The names are official... sorta. When Ravnica came out, each of the possible 2-color combinations was associated with a Guild [U/B was House Dimir, U/R was the Izzet League, G/W was the Selesnya Conclave, etc], and people commonly use those abbreviations to this day, calling a R/W deck "Boros".
There were also shards in Alara; three-color combinations like Grixis [B/U/R], Bant [W/U/G], Naya [W/R/G], etc. As far as I know, there's no such 'nickname' for the enemy-wedges such as WUR, or GUB.
The closest thing we have to official names for the wedge colors are the Apocalypse clans (not very commonly used) or the Planar Chaos dragons (more common in EDH/commander).
The names are official... sorta. When Ravnica came out, each of the possible 2-color combinations was associated with a Guild [U/B was House Dimir, U/R was the Izzet League, G/W was the Selesnya Conclave, etc], and people commonly use those abbreviations to this day, calling a R/W deck "Boros".
There were also shards in Alara; three-color combinations like Grixis [B/U/R], Bant [W/U/G], Naya [W/R/G], etc. As far as I know, there's no such 'nickname' for the enemy-wedges such as WUR, or GUB.
Actually, the Apocalypse set had factions in the enemy tri-color combintations, but their names didn't really catch on the way the Shards did because they weren't used very much in the set (I think each appeared on three cards). For the record, they are: WBG - Necra URW - Raka BGU - Ana RWB - Dega GUR - Ceta
There are no official names for color combinations. All of these are unofficial. Unless of course by "official" you mean "understood amongst most players". That's what I mean by "unofficial" though. To me "official" would be like if Wizards said "all decks featuring R and G cards, but no other colors, are recognized as Gruul decks."
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Like others have already said, there is nothing offical on the "Wedge" colors yet (This could change in the next few months when the Commander Decks are released.) But my playgroup has made names for them ourselves...
WBG - Rock URW - American BGU - BUG RWB - Nazi GUR - RUG
Not all of the names have really caught on though. I assume because of the power level/coolness of their associated guild or because they didn't spawn a popular or potent deck at the time, the name just never stuck.
For example Red/White aggro is always called "Boros". That one has definitely caught on with the community. However I have never (since Ravnica rotated out) heard anyone say they were playing an "Azorius" or "Selesnya" deck even though Blue/White and Green/White decks tends to crop up fairly regularly.
Actually, the Apocalypse set had factions in the enemy tri-color combintations, but their names didn't really catch on the way the Shards did because they weren't used very much in the set (I think each appeared on three cards). For the record, they are: WBG - Necra URW - Raka BGU - Ana RWB - Dega GUR - Ceta
Nice. I'm glad someone brought that up. But meh, beaten.
I usually don't remember those too well, so when in doubt, I usually just go with the names of the wedge colored PC dragons.
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WU Near-Death Experience (Casual multiplayer) B Vintage Illegal Discard (When I want to be a jerk) GW Allies (Casual) URG Defenders (Crappy Standard) RWU Affinity (Modern)
We know that blue-red-black is grixis, but what about .. black-green-white?
can we get an official name for our different combinations from a credible person?
if such thing exists, then link plz!!!
thanks!
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1st tcq deltona 5/12/12 RG aggro
1st tcq jax 4/2/12 Naya ramp
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top8 SCGIQ tallahassee 5/5/12 GW ramp
1st Gameday DKA RDW
2011 FL St. Champion 10/15 RG ramp
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GWU: Bant
WUB: Esper
UBR: Grixis
BRG: Jund
RGW: Naya
Enemy tri-colors:
(No names as of yet.)
Allied bi-colors:
WU: Azorius
UB: Dimir
BR: Rakdos
RG: Gruul
GW: Selesnya
Enemy bi-colors:
WB: Orzhov
UR: Izzet
BG: Golgari
RW: Boros
GU: Simic
The Great Creature Token Project
There were also shards in Alara; three-color combinations like Grixis [B/U/R], Bant [W/U/G], Naya [W/R/G], etc. As far as I know, there's no such 'nickname' for the enemy-wedges such as WUR, or GUB.
The latest Comprehensive Rules are also good, and can be found here.
well, maybe magic will bring us to another shards-like block that would be fun. this current colorless block is annoying.
(i'm sure that statement can be met with fierce resistance lol)
top4 ptq ravnica 5/26/12 Solar Flare
1st tcq deltona 5/12/12 RG aggro
1st tcq jax 4/2/12 Naya ramp
top4 silver tcq jax 4/21/12 GW ramp
top8 SCGIQ tallahassee 5/5/12 GW ramp
1st Gameday DKA RDW
2011 FL St. Champion 10/15 RG ramp
top4 1k jax 7/30/11 valakut
top4 tcq jax 3/5/11 valakut
top8 US nats q. 4/23/11 UB control
top4 tcq Kissimmee 4/16/11 UB control
top8 tcq jax 6/18/11 valakut
top4 tcq tampa 6/4/11 elfvine
top4 ptq phily 6/25/11 valakut
Actually, the Apocalypse set had factions in the enemy tri-color combintations, but their names didn't really catch on the way the Shards did because they weren't used very much in the set (I think each appeared on three cards). For the record, they are:
WBG - Necra
URW - Raka
BGU - Ana
RWB - Dega
GUR - Ceta
WBG - Rock
URW - American
BGU - BUG
RWB - Nazi
GUR - RUG
IE. Numot, the Devastator is the "American Dragon" & Oros, the Avenger is the "Nazi Dragon". seriously look at Oros' ability he's a Nazi.:D
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For example Red/White aggro is always called "Boros". That one has definitely caught on with the community. However I have never (since Ravnica rotated out) heard anyone say they were playing an "Azorius" or "Selesnya" deck even though Blue/White and Green/White decks tends to crop up fairly regularly.
Nice. I'm glad someone brought that up. But meh, beaten.
I usually don't remember those too well, so when in doubt, I usually just go with the names of the wedge colored PC dragons.
WU Near-Death Experience (Casual multiplayer)
B Vintage Illegal Discard (When I want to be a jerk)
GW Allies (Casual)
URG Defenders (Crappy Standard)
RWU Affinity (Modern)
RGW Mayael the Anima
B Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief
BG Vhati il-Dal
BR Bladewing the Risen
GU Edric, Spymaster of Trest
WU Bruna, Light of Alabaster
RWU Zedruu the Greathearted