Gruul because I've never been a fan of "big dumb."
"Those who regard the Gruul as savage simpletons underestimate the subtle power of their shamans."
Yeah, that's the one aspect of the guild that I really like. It's just a shame that it takes such a back seat to the "RAWR ME BIG AND ANGRY! SMASH SMASH SMASH!"
If that were the focus of the guild it could be one of my favorite.
I'm a huge fan of both "science" guilds, Izzet and Simic, though I hate the worst aspects of both of them. I started playing around Kamigawa/Ravnica and loved the scientific aspect, which made it kind of devastating for me that Simic (my favorite of the two) was such an "evil for evils sake" organization in the novels. That's why I really love the 180° turn they did in Return to Ravnica, especially their new focus on holism. Izzet on the other hand is sometimes just too destructive and let's face it, Niv-Mizzet rivals Nicol Bolas in egocentrism and pettiness.
My least favorite guilds are the Dimir (with nearly no redeeming qualities whatsoever and until Return to Ravnica nothing but destructive for the city) and the Gruul (because of the reasons given in the post above me). Gruul as preservers of nature and with subtle machinations of their shamans are great, but their destructive aspects have gotten much more attention (though I like that the Simic seem to want to work with them on again helping nature survive in the city).
The Orzhov would be my least favorite guild if Teysa, my favorite ravnician character wasn't part of them. They really have very few redeeming qualities, perhabs even less so than the new Dimir.
The Orzhov would be my least favorite guild if Teysa, my favorite ravnician character wasn't part of them. They really have very few redeeming qualities, perhabs even less so than the new Dimir.
Absolutely, but as a creation I think they're awesome. You mention the books. Each chapter starts with a relevant quote, and one of them (I forget which book and chapter) mentions Selesnya being the living spirit of the law, and the Orzhov being a check and balance on the law.
To me it's so fantastic that the people that are supposed to represent the commoners in a court of law (the Orzhov advokists) have the extort mechanic. In other words, they won't take your case or do a decent job unless you grease their palms first!
Filthy, utterly evil, and great story potential there.
My least favorite guilds are the Dimir (with nearly no redeeming qualities whatsoever and until Return to Ravnica nothing but destructive for the city).
To be fair though, that was their entire role as part of the Guildpact.
Man, a big, fat 5th ed DnD setting tome for Ravnica would really be a product I'd like to get my hands on. Hopefully they have something like that in the works, especially after the recent web-released zendikar campaign kit.
If I lived in Ravnica, I think Selesnya would be the only really nice place to be, but I'd probably end up as a lowly good-for-nothing soul-serf of the Orzhov. Unless I could get them to turn me into one of their vampires. At least then I'd get a nicethrone
Lots, especially given he doesn't seem like a nice guy to be around.
Definitely a big fan of the Azorius, though I do like the Boros and Izzet too. Azorius is likely where I would fit in best though, I don't think I'm quite chaotic enough for Izzet or physical enough for Boros.
Golgari are probably one of the guilds I click least with, though there are definitely others. I just don't enjoy Black/Green together at all, it hits on my least favorite aspects of both colors.
I don't think I'd really fit well with any guild. I think I'm something like.... Azorizzet. Too impulsive for Azorius, but too ordered and restrained for full on Izzet.
I like the guilds, but I wouldn't want to be part of one. They're all too intrusive in your life.
My favourite guild is Golgari, because everyone looks down on them, but they serve two of the most important jobs; sustenance and disposal. W/out them, things would get pretty dirty. Literally.
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A giant dork. Who likes to eat with forks. Never used a spork.
Decks: Casual R Burn R
EDH R Godo Voltron R RUG ETB Overload RUG BW Clerics Pain and Drain BW GW Spirits!!! GW RUG Landfall Silliness RUG
My impression is that the guilds are intrusive if you're part of one or not. It's just generally a bit better to be part of one.
Though I kind of wonder if they have interguild diplomats, seems like the kind of job that might be good for people who are a bit too tri-color for a guild.
Lots, especially given he doesn't seem like a nice guy to be around.
Definitely a big fan of the Azorius, though I do like the Boros and Izzet too. Azorius is likely where I would fit in best though, I don't think I'm quite chaotic enough for Izzet or physical enough for Boros.
Golgari are probably one of the guilds I click least with, though there are definitely others. I just don't enjoy Black/Green together at all, it hits on my least favorite aspects of both colors.
Even though Simic is my favorite, I love Golgari because GB is one of the oddest opposite pairings. It's the logical extent of recycling nature (what with undeath). What nature giveth it taketh... and through necromancy, what it taketh, it giveth.
The Orzhov are still a religious institution that serves their communities and local banks (as well as other lucrative businesses, such as restaurants). Keep in mind that we're seeing usually the more negative aspects of the Black guilds; for example, we don't get to see the entertainment industry or mining side of the Rakdos very much.
Golgari are probably one of the guilds I click least with, though there are definitely others. I just don't enjoy Black/Green together at all, it hits on my least favorite aspects of both colors.
Nature and the body scares you a little bit, yeah?
Golgari are probably one of the guilds I click least with, though there are definitely others. I just don't enjoy Black/Green together at all, it hits on my least favorite aspects of both colors.
Nature and the body scares you a little bit, yeah?
Scare would be the wrong word, they just don't mesh with me. Even at there best I'm not a fan, and the worst brings out aspects of people I dislike greatly.
The Orzhov are still a religious institution that serves their communities and local banks (as well as other lucrative businesses, such as restaurants). Keep in mind that we're seeing usually the more negative aspects of the Black guilds; for example, we don't get to see the entertainment industry or mining side of the Rakdos very much.
Well they are more or less the mafia of Ravnica and I wouldn't call the real lifes mafias restaurants and other businesses they conduct as a facade "redeeming qualities". I admit that I liked them more before the revelations in the last Teysa story. Not being bound by any kind of guildpact and with obvious motivations to use this power to dominate the other guilds makes them as bad as the Dimir in my opinion. The only real redeeming aspect of them (and in my opinion one of their most important roles as a guild) was their work as defence lawyers, a job which is often underestimated in its importance in real life as well.
The Rakdos on the other hand are brutal and sadomasochistic to an absurd degree, but they don't have any real ambitions to rule Ravnica or destroy the other guilds as far as I know. And their legitimate businesses are portrayed as genuine (though perhabs more dangerous than their real life counterparts).
The only real redeeming aspect of them (and in my opinion one of their most important roles as a guild) was their work as defence lawyers, a job which is often underestimated in its importance in real life as well.
I suspect, however, especially given the Extort mechanic, that you would need to grease their palms first before they took on your case and fought it competently!
The Orzhov are still a religious institution that serves their communities and local banks (as well as other lucrative businesses, such as restaurants). Keep in mind that we're seeing usually the more negative aspects of the Black guilds; for example, we don't get to see the entertainment industry or mining side of the Rakdos very much.
Well they are more or less the mafia of Ravnica and I wouldn't call the real lifes mafias restaurants and other businesses they conduct as a facade "redeeming qualities". I admit that I liked them more before the revelations in the last Teysa story. Not being bound by any kind of guildpact and with obvious motivations to use this power to dominate the other guilds makes them as bad as the Dimir in my opinion. The only real redeeming aspect of them (and in my opinion one of their most important roles as a guild) was their work as defence lawyers, a job which is often underestimated in its importance in real life as well.
That is more of the guild leaders and not the guild of the whole. To use your metaphor, the kingpins are not very good people but you can't say the same for every cook, host(ess) and waiter/waitress that works at the restaurants, many of which are just owned by the mafia and not involved in their crimes. Teysa shows that many people of the guild believe that the Orzhov should/is a place where while you have to make an investment, your ambition should be your only limits in a guild that will be like family.
The Rakdos on the other hand are brutal and sadomasochistic to an absurd degree, but they don't have any real ambitions to rule Ravnica or destroy the other guilds as far as I know. And their legitimate businesses are portrayed as genuine (though perhabs more dangerous than their real life counterparts).
Mullerornis said a part of it, we don't see every aspect of the guild mostly the most stereotypical and fighting/battle focused. TO quote Shrek, they have layers. Iirc in the first Ravnica novel it talks about how their are many tame Rakdos street performers.
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“There are no weak Jews. I am descended from those who wrestle angels and kill giants. We were chosen by God. You were chosen by a pathetic little man who can't seem to grow a full mustache"
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
And the Orzhov do still ultimately work as a legit religious organisation, at least in the original block's snippets. We see the side taking advantage of people in the cards, but we are indeed given reasons as to why the lower followers would find fulfilment in the Orzhov. An old story circulating around called "The Good Pontiff" makes further note of this, even if it's not "official".
Most people think Rakdos is bad for Ravnica. They forget that their main purpose is to entertain Rakdos himself. Rakdos must be pleased by the Rakdos guild or it would be dangerous for Ravnica. All those murder, mayhem and chaos? What the guild does is nothing compared to what Rakdos himself will unleash upon the world.
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MtG is where you can hate white players or black players, and still not be racist.
Most people think Rakdos is bad for Ravnica. They forget that their main purpose is to entertain Rakdos himself. Rakdos must be pleased by the Rakdos guild or it would be dangerous for Ravnica. All those murder, mayhem and chaos? What the guild does is nothing compared to what Rakdos himself will unleash upon the world.
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MtG is where you can hate white players or black players, and still not be racist.
Even then, as pointed before, the Rakdos do serve legit businesses in Ravnica, so it's not too hard to find the positives even amidst all the slaughter and rape.
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Yeah, that's the one aspect of the guild that I really like. It's just a shame that it takes such a back seat to the "RAWR ME BIG AND ANGRY! SMASH SMASH SMASH!"
If that were the focus of the guild it could be one of my favorite.
My least favorite guilds are the Dimir (with nearly no redeeming qualities whatsoever and until Return to Ravnica nothing but destructive for the city) and the Gruul (because of the reasons given in the post above me). Gruul as preservers of nature and with subtle machinations of their shamans are great, but their destructive aspects have gotten much more attention (though I like that the Simic seem to want to work with them on again helping nature survive in the city).
The Orzhov would be my least favorite guild if Teysa, my favorite ravnician character wasn't part of them. They really have very few redeeming qualities, perhabs even less so than the new Dimir.
Absolutely, but as a creation I think they're awesome. You mention the books. Each chapter starts with a relevant quote, and one of them (I forget which book and chapter) mentions Selesnya being the living spirit of the law, and the Orzhov being a check and balance on the law.
To me it's so fantastic that the people that are supposed to represent the commoners in a court of law (the Orzhov advokists) have the extort mechanic. In other words, they won't take your case or do a decent job unless you grease their palms first!
Filthy, utterly evil, and great story potential there.
I was thinking in terms of leadership and legendary creatures.
To be fair though, that was their entire role as part of the Guildpact.
Commander Decks
WDarien, King of KjeldorW - WYomiji, Who Bars the WayW - UIxidor, Reality SculptorU
BPhage the UntouchableB - BShirei,
Shadowborn Ap-Shizo's CaretakerB - RZirilan of the ClawR(W/U)Noyan Dar, Roil Shaper(W/U) - (2/G)Phelddagrif Politics(W/U) - (U/B)Mishra, Artificer Prodigy(U/R) - Karona, God of Voltron
"Personally I love high-riak, low-reqars gambles. Life's best with a decent amount of riak. And f*** reqars."
What else matters?
Definitely a big fan of the Azorius, though I do like the Boros and Izzet too. Azorius is likely where I would fit in best though, I don't think I'm quite chaotic enough for Izzet or physical enough for Boros.
Golgari are probably one of the guilds I click least with, though there are definitely others. I just don't enjoy Black/Green together at all, it hits on my least favorite aspects of both colors.
My favourite guild is Golgari, because everyone looks down on them, but they serve two of the most important jobs; sustenance and disposal. W/out them, things would get pretty dirty. Literally.
Decks:
Casual
R Burn R
EDH
R Godo Voltron R
RUG ETB Overload RUG
BW Clerics Pain and Drain BW
GW Spirits!!! GW
RUG Landfall Silliness RUG
Though I kind of wonder if they have interguild diplomats, seems like the kind of job that might be good for people who are a bit too tri-color for a guild.
Even though Simic is my favorite, I love Golgari because GB is one of the oddest opposite pairings. It's the logical extent of recycling nature (what with undeath). What nature giveth it taketh... and through necromancy, what it taketh, it giveth.
Nature and the body scares you a little bit, yeah?
Scare would be the wrong word, they just don't mesh with me. Even at there best I'm not a fan, and the worst brings out aspects of people I dislike greatly.
Well they are more or less the mafia of Ravnica and I wouldn't call the real lifes mafias restaurants and other businesses they conduct as a facade "redeeming qualities". I admit that I liked them more before the revelations in the last Teysa story. Not being bound by any kind of guildpact and with obvious motivations to use this power to dominate the other guilds makes them as bad as the Dimir in my opinion. The only real redeeming aspect of them (and in my opinion one of their most important roles as a guild) was their work as defence lawyers, a job which is often underestimated in its importance in real life as well.
The Rakdos on the other hand are brutal and sadomasochistic to an absurd degree, but they don't have any real ambitions to rule Ravnica or destroy the other guilds as far as I know. And their legitimate businesses are portrayed as genuine (though perhabs more dangerous than their real life counterparts).
I suspect, however, especially given the Extort mechanic, that you would need to grease their palms first before they took on your case and fought it competently!
That is more of the guild leaders and not the guild of the whole. To use your metaphor, the kingpins are not very good people but you can't say the same for every cook, host(ess) and waiter/waitress that works at the restaurants, many of which are just owned by the mafia and not involved in their crimes. Teysa shows that many people of the guild believe that the Orzhov should/is a place where while you have to make an investment, your ambition should be your only limits in a guild that will be like family.
Mullerornis said a part of it, we don't see every aspect of the guild mostly the most stereotypical and fighting/battle focused. TO quote Shrek, they have layers. Iirc in the first Ravnica novel it talks about how their are many tame Rakdos street performers.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"