A Challenger Appears

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

Some interesting news delivered today on the mothersite via Blake Rasmussen regarding new and retiring Magic: the Gathering products.   The TL/DR summary essentially is Duel Decks will no longer be printed and that Event Decks is getting a work-over.  Let's get to the details you need to know now.

Duel Decks was a series of theme decks that started in 2007 with Elves vs. Goblins.  These products were designed to be ready-to-play right out of the package for two gamers.  Typically each duel deck had a backstory a notable rivalry in Magic: the Gathering History expressed within the 60-card deck.  In almost all cases, the two decks were rather well balanced against eachother and delivered some fun games.  Impovements over the years witnessed alternate art to connectivity to soon to be released standard sets.

One last hurrah is on tap for April, 2018 with Duel Decks: Elves vs. Inventors, featuring a theme of nature against artifice.  This final duel deck is to have two ready-to-play decks, ten tokens, two deck boxes, a strategy insert, a quick reference guide, and two Spindown life counters.  We realise that all good things to come to an end, but we are disappointed that Wizards of the Coast did not follow up on their 2008 April Fool's joke of  Duel Decks: Pirates vs. Ninjas.

Next up - Challenger Decks !

Announced within the same article as noted above is a brand-new Magic: the Gathering product (or is it?)  This standard constructed legal product is to be called the Challenger Deck and is to be "forged out of some of the most powerful strategies in Standard".  The target here is to be the Friday Night Magic player.  The contents of this product are as follows -
• 60-card deck
• 15-card sideboard
• Spindown life counter
• strategy insert
• card box

There was another standard legal product that had exactly the same content - the Event Deck.  The difference here is that the Event Decks were created to "make it as easy as possible for someone to show up at Friday Night Magic and play in a tournament".  The departure of the Event Deck (and 'Clack Pack') before Oath of the Gatewatch was expained by Mark Rosewater on Blogatog.  Wizards of the Coast are "constantly evaluating our product line to make the best series of products we can which means from time to time discontinuing some them".  Although the Event Decks had a short run from about 2011 (Mirrodin Besieged) to 2015 (Battle for Zendikar), one of the perceived (and not necessarily correct) reasons for the less than expected reception from the gaming community was that these were simply either not powerful enough or were simply not even been close to competitive within the Friday Night Magic evironment.  The messaging which may have been lost here was that the Event Deck was to be an entry product.

We are hopeful for the Challenger Decks  expected in April  2018 for one reason - As Gavin Verhey indicated within the adjunct to Blake's article - the decklists are to be crafted much closed to the release date giving it a greater chance of success within the evolving competitive environment.  With a measure of foresight from Magic R&D, one may be able to game with this pre-constructed product for a decent period of time with minimal changes to sideboard to address developing strategies. There may be only one condition which may not please Magic: the Gathering players who purchase - the price.  Many players may think upon the $25 for an Event Deck whereas a decent and competitive list may often be in the range of two to three hundred dollars.  Obviously not always the case, but we should hope that those who lamented the lameness of entry level event decks are not vocal of the anticipated price hike to a more powerful list.

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DD Merfolk vs. Goblins

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

Happy indeed as we are pleased to report another milestone - that MTG Realm has now exceed over 6.6 Million page-loads and more than 15,600 followers across our social media platforms.  

Enough of us though - Today we are to yatter about the latest Magic: the Gathering product coming your way, but first, it is time again for a another Gaming Store highlight.  This time we are going to Central New York - quite specifically 'Play the Game / Read the Story' located in the Salmon Run Mall in Watertown, New York.  

Play the Game / Read the Story has a total of three locations - one in Watertown, which we had visited and two others in Syracuse.  MTG Realm had provided a Google Review over at this link as well.  The staff member we interrogated / interviewed was great.  She plays Magic: the Gathering and was knowledgeable in the product offerings from WotC.  The Watertown location had a solid selection of sealed product and good games area.  There was a fairly large selection of common / uncommon singles but not very much in rares / mythic rares winning the location a very respectable 4 out of 5 stars from us.  Here are some pics we snapped for you -

Righto - on to today's news !

The full decklist for Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. Goblins, releasing November 10, 2017, was posted to the French language Magic: the Gathering site, but as the same information was not posted on the English language site, we suspect that a staffer may have jumped the gun.  Let's talk - 

Duel Decks let players dive right into battle with ready-to-play, sixty-card decks that contain powerful cards united by a theme.  In the case of Merfolk vs. Goblins pits two of the most recognizable tribes in the history of Magic against one another.  Duel Decks are designed to allow players dive right into battle with everything you need to start gaming.  Here is the teaser blurb for this pre-constructed product - 

Prepare to become the Master of the Waves or to launch a Goblin Grenade: the proud  defenders of the sea and the destructive mountain dwellers finally settle their accounts. Call a friend to play with these ready-to-play decks!

Each decklist appears to have a solid and supporting theme and contains one mythic rare and nine other rares to support your deck's tribal strategy.  Here is the list for each - 

TIDAL GUARDIANS

Creature (22) : , 1 Master of Waves, 1 Harbinger of the Tides, 1 Master of the Pearl Trident, 1 Tidebinder Mage, 1 Wake Thrasher, 1 Merfolk Sovereign, 1 Cold-Eyed Selkie, 2 Tidal Warrior, 2 Scroll Thief, 3 Streambed Aquitects, 1 Inkfathom Divers, 1 Merfolk Looter, 1 Merfolk Wayfinder, 1 Merrow Reejerey, 2 Rootwater Hunter, 2 Tidal Courier

Sorcery (6) : 4 Aquitect’s Will, 1 Mind Spring, 1 Concentrate

Instant (6) : 1 Engulf the Shore, 1 Misdirection, 2 Essence Scatter, 1 Tidal Wave, 1 Triton Tactics

Enchantment (2) : 2 Claustrophobia

Land (24) : 21 Island, 2 Lonely Sandbar, 1 Blighted Cataract

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RECKLESS VANDALS

Creature (20): 1 Warren Instigator, 1 Goblin Diplomats, 1 Goblin Rabblemaster, 1 Goblin Chieftain, 1 Goblin Goon, 1 Goblin Razerunners, 1 Krenko, Mob Boss, 2 Foundry Street Denizen, 1 Goblin Tunneler, 2 Boggart Brute, 1 Goblin Glory Chaser, 1 Ember Hauler, 2 Goblin Wardriver, 1 Gempalm Incinerator, 2 Goblin Ringleader, 1 Battle Squadron

Sorcery (7) : 3 Krenko’s Command, 1 Relentless Assault, 1 Goblin Grenade, 1 Hordeling Outburst, 1 Cleaver Riot

Instant (7) : 2 Brute Strength, 3 Ghostfire, 2 Tarfire

Artifact (2) : 1 Brittle Effigy, 1 Goblin Charbelcher

Land (24) : 20 Mountain, 2 Forgotten Cave, 2 Blighted Gorge

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As with all sealed preconstructed product, one should understand the intended audience / consumer first and foremost before passing any sort of judgement upon the product design.  Collectors and Modern players may prematurely pass judgement that because the lists have no Cursecatcher, Lord or Atlantis or Goblin Guide, that criticism is warranted.  

We think differently - this would appeal to casual or new players looking through their local gaming store.  This is also correctly priced in our opinion as well at an MRSP of $19.99 USD (from the WPN site although the main site indicates $24.99 USD).  To buy all the singles separately would almost certainly put you over that value.  We are liking what we see and do look forward going head to head with this in our playgroup.
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DD Mind vs Might Decklists

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

We should bring to your attention that the full Duel Decks: Mind vs Might decklists were released today over on the Wizards of the Coast website.  Magic: the Gathering fans had been speculating for a few weeks now what goodies may be in this product releasing at the end of the month. 

These pre-constructed theme decks have been rleased on a regular basis each year, and have been developed specifically to be played against eachother.  In recent years, Duel Decks had been connected to the themes of the large fall sets and contain some early preview cards.  This does not appear the case for this product as there is only reprints.  What we do have to look forward to are reprints that some gamers have been looking to acquire including some new art.  Here they are now -

MIND
• Lovisa Coldeyes
• Zo-Zu the Punisher
• Gutterual Response
MIGHT
• Jhoira of the Ghitu
• The Unspeakable
• Desperate Ritual

From a review of the decklists, it looks like we have 10 rares, and 1 mythic rare in each deck, including supporting uncommons and commons.  Without having played these yet, we imagine that the 'Mind' list may run a risk of getting run over early game, but promises to stabilize and deliver a solid later game.  Here is the info you may need to know -

Description: 
Duel Decks let players dive right into battle with ready-to-play, sixty-card decks that contain powerful cards united by a theme.

Will calculated schemes of the mind outwit and prevail? Or will the pure, bold power of might triumph?

Participants play with a random Duel Deck at the beginning of each round and then see which faction wins at the end of the tournament.

Contents: 
2 Ready-to-play, 60-card decks
2 Deck boxes
10 creature tokens
2 Spindown life counters
Strategy insert
Rules reference card

Duel Decks: Mind vs. Might
Release Date: March 31, 2017
Official Three-Letter Code: DDS
Twitter Hashtag: #MTGMVM
Languages Available: English, Japanese

MSRP: $24.99 *Applies to U.S. Only

Zo-Zu the Punisher illustrated by Wayne Reynolds

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DD: Mind vs. Might Preview

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Happy Friday MTG peeps,

Yes, we already posted to the MTG Realm blog today (all about Coldsnap), but we definitely need to talk about a Magic: the Gathering spoiler spotted.  This image of the upcoming Duel Decks: Mind vs. Might, to be released at the end of this month was posted just now to the mothersite (linked over here) but spoiled a day earlier by redditor OnnaJReverT in the EDH subreddit.

The face cards here are Jhoira of the Ghitu (the 'Mind' faction) versus Lovisa Coldeyes (the 'Might' faction).  The original card arts were illustrated by Kev Walker for Jhoira and Brian Snoddy for Lovisa, both of which were fan favourites.  The new card arts are very lovely with Jhoira being illlustrated by Magali Villeneuve and Anna Steinbauer illustrating Lovisa.

Jhoira of the Ghitu, 1UR
Legendary Crature - Human Wizard, Myuthic Rare
2, Exile a nonland card from your hand: Put four time counters on the exiled card. If it doesn't have suspend, it gains suspend. (At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a time counter from that card. When the last is removed, cast it without paying its mana cost. If it's a creature, it has haste.)
2/2

Lovisa Coldeyes, 3RR
Legendary Creature - Human, Mythic Rare
Each creature that's a Barbarian, a Warrior, or a Berserker gets +2/+2 and has haste.
"A massacre? It is a mercy we grant them. this way they won't freeze to death."
3/3

As for the cards themselves, Jhoira does see some play in Commander, and is fairly versatile, either getting mana expensive Eldrazi sized threats onto the battlefield (think  Emrakul, the Aeons Torn) or in a number of other ways like a 'turn and burn' decklist.  Anywhoos, let's get some background on Duel Decks first.

Duel Decks are a series of theme decks that started in 2007 with Elves vs. Goblins. They contain two 60-card decks designed and developed specifically to be played against each other by two people.  Each set depicts a notable rivalry. Until Venser vs. Koth, the sets alternated between showing two rival factions, and two rival planeswalkers, and often tie into current or future storylines, which is of course why this has our attention.  There may be an chance that there may be some soon-to-be standard legal Amonkhet cards in this mix.  Here are some fast facts for this new MTG product -

Mind vs. Might represents the age-old clash between mages and warriors, brains and brawn. Clever plots or raw power-which will you choose?

Contents: 
2 Ready-to-play, 60-card decks
2 Deck boxes
10 creature tokens
2 Spindown life counters
Strategy insert
Rules reference card


MSRP: approximately $25
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DD: Blessed vs. Cursed Decklists

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

Yesterday here in the great Province of Ontario was the statuatory holiday 'Family Day' - definitely a much-needed day off as there is a whole lotta blah between New Years Day and Good Friday.  The only sucky thingy is that if you happen to be a Canadian Federal staffer, you are showing up for work even if you are in Ontario.  Anywhoos, Fam Day was spent in a game of Settlers of Catan with the family, which could be called epic and which stories will be told for generations.  Not much in the way of Magic: the Gathering over the long weekend other than Oath of the Gatewatch Game Day.  Unfortunately, not a well-attended event at OMG! Games here in Barrie which we will fully blame on the rather cold spell we had where temperatures dipped to about -38 °C (-36 °F).

Anywhoos, it may have been cold over the weekend but things warmed up online with the full decklist of the soon to be released 'Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed' being posted over on the mothersite.  As with previous Duel Decks (at least for the last little while), this affords a bit of a sneak peak of cards to be see print in the next MTG set, in this case, 'Shadows Over Innistrad'.  Let's get to them spoilers now -

Compelling Deterrence - 1U Uncommon Instant bouncing back a non-land permanent which provides a conditional discard if you control a Zombie.  Last time we were in Innistrad, there were a few lists running blue / black Zombies and we think this spell is decent should we get the same sort of support for zombies.  In other news, the flavour text is hilarious.

Eerie Interlude - 2W Rare Instant which blinks any number of target critters you control until the beginning of the next end step.  The spell name is apropos and we think this will do great things from saving your team from a board-wipe to reaping a whole lotta 'enters-the-battlefield' effects.

Topplegeist - A flying 1/1 Spirit creature for just one W is getting a thumbs up from us.  This spell does way better with an EtB effect of tapping down an oppenent's creature.  It even goes further with a delirium ability (which checks whether there are at least four different card types in your graveyard) which will provide another tap down at the beginning of each opponent's upkeep.  This makes the grade for a few of our Commander lists as well.

Tooth Collector - 2B for an uber-creepy human rogue with a 3/2 body. Similar to the above Topplegeist, this fella has an EtB effect giving an opponent's creature -1/-1 until end of turn and again with the delirium effect.  Not to shabby.

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As for the decklists - 

Blessed is a White / Blue build featuring a number of humans and supporting spells with Angels and spirits helping to fill out the list.  Champion of the Parish, Captain of the Mists, Geist of Saint Traft, Dearly Departed, Increasing Devotion and Eerie Interlude are this list's rare cards.

Cursed is a Black / Blue build and has a host of zombies along with vampires, and demons which uses your graveyard as a resource.  Gravecrawler, Unbreathing Horde, Havengul Runebinder, Harvester of Souls, Sever the Bloodline and Mindwrack Demon are the rares in this list.

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Here is the 4.1.1. for Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed which is hitting the shelf of a gaming store near you NEXT WEEKEND - 

Duel Decks are a great way for two expert players to face off against each other with ready-to-play, sixty-card decks that contain powerful cards related to a specific theme and feature six exciting new cards from Shadows over Innistrad.

Holy Warriors Unite Against the Unquiet Dead

A divine mission has once again united the Humans, Spirits, and Angels of Innistrad. Together, these protectors will stand against the shadows, fighting for humanity's salvation.

Evil rules the night. Shambling hordes of the dead roam free, their cemetery gates in ruins, as powerful Demons soar overhead. The fate of the living remains shrouded in darkness.

Will you defend hope or snuff it out?
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Contents: 
• 2 Ready-to-play, 60-card decks
• 2 Deck boxes
• 10 creature tokens
• 2 Spindown life counters
• Strategy insert

Deck Design and Deck Development: Chris Millar and Sam Stoddard
Twitter Hashtag: #MTGBVC
Languages Available: English, Japanese
Release Date: February 26, 2016

MSRP: $19.99
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DD: Blessed vs. Cursed Spoiler 12-14

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

If you've missed the massive Magic: the Gathering leak, be sure to pop back to this post for a truckload of Oath of the Gatewatch spoilers. The same individual who had spoiled those cards had also spoiled the two face cards (in Japanese) for the upcoming Duel Deck product associated with Shadows over Innistrad to be released April 8th 2016.

Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed is the 17th set in the Duel Decks series. It will be released February 26, 2016.  Duel Decks are a great way for two expert players to face off against each other with ready-to-play, sixty-card decks that contain powerful cards related to a specific theme and feature six exciting new cards from Shadows over Innistrad.  Here is some flavour to get you salivating -

Holy Warriors Unite Against the Unquiet Dead. A divine mission has once again united the Humans, Spirits, and Angels of Innistrad. Together, these protectors will stand against the shadows, fighting for humanity's salvation. Evil rules the night. Shambling hordes of the dead roam free, their cemetery gates in ruins, as powerful Demons soar overhead. The fate of the living remains shrouded in darkness. Will you defend hope or snuff it out?


Here are those two 'face' cards for the Duel Deck - there may be minor translation differences for that demon card.

Geist of Saint Traft, 1WU
Legendary Creature - Cleric, Spirit
Hexproof (This creature can’t be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.)
Whenever Geist of Saint Traft attacks, put a 4/4 white Angel creature token with flying onto the battlefield tapped and attacking. Exile that token at end of combat.
2/2

Mindbreaker Demon, 2BB
Creature - Demon, Mythic Rare
Flying
Trample
When Mindbreaker Demon enters the battlefield put the four the library of your library into your graveyard.
At the beginning of your upkeep, if you don’t have 4 or more card types in your graveyard, lose 4 life.
4/5

Contents of the Duel Decks box :
• 2 Ready-to-play, 60-card decks
• 2 Deck boxes
• 10 creature tokens
• 2 Spindown life counters
• Strategy insert
• Rules reference card
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DD: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi

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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.
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DD: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

Get Hyped now !
Today on the mothersite, WotC revealed the next Duel Deck product - Zendikar vs. Eldrazi !  This certainly is most cool, but for spoiler-nutters like us here at MTG Realm, even more so.  Why ?  In the last few Duel Deck products, there have been a handful of new Magic: the Gathering preview cards to be printed in the upcoming 'fall' set.  With this fall set already announced to be 'Return to Zendikar', we will be afforded a look behind the curtain and can now kick the speculation engine into full gear.  Foremost of course is the possibility (probability) of Eldrazi Titans or their goons invading the Plane of Zendikar.

Anwywhoos, if you are not aware, Duel Decks are a series of theme decks that started in 2007 with Elves vs. Goblins. They contain two 60-card pre-constructed theme decks designed and developed specifically to be played against each other by two people.  In later sets in the series changed this this to two foil mythic rares with alternate artwork, and between six and ten rares, as well as four non-foil cards with alternate artwork (except for Divine vs. Demonic, which had five). Many of the mythic rares were originally printed as rares, and have been changed mythic status for the duel deck. Some of the cards also have new flavor text.  For the record, Heroes vs Monsters contained six preview cards from Theros, which of course makes the product when it realeased the very first chance for players to game with the set's new cards.

Here's the 4.1.1. from the mothersite -

ANNOUNCING DUEL DECKS: ZENDIKAR VS. ELDRAZI

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?

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

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DD: Elspeth vs. Kiora

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

We hope every here in Ontario had a great Family Day and our American cousins to the south had a great President's Day.  For today's Magic: the Gathering post to MTG Realm, we want to take a step back to our earlier post on the leaked decklists for Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora.  Well, it does indeed all look correct with the official post to the mothersite yesterday.  As we now have the confirmation, let's yatter a bit more about this Duel Deck.  -

Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora is the 15th set in the Duel Decks series. It will be released in just over a week from now on February 27, 2015 for a suggested retail price of $20.

The product 'flavour' -

The knight Planeswalker Elspeth Tirel sees herself as the protector of the Multiverse. She has pledged her sword and shield to all who suffer, and she summons forth impressive armies to assist her. The merfolk Planeswalker Kiora calls upon the creatures of the deepest oceans to fight at her side. She is the master of the world beneath the waves, her true power only now beginning to surface. How will these Planeswalkers measure up when they meet in battle?

Six cards receive new artwork: 
• Elspeth, Sun's Champion, 
• Kiora, the Crashing Wave, 
• Temple of the False God,
• Decree of Justice.
• Mother of Runes, and
• Explore.

The art for Icatian Javelineers first appeared on a Gateway promo and the art for Accumulated Knowledge was first used for Duels of the Planeswalkers.

Elspeth Rares: 
• Elspeth, Sun's Champion (foil), 
• Captain of the Watch, 
• Decree of Justice, 
• Dictate of Heliod, 
• Gustcloak Savior, and 
• Precinct Captain

Kiora Rares:
• Kiora, the Crashing Wave (foil, new art), 
• Inkwell Leviathan, 
• Plasm Capture, 
• Scourge of Fleets, 
• Simic Sky Swallower, and 

• Whelming Wave.

If you are planning on picking up this product, we suggest you also give some consideration to picking up the very awesome / cool Ultra • PRO playmat and deckboxes.

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DD: Elspeth Vs Kiora

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Happy Friday MTG peeps,

It is dang cold here in our corner of Canada-Land, so if you are heading out to a Friday Night Magic event like we are at OMG! Games here in Barrie, make sure you wear your warmest anorak and kamik and your sled dogs get a good meal.

Anywhoos, some Magic: the Gathering spoilers incoming today - specifically, the unofficial decklists for the Duel Decks : Elspeth Vs Kiora.  First off, here's the 4.1.1. for this Duel Decks products -

The knight Planeswalker Elspeth Tirel sees herself as the protector of the Multiverse. She has pledged her sword and shield to all who suffer, and she summons forth impressive armies to assist her. The merfolk Planeswalker Kiora calls upon the creatures of the deepest oceans to fight at her side. She is the master of the world beneath the waves, her true power only now beginning to surface. How will these Planeswalkers measure up when they meet in battle?

Deck Design and Deck Development: Chris Millar and Sam Stoddard
Twitter Hashtag: #MTGEVK
Languages: English, Japanese
Release Date: February 27, 2015
MSRP: $19.99

It appears that Lorelorn out of Brisbane, Australia may have the unconfirmed / unofficial decklists.  From what we've heard, a total of eight cards are to receive new artwork: 
• Elspeth, Sun's Champion, 
• Kiora, the Crashing Wave, 
• Mother of Runes,
• Temple of the False God, 
• Explore, 
• Decree of Justice, 
• Standing Troops and 
• Accumulated Knowledge.

Here's the lists !

Planeswalker (1) Elspeth, Sun’s Champion

Lands (24) : 2 Secluded Steppe, 22 Plains 

Creatures (24) : 2 Icatian Javelineers, 1 Mother of Runes, 2 Kinsbaile Skirmisher, 1 Kor Skyfisher, 1 Precinct Captain, 2 Veteran Armorsmith, 1 Court Street Denizen, 1 Standing Troops, 2 Veteran Swordsmith, 1 Banisher Priest, 2 Gustcloak Harrier, 1 Gustcloak Skirmisher, 1 Gustcloak Sentinel, 1 Gustcloak Savior, 2 Loxodon Partisan, 1 Gempalm Avenger, 1 Noble Templar, 1 Captain of the Watch

Spells (11) : 1 Mortal’s Ardor, 2 Sunlance, 1 Mighty Leap, 2 Raise the Alarm, 1 Soul Parry, 1 Celestial Flare, 1 Dauntless Onslaught, 1 Dictate of Heliod, 1 Decree of Justice


Planeswalker (1) : Kiora, the Crashing Wave

Lands (25) : 2 Evolving Wilds, 1 Temple of the False God, 11 Forest, 11 Island

Creatures (20) : 1 Omenspeaker, 2 Coiling Oracle, 1 Kiora’s Follower, 2 Grazing Gladehart, 2 Netcaster Spider, 2 Man-o’-War, 2 Lorescale Coatl, 1 Nessian Asp, 2 Surrakar Banisher, 1 Sealock Monster, 1 Scourge of Fleets, 1 Simic Sky Swallower, 1 Inkwell Leviathan, 1 Nimbus Swimmer


Spells (14) : 2 Explore, 4 Accumulated Knowledge, 1 Peel from Reality, 2 Time to Feed, 1 Explosive Vegetation, 1 AEtherize, 1 Whelming Wave, 1 Plasm Capture, 1 Urban Evolution

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DD Anthology

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

In about another 12 more days, a special Duel Decks box set, Duel Decks Anthology will be released.  There is quite a bit of discussion on the Magic: the Gathering forums we regularly visit on this particular release.  Before we get in to the nitty-gritty, lets get the overview again . . .

Duel Decks Anthology is a compilation collector's set that combines the first four Duel Decks printed.  This boxed set is to be released on Friday 5th December with a suggested retail price of about $100.  All the cards released will be in the new 'M15' card frames.  Here's the contents -

• Elves vs. Goblins (released 2007)
• Jace vs. Chandra (released 2008)
• Divine vs. Demonic (released 2009)
• Garruk vs. Liliana (released 2009)
• 8 deck boxes sized to fit sleeved cards
• Two spin-down life counters

• 35 token cards

These eight ready-to-play decks are most definitely fun to play against each-other's pair and offers a lot of nostalgia but may also appeal to collectors.  We have a number of the original (Duel Deck) cards from MTG Mint Card but unfortunately, never did purchase the product sets.

A number of gamers are critical of what is perceived as a fairly high price while others claim that this price is reasonable.  Here at MTG Realm, we are leaning ever so slightly with those holding the latter opinion - reasonably priced.  There are a number of highly sought after singles in this boxed set which do command a good price such as Ancestral Vision, Akroma, Angel of Wrath and Demonic Tutor.  We've also done a bit of looking around on online retailers and provide this rather rough summary of of prices to expect to pay for each of the original Duel Decks :

• Elves vs. Goblins - $180 to $200
• Jace vs. Chandra - $130 to $150
• Set Divine vs. Demonic - $150 to $180
• Garruk vs. Liliana - $40 to $50

We still think the price tag is reasonable but realise that most brick 'n' mortar WPN stores and online retailers will not likely offer this at the MSRP but probably around the $120 to $140 mark.  Don't expect any relief from this price at the big-box stores who do occasionally offer sealed Magic: the Gathering product near the MRSP as this product is not expected to be distributed to them.  

What's your opinion ?
Pipe in below -
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Elspeth vs. Kiora Redux

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Happy Saturday MTG peeps,

We were not able to get out to Friday Night Magic at our local shop, OMG! Games & Collectibles here in Barrie, Ontario last night and are kinda feeling a titch of Magic: the Gathering withdrawal.  To cure this, we're planning a big four-player Commander latter tonight to get our MTG on.  As we were yattering about earlier, we also were planning on picking up three of the five Commander 2014 decks but actually want to wait for the second printing as we've been reading about some rumoured product irregularities (additional or missing cards) in the first print run.  

Anywhoos - we wanting to revisit the PAX Australia MTG Panel previews 'n' reveals from the previous weekend as WotC has just posted a video of the presentation which means we now have better images from Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora rather than those taken with a potato cam or odd angle.  So here is another repost of our previous one -

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Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora

Deck Design and Deck Development: Chris Millar and Sam Stoddard
Twitter Hashtag: #MTGEVK
Languages: English, Japanese
Release Date: February 27, 2015
MSRP: $19.99

The knight Planeswalker Elspeth Tirel sees herself as the protector of the Multiverse. She has pledged her sword and shield to all who suffer, and she summons forth impressive armies to assist her. The merfolk Planeswalker Kiora calls upon the creatures of the deepest oceans to fight at her side. She is the master of the world beneath the waves, her true power only now beginning to surface. How will these Planeswalkers measure up when they meet in battle?

 

 











 
This is the 15th duel deck in the Duel Deck series which contain two pre-constructed sixty-card themed decks which are designed to be played against each-other.  There are a total of 6 of cards which are to receive new alternate artwork including the 'marquee' Planeswalker cards for each deck - Elspeth, Sun's Champion (originally printed in in 'Theros' set) and Kiora, the Crashing Wave (originally printed in the 'Born of the Gods' set).

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