“Return to Ravnica” is a highly popular expansion set from the Magic: The Gathering universe, introducing players to the unique world of Ravnica, a vast cityscape dominated by ten powerful guilds.
This set, released in October 2012, is part of the Ravnica block, which also includes Gatecrash and Dragon’s Maze.
In Return to Ravnica, players are reintroduced to the intricate politics and strategies of the guilds, each representing a combination of two colors of mana and a distinct ideology.
Overview of the Storyline
Ravnica is a city-wide plane where ten guilds, each with a different philosophy, vie for power and control. These guilds have existed for millennia, each taking a different approach to managing the city and its inhabitants.
The Guildpact, a magical contract that once bound them to peaceful coexistence, is now broken, leading to open conflict and strategic maneuvering among the guilds. Each guild’s identity is tied to its mana colors, and its unique mechanics and abilities are deeply woven into the gameplay.
The Guilds of Ravnica
In Return to Ravnica, players are introduced (or reintroduced) to five of the ten guilds, each with its own flavor, mechanics, and legendary leaders. Here’s a look at some of the guilds in this set:
Azorius Senate (White-Blue): The guild of law and order, the Azorius Senate seeks to regulate every aspect of life in Ravnica. They employ strict control tactics in gameplay, using mechanics that delay or completely stop their opponents’ moves, such as detaining enemy creatures.
Golgari Swarm (Black-Green): Focused on life and death, the Golgari Swarm is all about using the power of decay to fuel growth. In the game, their cards thrive on creature death and graveyard interactions, fitting their theme of recycling life force.
Rakdos Cult (Black-Red): A chaotic and destructive guild, the Cult of Rakdos revels in mayhem. In gameplay, this guild emphasizes aggressive tactics and brutal sacrifices, making it a risky but rewarding choice for players who enjoy fast, high-risk strategies.
Izzet League (Blue-Red): The Izzet are inventors and mad scientists led by the dragon Niv-Mizzet. They thrive on experimentation and manipulation of magic and technology, reflected in gameplay by chaotic, spell-based mechanics.
Selesnya Conclave (Green-White): Representing nature and harmony, the Selesnya Conclave is a collective that values unity and growth. Their strategy focuses on building large armies of creatures, often overwhelming opponents with sheer numbers.
Each of these guilds offers players a different playstyle and strategy, making Return to Ravnica a versatile and exciting set to play.
The guilds’ individual personalities and mechanics are deeply integrated into the cards, encouraging players to immerse themselves in the lore and strategies of their chosen guild.
Key Mechanics and Gameplay Elements
One of the standout features of Return to Ravnica is the introduction of Guild Mechanics, unique abilities that reflect the essence of each guild. For example:
Detain (Azorius): Temporarily shuts down opponents’ creatures, stopping them from attacking, blocking, or using abilities.
Scavenge (Golgari): Allows players to exile creatures from their graveyard to give other creatures bonuses.
Unleash (Rakdos): Lets players make creatures more aggressive at the cost of not being able to block.
Overload (Izzet): Enhances spells, allowing them to affect multiple targets instead of just one.
Populate (Selesnya): Generates copies of creature tokens already in play.
These mechanics not only fit the guilds’ themes but also create dynamic interactions in gameplay, offering players diverse strategies depending on their guild choice.
Shocklands and Guildgates
Return to Ravnica reintroduced shocklands, dual land types that tap for two mana but cost 2 life when untapped. Guildgates, common lands for each guild, provide mana for either color without life cost, but enter tapped.
Legacy and Impact
Return to Ravnica was a fan-favorite set that attracted both veteran and new players. Its vibrant lore, deep strategy, and guild identities made it a hit. The return of shocklands significantly impacted competitive play. This set reinforced Ravnica’s place as a beloved setting in the Magic: The Gathering multiverse.
FAQs
Q: What is Return to Ravnica in Magic: The Gathering?
A: Return to Ravnica is an expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in October 2012. It is part of the Ravnica block and revisits the city-plane of Ravnica, dominated by ten powerful guilds. This set focuses on five of the ten guilds and introduces unique mechanics for each, making it a highly strategic and lore-driven expansion.
Q: Which guilds are featured in Return to Ravnica?
A: Return to Ravnica features five guilds: Azorius Senate (White-Blue), Golgari Swarm (Black-Green), Rakdos Cult (Black-Red), Izzet League (Blue-Red), and Selesnya Conclave (Green-White). Each guild has a unique combination of mana colors and mechanics that reflect its ideology.
Q: What are shocklands in Return to Ravnica?
A: Shocklands are a special type of dual lands that can tap for two different colors of mana but come with a cost. If you want the land to enter the battlefield untapped, you must pay 2 life. Examples include Steam Vents and Temple Garden, which became staples in competitive play.
Q: Why is Return to Ravnica so popular among Magic: The Gathering players?
A:Return to Ravnica was popular due to its guild mechanics, diverse gameplay, immersive lore, and balance between casual and competitive play.
Q: How does the storyline of Return to Ravnica connect to the earlier Ravnica sets?
A: The storyline of Return to Ravnica continues from the original Ravnica block. After the fall of the Guildpact, the guilds are in a more chaotic state, vying for control over the city. The set explores the political and magical dynamics among the guilds as they try to assert dominance in the power vacuum.
Q: What formats is Return to Ravnica legal in?
A: Cards from Return to Ravnica are legal in various Magic: The Gathering formats, including Modern, Commander, Legacy, and Vintage. When it was first released, it was also legal in Standard but has since rotated out.
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