In Magic: The Gathering (MTG), every card is connected with a specific color that shows its style, power, and strategy. Understanding MTG color combinations helps players build strong decks and choose cards that match their playing style. In this article, you will learn all the MTG color combo names, their codes, and what each color combination represents in the game.
What are MTG Color Combo Names?
MTG Color Combo Names are the official or fan-based names used to describe different color combinations in the game Magic: The Gathering.
Each color in MTG has a specific meaning:
- White (W) → Peace, Order, and Protection
- Blue (U) → Knowledge, Control, and Illusion
- Black (B) → Power, Ambition, and Death
- Red (R) → Passion, Chaos, and Fire
- Green (G) → Growth, Nature, and Life
When these colors are combined, they form color combos with special names and symbols.
Single-Color Codes in MTG
| Color | Code | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| White | W | Order and Balance |
| Blue | U | Logic and Control |
| Black | B | Death and Power |
| Red | R | Freedom and Fire |
| Green | G | Nature and Growth |
Two-Color Combos
In MTG, two-color decks are called Guilds. Here’s the list of all two-color combinations with their codes and names:
| Code | Colors | Combo Name | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WU | White–Blue | Azorius | Order and Law |
| UB | Blue–Black | Dimir | Secrets and Deception |
| BR | Black–Red | Rakdos | Chaos and Entertainment |
| RG | Red–Green | Gruul | Nature and Strength |
| GW | Green–White | Selesnya | Unity and Growth |
| WB | White–Black | Orzhov | Wealth and Religion |
| UR | Blue–Red | Izzet | Creativity and Experiment |
| BG | Black–Green | Golgari | Life and Death |
| RW | Red–White | Boros | Justice and War |
| GU | Green–Blue | Simic | Evolution and Science |
Example:
Azorius deck (WU) → focuses on control and defence.
Rakdos deck (BR) → focuses on aggression and chaos.
Three-Color Combos
Shards of Alara
| Code | Colours | Combo Name | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WUB | White–Blue–Black | Esper | Technology and Artifice |
| UBR | Blue–Black–Red | Grixis | Undeath and Ambition |
| BRG | Black–Red–Green | Jund | Savagery and Instinct |
| RGW | Red–Green–White | Naya | Life and Beasts |
| GWU | Green–White–Blue | Bant | Honour and Defence |
Example:
Naya decks → full of creatures and strength.
Esper decks → rely on artifacts and control.
Wedges of Tarkir
| Code | Colors | Combo Name | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WBR | White–Black–Red | Mardu | Speed and Battle |
| UBG | Blue–Black–Green | Sultai | Greed and Power |
| BRW | Black–Red–White | Mardu | War and Leadership |
| RGU | Red–Green–Blue | Temur | Strength and Nature |
| GW B | Green–White–Black | Abzan | Endurance and Tradition |
| URW | Blue–Red–White | Jeskai | Discipline and Wisdom |
Example:
Jeskai decks → depend on skill and timing.
Abzan decks → focus on defence and patience.
Four-Color Combos
There are five four-color combos, each missing one color. They are often known by Nephilim names or casual nicknames.
| Code | Missing Color | Combo Name | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WUBR | Green | Yore-Tiller Nephilim | Rebirth and Resurrection |
| UBRG | White | Glint-Eye Nephilim | Knowledge and Greed |
| BRGW | Blue | Dune-Brood Nephilim | Strength and Swarm |
| RGWU | Black | Ink-Treader Nephilim | Creativity and Copy |
| GWUB | Red | Witch-Maw Nephilim | Growth and Control |
Example:
Witch-Maw (GWUB) → combines growth with manipulation.
Five-Color Combo
| Code | Colors | Combo Name | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WUBRG | All Five | Five-Color Deck | Balance of all powers |
Example:
WUBRG deck → uses all colors for ultimate flexibility.

Summary of MTG Color Combo Names
MTG Color Combos help players understand how colors interact to build unique play styles.
- Single colors show one theme or power.
- Two colors (Guilds) mix two strategies.
- Three colors (Shards or Wedges) show balanced or enemy blends.
- Four colors (Nephilim) mix everything except one.
- Five colors represent total mastery of all powers.
Understanding these combos helps in building better decks and winning strategies in MTG.
FAQs about MTG Color Combo Names
What are color combos in MTG?
They are combinations of two or more colors that define how a deck works in Magic: The Gathering.
How many color combinations exist in MTG?
There are 31 main color combinations, including single, double, triple, four-color, and five-color decks.
What is a WUBRG deck?
It is a five-color deck using White, Blue, Black, Red, and Green together.
Which MTG color is best for beginners?
Green (G) is often best for new players because it focuses on growth and creatures.
Why do colors have letters like W, U, B, R, G?
Each letter represents a color code to make deck building and reference easier in the game.
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