Magic Deck Vortex: Exit 267 - Ravnica, the New Frontier

Well, well, well… Wizards of the Coast finally decided they should break Ravnica open a little. In the 887th Arcana, the first painland for Ravnica was shown [the image to the right is that painland]. Not bad, huh? But other than those friendly Arcanas, www.magicthegathering.com won’t be much help until September 5, when they start to preview Ravnica cards.

MTG Salvation(MTGS) is still bringing in mass amounts of rumors about the new set, on the other hand. More hints at guild cards, lands, and many other things in the new set. Rancored_Elf and the other staff over at MTGS have had a time trying to get all of these rumors in order, classifying the believable ones from the fake.

Has anyone noticed that all the pictures for Ravnica have been generated from this particular Magic Arcana? First, the Ravnica logo and symbol:

My suspicions were confirmed when I tried to go to that Arcana’s images, and was blocked because I didn’t have authorization. If any of you out there are professional hackers... [Editor's Comment: For the record, I do not encourage website hacking. ~Streetz~]

Well, that pretty much sums up the introduction for this week’s article. My last two articles had pretty massive introductions because there was a lot to talk about. In the first article, I had to explain the setting of Ravnica, and how everything in the set was supposed to roll out. In the second, I provided you with information on the rest of the block. But this week, I feel almost everything has been covered, and that this meager introduction should be sufficient. So let’s move on to the good stuff…

1.) There are confirmed painlands in the Ravnica set. The first was shown on magicthegathering.com, in their Arcana article referenced above, and is called Temple Garden. It is the G/W painland, and should prove valuable in Selesyna Conclave guild decks. The other painlands should look identical to it, except for the mana combination, which instead will be either G/B, G/R, G/U, U/R, U/B, U/W, B/W, B/R, or R/W. Note that these are probably not the guild lands. According to the 4/3/3 Guild set-up theory for the block, only the G/B, G/W, U/B, and R/W painlands will be available in Ravnica.

2.) On the same Arcana as the painland preview, Wizards also mentions that Pre-Releases for the set will be held on September 24, 2005. Be sure that you attend and pick up some packs at your local event to get ready for the new set.

3.) Some new art for Ravnica has been introduced on the PS-Games site, and moved over to MTGSalvation. The first one is supposedly a Golgari Guild member. And the second one is an Angel in the Boros Guild named Razia, Boros Archangel. Next, we have Tolsimir Wolfblood from the Selesyna Conclave. Finally, Szadek, Lord of Secrets fills the spot in the U/B Dimir Guild.

4.) From the same people that brought you the art above, also bring a bunch of product images. Well, actually, it’s only one picture with a lot of products in it. Here it is now, and as you can tell, it includes much of the artwork seen before. Some of the matching artwork is the Elvish looking character shown on the life counter, and the two characters shown above. It is also shown on a French website called Cartacogo.com.

5. Rancored_Elf has released some of the high-quality guild images that he was shown before. These pretty much confirm the 4/3/3 guild theory.

“Selesyna Conclave” Guild Symbol

“Boros Legion” Guild Symbol

“House Dimir” Guild Symbol

“The Golgari” Guild Symbol

6.) Pandafarmer (over in the MTGS forums) followed through on his promise, and went to Gen Con to provide us with some quality information on the set. I’ll just quote his whole post to make it easy for you.

And don’t think he stopped there… Oh no, this forum poster, pandafamer, goes all out to get us 8 more pictures of what he saw at Gen-Con. And here they are.

6.) See the card image above that doesn’t come in too well because it is obviously foil? Yeah, well she is supposedly this card.

7.) Rancored_Elf has confirmed even more cards to be in Ravnica, and they are posted in the Ravnica Partial Spoiler list. This week has probably added the most cards into the spoiler to this point. I’ll let Streetz do his thing with the spoiler quoting, since he seems to not want you people wandering off. (Hee-hee… Muhahaha!) [See below item #10 for the text spoiler, as rumored and as known right now ~Streetz~]

8.) The official Ravnica page has been posted on magicthegathering.com. It can be located here, but pretty much just confirms everything we’ve seen a while back. The only thing of importance seems to be the brief synopsis of the Ravnica story (quoted below):

9.) Belgareth and Rancored_Elf have both confirmed that there will be a reprint of Elves of the Deep Shadow in Ravnica. It will most likely have new art and a new name to assist it into the set.

10.) The Guild Lands are confirmed to be different than the lands mentioned above in the first rumor. These lands will look a little different, and in this form.

WHITE

<<<<< - 1W
Instant
Radiance - Choose a color. Target creature and each other creature that shares a color with it gain protection from the chosen color until end of turn.

Benevolent Ancestor - 2W
Creature - Spirit
Defender
T: Prevent the next 1 damage that would be dealt to target creature or player this turn.
0/4
#3/306

Conclave Equenaut - 4WW
Creature - Human Soldier
Convoke (Each creature you tap while playing this spell reduces its cost by 1 or by one mana of that creature's color.)
Flying
3/3

Dromad Purebred - 4W
Creature - Beast
Whenever Dromad Purebred is dealt damage, you gain 1 life.
1/5

Gate Hound - 2w
Creature - Hound
Creatures you control have vigilance as long as Gate Hound is enchanted.
1/1

Humped Llama? - 2ww
Creature - .....Llama?
Flying
When Humped Llama comes into play, target opponent puts a 4/4 black Horror creature token into play.
5/5

{{{{{ Phalanx - 4w
Creature - Human Soldier
Convoke (Each creature you tap as you play {{{{{ Phalanx reduces its cost by one mana of that creature's color.)
When {{{{{ Phalanx comes into play, you gain 1 life for each creature you control.
2/4

BLUE

Convolute - 2u
Instant
Counter target spell unless its controller pays .
#40/306

Halcyon Glaze - 1UU
Enchantment
Whenever you play a creature spell, Halcyon Glaze becomes a 4/4 Illusion creature with flying until end of turn. It's still an enchantment.

Muddle the Mixture - UU
Instant
Counter target instant or sorcery spell.
Transmute 1UU (1UU, Discard this card: Search your library for a card with converted mana cost equal to this card's, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then shuffle your library. Play this ability only any time you could play a sorcery.)

Peel from Reality - 1U
Instant
Return target creature you control and target creature you don't control to owners' hands.

Stasis Cell - 4U
Enchantment - Aura
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature doesn't untap during its controller's untap step.
3U: Attach Stasis Cell to target creature.

Vedalken @@@@ ? - 2UU?
Creature - Vedalken Wizard
U, T: Target player puts the top two cards of his or her library into his or her graveyard.
1/4

Zephyr Spirit - 4U
Creature - Spirit
When Zephyr Spirit blocks, return it to its owner's hand.
0/6

BLACK

$$$$ Imp - 2B
Creature - Imp
Flying
Whenever $$$$ Imp deals combat damage to a creature, destroy that creature.
Dredge 5 (If you would draw a card, you may put the top five cards of your library into your graveyard instead. If you do, return $$$$ Imp from your graveyard to your hand.)
1/2

%%%% Witch - B
Creature - Human Wizard?
1, Sacrifice a creature: Look at the top two cards of target opponent's library, then remove one of them from the game.
1/1

&&&&& - 1B
Creature - Zombie
1U: &&&&& gains flying until end of turn.
2/1

Carrion Howler - 3B
Creature - Zombie Wolf
Pay 1 life: Carrion Howler gets +2/-1 until end of turn.
2/2

Dark Confidant - 1B
Creature - Human Wizard
At the beginning of your upkeep, reveal the top card of your library and put that card into your hand.
You lose life equal to the converted mana cost.
2/1
Greatness, at any cost.
#81/306

Undercity Shade - 4B
Creature - Shade
Fear
B: Undercity Shade gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
1/1

~~~~~ - 2BB
Sorcery
Return target creature card from your graveyard to play.
If any G was spent to play this spell, that creature comes into play with a +1/+1 counter on it.

RED

Excruciator - 6RR
Creature - Avatar (R)
Damage that would be dealt by Excruciator can't be prevented.
7/7

Fiery Conclusion - 1R
Instant
As an additional cost to play Fiery Conclusion, sacrifice a creature.
Fiery Conclusion deals 5 damage to target creature.

Galvanic Arc - 2R
Enchantment - Aura
Enchant creature
When Galvanic Arc comes into play, it deals 3 damage to target creature or player.
Enchanted creature has first strike.

Goblin Spelunkers - 1R
Creature - Goblin Warrior
Mountainwalk
2/2

Lizardman? - R
Creature - Lizard??
Defender
Sacrifice 3 mountains: Lizardman loses defender until end of turn.
3/2

Smash - 2R
Instant
Destroy Target Artifact.
Draw A Card.
Note: This is a reprint.

Surge of Zeal - R
Instant
Radiance - Target creature and each other creature that shares a color with it gain haste until end of turn.

Viashino Slasher - 1R
Creature - Viashino Warrior
R: Viashino Slasher gets +1/-1 until end of turn.
1/2

GREEN

??? - 4GG
Instant
You gain 1 life for each creature in play. If any W was spent to play ???, untap all creatures you control.

????? - G
Instant
Convoke (You may tap an untapped green creature you control instead of paying ?????'s mana cost.)
Target creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn.

Birds of Paradise - G
Creature - Bird
Flying
T: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool.
0/1
Note: This is a reprint

[Elves of Deep Shadow Reprint] - G
Creature - Elf
T: Add B to your mana pool. Elves of Deep Shadow deals 1 damage to you.
1/1

Placeholder - 3GG
Instant
Put three 1/1 green Saproling creature tokens into play.
Convoke (Each creature you tap while playing this spell reduces its cost by 1 or by one mana of that creature's color.)

Root-Kin Ally - 4GG
Creature - Elemental Warrior
Convoke (Each creature you tap while playing this spell reduces its cost by or by one mana of that creature's color.)
Tap two untapped creatures you control: Root-Kin Ally gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
3/3

Siege Wurm - 5GG
Creature - Wurm
Convoke
Trample
5/5

Spoiling? - 2GG
Sorcery
Destroy target land. If any B was spent to play Spoiling, all creatures get -1/-1 until end of turn.

^^^^^ - 1G
Enchantment - Aura
Enchant creature
When ^^^^^ comes into play, put two 1/1 green Saproling creature tokens into play.
Enchanted creature has trample.

GOLD

##### - WR
Creature - Human? Soldier?
Double strike
1/2

?? - 2BGG
Creature - Insect
Dredge 1(If you would draw a card, you may instead put the top card of your library into your graveyard and put ~This~ from your graveyard into your hand.)
(?), Sacrifice ~This~: Draw a card.
4/4

??? - WR
Creature - Human Soldier
T: Target creature can't attack or block this turn.
2/1

????? - UB
Sorcery
Target player puts the top 10 cards from his or her library into his or her graveyard.

Boros Guildmage (r/w)(r/w)
Creature - Human Wizard
((r/w) can be paid with either R or W.)
R: Target creature gains haste until end of turn.
W: Target creature gains first strike until end of turn.
2/2

Centaur Safeguard 2(g/w)
Creature - Centaur Warrior
((g/w) can be paid with G or W)
When Centaur Safeguard is put into a graveyard from play, target player gains 3 life.
3/1

Clutch of the Undercity - 1UUB
Instant (U)
Return target permanent to its owner's hand. Its controller loses 3 life.
Transmute 1UB (1UB, Discard this card: Search your library for a card with the same converted mana cost as this card, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then shuffle your library. Play only as a sorcery.)

Dimir Cutpurse - 1UB
Creature - Spirit
Whenever Dimir Cutpurse deals combat damage to a player, that player discards a card and you draw a card.
2/2

Dimir Guildmage (u/b)(u/b)
Creature - Human? Wizard?
((u/b) can be paid with either U or B.)
(?)U: Draw a card.
(?)B: Target player discards a card. (Play this ability only any time you could play a sorcery.?)
2/2

Flame-Something Zealot - 1WRR
Creature - Elemental Berserker
When Flame-Something Zealot comes into play, creatures you control get +1/+1 and gain haste until end of turn.
2/2

Golgari Guildmage (b/g)(b/g)
Creature - Elf? Wizard?
((b/g) can be paid with either B or G.)
(?)B, Sacrifice a creature: Put target creature card from your graveyard into your hand.
(?)G: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature.
2/2

Loxodon ___ - 2WG
Creature - Elephant Cleric
When Loxodon _____ comes into play, gain 4 life.
WG, Sacrifice Loxodon _____: Regenerate all creatures you control.
4/4

Master Warcraft - 2(r/w)(r/w)
Instant
((r/w) can be paid with either R or W)
Play Master Warcraft only before attackers are declared.
You choose which creatures attack this turn. You choose how each creature blocks this turn.

Moroii - 2UB
Creature - Vampire
Flying
At the beginning of your upkeep, you lose 1 life.
4/4

Privileged Position - (w/g)(w/g)(w/g)
Enchantment
((w/g) can be paid with either W or G.)
Unknown text.

Razia, Boros Archangel - 4WWRR
Legendary Creature - Angel
Flying, Vigilance, Haste
(Activated Ability involving mana or tapping?)
6/?

Selesnya Guildmage (w/g)(w/g)
Creature - Elf Wizard
((w/g) can be paid with either W or G.)
(?)W: ?
(?)G: ?
2/2

Sisters of Stone Death - 4BBGG
Legendary Creature - Gorgon
G: Target creature blocks Sisters of Stone Death this turn if able.
BG: Remove from the game target creature blocking or blocked by Sisters of Stone Death.
2B: Put a creature card removed from the game with Sisters of Stone Death into play under your control.
7/5

Woodwraith Strangler - 2BG
Creature - Plant Zombie
Remove a creature card in your graveyard from the game: Regenerate Woodwraith Strangler.
2/2

ARTIFACT

?? - 2
Artifact
Play with the top card of your library revealed.
WG: Put the top card of your library on the bottom of your library.

Boros Signet - 2
Artifact
1, T: Add WR to your mana pool.

Dimir Signet - 2
Artifact
1, T: Add UB to your mana pool.

Golgari Signet - 2
Artifact
1, T: Add BG to your mana pool.

Leashling - 6
Artifact Creature - Golem
Put a card in your hand on top of your library: Return Leashling to its owner's hand.
3/3

Selesnya Signet - 2
Artifact
1, T: Add WG to your mana pool.

Terrarion - 1
Artifact
Terrarion comes into play tapped.
2, tap, Sacrifice Terrarion: Add two mana of any combination of colors to your mana pool.
When Terrarion is put into a graveyard from play, draw a card.

LANDS:

20 Basic Lands: Swamp, Forest, Plains, Island and Mountain.

Boros Garrison
Land
Boros Garrison comes into play tapped.
When Boros Garrison comes into play, return a land you control to its owner's hand.
T: Add WR to your mana pool.

Dimir Aqueduct
Land
Dimir Aqueduct comes into play tapped.
When Dimir Aqueduct comes into play, return a land you control to its owner's hand.
T: Add BU to your mana pool.

Golgari Rot Farm
Land
Golgari Rot Farm comes into play tapped.
When Golgari Rot Farm comes into play, return a land you control to its owner's hand.
T: Add BG to your mana pool.

Overgrown Tomb
Land - Swamp Forest
(T, add B or G to your mana pool.)
As Overgrown Tomb comes into play, you may pay two life. If you don't, Overgrown Tomb comes into play tapped instead.

Sacred Foundry
Land - Mountain Plains
(T, add R or W to your mana pool.)
As Sacred Foundry comes into play, you may pay two life. If you don't, Sacred Foundry comes into play tapped instead.

Selesnya Sanctuary
Land
Selesnya Sanctuary comes into play tapped.
When Selesnya Sanctuary comes into play, return a land you control to its owner's hand.
T: Add GW to your mana pool.

Temple Garden
Land - Forest Plains
(T, add G or W to your mana pool.)
As Temple Garden comes into play, you may pay two life. If you don't, Temple Garden comes into play tapped instead.
Illus.: Rob Alexander
#284/306

Watery Grave
Land - Island Swamp
(T, add U or B to your mana pool.)
As Watery Grave comes into play, you may pay two life. If you don't, Watery Grave comes into play tapped instead.

Everything listed above has been quoted from www.mtgsalvation.com. Their spoiler can be found here. Many thanks for the people over on MTGS for bringing us the bulk of this information. ~Streetz~

Hmm… Well, I hope you like all these new rumors. It was hard to track them all down, but I was able to do it. I’m glad I got my DSL hooked up this weekend to make the process a little faster and simpler. Ten new rumors to start off the week sounds pretty good to me.

I’d like to give a special thanks to John Streetz in this article, because he’s allowed me to start writing for the site on a regular basis, which I’m doing my best to keep up with now. Also, because he proofreads each article, and makes sure that most mistakes don’t make it to the final print. In addition, he pretties up the article by adding a banner, fixing the pictures, etc. Thanks Streetz, I appreciate it a lot. :)

Well, that wraps it up for me this week. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading the article. And if your a hacker... ... (see references above) ... ... I want to see some more pictures from Ravnica! And to all of you that aren’t hackers, you can still easily find your own new information on the set. Contribute something to the Magic Community, instead of only reading about it after the event has happened. And don’t forget that news and rumors never stop coming, so visit the best sites for them… ( www.magicdeckvortex.com, www.starcitygames.com, www.magicthegathering.com, www.rancoredelf.com, and www.mtgsalvation.com.)

~ FIRE REIGN 2 ~

EDITORS NOTE: If you are part of the crowd coming to this page only for the latest and greatest rumors on Ravnica you'll notice right now I am only including the current spoiler in Fire Reign's articles. Articles are new to Magic Deck Vortex and I'm trying something new with this new set coming out. Fear not, the actual visual spoiler will be updated as soon as we have some card images, but...

While you are in the article sections of MDV I would encourage you to take a look around at some of the other articles MDV has to offer. You shant be dissappointed. Let me know what you think of Fire Reigns perspective on rumors for Ravnica in the forum (link above). Or/And let me know your thought on how MDV is presenting rumor information to you this time around.

Also, if you would like to write for MDV, send me an email Thanks for visiting Magic Deck Vortex.. a casual site that's more than meets the eye.