Coldsnap: Kjeldoran Cunning Review (Part 2 of 2)
Fresh off the detour we took to cover Duel Decks: Knights vs Dragons, we’re back with our Coldsnap coverage and picking right up where we left off. In our last feature from this set, we took apart the Blue/White Kjeldoran Cunning deck to see how it was constructed.
MBtB: The Precon Deck Buyer’s Guide has Launched!
Ever wished you knew more about buying precon decks, so that you wouldn’t be fleeced in the process?
Ever wish you knew the best places to buy them?
Curious about which decks are- for one reason or another- the true collector’s items, while the rest are just… there?
Want to know how to save money and find the bargains? And how much you should be paying for them?
I can’t speak for anyone else, but when I first got serious about collecting theme decks and other precon products, I sure wished I had a resource that covered all that ground. Instead, I had to make my way blindly, and figure out things as I went. A year or so (and 150+ precon decks) later, I’ve decided to write it. Today on Quiet Spec, I’m launching the Preconstructed Deck Buyer’s Guide, which will be an ongoing effort over the next month.
Together we’ll be looking at each era of precons, from Mirrodin Besieged all the way back to Tempest– where theme decks got their start. We’ll take special note of those that stand out in price for one reason or another, and do some market analysis on their value.
Stop on by and say hello with today’s introductory piece!
Duel Decks- Knights vs Dragons: The Dragons Review (Part 2 of 2)
In our last review, I piloted the Knights to what felt to be a fairly well-matched tilt against the Dragons, but of course I felt I could only render full judgment when I had the chance to play things from the other side of the field. This worked out well as White Weenie is one of Jimi’s preferred archetypes (the other being Boros), and the Knights deck is right up her alley. We put the baby to rest, brewed up a kettle of tea and got down to the business of killing one another with cardboard. Here are the notes from this final engagement.
New Commander Decks on the Mothership
Just in case you missed it, the upcoming Commander decks were announced on today’s Daily Arcana, and launch on 17 June. We can’t speak for you, but we know that we’re already starting to brew our own first-ever Commander decks in anticipation!
So… anyone recommend any Grixis-coloured generals? 😉
First Look at New Phyrexia Intro Packs!
Images of the upcoming set’s Intro Packs were released today on MTG Salvation, and here they are!
Whispers of the Muse: Robert F’s Phyrexia
It’s that time again! Whispers of the Muse is our occasional feature where a Lament reader looks for advice and suggestions from the community in building off of a precon deck. Today’s deck couldn’t come at a better time, with ‘Action’ being announced as New Phyrexia and a massive leak of cards giving everyone something to salivate over.
Robert F has found himself in possession of two copies of Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs the Coalition, and has this to say:
Deck: Phyrexia (Duel deck)
Restrictions: Anything goes, I am a casual player.
Extra Stuff: The set was on sale at my local hobby store, so I have two each of the Phyrexia and Coalition decks to work with. I play mostly multi-player, as well.I just want the deck to feel more refined, focused, and aggressive, although I do like the sacrifice effects and abusing Living Death.I have a bunch of cards from alara block/m10/zendikar block/m11, but most importantly, a playset of Abyssal Persecutors that I think would feel right at home in this deck.
Who has some thoughts for Robert on how to best craft his deck?
Duel Decks- Knights vs Dragons: The Knights Review (Part 2 of 2)
Enough talk- now that we’ve picked both decks apart and gone through their inner workings, its time to shuffle them up and deal a hand (or three). I’ve decided to pilot the Knights for this first foray into the conflict, while the Dragon deck will be steered by none other than Sam. Sam’s had plenty of experience with massive beaters, and a transition from Green to this Red deck is a pleasant one given the sheer volume of burn. We squared off for the customary three matches, and here are our notes.
Help Welcome Our Friends at Red Site Wins… and Win!
For those who haven’t yet heard, a new and promising Magic website has launched today under the guiding hands of Amanda Stevens (@sagegnosis) and Luis Acosta (@AuranAlchemist). Red Site Wins already has a solid stable of writers ready to go, and a front page full of content. We’re always excited to see a new site launch, and are pleased to announce that there will be a giveaway for everyone checking them out!
Between now and 14 April, simply stop by their site, enjoy an article and post a comment. As always, we’re looking for solid comments- not the Great American Novel, perhaps, but not “cool story bro, kthxbai!” For every comment you leave, your name goes in the hat. At the end of the contest, the goodly folk of Red Site Wins will pull a name from the hat, and voila! A winner is born!
Oh, it might help if we mentioned the prize. How’s a free Mirrodin Besieged Fat Pack sound?
So stop on over and say hello and give them an encouraging welcome. After all, it takes a community to build a community.
Duel Decks- Knights vs Dragons: The Dragons Review (Part 1 of 2)
“They surround us, Great One. Their net grows tighter each day.”
Welcome back to our ongoing in-depth review of Duel Decks: Knights vs Dragons. In our last feature, we took a look at the Knights deck and determined that it was build as a hybrid tribal/White-weenie aggro-rush that looks to dominate the early game and deny the Dragons a chance to leave their dens. If there’s one thing those so-called heroes weren’t counting on, though, it’s the fact that the Dragons have not amassed their power without accumulating a few thralls and slaves friends and allies along the way. If the Knights were expecting to ride freely to the mouth of the cave and challenge the rightful inhabitant to combat, they are sadly mistaken.
They may indeed make it to the mouth of the cave… but only after being harried by Goblins, attacked by Humans and Elementals, engulfed in flame and assaulted by the very ground itself. By the time the first Dragon unfurls its leathery wings, the Knights should be so battered and singed that they’ll put up little resistance against the inevitable. And if facing up to nine Dragons (not counting the Fire-Belly Changeling) isn’t the inevitability of death, what is?
Duel Decks- Knights vs Dragons: The Knights Review (Part 1 of 2)
“Dragons, my liege. Hordes of them! Hurry, the sky blackens!”
And so begins our tale, the story of the latest tribally-themed Duel Decks to hit the shelves of our local gaming store. Within the small, unassuming box a mighty contest rages, pitting the tribe of the Knights against their immortal enemies- the Dragons. The Duel Decks series began with a similarly classic match-up of Goblins squaring off against Elves. Eighteen months later, we had our second non-Planeswalker themed release containing Angels and Demons. With 2010’s Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs The Coalition, though, the mould of the two mono-colour decks was broken, and the good news is that Duel Decks: Knights vs Dragons continues in much the same vein. Sure, you’ll find that the Dragons don’t deviate much from their expected mono-Red archetype, but as it turns out Green has as much to offer the Knights as White, and contained herein you find the best of both.
At its core, Knights offers little surprise and is about what you’d expect from the Knights: fast (and predominantly White) creatures, with a small minority of noncreature support cards. There can be little mistaking that this deck is built for the early game and starts on something of a clock. Fail to wrap up the Dragons deck before they can fully hatch, and the Knights’ prospect of victory drops precipitously.
Ertai's Lament 
