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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Theros Event Decklists

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,


We simply cannot wait until our MTG Mint Card pre-orders are shipped so we can start brewing up builds and start gaming at OMG! Games (Barrie, Ontario) Friday Night Magic events.  For this particular Friday, we'll likely stick to a Return to Ravnica block deck with a few singletons of Theros we've picked up from the PreRelease event.

Speaking of events, Theros Game Day is scheduled for the weekend of October 19th / 20th and the Theros Event Deck will be going on sale that Friday giving gamers an opportunity to take it for a spin.   Unlike the preconstructed Intro Decks, which Wizards of the Coast develops with newer players to Magic in mind, event decks are built with with a focus given to tournament-play competitive players.  We now have the final decklist today over on the mothersite, so let's have a look.

Anywhoos, for an MRSP of approximately $25 (depending upon where you may be), here's what you get . . .
• 1 x 60-card deck
• 1 x 15-card sideboard
• 1 x Spindown   life counter
• 1 x strategy insert
• 1 x card box

Theros Event Deck - 'Inspiring Heroics' (U/W)24 lands : 4  Azorius Guildgate, 1  Hallowed Fountain, 5  Island, 14  Plains

25 creatures : 2  Ascended Lawmage, 2  Banisher Priest, 3  Battlewise Hoplite, 3  Dryad Militant, 1  Fabled Hero, 1  Frontline Medic, 3  Hopeful Eidolon, 2  Imposing Sovereign, 1  Lavinia of the Tenth, 3  Lyev Skyknight, 1  New Prahv Guildmage, 1  Precinct Captain, 1  Skymark Roc, 1  Soldier of the Pantheon

11 other spells : 2  Dauntless Onslaught, 2  Detention Sphere, 2  Gods Willing, 1  Ordeal of Heliod, 2  Ordeal of Thassa, 2  Pacifism

15 sideboard cards : 2  Arrest, 2  Gainsay, 2  Gift of Orzhova, 2  Glare of Heresy, 2  Negate, 3  Solemn Offering, 2  Triton Tactics
 
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Friday Miscellaney

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Happy Friday MTG peeps,

As it is Friday, and we have our M14 singles now in hand from MTG Mint Card, we're heading off to Friday Night Magic this evening to OMG! Games here in Barrie and try to get to Top 8 to get one of those lovely Rakdos Cackler FNM promos. For today's post, we want to yatter about the new M14 Event Deck as well as drawing you attention to some stunning Magic: the Gathering wallpaper.  Let's go!

New Magic 2014 core set Event Deck - Red / Green "Rush of the Wild".  Available on 9 August 2013 for a MSRP $25, this competitive list features 8 rares and a host of other solid card choices.  Here's what you get -
• 1 x 60-card deck
• 1 x 15-card sideboard
• 1 x Spindownlife counter
• 1 x  strategy insert
• 1 x  card box

With your horde of warriors, shamans, and wild beasts, your goal is to put your opponents on the back foot, then smash through their defenses. This deck lets you take the offensive, dominating the battle and denying your enemy time to execute a strategy.

24 land : 4 Gruul Guildgate, 1 Rogue's Passage, 1 Stomping Ground (R), 12 Forest, 6 Mountain

27 creatures : 4 Elvish Mystic, 2 Rakdos Cackler, 2 Dryad Militant, 2 Kalonian Tusker, 2 Skarrg Guildmage, 2 Burning-Tree Emissary, 1 Pyrewild Shaman (R), 3 Slaughterhorn, 1 Wild Beastmaster (R), 1 Ogre Battledriver (R), 1 Deadbridge Goliath (R), 4 Ghor-Clan Rampager, 1 Rubblebelt Raiders (R), 1 Wrecking Ogre (R)

9 other spells : 3 Shock, 1 Mizzium Mortars (R), 1 Gruul Charm, 2 Flames of the Firebrand, 1 Clan Defiance, 1 Armed & Dangerous

15 sideboard : 1 Savage Summoning, 3 Skullcrack, 2 Naturalize, 2 Gruul Charm, 2 Act of Treason, 3 Annihilating Fire, 2 Enlarge
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Here's the latest offering of MTG wallpapers from the mothersite -
Rise of the Dark Realms, by Michael Komarck

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Goblin Diplomats, by Izzy

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Jace's Mindseeker, Greg Staples 

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Archangel of Thune, by James Ryman

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MTG Event Decks

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Happy Friday MTG peeps,

We're rather excited to heading out to our local gaming store, OMG! Games finally after an absence of several weeks - snowstorm, out-of-town, and other craziness left us cut-off as to how the local metagame has adapted and evolved to the release of the latest Magic: the Gathering set, Gatecrash.  Perhaps after we get our butts handed to us, we may need to head back to MTG Mint Card to pick up some additional cards to solve the popular archetypes.

Anywhoos - for today's post, just some random news - let's go -First up - 

Yesterday on the mothersite, WotC Monty provided a round-up on the history of the Event Deck.   If you are just starting to game and don't yet know, Event Decks are a type of preconstructed product that has been issued with each MTG expansion since Mirrodin Besieged.  Unlike preconstructed theme decks and intro packs, which are constructed by Wizards of the Coast for newer players to Magic, event decks are built with more tournament-play competitive players in mind, and each event deck features seven rares and as many as four copies of powerful common and uncommon cards.  Event decks are Standard legal as of their release and may be played fresh from their box, which contains a strategy insert with tips as to deck customization.  

Essentially, Monty indicated that instead of two decks each release, there will be only one.  To this, we applaud Wizards of the Coast - too often have we seen players favour and pick-up only one of the two decks leaving the other one to collect dust on the local retailer's shelf.  Anywhoos, come the next set, Dragon's Maze, expect only one event deck to be available.

Next up - the March, 2013 FNM Promo !
Next month, the Friday Night promo will be Farseek.  This is currently a standard legal  card and just a solid choice for mana ramp.  The original Farseek, printed with the last core set 2013 was illustrated by Martina Pilcerova.  The new alt-art foil FNM promo has amazing art by illustrator Michael Komarck and we will definitely want to try and get our paws on at least one or two of these.

 







That's it for now, see you at the games table.
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Gatecrash Event Decklists

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,Today, over on the mothersite, WotC Monty unveiled the Gatecrash Event Decklists.  Event decks are preconstructed theme decks which have been released since Mirrodin Besieged and offer a more competitive build for Magic: the Gathering players who want to get in more tournament level gaming.  These are released a few weeks after the official launch of the latest expansion set and are delivered hot 'n' ready to your local game store just in time for 'Game Day' events.  Gatecrash Game Day is scheduled to take place on the weekend of 23rd / 24th February and we will likely be picking up an Event Deck at our local card shop, OMG! Games here in Barrie, Ontario (Obviously the Boros one as we think the Simic one was designed by a 3-year old  -no offense to 3-year olds intended). With results in from 2013 SCG Atlanta tournament, we also now have an idea where the new standard constructed metagame may develop and are planning to pick up a few additional Gatecrash singles from MTG Mint Card.

Anywhoos, let have a look at what an MRSP of $25 will get you with the new Gatecrash Event Decks:
• 1 60-Card Deck
• 1 15-Card Sideboard
• 1 Spindown™ Life Counter
• 1 Strategy Inset
• 1 Card Box

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Thrive and Thrash - Simic blue / green with a splash of red

The Simic Combine has a new agenda for a new era: reclaim the recently uncovered seas and then restore the Ravnican wilderness. The "Thrive and Thrash" deck opens the game with a focused effort to quickly develop its available mana. Once you've assembled massive amounts of mana generation, follow through with gigantic monsters and game-winning spells. Your opponents will be helpless against the sheer power of your late-game plays.


23 lands : 2  Evolving Wilds, 10  Forest, 6  Island, 1  Mountain, 4  Simic Guildgate

23 creatures : 2  Acidic Slime, 4  Arbor Elf, 3  Borderland Ranger, 1  Deadeye Navigator, 1  Dungeon Geists, 2  Fog Bank, 1  Gruul Ragebeast, 2  Mist Raven, 1  Sphinx of Uthuun, 3  Strangleroot Geist, 1  Thragtusk, 1  Wolfir Silverheart, 1  Yeva, Nature's Herald

14 other spells : 1  Bramblecrush, 4  Farseek, 2  Ground Assault, 3  Urban Evolution, 4  Verdant Haven

15 sideboard cards : 4  Dissipate, 4  Flames of the Firebrand, 2  Naturalize, 2  Negate, 3  Rancor
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Rally and Rout - Boros  red / white


The Boros Legion marches in lockstep across the battlefield. Individually, the troops are disciplined and capable. As a unit, the battalion is nearly unstoppable. The "Rally and Rout" deck hits the ground running with cheap, aggressive creatures. But your assault really kicks into overdrive once you assemble a squad of three or more creatures. At that point, every attack is an overwhelming military exercise. Once your ground troops have softened up your opponent, your battery of long-range burn spells is more than adequate to finish the job.

23 lands : 3  Boros Guildgate, 1  Clifftop Retreat, 8  Mountain, 10  Plains, 1  Slayers' Stronghold

24 creatures : 1  Ash Zealot, 4  Boros Elite, 1  Champion of the Parish, 4  Doomed Traveler, 2  Firefist Striker, 2  Lightning Mauler, 1  Silverblade Paladin, 3  Skyknight Legionnaire, 1  Spark Trooper, 2  Sunhome Guildmage, 1  Thalia, Guardian of Thraben, 2  Truefire Paladin

13 other spells : 2  Boros Charm, 4  Gather the Townsfolk, 4  Pillar of Flame, 3  Searing Spear

15 sideboard cards : 3  Bonds of Faith, 3  Electrickery, 2  Oblivion Ring, 2  Skullcrack, 2  Thunderous Wrath, 3  War Priest of Thune
 
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RTR Event Deck Lists

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

Yesterday, over on the mothersite, WotC Monty rolled out the Return to Ravnica Event Decklists.  If you are a new Magic: the Gathering player and do not know, Event Decks are designed for gamers who may have moved on from learning the basics with an Intro Pack and now want to get a build a bit more competetive. The concept of the Event Deck is that one can pick this up off the shelf at the local gaming store off the shelf and sit right down to a Friday Night Magic for standard constructed play.

The Return to Ravnica Event Decks are to be released on 26th October, and available for an MRSP of $25.  Each Event Deck contains a 60 card deck with a 15 card sideboard, a Spindown life counter and strategy guide. Each list is solid and easily adaptable to customisation - just drop by MTG Mint Card to pick up extras of your fav new card.  Personally, without having played any games with either of these, we think that the Golgari build is far superior.  Anywhoos - Let's have a look what to expect when we open one up - the rare cards are denoted with a '*'.

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Golgari: Creep and Conquer (black / green)

24 lands : 4  Evolving Wilds, 8  Forest, 3  Golgari Guildgate, 1  Grim Backwoods*, 7  Swamp, 1  Woodland Cemetery*

27 creatures : 2  Daggerdrome Imp, 3  Dawntreader Elk, 1  Deadbridge Goliath*, 1  Disciple of Bolas*, 2  Dreg Mangler, 4  Drudge Beetle, 1  Druid's Familiar, 3  Korozda Guildmage, 2  Slitherhead, 2  Trusted Forcemage, 1  Ulvenwald Tracker*, 4  Vampire Nighthawk, 1  Wolfir Silverheart*

9 other spells : 2  Golgari Charm, 4  Tragic Slip, 1  Ultimate Price, 2  Victim of Night

15 sideboard cards : 3  Bramblecrush, 2  Duress, 2  Ghost Quarter, 4  Strangleroot Geist, 1  Thragtusk*, 3  Vile Rebirth
 
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Rakdos: Wrack and Rage (red / black)

24 lands : 1  Dragonskull Summit*, 13  Mountain, 2  Rakdos Guildgate, 8  Swamp

22 creatures : 2  Hellhole Flailer, 3  Knight of Infamy, 2  Lightning Mauler, 4  Rakdos Cackler, 4  Rakdos Shred-Freak, 3  Rix Maadi Guildmage, 2  Stonewright, 2  Stromkirk Noble*

14 other spells : 2  Brimstone Volley, 1  Devil's Play*, 1  Mizzium Mortars*, 1  Nightbird's Clutches, 4  Pillar of Flame, 1  Rakdos Charm, 4  Searing Spear
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M13 Event decklists

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

Today, WoTC Monty provided the Magic 2013 core set Event Deck lists.   These products are typically released on 'Game Day' which is approximately three weeks after a set's release date.  Newer players who have 'cut their teeth' on Intro Packs may now be ready to advance and get themselves into a more competitive preconstructed build such as Event decks.  These decks may be further upgraded to taste - we suggest you click on over to MTG Mint Card.

The 2013 Core Set Event Decks are Repeat Performance (/ ) and Sweet Revenge (/ / ).  These will have an MSRP of $24.99 and go on sale August 3, 2012.  Each Event Deck contains one 60-card deck, one 15-card sideboard, one Spindown life counter, one strategy insert, and a handy card box to house your new card goodness in.
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Repeat Performance - Magic 2013 Event Deck

22 lands : 12  Forest, 8  Plains, 2  Razorverge Thicket (R)

33 creatures : 1  Acidic Slime, 2  Arbor Elf, 3  Attended Knight, 4  Avacyn's Pilgrim, 1  Blade Splicer (R), 3  Borderland Ranger, 1  Brutalizer Exarch, 2  Elvish Visionary, 1  Fiend Hunter, 1  Geist-Honored Monk (R), 1  Glimmerpoint Stag, 4  Llanowar Elves, 1  Mwonvuli Beast Tracker, 4  Roaring Primadox, 1  Stingerfling Spider, 1  Stonehorn Dignitary, 1  Sunblast Angel (R), 1  Thragtusk (R)

5 other spells : 1  Green Sun's Zenith (R), 4  Lead the Stampede

15 sideboard cards : 3  Cloudshift, 2  Dismember, 3  Kemba's Skyguard, 4  Oblivion Ring, 3  War Priest of Thune

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Sweet Revenge - Magic 2013 Event Deck

24 lands : 1  Darkslick Shores (R), 1  Desolate Lighthouse (R), 4  Evolving Wilds, 7  Island, 9  Mountain, 1  Sulfur Falls (R), 1  Swamp

7 creatures : 2  Armored Skaab, 4  Fettergeist, 1  Firewing Phoenix (R)

29 other spells : 4  Burning Vengeance, 4  Desperate Ravings, 4  Faithless Looting, 3  Forbidden Alchemy, 2  Geistflame, 3  Pillar of Flame, 1  Red Sun's Zenith (R), 1  Rolling Temblor, 1  Silent Departure, 2  Slagstorm (R), 4  Think Twice

15 sideboard cards : 2  Arc Trail, 4  Bloodcrazed Neonate, 2  Dismember, 4  Screeching Skaab, 3  Secrets of the Dead
 

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AVR Event Decks

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

You may recall our post at waay back on start of April where we spoiled an early image of Avacyn Restored Event Decks - well WoTC Monty gave us the low-down with deck lists in yesterday's Aracana.  Most Magic the Gathering players we've been talking to are not calling it a stellar but most certainly solid.  Let's have a looky-see . . .

Humanity's Vengeance (w/u)

Main Deck - 60 cards
24 lands : 2  Glacial Fortress, 9  Island, 1  Moorland Haunt, 12  Plains

25 creatures : 1  Blade Splicer (R), 4  Fiend Hunter, 4  Gideon's Lawkeeper, 1  Mirran Crusader (R), 3  Nearheath Pilgrim, 2  Nephalia Smuggler, 1  Phyrexian Metamorph (R), 4  Porcelain Legionnaire, 3  Tandem Lookout, 2  Wingcrafter

11 other spells : 2  Dismember, 1  Divine Deflection (R), 2  Mental Misstep, 3  Oblivion Ring, 3  Righteous Blow

Sideboard : 3  Cathedral Sanctifier, 2  Cloudshift, 2  Inquisitor Exarch, 4  Mana Leak, 3  Negate, 1  Pacifism
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Death's Encroach (b)

Main Deck : 60 cards 
24 lands : 24  Swamp

21 creatures : 1  Cemetery Reaper (R), 2  Crypt Creeper, 4  Diregraf Ghoul, 1  Geralf's Messenger (R), 3  Ghoulraiser, 1  Gloom Surgeon (R), 1  Gravecrawler (R), 4  Highborn Ghoul, 4  Skinrender

15 other spells : 3  Altar's Reap, 3  Despise, 2  Dismember, 2  Doom Blade, 3  Go for the Throat, 2  Lashwrithe  (R)

Sideboard : 2  Appetite for Brains, 2  Crypt Creeper, 3  Deathmark, 1  Despise, 2  Distress, 1  Ghoulraiser, 1  Surgical Extraction (R), 3  Triumph of Cruelty
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These 60-card decks come with a 15-card sideboard and are perfect for use in Standard play tournaments like Friday Night Magic or Game Day celebrations. They also come with a Spindown life counter and a reusable card box.  Unlike Intro Packs, these 60-card builds are designed to let the player jump straight into a standard-format event with a very decent deck that should be competitive, and for a MSRP of about $25, it's not a bad deal.
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Finally,
One suggestion is modify to tast or pimp the above event decklists by heading over to MTG Mint Card and getting additional rares or perhaps even foils.
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Avacyn Restored Event Decks

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

Some very lovely Avacyn Restores spoilers out today - essentially the entire line-up of products which of course, being fans of the game we will want to spend some time carefully reviewing the art on all the packaging and start speculation as to what this next Magic the Gathering set may have for us.  Stay tuned for the next few posts as well provide a post for . . .
• Avacyn Restored Boosters / Booster Box,
• Avacyn Restored Event Decks / Fat Packs, and
• Avacyn Restored Intro Packs

 Here's the essential 4.1.1. for the set - Avacyn Restored is the third set in the Innistrad block, being released May 4, 2012. It is the fifty-eighth expansion for Magic. Prerelease Events will take place April 28-29, 2012 and Launch Parties will take place May 4-6, 2012. Game Day will be on May 25-26, 2012. This set contains 244 cards.  Make sure you speak with your local Games Store to reserve or pre-order what you want.  Personally, we already have our orders in to OMG! Games here in Central Ontario and would buy it right now if we had a time machine.

Anwyhoos - Let's have a look at the Event Decks and Fat Packs . .
Event Decks offer a competitive 60 card deck with a 15 card sideboard, a Spindown life counter and strategy guide.  These decks are perfect for use in Standard play tournaments like Friday Night Magic or Game Day celebrations.  The Event decks look to be mono-black (featuring a zombie art?) called 'Death's Encroach', and Blue / White (featuring a Cleric / Cathar ?) called 'Humanity's Vengeance'.

Each Avacyn Restored Fat Pack contains 9 Avacyn Restored booster packs, The Avacyn Restored Player's Guide, 1 learn-to-play insert, 1 pack of 40 Avacyn Restored basic land, 2 deck boxes, and 1 Avacyn Restored Life Counter.

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DKA Event Deck Lists

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Happy Tuesday MTG Peeps,

You may recall last week when we provided a quick post reagarding the soon to be released Dark Ascension Event Decks. Well today, WoTC Monty delivered the decklists on the mothership.

Here's the 4.1.1 on these competitive pre-cons before we get into the decklist details -

Dark Ascension Event Decks are scheduled for release on February 24th, 2012 and contain the following : 1 x 60-card deck, 1 x 15-card sideboard, 1 Spindown life counter, 1 strategy insert, and 1 card box. These should retail for about $25 and contain 7 rares as well as a full compliment of uncommons / commons.
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Spiraling Doom -
Black-Green (/) Event Deck
(Rare cards in bold)
25 land : 2 Evolving Wilds, 1 Grim Backwoods, 8 Swamp, 14 Forest

27 creatures : 1 Hex Parasite, 4 Young Wolf, 1 Perilous Myr, 4 Viridian Emissary, 4 Strangleroot Geist, 1 Phyrexian Rager, 1 Wakedancer, 1 Viridian Corrupter, 1 Solemn Simulacrum, 3 Skinrender, 1 Stingerfling Spider, 1 Bloodgift Demon, 1 Morkrut Banshee, 1 Acidic Slime, 1 Brutalizer Exarch, 1 Myr Battlesphere

8 other spells : 1 Mortarpod, 3 Doom Blade, 2 Birthing Pod, 2 Diabolic Tutor

15 sideboard : 1 Despise, 3 Autumn's Veil, 1 Myr Sire, 4 Distress, 1 Wakedancer, 1 Beast Within, 1 Dismember, 1 Gravedigger, 1 Entomber Exarch, 1 Acid Web Spider

Take this build for a spin and draw a few hands HERE. We like 'tool box' builds and this Birthing Pod deck delivers. The build does look solid with Solemn Simulacrum and Viridian Emissary to power up your mana ramp and has a very nice showcase of the new 'undying' tech with a full deckset of Strangleroo Geist and Young Wolf. Sadly, we suspect that players may just purchase the singles and build something similar to game with as the MRSP closely approximates the summary of singles here.

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Gleeful Flames - Mono-Red ()Event Deck
(Rare cards in bold)

22 land : 3 Haunted Fengraf, 2 Inkmoth Nexus, 17 Mountain

20 creatures : 4 Forge Devil, 4 Goblin Arsonist, 4 Goblin Fireslinger, 4 Goblin Gaveleer, 3 Torch Fiend, 1 Hellrider

18 other spells : 3 Infiltration Lens, 2 Faithless Looting, 4 Goblin Grenade, 1 Curse of Stalked Prey, 4 Brimstone Volley, 4 Artillerize

15 sideboard : 2 Gut Shot, 3 Torpor Orb, 4 Arc Trail, 2 Act of Treason, 1 Dismember, 3 Into the Core

Take this build for a spin and draw a few hands HERE. This mono-red build has a roster list of a number of popular cards now being played such as Gut Shot, Dismember, and Arc Trail. Given the deckset of Artillerize, we somewhat surprised we don't see any Ichor Wellspring or Mycosynth Wellspring. We love the synergy here with Goblin Gaveleer and Infiltration Lens but find it a titch odd about the Inkmoth Nexus inclusion - don't misinterpret this - we love Inkmoth, just think that this was included as a plan 'B' or to be more appealing to gamers. And appealing it is, this build if broken down should fetch almost double that of the MRSP and will fly off the shelves double-time compared to the previous Pod build.. It's only weakness is that a single Curse of Death's Hold or Elesh Norn will shut the gobby party down.

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Lastly, just another reminder of the Top 5 selling DKA singles - this data compiled by the folks over at MTG Mint Card.

1. Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
2. Mikaeus, the Unhallowed
3. Hellrider
4. Vault of the Archangel
5. Vorapede
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Dark Ascension Event Decks

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,
EDIT - to see the full deck lists click on over HERE.
Today over on the mothership, WoTC Monty gave us a sneak peak of the upcoming Dark Ascension Event Decks. Unlike Intro Packs, which are for newer players, the Event Decks are designed to provide you with a FNM-ready deck that should be rather competitive right out of the box.

Dark Ascension Event Decks are scheduled for release on February 24th, 2012 and contain the following : 1 x 60-card deck, 1 x 15-card sideboard, 1 Spindown life counter, 1 strategy insert, and 1 card box. These should retail for about $25. Previous Event Decks had about 7 rares and a full compliment of uncommons / commons.

The two Dark Ascension Events decks -

Mono-Red ()Event Deck
Gleeful Flames
Box cover : Hellrider

















Cackle as you stoke the fires! A horde of sadistic little goblins and devils do your malicious bidding, delivering fiery pain to your opponents. Wicked combos force enemies to let you multiply your forces or to fan the flames of their own demise.
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Black-Green (/) Event Deck
Spiraling Doom
Box cover : Strangleroot Geist

















Mock life and cheat death! This green and black deck is packed with hard-to-kill creatures, including those with the new undying ability, and many more ways to turn your smaller threats into larger ones.
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We loved previous Events Decks and fully expect a solid deck list from these two as well.

Previous Event Decks :
Innistrad - Hold the Line / Deathfed
M12 - Illusionary Might / Vampire Onslaught
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Remember players - the newest Magic the Gathering set will be officially released this Friday and will likely be making a showing during your Friday Night Magic event. We might be doing something crazy like hitting up our local Game Store (OMG! Games in Barrie, Ontario) on Thursday Midnight to ensure we get the cards we want.

If you don't live near a store, we suggest you get your on-line order in as time is running out. Check out MTG Mint Card where awesome selection and good price is sure to win your affection.
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