Bant, the Shard made up of the colors White, Blue and Green, is a combination that looks beyond the narrow concerns of the day to day, aiming instead for a vision of tomorrow that shines like a beacon across the expansive multiverse of Magic. Believing that utopia requires more than a dream; it demands discipline, dedication, and, yes, the courage to make sacrifices along the way. A lofty way of existing that I will be explaining in this article to help you better understand the characters and factions of this game. To do so I will first explore the examples which Magic provides, then from there we will be peeling back these surface layers further to uncover the deeper philosophies hidden within. Together, we’ll look at what it truly means to carry the mantle of an idealist, to be Bant.
The Core
If you ever hope to comprehend any combination in Magic you always want to start at the source, the examples of this combination implemented in the game, then with that understanding use it as a springboard to come up with more abstract ideas. For the Shard of Bant our examples will come from three sources, the first being the Plane that lent this combination its name, then the faction who uses this shards colors in the context of its own world and finally the most common creature class within it. To the first item there is the mini Plane of Bant from Alaraa, a world devoid of Red and Black mana, an important distinction because it's felt throughout this world and its inhabitants.
What I mean is that by removing any note of self satisfaction in favor of order and discipline, what we get is a world of purpose, tradition and cooperation. As such selfless devotion come easy in a place like this, and duty always trumps desire. When it comes to any Shard based factions we really have one prime example and that comes from the Plane of New Capenna and specifically in the case of Bant we have the Brokers. A faction, while skewed toward the criminal focused nature of the Plane still teaches us something about this Shards ideals. Here we have a faction who utilize a benevolent front of being protectors and lawyers in order to cultivate favors to be collected later.
Sure they uphold order, and come to the aid of those in need, but every good dead comes at a cost, reflecting a more pragmatic approach to this set of colors. In a few words the Brokers are clever, benevolent and practical. Our final example comes to us by the way of the most common creature type in Bant and that is the soldier. A class that denotes duty, selflessness and an adherence to a cause. Soldiers, in the multiverse, are smaller parts of a bigger whole, not quite the shining hero but rather the selfless individual ready to lay down their life for their comrades.
In these soldiers we get to see Bant showcase the themes present in Green like tradition, while paired with that of the the adherence to duty found in White. Now with these examples laid before us, I bet your starting to see a pattern when it comes to the ideals baked into Bant, but really this is just the beginning. From here we can now start to take this foundation and present 3 versions of Bant, each leaning more into one of the colours present in the combination to uncover the abstract philosophies of the Shard.
White Core – Disciplined Focus
The will to be a better person means nothing without the discipline to make it happen. The White focused version of Bant is one who is rigid in their identity and goals. They understand who they are, the tools they were born with and how they can leverage them to accomplish their idealist way of being, all anchored in Whites regimented sense of determination. In this way White is like a fulcrum between both Green and Blue that balances the often shaky foundation of Simic to create outcomes that seem almost predetermined. Often when we think of Simic we think of mad scientists, but breaking down the combination further we see it as the colors of purpose and focus, and yet alone Simic can tend to wander with its intent. This marks the core of White’s influence and its inherent level of discipline which fashions a person who is honed in on what they wish to become. A person who is an idealist through and through, and one who does not settle on shaky hills of satisfaction.
With White’s discipline, Green’s steady growth, and Blue’s endless potential, we see a vision of self-actualization that feels almost inevitable. Imagine the sort of person shaped by this mentality—one who sees who they are and who they can become as one continuous line, driven directly by the colors that comprise it. Where an understanding of self is the base, persistence is the motor and visionary perfection the north star, Bant moves always towards its ideals.
There is No “good enough,” no settling for a half best version of themselves and the world around them. Instead, they’re forged by their own commitment, focused on an ideal self not because they’re unsatisfied, but because they believe in the beauty of what’s possible through hard work and dedication. Their dedication brings a stability that not only fuels their own progress but supports those around them, guiding with a confidence that is earned, not assumed. This, Bant would argue, is how greatness isn’t just achieved but sustained.
Blue Core – Communal Progress
It's no secret that together we can accomplish more than when we try and go it alone, and yet this world speaks highly only of the individuals ability to achieve greatness for themselves. Why is this, when we know it to be a falsehood. Perhaps it's the sting of Red and Black within our societies, and the selfishness those color represent. When instead we could balance our communities against the ideals of Selesnya to achieve the lofty goals set by Blue. This, at least, is the ideal way of being that the Blue focused version of Bant aims to spread. Imagine a world where each of us played the role best suited for us and through that all contributed to the greatness of the whole. Such a world could be governed by logic and the needs of the greater good, and through this utopia for all.
We’re taught to pursue success on our own, to stand apart as individuals, but what if we understood deep down that the strength we seek lies in unity, not isolation? Imagine if we organized our world around common goals, where a person derived their own value from that contribution. In this way we would build places of learning so that each of us could work towards our own future while contributing the future of all. I think to how humanities greatness is a culmination of what came before. Bant says that if we doubled down on this idea, and really leaned into each persons strengths, and used one another as a springboard, then the limits of what we could achieve is endless. This, Bant would say, is at the heart of what makes us great.
Green Core – Structured Balance
Harmony can be achieved only when we are able to logically recognize the need for the structures in place that strike a balance between who we are and what our life, our very existence is meant to be. There is a peace here, a way of letting go of simple wants in favor of searching for enlightenment. Green is a color of wisdom of seeing the bigger picture and how we fit into it. For some this might bring anxiety but for Green it's something to be desired. Now of course nature will take its course and sometimes carry Green away with it, but when we introduce Azorius, it becomes structured in a way that allows for the individual to achieve a higher state of self through regimented action and self reflection. Rooted in things like tradition, practice and thoughtful meditation Bant believes that we can achieves higher state of being.
You see by Introducing Azorius to Green it acts like an anchor grounding a wandering vine. No longer does the Green spirit drift from whim to whim but instead grows intentionally, embracing its nature while remaining aligned with something steady. Here, discipline becomes a means to clear away the distractions that keep us from seeing ourselves as we are meant to be. Through such routines built into a structure way of being it acts to refine oneself, of pruning of all that clutters the mind and soul, leaving only what’s essential, pure, and connected. A life of true balance. For this version of Bant, this is enlightenment: the deep calm that comes when we know our place, our purpose, and can grow into it fully, with patience and intention.
Bant teaches us that real strength lies in a vision shared, built on purpose and unity. It isn’t about the power of one but the strength of many, each piece working toward a whole that’s greater than any single ambition. When discipline aligns with wisdom and shared ideals, it forms a path to something enduring—a way of life that prizes dedication, order, and a respect for all parts working in harmony. In embracing the philosophy of Bant, we see a call to shape the world not just for today, but for a future built with steady hands and an unwavering commitment to a common good.
Thanks for reading, and with that we end the shards of Magic, which means its now time to begin with the wedges. So if you don't want to miss that then be sure you are a site member that way you can be notified when the next goes live, and with that friends, I will catch you in the multiverse, bye!