MTG - Ravnica Allegiance ADVANCED Prerelease Guide! Strategies, Mechanics, Guild Rankings, and more!

[@7Lee7]

Just finished watching the other guide and here is the advanced guide! Thanks man!

[@Arghore]

Tnx for your continued effort to make these prior to the pre-releases, your evaluation of the set(s) and their mechanics, as wel the way you present and explain them is considered rather valuable to me... so always happy to see these come by as i spend some evenings getting ready and primed for pre-release! … so TNX again !

[@JackieM00se]

Thank you! Gruul definitely the one for a freshie like me

[@Ocnain]

I think people did not understand what rakdos is about in this set. It is not meant to be played as a burn. Its midrange tempo like deck. Creatures on rakdos have removal on them. You want to control while you develop the board.

[@DigitalZed]

I agree with you completely. And it is for that reason that I'm excited to play Rakdos

[@Ocnain]

@@DigitalZed, so do I.

[@matthewforth1027]

Hello, I just wanted to drop a quick comment with hopes you see it. Thank you for your videos. I am extremely new to MTG, it’s a game I picked up because my twin brother is very into it. We are both active duty military and on opposite sides of the states from one another. So with time differences being such a big factor, it doesn’t allow a lot of time for him to teach me. I have such a busy schedule I can rarely make it into my local game store either. Your videos are absolutely amazing at teaching the game, basic strategy’s, as well as deck building. I feel as though you should know that it’s very appreciated from my end at the least. Thank you for everything you do, your tutorials have helped immensely. It truly is helping to keep my brother and I that much closer. I still have a lot to learn but I know I can trust this page to constantly help progress my knowledge and mastery of the game. Thank you! :)

[@MTGDegree]

If you comment on my channel, I'll probably see it! I'm glad you two have found a hobby you both enjoy, glad I can help you play! Thank you for your service :)

[@Arghore]

As a general feedback and advice to anyone reading this… This time around (and to some extend in the previous, but thats no longer here) each guild does seem to have two or even more ways to play it. F/e Azorius can be this controlling long game guild, but it can also be a tempo guild and i guess even a flyers guild (with either) … Rakdos can also be build as hyper aggressive, but there are most certainly midrange + spectacle value builds in there (maybe even removal/control) … Gruul also seems to have this hyper agro/midrange combination … and Simic, leaning on blue, can be midrange/tricks or controlling/value by leaning on blue and possibly also tempo ... So it becomes quite important to realize WHAT YOUR POOL WANTS in regards to these options, trying to find the predominant strategy available in your deck will help you not only build the deck, but also play it !

[@TedRodney]

Super good review as always.

[@LopaRB]

I really like Jund and Mardu! Rakdos with some good flyers or some late game finishers are great! Else, Rakdos with the enchantment that give your creatures riot is INSANE!!

[@Alena_Sneaky]

Come on, guys! Give your multiple Riot creature haste twice. Send a message😈👌🏼

[@benjamindemers8918]

Awesome video! I can't wait for prerelease!

[@petern424]

Why no mention of jund? Riot and spectacle seem deece together. Hasty creatures main phase 1, attack to turn on spectacle, Spectacle out something main phase 2. When in doubt Jund em out.

[@jacebeleren2621]

@@Shaijn815 rakdos does get some of the best removal in the set, so it could be safe to go extra aggro.

[@Shaijn815]

@@jacebeleren2621 I prefer to give the deck extra removal, evasion or mid ranged threats as orzhov, simic and azorius or look very geared to stall out with high, toughness, lifegain or removal. I do prefer playing all in aggro in draft rather than sealed so that might be a personal preference.

[@jacebeleren2621]

@@Shaijn815 true, and considering the games during LRL's pre-prerelease, the entire events may be veeery grindy.

[@megashrek5059]

no hate, but he did say "my opinion"

[@megashrek5059]

although you have a good point

[@amfekuber]

Great job on the video. You brought up some great points for each guild.

[@Monkeyshaman]

I've already inheritanced a captive audience with an azorious deck. I'm complete.

[@BB-pn2qv]

Love these strat videos

[@mrtalos]

I do think that spectacle and afterlife kind of link up. Throw a creature at the opponent and get a 1/1 flyer is useful. Also Black, White, Red, just think of the removal possibilities. Still going Grull.

[@MeMe-ou7in]

My first prerelease though I play a ton of casual magic... I’m looking forward to rep the Simic and Gruul together with Temur with the Simic prerelease kit.... but we’ll see where the cards take me

[@joshualo8226]

Am I the only one who disagrees with him with how azorious is stronger than orzhov? I think that orzhov is a really good choice.

[@TheRushmore12]

I agree. Azorius has nothing going for it except control and fliers, Orzhov looks good midrange and late. I would rank Azorius as the worst guild this set

[@joshualo8226]

Yeah, addendum is basically sorceries with flash. I thought afterlife was much cooler.

[@ryego3]

Just played an orzhov deck and had 11 control cards in my pool. Life was good

[@Vidious808]

Great this was so helpful for a new player

[@ignaciogallarati7287]

Riot's haste could enable Spectacle. splashing some rakdos for removal in gruul.

[@rebornreaper194]

Thanks

[@williammorrison1831]

Thanks you have fun too

[@mradabaugh9406]

The azorious could potentially be more of an Aggro flier deck with azorious

[@conormorrison3409]

Just curious if I'm missing something, but how does thirsting shade enable spectacle? I mean other than if it happens to get through for damage obviously. I think footlight fiend is a much better choice at common and is hybrid costed instead of strictly black.

[@Shaijn815]

Threat of activation seems like the only way shade might be even slightly evasive or bluffing a trick.

[@coleisaac6799]

Great reviews brother, I was looking for videos on what guild to pick and I'm pretty flexible could you rank the 5 guilds for me?

[@MTGDegree]

Thank you comrade. This ranking is just for sealed, not draft, and without getting to play myself yet: 1. Simic 2. Gruul 3. Azorius 4. Orzhov 5. Rakos

[@coleisaac6799]

@@MTGDegree aye brethren

[@tawatikata9530]

I'm gonna have to disagree I think rakdos and orsov are gonna be nice just because they're all removal colors

[@Cmattalk]

I feel like the best Simic decks will use tempo

[@catiseith]

But making strategy is fun!

[@ash3r01]

So azorius is the best? you weren't very clear

[@TheRushmore12]

Azorius is the worst in my opinion. All the other guilds have a very clear identity and mechanic that enable that identity while Azorius has neither. Gruul is number 1 due to speed and a great mechanic, followed by simic due to midrange power and late game mechanic decisions. For 3rd place I want to put Rakdos but I have this gut feeling that everyone will try to build them midrange instead of aggro which looks much better for their mechanic, so Orzhov 3rd due to the great value from every mechanic creature they have as well as the best removal. Followed by Rakdos then Azorius

[@ash3r01]

Wasn't expecting such an in depth response thks xd

[@matthewmcanadabc8355]

Bant!!!!!!

[@toomanyrats534]

ORZHOV OR SIMIC!!!

[@megashrek5059]

mimic to win it amirite

[@Subject6x]

I am locked in to prerelease as orzhov, been playing since original ravnica block. The 2nd day at my lgs is two headed giant. My partner and I are both going to be orzhov. Any tips for us? I am pretty confidant in my ability to make correct decisions, but my partner has only been playing for 6 months or so. Trying to make this as easy as possible for both of us.

[@Eric_The_Cleric]

Splash blue for Esper for extra removal/counter effects to compliment their lack of knowledge about the game and to respond to threats. Plus Azorius has always just been a great control guild and can help cover someone else's weakness, I have found. If you don't want to splash blue, let them play the early game while you play the mid-late game. I.e. you don't play a ton of creatures, you let your partner play them. You run plenty of removal (I have found Orzhov's removal is fantastic). You should try to be the one responding to threats more simply because (I assume) you have more knowledge of what will be an issue.

[@Subject6x]

@@Eric_The_Cleric that is all very useful and pretty correct. I will consider it. I do like the amount of each opponent effects the guild has so I hope we get enough in our pool to be very impactful. She isnt exactly a slouch, but her game knowledge isnt great. I taught her awhile back and she knows stompy and burn and that's about it

[@MTGDegree]

My suggestion would to not both play Orzhov. Then you are spreading the best white/black cards from your collective pool thin. Since you are the more experienced player, perhaps you should play Simic or Gruul while your partner plays Orzhov so you are playing all of the strongest cards in your collective pool with no color overlap :)

[@Subject6x]

@@MTGDegree unfortunately we both preordered orzhov. The last prerelease a different friend of mine and I both picked dimir and made like a super dimir deck for him while I played orzhov to get most of the removal that we didnt put in his in mine. I foolishly hoped I could replicate this for this event but given how quickly a good riot creature could apply pressure now I am second guessing it. I was going to let her play straight orzhov while I either made the best temur(or whatever) from the other packs that I could to fill in holes. I will get a better idea from playing orzhov solo the first day, just curious if anyone had any good tips to help us succeed.

[@Subject6x]

@@MTGDegree no worries tho, we will do the best with what we have. I usually do pretty good regardless of choosing a poor kit. I had picked dimir prior to your guide coming out last time and we won without any issue day 2, I think I was 5th day one singles. I appreciate the work you put into these guides, I dont think anyone that goes to these with me would do half as well without them, myself included

[@lasterman94100]

Gosh, no darn love for Rakdos, why??? Do I really have to say why Rakdos is the best guild just flavour speaking? I'll pick Rakdos (maybe Jund), just to show you how wrong you are.

[@MountainManMagic]

FWIW, I had Rakdos down on my prerelease guide, because you need multiple cards to have it work out. I love the gameplay possibilities, I think it's one of the best mechanics from a flavor and future-use standpoint as well. But, you need cards that keep you competing on board, you need cards that allow you to activate spectacle, and then need cards to take advantage of the mechanic. In sealed you can find cards that do the first 2 there, but it's going to be hard to consistently take advantage of it.

[@danacoleman4007]

Meeeeeeeeeeoooooooooowwwwww

[@matthewliddell6638]

"If they've taken damage this turn, if they've lost life in any way..." Who? My opponent, maybe? This is one of those videos that's simultaneously basic and vague to the point that the only people who would be interested in it are completely uninitiated players but it's so unspecific it will leave them with more questions than answers.

[@pepememefrog3784]

Shit up you whiny pussy

[@Aroundthebonfire884]

Wow. First comment. Yes.