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Duel Decks are mainly themed decks; containing reprints of cards which may not have been seen for years. They are designed to be picked up and played in such a way that it gives each player an even strength. But is this the case?
When I heard that the theme was “Knights and Dragons”, I was ecstatic and could not wait to get my hands on them. In my very first pack of MTG cards I found a dragon, and from that point I wanted to make a dragon deck, six years on I’m still in need of dragons. This makes the want for this particular deck greater.
However, from playing with the decks I must admit I got bored. Not because the decks are badly constructed, but because the thought put into the advantages the cards have over each other results in the games playing out the same way almost every time.
The knights take an early lead, having more “low-power” creatures, with added abilities that are quick to cast; whereas dragons sit and do nothing until you get atleast five lands into play. Once the dragons are out and you still have enough life, you attack with full force in order to do a greater amount of damage. Of course there have been games where this hasn’t been as obvious, but if you analyse carefully structures this way.
Knights Deck List:
White Creatures:
Skyhunter Patrol
Kinsbaile Cavalier
Zhalfirin Commander
Knight Exemplar
White Knight
Plover Knights
Caravan Escort
Kabira Vindicator
Knight of Meadowgrain
Paladin of Prahv
Kight of Cliffhaven x2
Benalish Lancer
Lionheart Maverick x2
Alaborn Cavalier
Silver Knight
Leonin skyhunter
Kight of the White Orchid
Other White:
Mighty Leap
Griffin Guide
Test of Faith
Reciprocate
Reprisal
Oblivion Ring
Harm’s Way
Multi-Coloured Creatures:
Wilt-Leaf Cavaliers
Knight of the Reliquary
Knotvine Paladin
Heroe’s Reunion
Steward of Valeron
Sigil Blessing
Juniper Order Ranger
Other Green:
Edge of Autumn
Spidersilk Armor
Artefacts:
Loxodon Warhammer
Lands:
Plains x 12
Forest x 6
Selesnya Sanctuary x 2
Grasslands x 2
Sejiri Steppe
Treetop Village
With this deck, there isn’t anything big enough to take on a dragon, but there are the “level-up” creatures with which you can build on as the game progresses, as well as plenty of spells to see that you’re not just trampled on by the dragons.
Dragon Deck List:
Red Creatures:
Dragonspeaker Shaman
Mordant Dragon
Fire-Belly Changeling
Bogardan Hellkite
Kilnmouth Dragon
Skirk Prospector
Bloodmark Mentor
Cinder Wall
Bogardan Rager
Thunder Dragon
Dragon Whelp x 2
Mudbutton Torchrunner x 2
Voracious Dragon
Shivan Hellkite
Other Red:
Spitting Earth
Temporary Insanity
Fiery Fall x 2
Cone of Flame
Jaws of Stone
Seething Song
Captive Flame
Punishing Fire
Shiv’s Embrace
Breath of Darigaaz
Dragon Fodder x 2
Claws of Valakut
Seismic Strike
Other Colourless:
Ghostfire
Artefact Creature:
Henge Guardian
Artefact:
Armillary Sphere x 2
Dragon’s Claw
Land:
Mountain x 24
I liked playing this dragon deck a lot, but I think it was just due to my love of dragons; I say this because if I’m honest with the deck, you have to play the waiting game. There are spells to keep you doing something while the waiting to get the big boys out, but there are not enough small creatures to enhance your defence and that is where you will fall. Once you have the mana needed, you will find that getting the dragons out is the easy part, and thus so is the winning.
It was fun the first few times, but the game play you get out of these decks gets old, and fast. This is a real shame as they are well crafted decks. If you’re into playing themed decks, then you may find them fun as stand-alone decks.
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