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Ravnica Allegiance

Ravnica Allegiance is the 80th Magic: The Gathering expansion; while it is not part of a block, this set is functionally the second part of a Ravnica focused storyline set on the plane of Ravnica. It was released on January 25, 2019.

Setting
The Guilds of Ravnica and Ravnica Allegiance sets each focus on five out of the ten Ravnica guilds and the shared storyline creates the foundation for the story in the War of the Spark set. On this story design, Mark Rosewater highlighted that they wanted the Bolas Arc to "end with a big dramatic event" which required getting players to care that this event was occurring on Ravnica. The guild "has a reputation for bureaucratic sluggishness, but its beat cops are the best of the best". • Cult of Rakdos was founded by the "megalomaniac" demon lord Rakdos • The Gruul Clans are a collection of independent, feuding groups that live in the "small pockets of wilderness" left on Ravnica • The Simic Combine is a guild of "scientists and biomancers" • The Orzhov Syndicate, also known as The Church of Deals, acts as both "the central religion and the central bank". == Mechanics ==
Mechanics
Each guild receives a unique mechanic in this set: • Azorius (white-blue): the new Addendum mechanic • Rakdos (black-red): the new Spectacle mechanic == Related products ==
Related products
''Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica'' ''Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica (2018) was the first Magic: The Gathering campaign setting adapted for Dungeons & Dragons'' and was released on November 20, 2018. The campaign book and the three related Ravnica card sets carried "the classic collectible card game into its 26th year". == Reception ==
Reception
Chris Carter, for Destructoid, highlighted that "Allegiance has some pretty wild cards and completes the Shockland mana base for every deck combination. [...] Everything in this set (and the previous set, Guilds of Ravnica) will remain standard in Arena and in the paper format throughout the fourth quarter of 2020. The current sets of Ixalan, Rivals of Ixalan, Dominaria and Core 2019 are cycling out later this year. [...] If you haven't played a sealed game of Magic before, you might want to give it a shot. The gist is that gaming stores around the country will run limited events where players are given six booster packs and are tasked with creating a deck. You can swap out whatever cards you want between rounds but your job is win as many games as possible. [...] As always there is the option to crack open booster packs (or boxes of 36 packs) and try your luck when cards go on sale. Some people dig the thrill of cracking. Alternatively, you can also buy singles and build the decks you want". Cameron Kunzelman, for Paste, commented that this set "is the best impulses of Magic humming along on all cylinders. [...] From my experience playing a few drafts and a couple sealed tournaments on Magic Arena, this makes for one of the better Limited formats simply because there's a bit of time for players to think. Your decisions matter, the decks don't build themselves, and you really have to consider your attacks, blocks and use of supporting spells. [...] If you've been out of the Magic game for a while, Ravnica Allegiance [sic] is a great place to jump back in simply because it demonstrates some of the core strengths of Magic design. [...] As for how this set will impact the broader experience of Magic, including Standard and Modern formats, I cannot say. [...] If I have a choice between a set having an interesting Limited environment and cards that make for a crunchy, highly competitive Constructed format, I'm going to go for the former. All in all, Ravnica Allegiance establishes the core expectations for Magic sets for the next couple years. It isn't raising the bar; it's creating the new bar". Princess Weekes, for The Mary Sue, highlighted her favorite cards from the set with her top three being Mirror March, Captive Audience and Rhythm of the Wild. Weekes included the caveat: "I am very much a newbie and a casual player who mostly enjoys Commander and Modern, so I'm not coming in here as some master authority. There are lots of awesome Magic YouTube channels that have broken down the best cards in the set through years of experience as players. For me, as a baby Magic user who enjoys playing and just wants to have a good time with creatures who do cool things and crafting themed decks, here are the eight cards that really spoke to me as I was enjoying the set". == References ==
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