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The first trip to Ravnica
What this set is
Ravnica: City of Guilds is the first visit to Ravnica, a plane that is one continuous city run by ten two-color guilds. The block split the guilds across three sets, and this one has four: Boros (red-white), Selesnya (green-white), Golgari (black-green) and Dimir (blue-black). Ravnica has returned many times since, and every return builds on this structure.
It introduced hybrid mana, mana symbols that can be paid with either of two colors, on 12 cards. Each guild has its own mechanic: convoke for Selesnya, dredge for Golgari, transmute for Dimir and radiance for Boros.
Its lands are why most players own it. Four of the ten shocklands (Watery Grave, Overgrown Tomb, Sacred Foundry and Temple Garden) are here, along with the guild Signets and the bounceland karoos. Farseek and Birds of Paradise round out the Commander staples.
Themes
Every mechanic in Ravnica
Hybrid mana
A two-color mana symbol you can pay with either color. A hybrid card counts as both colors for color identity, so in Commander it needs both in your commander's identity.
Convoke (Selesnya)
Your creatures can help pay: each creature you tap while casting the spell pays for {1} or one mana of that creature's color.
Dredge (Golgari)
If you would draw a card, you may instead mill N cards and return this card from your graveyard to your hand. It became strong enough that Modern bans Golgari Grave-Troll.
Transmute (Dimir) and radiance (Boros)
Transmute discards the card to search for one with the same mana value. Radiance spreads an effect to every creature that shares a color with the target.
Where You Can Play It
Format legality
Ravnica: City of Guilds is a single code with one Modern ban.
Not Standard-legal, and never Pioneer-legal: Pioneer starts at Return to Ravnica (October 2012). Everything here is legal in Modern, Legacy, Vintage and Commander unless a ban list says otherwise. Modern bans Golgari Grave-Troll, and Vintage restricts it. Nothing is banned in Legacy or Commander. Commons from any set are Pauper-legal; that isn't listed per set here.
Commanders
The most played commanders from Ravnica
The legends this set is best known for. Tap one for its printings and what it costs.
Boosters, precons and singles from Ravnica are on TCGplayer.
FAQ
Common questions
Where can I play Ravnica: City of Guilds cards?
In Modern, Legacy, Vintage and Commander, minus the cards each format bans. Ravnica: City of Guilds left Standard long ago and was never in Pioneer, which starts in 2012. Modern bans Golgari Grave-Troll.
Which shocklands are in Ravnica: City of Guilds?
Watery Grave, Overgrown Tomb, Sacred Foundry and Temple Garden. Guildpact and Dissension printed the other six.
Did hybrid mana start in Ravnica?
Yes. Ravnica: City of Guilds introduced hybrid mana on 12 cards.
Which guilds are in Ravnica: City of Guilds?
Boros, Selesnya, Golgari and Dimir. Guildpact added Gruul, Izzet and Orzhov, and Dissension added Azorius, Rakdos and Simic.
All card names, art, and mechanics belong to Wizards of the Coast. Ravnica: City of Guilds released on Oct 7, 2005; details reflect the set as published. Sources: Wizards of the Coast set pages and release notes, Draftsim, Untapped.gg.
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