Gruul Clans

Lore & Background

The Gruul Clans were one of the ten guilds established under the Guildpact, a truce formed after centuries of war between the guilds. The Guildpact was created to maintain order and ban war, with each guild specializing in two colors of magic and having specific jobs in the city. The Gruul, associated with red and green, were given their role in this system. The Guildpact was formed 9999 years before the events of the Ravnica block, and the story begins on the eve of the decamillennial celebrations. The Gruul were emphasized in the Guildpact set, which was released on February 3, 2006. Their mechanics include the keyword Bloodthirst, which gives creatures a boost to power and toughness if an opponent was already dealt damage that turn. For example, a 2/3 creature with Bloodthirst 3 could come into play as a 5/6.

In Their Own Story

The Gruul Clans are one of the ten guilds that hold power in Ravnica, a vast city that covers the entire surface of its planet. The guilds had been at war for centuries before the Guildpact was signed. The Gruul, like all guilds, were part of this conflict. The novels, written by Cory J. Herndon and published by Wizards of the Coast, cover the events of the Ravnica block. The Gruul were emphasized in the Guildpact set, which is the second set in the Ravnica block. Their territory includes the outskirts of the city, where they engage in combat and hunting. The Gruul's Bloodthirst ability reflects their aggressive nature, rewarding players for dealing damage to opponents before playing their creatures.

Reader's Guide

The Gruul Clans are a guild in the Ravnica block of Magic: The Gathering. They are one of the ten guilds, each representing a combination of two of Magic's five colors. The Gruul combine red and green. Their keyword ability is Bloodthirst, which allows creatures to enter the battlefield with additional +1/+1 counters if an opponent has been dealt damage that turn. For example, a 2/3 creature with Bloodthirst 3 could come into play as a 5/6. The Gruul were emphasized in the Guildpact set, released on February 3, 2006. The Ravnica block also includes the sets Ravnica: City of Guilds (October 7, 2005) and Dissension (May 5, 2006). The world of Ravnica is an ecumenopolis, and the guilds maintain order by specializing in specific jobs and colors of magic.

Did You Know?

• The Gruul Clans were emphasized in the Guildpact set, released on February 3, 2006.
• The Gruul's keyword ability is Bloodthirst, which gives creatures a boost if an opponent was already dealt damage that turn.
• The Gruul combine red and green magic, two of Magic's five colors.
• The Ravnica block consists of three expert-level expansion sets: Ravnica: City of Guilds, Guildpact, and Dissension.
• The mythology of Ravnica is loosely derived from Slavic folklore, and the character names reflect this.