The 10 Best Ravnica Sets in Magic Ranked

Frantic Search | Illustration by Marija Tiurina

Hello planeswalkers! When you think of the planes in Magic, which one first comes to mind? Maybe it’s the first one you played, or perhaps just a plane in a Magic set you played very well with. When it comes to some of the most famous and popular planes in Magic, Ravnica has to be near the top.

By my count, and at the time of writing this, the plane of Ravnica has had 10 sets primarily focused on the plane. They’re some of the most iconic and frankly game-changing sets to be introduced in MTG.

As an exercise why don’t we rank the best sets in arguably one of the best planes in MTG lore?

What Counts as a Ravnica Set?

Teysa, Orzhov Scion | Illustration by Sara Winters

Let’s keep this nice and simple. For these ranks, I’m focused on official expansion sets, with new cards, where the primary story takes place on the plane of Ravnica. In sets like March of the Machine, Ravnica is mentioned or makes an appearance in cards like Invasion of Ravnica, but the story isn’t centered around the plane. And Ravnica Remastered of course takes place on Ravnica, but its cards are reprints from the sets that focus on the plane of Ravnica, its guilds, and the many characters that inhabit the plane.

#10. Guildpact

Guildpact isn’t a bad set by any means. It expanded upon the idea of hybrid mana and multicolored cards, and it provided some cards that are still used in Legacy decks. Canon-wise, Guildpact introduced us to the Gruul Clans (), Izzet League (), and Orzhov Syndicate (). Along with the new guilds, we got iconic characters like Teysa, Orzhov Scion and Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind.

Too far removed from Standard now, Guildpact’s effects can be felt in Legacy formats. Cards like Burning-Tree Shaman and Angel of Despair can provide some extra damage or removal. Leyline of the Void and Tin Street Hooligan are wonderful sideboard pieces that came from this set. Also, be sure to check out the five Nephilim creatures if you are into running four colors.

#9. Dissension

Dissension finished off the first Ravnica block and introduced us to the rest of the guilds, the Azorius Senate (), Cult of Rakdos (), and Simic Combine (). Chaos ran through the streets of the city-plane of Ravnica, and a dubious plot was revealed in this set. With the exciting story, we also got a few solid cards to play with as well as the remaining shock lands and bounce lands of the Ravnica block.

Cards like Coiling Oracle, Grand Arbiter Augustin IV, and Spell Snare have lasted the test of time in many formats. They provide such a great level of support and control that players have constantly incorporated them into competitive decks. Don’t forget about cheating Protean Hulk onto the battlefield to gain some serious board advantages!

#8. Dragon’s Maze

Dragon’s Maze was a smaller set released at the end of the Return to Ravnica block. It had a fun story where a champion from each one of the ten guilds was selected to compete in the Dragon’s Maze. What this set has going for it is that it included all ten of the guilds in one set. All ten guild gates and shock lands were reprinted, and each guild had its own keyword ability or ability word.

This set didn’t provide an overwhelming number of great cards. All ten guild gates and shock lands were wonderful for Standard at the time, and cards like Master of Cruelties have their potential. There was one card that made an enormous splash in Standard at the time and still has use in Legacy formats: Voice of Resurgence. It’s a Selesnya () darling and still among the best elementals in Magic, and it’ll make your opponents think twice about using their instants. 

#7. Murders at Karlov Manor

Murders at Karlov Manor is a fun set for Limited and the current Standard, but overall it didn’t bring so much new to the table. This murder mystery-themed set takes place on Ravnica without too much acknowledgment to the guilds. Among the detectives and suspects, we met new faces like Alquist Proft, Master Sleuth and classic characters like Kaya and Rakdos.

In its Standard rotation, Murders at Karlov Manor has some great additions to the meta. Cards like Aftermath Analyst help with landfall, and cards like Warleader's Call are deadly in token creature decks. This set also did a great job of reprinting some wonderful removal for Standard like Assassin's Trophy, Murder, and Lightning Helix. The thing I think will live beyond Standard is the collect evidence mechanic. Somewhat like delve, it’ll allow players to reap extra benefits by exiling cards from their graveyard.

#6. Ravnica Allegiance

Ravnica Allegiance was a single set release that’s unofficially part of the Guilds of Ravnica “block.” This set takes place in an uneasy time just before the big fight with Nicol Bolas. The guilds must fight and defend what they stand for. This set focuses on five of the ten guilds, Azorius () , Rakdos () , Gruul (), Simic (), and Orzhov (). It featured all the hits of Ravnica; Guild leaders like Dovin, Grand Arbiter, guild champions like Judith, the Scourge Diva, shock lands, guild gates, and guild-specific mechanics like riot.

The Limited environment of Ravnica Allegiance was quite good. Many people complain about guild sets because they feel that it forces you into narrow archetypes. Allegiance, however, had many different color and theme combinations that kept it fresh and interesting. Also, some quite powerful and some eventually banned cards came out of this set. Wilderness Reclamation  and Growth Spiral provided huge ramp opportunities and were eventually deemed too overpowered. As for great cards not banned, we can’t forget about Smothering Tithe, Bedevil, and End-Raze Forerunners.

#5. Gatecrash

Gatecrashwas the middle set of the Return to Ravnica block and served as a prelude to the big Dragon’s Maze competition. Unlike some middle installments of a story that serve as exposition or lead up to climatic action, Gatecrash is much more than that. The story may not be as in-depth or thrilling as other sets, but the cards and play of this set were great!

In the story, we check back in with the inner struggles of five of the guilds; Boros (), Dimir (), Gruul (), Orzhov (), and Simic (). Jace Beleren is key to the development of the story, but we also get a new and old planeswalker in this set. Gideon returns, and we’re introduced to Domri Rade.

This set helped to define the Standard aggro of its time, and many of those cards still have value in Legacy formats. Cards like Ghor-Clan Rampager and Experiment One were wonderful additions to the aggressive player’s arsenal. Many cards from this set made splashes in Standard, including the hybrid creatures Boros Reckoner and Nightveil Specter. There was a lot of aggression to love from this set, and cards continue to make their way into competitive decks. I’m looking specifically at you Boros Charm.

#4. Guilds of Ravnica

Guilds of Ravnica is another unofficial Guilds of Ravnica “block” entry that has the guilds resisting or giving into Bola’s influence. We follow the Selesnya (), Boros (), Golgari (), Izzet (), and Dimir () guilds as they navigate the dark and gray autumns of Ravnica. The story wasn’t widely acclaimed, but who doesn’t enjoy a guild leader like Vraska, Golgari Queen or guild champions like Tajic, Legion's Edge?

Also not so acclaimed was the Guilds of Ravnica Limited gameplay. Many said it felt limited to only a few viable deck archetypes and wasn’t so interesting. On the other hand, Constructed got some great cards from this set. More shock lands and guild gates are always useful, but they aren’t the real stars of this set. That is reserved from some of the great cards like Assassin's Trophy, Runaway Steam-Kin, and Midnight Reaper. On top of great cards, we got some killer keywords from Guilds. Surveil and convoke are still reprinted and used to great effect, and mentor has its value as well.

#3. Return to Ravnica

Return to Ravnica is what its name implies. About six years after the first Ravnica block was released we return to the plane, and in solid fashion. This set started the new Return to Ravnica block and brought the plane of Ravnica into more modern playstyles and themes. The Guildpact has been broken and now the guilds search for power and control over the plane. The fight for power will last over several sets, but this set focuses on the Azorius (), Golgari (), Izzet (), Rakdos (), and Selesnya () guilds. Return to Ravnica brought some fun back to MTG, introducing a picture of Niv-Mizzet alongside Jace Beleren and asking you to “Choose Your Guild”. An interactive quiz to see which guild fits you was created, and during prerelease you could choose a guild, which created interesting and unique Sealed events.

This set was awesome! It had great cards for Limited, Standard, and eventually Legacy formats. Some of these cards include Abrupt Decay, Supreme Verdict, Chromatic Lantern, and Guttersnipe. There honestly are a ton of great cards from this set that can make impacts in all sorts of strategies. With such versatility and power, this set exploded the popularity of the Ravnica plane to many more new fans.

#2. War of the Spark

War of the Spark is the climatic war against Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God, and it would determine the fate of the plane and possibly the multiverse. This set pits so many iconic planeswalkers against each other in the ultimate fight for The Elderspell and control over planeswalkers’ sparks. The War of the Spark had a story to rival any other set and stirred up excitement with a planeswalker guaranteed in each booster pack (even if some of them were printed at uncommon, which was a first). With so many planeswalkers and the undead Dreadhorde, there were many cards to love and much joy to be had during the release of the set.

As good as the story was, I believe that this set also provided us with a ton of great cards and interactions. It defined the Standard meta during its rotation with all the cheap or powerful planeswalkers available. Cards like Bolas's Citadel, Liliana, Dreadhorde General, and Mayhem Devil are wonderful cards for Commander. The atmosphere of Limited during War of the Spark was electric, and many of the individual cards from this set may rank as the best from Ravnica. 

#1. Ravnica: City of Guilds

It almost feels sacrilegious not to rank Ravnica: City of Guilds as the number one Ravnica set. This was our introduction to the plane and its bi-colored guilds. Specifically, we first focused on four of the guilds; Dimir (), Selesnya (), Golgari (), and Boros (). As well as the delicate peace of the Guildpact that may be coming under duress. This set also introduced us to shock lands, guild signets, and hybrid mana MVs. The first installment on this plane was impressive and well executed.

Ravnica: City of Guilds did help to push the power level of sets forward. Not only did we get new and great ways to mana fix, but we also got great cards like Chord of Calling, Lightning Helix, and Dark Confidant. Let’s also not forget the wonderful guild mechanics like convoke, transmute, and the sometimes overpowered (which caused some card bans) dredge. From the story, the power level increase of commons and uncommons, or mechanics, this set rocked and continues to rock in our memories.

Wrap Up

The Elderspell | Illustration by Daarken

I hope you’ve enjoyed your journey, or maybe trip down memory lane, through Ravnica. Ravnica is one of the most iconic planes of MTG and many of these sets defined what success looks like for new sets. From the tops of the towers, down to the city’s underbelly, there’s something to like in Ravnica for everyone.

I’d love to hear from all of you. Whether it's to politely disagree with my ranks of the sets, or just to share how much Ravnica has meant to you. Please join the Draftsim community by following us on Twitter/X, joining the official Draftsim Discord, and engaging with all the articles and tools on Draftsim.com.

Remember to always defend your guild and have fun in Ravnica!