shop. By far the thing I get asked the most about while out in public @JoshLeeKwai @jfwong

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

5 years

Found out that my dentist used to play Magic before his dentist days. When I told him that his favorite card Force of Nature was pretty weak by today's standards, he couldn't believe it. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

3 years

When you were a brand new Magic player, what card absolutely wowed you based on its gameplay/power level? #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

5 years

Found @DanaFischerMTG at #MTGSeattle and now we’re giant Magic card buddies! #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

6 years

Black Lotus just opened in the Unlimited draft at #gpchiba 😮😮😮🏆🏆🏆 #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

5 years

Finally got a chance to watch @AutumnLilyMTG 's Top 8 interview and wow, thank you for the shout out. It's incredible to be an inspiration to you and so many other players. Congrats again, you played masterfully in that Top 8. #2019MC1 #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

2 years

Perfect Magic card. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

9 months

As a long time fan of the franchise, working on the Final Fantasy Magic set has been a dream come true of mine. Final Fantasy was the series that made me fall in love with gaming. I can't wait for you all to see what we've come up with. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

5 years

#PlayDesign player tokens! 😮❤️🏆 awesome gift from our manager Bryan.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

1 year

I was on the design team for the commander decks. While they’re all great I’m excited for one specifically. #wotcstaff

Magic: The Gathering

@wizards_magic

1 year

Finally, we're not showing off the face cards quite yet but the eagle-eyed might notice a few favorite creature types gracing the #MTGCMM Commander Decks. Yes, that does say Eldrazi with the colorless mana symbol.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

Organized the garage today to fit both arcade games side by side.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

1 year

Getting new ink today!

Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

1 year

@AcornEllieYa @thequietfish @CarmenHandiego Watch my arm get stabbed repeatedly for hours.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

5 years

Boyfriend, who just started playing Magic, building a deck on #mtgarena : Can you tell me the bad cards to take out of this deck? Me: Take out the card that literally has “trash” in the name. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

2 years

Should I go for number 1 today? #MTGDMU #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

That feeling when you're looking at random memes and realize they were made for people 10+ years younger than you. No NES???

Esports Arena

@EsportsArena

4 years

Where did you start? C / D Generation here 👋

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

Saw this going around and yeah I really don't understand memes.

Yichao

@michaelyichao

4 years

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

8 months

Cancer sucks. We lost a great one. RIP @SheldonMenery , and thanks for all you did for Magic.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

6 years

We are way better than this.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

1 year

I’ve been at @Wizards for longer than five years, but it’s not official without a plaque.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

2 years

Game Night 3 has been revealed! This was a project I led and my goal was to make fun and charming first commanders for new players. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

I called my boyfriend’s minis “cute” and he got mad and said super heroes aren’t cute. 🤣

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

3 years

I never liked playing Chaos Warp, it’s too stressful. But STX is different. Far less permanents and many of the expensive cards are instants and sorceries. So I played one today and used it on a Dragon, right into the same dragon. I think I’ll pass Chaos Warp from now on.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

I watched this like 10 times.

PlayMTG

@PlayMTG

4 years

And one more clip for the night from #PTPhoenix . Unfortunately, we cannot promise that no spinning wheels were unharmed in the making of this video. Sometimes, the Theros revelry has consequences (featuring @MissMariapants and @ZBexx ).

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

The playtest name of this card was "Gallia, Life of the Party." #MTGTHB #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

6 years

The first Plainswalkers #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

2 years

One of my favorite card from #MTGNeon to work on. Watch out when attacking into the four untapped open mana. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

Two cards away from completing my power set. Got this tonight from @Card_Kingdom , and even got a spirit token for my troubles. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

RIP 1598416. We had some great memories. You will be missed. #WOTCstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

3 years

Yesterday my coworker told me that he played against me in his first GPT like 18-20 years ago. He said that I beat him and later I helped him rebuild his sealed deck. It made me happy to hear that I made that kind of impact on him that day and he remembered it all these later.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

7 years

Excited to announce that I'll be doing color commentary at #gpminn , and you'll be seeing me at more events in the future. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

Hanging out at home this Christmas Eve. I made dinner for the roommates and am watching one of my roommates experience Final Fantasy VI for the first time which has been very enjoyable. ⚔️ 🎄

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

3 years

I was on the design team for Midnight Hunt and had a hand in designing many cards in the set including Tovolar. Hope Commander players enjoy him, and he looks sweet in Standard too. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

My niece’s (5) first exposure to video games was Mario Party. Her favorite characters in the game are Bowser Jr. and Shy Guy. When she found out that they were bad guys in the actual Mario games she was upset for days. She cried and couldn’t get over it.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

1 year

“I thought you were dead. I didn’t realize your wrath was also a 15/15.” -quote from MOM draft tonight. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

5 years

My favorite #mtgwar card. I hope you have as much fun with it as I did. #WOTCstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

2 years

@GavinVerhey

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

I really miss going to work but boy is it gonna be hard transitioning away from wearing pajama pants all day when we go back.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

8 years

An MTG First for me. First time seeing Splendid Genesis and Fraternal Exaltation in person. #MTG #MTGFirsts

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

7 years

CopyCat still exists... #WOTCstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

3 years

Visited my old stomping grounds TJ Cafe and Games (formerly @TJCollectibles ) Lots of memories of playing Magic in a cramped basement. I won my first PTQ here in 2002. The new store looks amazing.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

5 years

I keep finding new oversized magic cards in my house. #wotcstaff 🤔

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

7 years

Things won't change overnight but they will if we support women in MTG. Looking forward to seeing the next woman plat pro. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

Look who I got to meet!!

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

2 years

Got a new deck in my arsenal today! #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

3 years

Lots of exciting stuff coming next year. I'm especially excited for Brothers War. If you're into MTG nostalgia, it's the set for you!

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

2 years

Fun fact, we tried this card out in M21 but ended up scrapping it for a design we liked better. We put this one in our back pocket and planned on pulling it out next time Teferi made an appearance, which ended up being Brother’s War. This process ends up happening fairly often.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

6 years

My #MTGHOF vote: Seth Manfield Chris Pikula Lee Shi Tian Mark Herberholz Gerry Thompson I voted for players who have had strong results, are good role models, and have inspired players in positive ways. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

8 years

Today is my first day back at Wizards.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

7 years

What a draft pod!! #gpvan #WOTCstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

2 years

Fblthp and baby yoda are excited to play the new MTG decks they got for Christmas! #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

5 years

#wotcstaff free table find: a 4th edition starter box, in amazing condition! I used to buy these at the local comic shop when I was in high school!

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

Now that the secret’s out about Mystery Boosters, I can finally say that I did artwork for two of the cards: Pithing Spyglass (shown below) and Whammy Burn. #wotcstaff #MTGRichmond

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

5 years

I'm going to be on #GameKnights ! I had a blast (as always). Keep inviting me back please @JoshLeeKwai and @jfwong . It was great playing with @ReidDuke as well. And we played with new #MTGELD cards! #WOTCstaff

Josh Lee Kwai

@JoshLeeKwai

5 years

The new episode of #GameKnights featuring @ReidDuke & @MelissaDeTora and the brand new cards from #ThroneOfEldraine , is almost finished! It will release in less than a week: Wednesday, October 2nd. In the meantime, plz enjoy this now-traditional editing timeline pic:

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

7 years

I'm doing commentary at #GPMinn ! I'll be in the booth with @Marshall_LR on Sat. and @MissMariapants on Sun. #wotcstaff #MakingMagicHistory

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

3 years

Cluedrifter! My favorite card to draft in #MH2 . #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

3 years

This is probably my favorite card in MH2. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

5 years

New #gameknights is here!!

The Command Zone

@commandcast

5 years

The new #GameKnights is here! And this time, we've got some very stiff competition. MPL player and recent Hall of Fame inductee @ReidDuke joins @MelissaDeTora for an epic and super swingy game using the new cards from #ThroneOfEldraine . Watch it now:

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

5 years

My signature quote while playing #MTGELD FFL was "Roll a die, make an Angel." #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

5 years

I was on another episode of #GameKnights ! It was lots of fun playing with @JoshLeeKwai @bmkibler and @BenS_MTG . I hope you enjoy a bunch of highly competitive players navigate a crazy multiplayer game! #wotcstaff

The Command Zone

@commandcast

5 years

The new #GameKnights is here and this time the competition is fierce! Magic Pro Tour Hall of Fame members @bmkibler and @BenS_MTG join former pro @MelissaDeTora for a crazy multiplayer showdown. Does @JoshLeeKwai even stand a chance? Watch and find out!

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

I don't know how many times I've referenced the "Calix shelves" last year and the response was "huh? You mean Kallax?" Yeah, Kallax, forget I said anything. Calix is my favorite card in the set. Hope you all have as much fun with it as I did. #wotcstaff #MTGTHB

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

3 years

The kiddos are ready to learn. #MTGSTX #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

3 years

RIP my roommate who attacked with his three flyers into my three ground creatures and my 1BB open mana. He didn’t play during Time Spiral and got quite the surprise. #MTGTSR #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

3 years

I have shifted some of my focus to final design and balance for Commander over the past year (more details to share about this later). The Stranger Things secret lair drop was one of the projects I worked on. Here are two of the cards. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

9 months

I led final design for the #MTGEldraine Commander decks. Two of my all-time favorite Standard decks are Faeries and Enchantress, so it was pretty fitting. #wotcstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

7 years

Today I got to meet and draft Kaladesh with Seattle Seahawks player (and Magic player) Cassius Marsh. #WOTCstaff

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

5 years

#MTGELD Play Design Story Murderous Rider wasn't in ELD until late in Set Design. We needed a Downfall since Vraska's Contempt rotated. Play Design tried out a bunch of versions but none of them satisfying enough to fill the role. We eventually liked it on an adventure creature.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

7 years

Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if I never learned how to play Magic. It's a scary thought.

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

I couldn’t justify ordering a plate of fries for lunch and just got some tacos.

Eilidh Lonie

@AliasVEDH

4 years

Mmmm poutine 🤤

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

Flight was massively delayed so @Theasianavenger and I are stuck at the Victoria airport for the next few hours. Time to settle in and watch some twitch streams. #LRRTHB

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

4 years

Seriously, how adorable is the new Paper Mario?

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Melissa DeTora

@MelissaDeTora

2 years

How does everyone like New Capenna limited so far? #wotcstaff

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