Saturday 25 June 2011

Knights vs. Dragons: Duel Decks




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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