Games - Guildpact

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	Games - Guildpact

Guildpact is a Magic: The Gathering set, second in the Ravnica Block. Guildpact was released on February 3, 2006.

Guilds

Of the ten guilds that rule the city of Ravnica, three are the sole focus of this second set in the block. The previous expansion, Ravnica: City of Guilds, focused on four of these guilds. Dissension will bring it to a close by introducing the last three guilds. Each guild corresponds to a different two-color combination.

The three guilds featured in Guildpact are:

The Orzhov Syndicate (white/black): While masquerading as a religion, the Orzhov are actually Mafia-like business people. With no economic transaction that isn't directly or indirectly under their control, they are directed by the Ghost Council, composed entirely of the spirits of former Orzhov Patriarchs and Matriarchs.

The Izzet League (blue/red): Like mad scientists, the Izzet are responsible for almost all of the beneficial technologies and magics that keep Ravnica running. Unfortunately, their impulsive and reckless research principles mean that just as many have failed with explosive results. Their guild leader is an extremely intelligent but temperamental and egotistic dragon wizard named Niv-Mizzet.

The Gruul Clans (red/green): The Gruul Clans were originally the Guild of Savage Nature, appointed to speak for and protect the people who lived in the harsh natural environments of Ravnica. As the city expanded over nature, the other nine Guilds (specifically the other Green-oriented Guilds) began appointing themselves as nature's defenders. Eventually phased out entirely by the rest of the Guilds, The Gruul fractured into a myriad of different clans, all bent on destroying civilization. Some do it for revenge, others simply because they like to smash stuff. The biggest clan is ruled by the cyclops Borborygmos.

Mechanics

Haunt (white/black): Creatures, instants and sorceries may have the Keyword 'Haunt'. When a creature or spell with Haunt is put into a graveyard, it is removed from the game Haunting a creature in play. Creature spells with the Haunt ability typically have "come into play" effects that are repeated when the Haunted creature dies.

It is believed that Haunt represents the Orzhov's willingness to retain the 'services' of those they have helped, even after death.

Bloodthirst (red/green): Creatures with Bloodthirst gain a boost to their power and toughness, if an opponent took damage before the creature came into play. For example, a 2/3 creature with Bloodthirst 3 would come into play as a 5/6, provided that one opponent was dealt damage that turn.

It is believed that Bloodthirst represents the Gruul's bloodlust, with its members and beasts acting more ferociously if it believes that an enemy is wounded.

Replicate (blue/red): Spells with Replicate can create multiple copies of the spell, provided they pay the Replicate cost for each copy.

It is believed that the Replicate mechanic represents the Izzet's moments when its mages become passionately infatuated with a newly created spell, before becoming distracted with their new favorite spell.

Design

Ravnica was conceived following the success of Invasion
. Invasion
, released in 2000, emphasized interactions between the colors, and it was one of Magic's most popular releases ever. Magic's lead designer, Mark Rosewater, wanted to expand on the multicolor theme in a new way. Therefore, the design of Ravnica is based around four guilds, meaning cards in which those pairs of colors work in concert. Guildpact continues this pattern with the three guilds listed above.

Interesting Cards

Gruul Clans

' - This centaur punishes players who use activated non-mana abilities. Although symmetrical (its ability punishes even its controller), it comes with a 3/4 body for 3 mana and was in the top two Top 8 decks of Pro Tour: Honolulu, including the winning deck.

' - This goblin can utilize its ability to exponentially increase its power. For example, a player who spends nine mana will effectively make Feral Animist a 16/1 creature.

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