Return to Ravnica: A Guide to the City of Guilds

Ravnica, a metropolis of towering spires, labyrinthine undercities, and ten enigmatic guilds vying for power, beckons you once again. The Return to Ravnica expansion for Magic: The Gathering invites you to delve into the intricate world of this iconic city, where the lines between alliances and enmities blur, and the fate of Ravnica hangs in the balance.

Exploring the Guilds

The Boros Legion: The valiant soldiers and righteous zealots of the Boros Legion uphold the law and defend Ravnica from threats within and without. With their gleaming armor and unwavering determination, they serve as the city's stalwart protectors.

The Orzhov Syndicate: The shadowy and secretive Orzhov Syndicate wields immense financial and spiritual power. Their skeletal clerics and ghostly lawyers manipulate the laws of life and death to amass wealth and exert control over Ravnica's underworld.

The Simic Combine: The Simic Combine embraces the wonders of biomancy, seeking to evolve and adapt the citizens of Ravnica to their ever-changing world. Their scientific advancements and enigmatic experiments push the boundaries of natural law.

The Rakdos Cult: The hedonistic and anarchic Rakdos Cult thrives on chaos and indulgence. Led by the enigmatic demon Rakdos, they plunge Ravnica into a whirlwind of revelry and destruction, seeking to unleash their inner darkness.

The Izzet League: The brilliant but eccentric Izzet League revels in experimentation and invention. Their pyromancers, wizards, and alchemists push the limits of technology, creating contraptions and spells that illuminate and bewilder Ravnica in equal measure.

The Golgari Swarm: The fungal and undead Golgari Swarm embrace the decay and renewal of Ravnica. Their necromancers and insect-like creatures delve into the city's underbelly, reanimating the dead and recycling the remnants of life to sustain their thriving community.

The Dimir: The elusive Dimir infiltrates every corner of Ravnica, their spies and assassins operating in the shadows. They gather intelligence, manipulate events, and strike with deadly precision, their secrets allowing them to exert a subtle yet pervasive influence over the city's affairs.

The Selesnya Conclave: The harmonious Selesnya Conclave reveres nature and unity. Their verdant groves and interconnected minds foster a sense of peace and tranquility, offering solace amidst the chaos of Ravnica.

The Gruul Clans: The savage Gruul Clans roam the rubble-strewn outskirts of Ravnica, their shamans and warriors embracing a primal connection to nature. They seek to reclaim the city from the grip of civilization, forging a path through the wilderness and clashing with any who stand in their way.

The Azorius Senate: The bureaucratic Azorius Senate uphold the letter of the law with unwavering precision. Their sphinx judges and enforcers ensure order and justice within Ravnica, but their rigid adherence to rules can sometimes stifle innovation and adaptability.

Notable Figures of Ravnica

Dozens of distinct characters populate the tapestry of Ravnica, each with their own motivations and allegiances. Here are a few notable figures who play significant roles in the city's affairs:

• Gideon Jura: The valiant and charismatic Planeswalker who became the leader of the Boros Legion.
• Lazav: The enigmatic and shapeshifting leader of the Dimir, whose true identity remains a mystery.
• Vraska: The cunning and treacherous Planeswalker who serves as the leader of the Golgari Swarm.
• Karn: The ancient and enigmatic Planeswalker who was instrumental in the creation of the Planar Bridge that links Ravnica to the Multiverse.
• Jace Beleren: The enigmatic and mind-reading Planeswalker who joined the Azorius Senate in an attempt to understand and influence Ravnica's politics.

The City's Intrigues

Ravnica is a city where alliances shift and rivalries fester beneath the surface. The guilds vie for power and influence, striking deals and forming uneasy alliances while constantly plotting against one another.

• The Guildpact: The ancient agreement that established the ten guilds of Ravnica and prohibited open warfare between them.
• The Living Guildhall: The massive and enigmatic structure at the heart of Ravnica where the guilds meet to discuss matters of importance and vote on resolutions.
• The Conclave: The annual gathering of the guilds' leaders, where they negotiate, debate, and sometimes clash over the future of Ravnica.

Return to Ravnica: The Expansion

The Return to Ravnica expansion for Magic: The Gathering released in October 2012 and brought with it a wealth of new cards, mechanics, and story elements.

• Shocklands: Dual lands that come into play tapped unless you pay two life. These lands offer significant mana-fixing capabilities and have become staples in many decks.
• Guildgates: Lands that enter the battlefield tapped but can be activated to produce mana of a specific guild. Guildgates provide a consistent and flavorful mana base for guild-themed decks.
• Gatecrash: The second set in the Return to Ravnica block, released in February 2013, introduced new cards and mechanics that expanded on the themes and conflicts of the first set.

Return to Ravnica: Stories and Lessons Learned

Ravnica's rich lore is filled with countless tales of heroism, betrayal, and intrigue. Here are a few stories that offer valuable lessons about the city and its inhabitants:

Story 1: The Fall of the Obzedat

The Obzedat was a shadowy council of five Orzhov Syndicate vampires who ruled Ravnica from the shadows. Their reign of terror came to an end when the Planeswalker Vraska betrayed them, severing their connection to the afterlife and exposing their true nature to the world.

Lesson: Even the most powerful and corrupt can be defeated by those who dare to break the chains of tradition and seek justice.

Story 2: The Battle of the Guildpact

As the guilds warred for supremacy, the ancient Guildpact that had kept peace for centuries threatened to shatter. Jace Beleren, Ral Zarek, and Teysa Karlov joined forces to forge a new Guildpact, restoring balance to Ravnica.

Lesson: Unity and cooperation can overcome even the greatest challenges, and even former enemies can find common ground when faced with a common threat.

Story 3: The Rise of Bolas

The enigmatic Planeswalker Nicol Bolas has long been a shadowy force on Ravnica, manipulating events from behind the scenes. As the guilds engaged in conflict, Bolas seized the opportunity to sow chaos and weaken the city's defenses.

Lesson: Beware the hidden enemies who plot in the shadows, and never underestimate the price of complacency.

Effective Strategies for Ravnica

Strategy 1: Build Around a Guild Theme

Choose a guild that aligns with your preferred playstyle and build a deck focused on its strengths. Utilize guild-specific mechanics, cards, and synergies to maximize your deck's potential.

Strategy 2: Control the Board

Establish a strong board presence and use spells and abilities to interact with your opponent's creatures and permanents. This strategy excels against creature-heavy decks and can prevent your opponent from developing their game plan.

Strategy 3: Combo Decks

Create a deck that revolves around a specific combination of cards or abilities that leads to a quick and powerful victory. Combo decks can be devastating but require careful planning and execution.

Strategy 4: Aggro Decks

Build a deck that focuses on deploying creatures early and applying pressure on your opponent. Aggro decks aim to overwhelm their opponent with a swarm of attackers before they can establish a strong defense.

Tips and Tricks

Tip 1: Maximize Your Mana Base

Utilize a variety of lands, mana rocks, and mana dorks to ensure a consistent mana supply. This will allow you to cast your spells and abilities on time and maintain a strong presence on the battlefield.

Tip 2: Evaluate Card Advantage

Keep track of the number of cards you have in hand compared to your opponent. Card advantage is crucial for controlling the game and maintaining a steady flow of resources.

Tip 3: Know Your Opponents' Decks

Study the meta and familiarize yourself with the different decks and strategies that are popular. This knowledge will help you anticipate your opponent's moves and make informed decisions.

Pros and Cons of Playing Ravnica

Pros:

• Deep and engaging lore with a wide range of characters and factions
• Exciting and diverse gameplay that caters to a variety of playstyles
• Stunning artwork and card designs that bring Ravnica to life
• Regular updates and expansions that keep the game fresh and evolving

Cons:

• Can be complex for new players due to its large card pool and numerous mechanics
• Some guilds and strategies may be more dominant than others, resulting in uneven matchups
• Physical card prices can be high, especially for in-demand cards

Conclusion

Return to Ravnica invites you to explore a vibrant and intricate world of magic, intrigue, and power. Whether you're a seasoned Planeswalker or a newcomer to the world of Ravnica, there's something for everyone in this captivating expansion. Embrace the chaos and alliances of the city guilds, study the lore, and hone your strategies to become a formidable force on the battlefield. As the guilds clash and the fate of Ravnica hangs in the balance, it's up to you to shape the destiny of this enigmatic metropolis.