The ranking system

[jbampton]

Creating a 20-rank ranking system for Magic: The Gathering is a fun conceptual exercise. While the game itself has established ranking systems (like the ladder in Magic: The Gathering Arena), we can create a unique system by combining the core elements of the game: colors, card types, and levels of magic (represented by card rarity).

Here is a 20-rank system from lowest to highest, built around these concepts.

The Foundation: Levels of Magic (Rarity)

The most direct way to represent "levels of magic" in the game is through card rarity. This is a built-in hierarchy in Magic.

• Common (C): The most basic and common cards.
• Uncommon (U): More powerful or complex than Commons.
• Rare (R): Unique, powerful, and often build-around cards.
• Mythic Rare (M): The most powerful and unique cards, often representing legendary characters or game-changing effects.

The Elements: Colors

The five colors of Magic—White, Blue, Black, Red, and Green—each have a distinct philosophy and playstyle. We can use them to represent different "paths" or specialties within each rank.

• White (W): Order, law, community.
• Blue (U): Knowledge, intellect, manipulation.
• Black (B): Ambition, death, sacrifice.
• Red (R): Chaos, emotion, impulse.
• Green (G): Nature, growth, life.

The Structure: Card Types

Card types are the building blocks of a deck. By progressing through the most common card types, we can create a sense of advancement.

• Lands: The foundation of all magic.
• Creatures: The most common form of magic, representing a physical presence.
• Instants & Sorceries: Spells with a one-time effect.
• Artifacts & Enchantments: Spells with a permanent, lasting effect on the battlefield.
• Planeswalkers: The most powerful and unique permanent card type, representing a spellcaster on par with the player.

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The 20-Rank System

This system uses a progression through card rarity and type, with the colors providing a unique flavor to each stage. The ranks are named to reflect the concepts they embody.

Tier 1: The Basics (Common)

• These ranks focus on foundational magic, with a focus on Lands and Creatures, representing the most basic building blocks of any deck.

Rank 1: The Wastes

• Represents the colorless, fundamental power of lands.

Rank 2: Initiate of the Plains (W)

• Focus: Basic White Creatures and their ability to build a community.

Rank 3: Initiate of the Islands (U)

• Focus: Basic Blue Creatures and their evasive, clever tactics.

Rank 4: Initiate of the Swamps (B)

• Focus: Basic Black Creatures, leveraging death and ambition.

Rank 5: Initiate of the Mountains (R)

• Focus: Basic Red Creatures, with a focus on speed and aggression.

Rank 6: Initiate of the Forests (G)

• Focus: Basic Green Creatures, representing natural growth and power.

Tier 2: The Novice (Uncommon)

• As the mage progresses, they begin to master simple, one-time spells (Instants and Sorceries) and learn to combine the philosophies of two colors.

Rank 7: The Boros's Fury (W+R)

• A soldier-like focus on swift, aggressive, and ordered attacks.

Rank 8: The Selesnya's Harmony (W+G)

• A focus on building a large, harmonious army of creatures.

Rank 9: The Izzet's Ingenuity (U+R)

• A focus on unpredictable and explosive spell-based magic.

Rank 10: The Simic's Evolution (U+G)

• A focus on creature growth and adapting to the situation.

Rank 11: The Golgari's Cycle (B+G)

• A focus on using the graveyard as a resource to gain power.

Rank 12: The Dimir's Shadow (U+B)

• A focus on control, deception, and manipulating the opponent's hand and deck.

Tier 3: The Adept (Rare)

• At this level, the mage learns to wield powerful permanent magic (Artifacts and Enchantments) and command three colors.

Rank 13: The Jund's Devastation (B+R+G)

• Focus on powerful, destructive creature spells.

Rank 14: The Grixis's Malice (U+B+R)

• A focus on oppressive, life-draining, and destructive magic.

Rank 15: The Esper's Artifice (W+U+B)

• A focus on intricate, powerful artifacts and enchantments.

Rank 16: The Naya's Might (W+R+G)

• A focus on big, overwhelming creatures and raw power.

Rank 17: The Bant's Perfection (W+U+G)

• A focus on a precise and disciplined battlefield, with strong creatures and protective spells.

Tier 4: The Master (Mythic Rare)

• The highest ranks represent the mastery of the most powerful magic and card types, culminating in the ability to command four or even five colors.

Rank 18: The Archmage of Four Colors (Quad-Color)

• The mage masters the art of using four different colors, showing a command over a vast array of spells.

Rank 19: The Archmage of the Maelstrom (Five-Color)

• A mage who has transcended the philosophies of individual colors to command the entirety of the magical spectrum.

Rank 20: The Planeswalker

• The ultimate rank. This mage has achieved the highest level of magical power, able to wield the most unique and powerful cards in the game. Their magic is not just from one plane of existence, but from the entire multiverse.