New Duel Decks Announced: Divine vs Demonic

[Mirrislegend]

http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/arcana/1737

"The set includes 7 cards that feature new artwork, including two alternate art foil mythic rare cards."

http://www.wizards.com/mtg/images/daily/arcana/1737_j78b7tid6q.jpg

I've got my fingers crossed for it being the sexiest Damnation ever. Probably not, as a banner on the announcement page juxtaposes part of that image against Akroma, making me think it's just a bigass demon that acts as General. Still, with all that destructive energy swirling about, one can hope.

[Shugyosha]

When it comes to Mythic Rares there is only one Angel and one Demon:

Empyrial Archangel and Prince of Thralls

or maybe they use some mythics from Conflux. The demon pictured is definately not Prince of Thralls unless he has grown wings. It also seems to be mono white vs. mono black as I understand it? Makes green stick out like a sore thumb aber Jace vs. Chandra.

Mhh.. Tombstalker with this picture might be totally kickass...

[DeathwingZERO]

So far the major attractions to each duel decks were the same type of card, so I'd assume the picture is for a creature, not for Damnation.

From what I'd guess, I'd assume it to be Lord of the Pit. One of the only creatures that black has that could survive a fight with Akroma, thus preserving "balance" in their precon decks that they always go for.

My other choice for what I think it to be (and the one I'd actually like to see) is Spirit of the Night. This would actually fit a lot better, as there's 7 cards with new artwork (the last box set had 3 for each side, and to make a new Spirit picture, they'd have to have his 3 "summoners" as well, putting the black side at 4 and white at 3).

My only gripe though, is that Akroma hitting the table against a mono black deck is practically GG. The only way to get around that is to pump the black deck full of sacrifice/mass removal stuff, like Damnation, Mutilate, etc.

Either way, I'm interested how this pans out.

EDIT: Shug, the image in the "banner" clearly shows Akroma's face, the white alabaster look with the purple hair and the sword hilt pretty much give that away. And green technically already got it's spot in the Elves Vs Goblins deck, which was the first of these production line (though they hadn't done Mythic rares yet). They had the alternate pics of SGC and that one elf thing.

[Dan Turner]

My wish List:

Black

Damnation
Dark Ritual
Hymm To Tourach
Sinkhole (LOL JK) but that would be efen sweet

White

Wrath of God
Swords to Plowshares
Balance
Serra Angel (WITH GUAY artwork FTMFW)

[Aggro_zombies]

When it comes to Mythic Rares there is only one Angel and one Demon:

Empyrial Archangel and Prince of Thralls

or maybe they use some mythics from Conflux. The demon pictured is definately not Prince of Thralls unless he has grown wings. It also seems to be mono white vs. mono black as I understand it? Makes green stick out like a sore thumb aber Jace vs. Chandra.

Mhh.. Tombstalker with this picture might be totally kickass...
Neither Jace nor Chandra were mythic when originally printed. They could upgrade the rarity on pre-existing cards.

The white deck had better have multiple Angels, as they're my favorite creature type.

Also, yawn @ doing this gimmick again so soon.

[Sek'Kuar]

I'd almost be willing to bet that the art spoiled is for Lord of the Pit. He's a big, classic demon. Remember, this is to interest newer players and collectors, not competitive players. You may hit a gem once in a while, but the majority is crap.

[TheInfamousBearAssassin]

Here's hoping for shiny Juzam.

[Adan]

Here's hoping for shiny Juzam.

Dream on. I'd also guess it's Lord of the Pit. Or Devouring Strossus. It has to be something stupid as Demons were never good at all (the only useful one was Yukora, the Prisoner).

[spirit of the wretch]

Dream on. I'd also guess it's Lord of the Pit. Or Devouring Strossus. It has to be something stupid as Demons were never good at all (the only useful one was Yukora, the Prisoner).

Completely (http://magiccards.info/fut/en/91.html) wrong (http://magiccards.info/on/en/153.html)!
There are many cool demons for Highlander and I really hope, there's a Spirit of the Night in there. Coolest critter ever!

[MasterC]

Seconded. This guy definitely deserves a new artwork.

[TheInfamousBearAssassin]

Dream on. I'd also guess it's Lord of the Pit. Or Devouring Strossus. It has to be something stupid as Demons were never good at all (the only useful one was Yukora, the Prisoner).

I thought Chameleon Colossus, Mirror Entity, Taurean Mauler and Nameless Inversion were pretty good demons.

[Nightmare]

I thought Chameleon Colossus, Mirror Entity, Taurean Mauler and Nameless Inversion were pretty good demons.

That's it, I'm making Barnello's Law.

Barnello's Law is herein defined as follows: In a Magic: the Gathering discussion revolving around creature types, anyone who brings up creatures or spells with the Changeling ability - or Mistform Ultimus - are considered to have both lost the argument, and be assholes.

[Sanguine Voyeur]

Mistform Ultimus could stand to be added to that rule.

[TheInfamousBearAssassin]

That's it, I'm making Barnello's Law.

Barnello's Law is herein defined as follows: In a Magic: the Gathering discussion revolving around creature types, anyone who brings up creatures or spells with the Changeling ability are considered to have both lost the argument, and be assholes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNJYHD3gjXo

[Nightmare]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNJYHD3gjXo

Nice.

@ Sanguine Voyeur - I was under the impression he was errata'd to have Changeling. Law updated.

[Aggro_zombies]

Necro.

While the angel deck gets shit like Luminous Angel, the demons are looking pretty hot with a new, alternate-art Demonic Tutor (http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/arcana/140).

Pretty sexy, although the art is meh.

[puppektion]

Looks like Akroma in the banner-esque picture... Maybe her opposite is Spirit of the Night?

[Skeggi]

So the awesome art in the OP is a Lord of the Pit. Sucky card, but perhaps the coolest demon ever printed (that actually does include any shapeshifter, because, let's face it: shapeshifters are lame). No Juzam Djinn isn't a demon, he's a Djinn, the name kind of gives it away :tongue:

[Phoenix Ignition]

What a retarded duel deck. Do you think Lord of the Rings can sue them for stealing the Balrog?

Also, they made Akroma look terrible in the small banner on Mirrislengend's link in his opening post. That face is pretty bad.

[Skeggi]

What a retarded duel deck. Do you think Lord of the Rings can sue them for stealing the Balrog?
I don't think so as LotR has just as much right on a Balrog as any other instance. It's not like Tolkien made it up. Tolkien studied ancient Europese folklore, and among that old folklore were Balrogs (I think the old Celts may had to do with them, but I'm unsure...).

Otherwise, the Tolkien-decendants could have sued Blizzard for making Balrogs in Diablo. Remember this guy?
http://www.battle.net/images/battle/diablo2exp/images/animations/bestiary/act4/megademon.gif

[Seriously]

a new, alternate-art Demonic Tutor (http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/arcana/140).

Pretty sexy, although the art is meh.


yeah, I dont mind the actual art for the demonic tutor. but, the art doesnt feel like demonic tutor to me, how does the art convey searching for the best card in your deck ? I dont get the feeling that it does, looks more demonic, less tutor. I really prefer the demon with a book in his hand.

[Skeggi]

yeah, I dont mind the actual art for the demonic tutor. but, the art doesnt feel like demonic tutor to me, how does the art convey searching for the best card in your deck ? I dont get the feeling that it does, looks more demonic, less tutor. I really prefer the demon with a book in his hand.

Incase you're referring to Lord of The Pit, it's the other picture: http://www.wizards.com/mtg/images/daily/arcana/140_thumbb.jpg

Here's a lady who is recieving a lesson from a Demon: a Demonic Tutor. I think it fits quite well.

[Seriously]

Incase you're referring to Lord of The Pit, it's the other picture. Here's a lady who is recieving a lesson from a Demon: a Demonic Tutor. I think it fits quite well.

no, I could tell which was which, but thanks. I wouldnt exactly call a demon carving runes into some chicks chest, tutoring. I'd find it more amusing if he was holding the book or the original demons head or something.

[bowvamp]

Actually in that pic he looks like he's taking off her top. Notice the fingers...
This is actually incredibly funny.

[Seriously]

Actually in that pic he looks like he's taking off her top. Notice the fingers...
This is actually incredibly funny.

yeah, maybe at first glance if you didnt pay much attention, but not when you look at the bigger wallpaper.

[Sims]

I'd pick one up for a alt-art foil akroma and another Demonic to use in EDH. A side note about these duel deck things: I never picked up the elves/goblins one, but the Jace/Chandra pack was actually pretty fun to shuffle up and play people for the fuck of it. I actually used them to teach my girlfriend how to play magic. I might pick an extra one up and keep it together just for casual magic.

[Seriously]

I tried to teach my ex wife how to play with the 7th edition starter, the one with the foil thorn elemental. she had her bachelours degree in international economics when she was 19 years old. but couldnt graspt the concept of how to play magic to save herself.

[Seriously]

Divine Decklist:

Akroma, Angel of Wrath (Foil New Art)
2x Icatian Priest
2x Angelic Page
2x Charging Paladin
2x Venerable Monk
Angelic Protector
2x Serra Advocate
2x Sustainer of the Realm
2x Angel of Mercy
Serra Angel
Twilight Shepherd
Luminous Angel (New Art)
Reya Dawnbringer

Healing Salve
Angelsong
2x Otherworldly Journey
Pacifism
Serra’s Boon
Angelic Benediction (My favorite white enchantment)
2x Faith’s Fetters (New Art) (Zach’s favorite white enchantment)
Righteous Cause
Serra’s Embrace
Angel’s Feather
2x Marble Diamond

2x Secluded Steppe
24x Plains

Demonic Decklist:

Lord of the Pit (Foil New Art)
Abyssal Gatekeeper
Foul Imp
Daggerclaw Imp
2x Dusk Imp
2x Overeager Apprentice
Stinkweed Imp (New Art)
Soot Imp
2x Demon’s Jester
Souldrinker
Abyssal Specter
Cackling Imp
Fallen Angel
Reiver Demon
Kuro, Pitlord

2x Dark Ritual
Duress (New Art)
2x Unholy Strength
Cruel Edict
Demonic Tutor (New Art)
Dark Banishing
Oni Possession
Barter in Blood
2x Breeding Pit
Promise of Power
Corrupt
Consume Spirit
Demon’s Horn

2x Barren Moor
24x Swamp



sigh.... if it had x4 dark ritual, x4 duress, I'd have bought one. its going to be cheaper to get the cards I want as singles or x4 sets off ebay.

[Pinder]

Yeah, Duress, and to a lesser extent Stinkweed Imp for Ichorid junkies, are the only cards I see in there that might be worth picking up, depending purely on the art.

edit - Oh, and the Demonic. How did I miss that?

[cdr]

I like the Stinkweed art. Duress is ugly. If it wouldn't cost infy, I'd want japanese DvD Imps for ichorid.

[revenge_inc]

The Duress art is meh but the other two versions are worse IMO. Plus I'm a fan of the new frame so I'm going to try and get some. No other card I want so overall DvsD a disappointment for me.

[yawg07]

HOWEVER!!! The Dark Ritual pic they are using is the 5TH EDITION PIC! Finally in black border :D
ALso, the Duress is great looking, and since no Legacy player seems to notice, that is Liliana on the Demonic Tutor. It is an important part of the story line.

Me? I'm going to alter anime girls onto the duress and the demonic.
Maybe change the spikes on the Duress to something ... more tentacle-y.

EDIT: Also, cdr, these will only be English product, just like the EvG and JvC were.

[Sims]

HOWEVER!!! The Dark Ritual pic they are using is the 5TH EDITION PIC! Finally in black border :D


This. This is my favorite Dark rit art work and I'm stoked it's finally BB. I actually like the set symbol for this DD as well. I like the Duress artwork and the Akroma/Luminous artworks as well. This won't be huge as far as getting playable cards I don't already have, but it will net me some nice asthetic enhancements for some of my EDH decks (Akroma, I'm looking at you for Teneb Reanimator.)

I have one of these reserved at my local comic shop because a) My girlfriend is huge into the idea of angels v. demons, b) she only will play the duel decks or precons with me so she has a better chance at understanding stuff, and c) I want to collect and keep one of each of the duel decks just for the fuck of it and having them to whip out and play casual games.

That said, I need to work on bribing someone to trade me their 2 Rituals out of it so I have a uniform set of those badass puppies.

[Bardo]

The Rituals are the only thing that makes this worth buying, like the Counterspell and & FOF art were the only reasons to buy the U/R theme decks. Anyway, yeah, the Ritual art is superb. I didn't know it was on the 5th ed. cards.

[zulander]

Where can I see the pictures?

[kabal]

Where can I see the pictures?


http://www.wizards.com/mtg/images/daily/features/33_akroma.jpg http://www.wizards.com/mtg/images/daily/features/33_lordOfThePit.jpg http://www.wizards.com/mtg/images/daily/features/33_imp.jpg
(http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/feature/33)

[SuperBean]

These two seem even less worth it then Jace Vs. Chandra..

And even as a Dredge player, I'm not very excited about the Stinkweed Imp.. I have my playset of foil normal ones, and I'm completely content.

[LegacyDan]

Wow, Liege finally has some awesome artwork. Plus they are bringing into Liliana's storyline which is awesome. I wonder what other little planeswalker surprises they will include in this and future dual decks like it?

[Nihil Credo]

Personally, I think that before making these Duel Decks they should have printed some Demon that was at least somewhat as impressive as Akroma.

Lord of the Pit, name and flavour aside, isn't that cool in 2009. Its cousin Liege of the Pit is close to strictly better, and Spirit of the Night would have been a nice counterpart to Akroma.