DD Zendikar vs Eldrazi

~
Happy Monday MTG peeps,

Big news out today for Magic: the Gathering fans wanting to get their claws into some early Battle for Zendikar spoilers.  Over on the mothersite today, Blake Rasmussen, DailyMTG Editor-in-Chief showcased the upcoming sealed product Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi on the mothersite by playing a few games with WotC MTG community managers, Alison Luhrs and Sean Gibbons.  For the full decklist and Blake's article, click on over here.

These duel decks are part of an ongoing (annual) series of pre-constructed theme decks developed specifically to be played against each other.  This is of particular interest as the Duel Decks contain a handful of new cards to be printed in the 'fall set'.  Anywhoos, here's the 4.1.1. for Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi -
~

The Battle for Zendikar Begins Here
Drawing on the powerful mana that surges through the roiling land, Zendikar's forces have joined together to defend their plane.

The Eldrazi titans, trapped for thousands of years, have broken their bonds. Now their numberless spawn begin to overrun Zendikar.

Can Zendikar resist this onslaught? Or will the Eldrazi triumph?

These ready-to-play decks showcase cards from across Magic history including cards from the new Battle for Zendikar set and four cards with new artwork.

Contents
• Two 60 cards decks
• Two Deck Boxes
• Ten Creature Tokens
• Two Spindown Life Counters
• Strategy Insert
• Magic rules reference card

Deck Design and Deck Development: Chris Millar and Sam Stoddard
Twitter Hashtag: #MTGZVE
Languages Available: English, Japanese
Release Date: August 28, 2015
MSRP: $19.99
~
Here are some of the new afore-mentioned cards -

Sheer Drop
Retreat to Kazandu
Veteran Warleader
Forerunner of Slaughter
Dominator Drone
Oblivion Sower
Evolving Wilds 

~

DD: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi

~
Happy Saturday MTG peeps,

We're rather sorry for the lack of posts last week - the group's blogger minion CopySix (yours truly) suffered a minor injury to wrist and elbow but is now back in the saddle riding the wild software and interwebz.

We've got a LOT of catching up to do, so for today, we'll just get to the really juicy Magic: the Gathering news from this week - the preview of the Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi product packaging. Duel Decks has been a thingy since 2007 when Elves vs. Goblins was published.  Since then, every year (late August / early September), WotC has produced a Duel Decks ahead of the 'fall' set and provides a handful of new, never-printed cards within the set as an early spoiler to the fall set, which in this case, is Battle For Zendikar.  Here's the preview now . . .

We've seen Avenger of Zendikar before - originally from the original Zenkidar block's Worldwake set, and then again reprinted in the Magic 2013 core set.  If you like big green fatties with a strong chance of tokens, then you love this card.  The original art work was illustrated by Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai and the new lovely alternate art is from Aleski Briclot.  Now - that new card - a colourless Eldrazi creature illustrated by Aleski as well.  We can expect this in the next set.  Stealing your opponents mana is a slick move but hitting one or more in the top four may not produce the desired results.  Perhaps if this was not just a one-off eotb effect, we would be much more enthused.

Definitely looking forward to more new cards from this Duel Deck.
~