Guildpact
- For other uses, see Guildpact (disambiguation).
| Guildpact | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||
| Set Information | |||||
| Set symbol | |||||
| Design |
Mike Elliott (lead) Aaron Forsythe Devin Low Brian Schneider | ||||
| Development |
Henry Stern (lead) Aaron Forsythe Cormac Russell Brian Schneider Mike Turian | ||||
| Art direction | Jeremy Cranford | ||||
| Release date | February 3, 2006 | ||||
| Plane | Ravnica | ||||
| Themes and mechanics | Guild System, Hybrid mana, Multicolored cards | ||||
| Keywords/ability words | Bloodthirst, Haunt, Replicate | ||||
| Set size |
165 cards (55 commons, 55 uncommons, 55 rares) | ||||
| Expansion code | GPT[1] | ||||
| Development codename | Alt | ||||
| Ravnica block | |||||
| |||||
| Magic: The Gathering Chronology | |||||
| |||||
Guildpact is the thirty-seventh Magic expansion and was released February 5, 2006, as the second set in the Ravnica block. The prerelease was on January 21, 2006.[2][3]
Set details
Guildpact contains 165 black-bordered cards (55 rare, 55 uncommon, and 55 commons). Its expansion symbol is a wrought-iron design with three “branches” meant to evoke the three-guild nature of the set as well as the urban theme.[4] Guildpact expanded on the Ravnica block themes of multicolor and hybrid, adding three new guilds to the environment: the Orzhov Syndicate (white/black), the Izzet League (blue/red) and the Gruul Clans (red/green).[5][6] The set also included the first creatures with exactly four colors, the Nephilim.[7]
Marketing
Guildpact was sold in 15-card boosters, three preconstructed theme decks and a fat pack.[8] The decks and the fat pack contained a Pro Tour Players Card. The booster packs featured artwork from Djinn Illuminatus, Rumbling Slum, and Graven Dominator. The prerelease card was a foil alternate art Djinn Illuminatus.[9] The release card was Gruul Guildmage. The set was accompanied by the novel of the same name by Cory Herndon. Additional art for several tokens was created for Magic Online.[10]
Flavor and storyline
The Guildpact has kept Ravnica stable for thousands of years. But with ten guilds vying to become the dominant force on the planet, there's always a chance that things will break down. Guildpact continues the story of this massive city, and introduces players to three more guilds.[11] The Gruul ravages the streets. Teysa leads the Orzhov Syndicate to "cleanse" them. And Agrus Kos doesn't give a damn.[12]
Novel
| Title | Author | Publishing date | Setting (plane) | Featuring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guildpact | Cory J. Herndon | January 2006 | Ravnica | Kaluzax, Xalvhar, Vazozav, Zomaj Hauc, Mubb, Rembic Wezescu (mentioned), Teysa Karlov, Zlovol, Zacco Garn, Yortabod, Fraszek, Melisk, Pazapatru, Uncle, Yigor, Aun Yom, Illati, Dahlya Karlov, Grugg Brothers, Crix, Grubber, Vor Golozar, Vodotro, Agrus Kos, Pivlic, Orubo, Vurk, Trijiro, Xil Xaxosz, Aradoz, Wrizfar Barkfeather, Nebun, Babolax, Falazavax, Dexawik, Jybezax, Rawoniq, Borborygmos (mentioned), Niv-Mizzet, the Obzedat, Garulsz, Uvulung, Mukoz, Fautomni, Joxotuxak, Enezesku, Sraunj, Enka, Dreka-Tooth, Nayine Shonn, Mindosz, Vulka, Hauc's Blue, Dragon, Feather, Fonn Zunich, Jarad vod Savo |
Savor the Flavor
| Title | Author | Release Date | Setting (plane) | Featuring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wake Up Call | Matt Cavotta | February 22, 2006 | Ravnica | Bougrat, Obzedat, Chorus of the Conclave, Niv-Mizzet, Razia, Rakdos, the Nephilim |
| Precious Gold | Matt Cavotta | March 29, 2006 | Ravnica | Emilya, Obzedat, Yore-Tiller Nephilim |
Misprints
- Hypervolt Grasp was printed with a Gruul symbol as a watermark, despite being an Izzet card.
- A small number of the foil Thunderheads were printed with the letters 'y' and 'w' missing from their italics text (flavor and reminder text).
Mechanics and themes
Guildpact continued the guild model and introduced the next three two-color guilds, each with their own keyword. The introduced guilds are as follows:
| Guild | Colors | Guild symbol | Legendary guild members | Keyword or ability word |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gruul Clans | 
|
 |
Borborygmos, Ulasht the Hate Seed | Bloodthirst |
| Bloodthirst works by putting +1/+1 counters on a permanent as it enters the battlefield equal to the Bloodthirst, if an opponent has been dealt damage that turn.[13] | ||||
| Orzhov Syndicate | 
|
 |
Ghost Council of Orzhova, Teysa, Orzhov Scion | Haunt |
| Haunt returns a card from a graveyard "haunting" another permanent. When that permanent is put into a graveyard, a triggered ability of the haunting card is put on the stack.[14][15] | ||||
| Izzet League | 
|
 |
Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind, Tibor and Lumia | Replicate |
| Replicate works by putting copies of a given instant or sorcery onto the stack for each time you pay the Replicate cost.[16] | ||||
To note: the Guilds are presented in the official 
order, but they were originally displayed in a different order by Wizard: Izzet League, Gruul Clans, Orzhov Syndicate.
Creature types
The following creature types are introduced in this expansion: Nephilim, Weird.
The following creature types are used in this expansion but also appear in previous sets: Advisor, Angel, Archer, Assassin, Avatar, Bat, Beast, Berserker, Centaur, Cleric, Cyclops, Djinn, Dragon, Drake, Druid, Dryad, Elemental, Elephant, Elf, Faerie, Giant, Griffin, Gargoyle, Goblin, Horror, Hydra, Illusion, Imp, Insect, Knight, Leviathan, Ogre, Phoenix, Ooze, Rogue, Sand,[17] Shaman, Skeleton, Soldier, Spirit, Thrull, Vampire, Viashino, Vedalken, Warrior, Wizard, Wurm.
Cycles
- For cycles that are part of the guild mega cycles, see Ravnica block#Mega cycles.[18]
Guildpact has four cycles:
| Cycle name |
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leylines | Leyline of the Meek | Leyline of Singularity | Leyline of the Void | Leyline of Lightning | Leyline of Lifeforce |
Each of these rare enchantments costs  plus 2 mana of the appropriate color. Each can start the game in play at the beginning if it is in a player's opening hand.[19][20]
| |||||
| Magemarks | Guardian's Magemark | Infiltrator's Magemark | Necromancer's Magemark | Fencer's Magemark | Beastmaster's Magemark |
| Each of these common auras, costing plus one mana of the appropriate color, has "Enchant creature" and "Creatures you control that are enchanted get +1/+1." All but Guardian's Magemark grant an additional boon to other enchanted creatures: For instance, Fencer's Magemark grants first strike to all other enchanted creatures under the control of the same player as the enchanted creature.[21]
| |||||
| Rusalkas | Martyred Rusalka | Drowned Rusalka | Plagued Rusalka | Scorched Rusalka | Starved Rusalka |
| Each of these 1/1 uncommon spirit creatures, costing one colored mana, has an activated ability with the cost of one mana of her color and the sacrifice of a creature. A rusalka is a female ghost from Slavic mythology, often associated with water. | |||||
| Cycle name |
|
|
|
|
|
| Nephilim | Witch-Maw Nephilim | Yore-Tiller Nephilim | Glint-Eye Nephilim | Dune-Brood Nephilim | Ink-Treader Nephilim |
| Each of these rare creatures costs 4 mana of separate colors. For example, Ink-Treader Nephilim costs , excluding black. Each Nephilim has a powerful and unique ability.
| |||||
Reprinted cards
The following cards have been reprinted from previous sets:
- Cremate — was last seen in Invasion and was an uncommon, now common.
- Savage Twister — was last seen in Mirage and fits with the savage nature of the Gruul Guild.[22]
Notable cards
- Angel of Despair - Utility card in Legacy and Vintage Ichorid decks.
- Burning-Tree Shaman - Used in some legacy zoo variants.
- Leyline of the Void - Anti-graveyard card in Legacy and Vintage sideboards.
- Tin Street Hooligan - Legacy anti-artifact sideboards
Preconstructed decks
In Guildpact, as there are three guilds, there are only three decks, rather than the standard four theme decks; the three decks are oriented around the guilds introduced in Guildpact. The preconstructed theme decks are:
| Theme deck name |
Colors Included | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Gruul Wilding | – | – | – | R | G |
| Code of the Orzhov | W | – | B | – | – |
| Izzet Gizmometry | – | U | – | R | – |
References
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (December 8, 2013). "Cube Drafts and Ravnica Drafts Return!". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29.
- ↑ Brian David-Marshall (January 16, 2006). "Izzet Time Yet?". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29.
- ↑ Magic Arcana (March 23, 2005). "Guildpact Fact Sheet". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29.
- ↑ Brady Dommermuth (October 31, 2006). "Ask Wizards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 09, 2006). "If You Guild It, They Will Come". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Devin Low (February 06, 2006). "Designing Guildpact". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 23, 2006). "Now I Know My ABC’s". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29.
- ↑ Magic Arcana (December 05, 2005). "Guildpact Product Shots". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29.
- ↑ Magic Arcana (January 10, 2006). "Guildpact Prerelease Card". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2020-09-21.
- ↑ Magic Arcana (March 21, 2006). "Guildpact Token Art 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2020-11-25.
- ↑ Rei Nakazawa (January 09, 2006). "Signing Onto the Guildpact". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2018-02-09.
- ↑ Doug Beyer (February 13, 2006). "The Italicized World of Guildpact". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29.
- ↑ Aaron Forsythe (February 03, 2006). "Gruuling Workout". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29.
- ↑ Aaron Forsythe (January 13, 2006). "Haunting Your Dreams". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29.
- ↑ Aaron Forsythe (March 31, 2006). "Losing My Religion". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29.
- ↑ Aaron Forsythe (March 03, 2006). "Yes It Iz". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29.
- ↑ Aaron Forsythe (January 27, 2006). "Guildpact: Twenty Questions". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 16, 2006). "Just The Ten of Us". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Aaron Forsythe (January 20, 2006). "Something Borrowed, Something Blue". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29.
- ↑ Magic Arcana (January 24, 2006). "Guildpact's Leyline Cycle". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2018-10-17.
- ↑ Magic Arcana (February 07, 2006). "Magemark Art Quiz". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29.
- ↑ Magic Arcana (March 20, 2006). "Populating the Twister". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29.
