Home Gaming Magic the Gathering: Sorin vs Tibalt Duel Deck Review

Magic the Gathering: Sorin vs Tibalt Duel Deck Review

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Sorin isn’t your typical horrible bloodthirsty vampire. In fact, despite being a prolific traveller, has always looked after the human population of his home plane, Innistrad. Hell he even made the archangel Avacyn to look after them while he is away. So brutal as he is, he has a strong code, a sense of cause and effect, the vision he uses to plan ahead and make sure things come to pass.

Tibalt, on the other hand, is a sadist. Born a human, he tapped into the power that is found in pain and suffering, eventually casting a spell that caused the blood of devils to run through his veins. This rush of infernal power ignited Tibalt’s Planeswalker spark, allowing him to cause even more pain to those around him. Now he is tipping the balance against the humans of Avacyn and Sorin can’t allow that.

Personally, I think the best thing about duel decks is when they started using Planeswalkers. Alternate art foil Planeswalkers. I love them. They look great in Commander decks or just as something special when one of the cards in your FNM deck looks different, because sometimes the game is all about showmanship. Both cards look great, but I find it odd that the devils in Tibalt’s wake (see header image) are not visible in his card, but one devil can be seen in Sorin’s card. Maybe I’m just being picky though.

The trick with duel decks is that they need to embody the principles and styles of their namesakes, which isn’t always an easy thing to do. Sorin has vision and cunning, which translates into a slower deck that steadily overcomes an opponent. Tibalt is menacing and destructive and needs to be ruthless and fast to win.

Another great thing about duel decks is that a couple other cards also get new artworks. Often these are great for Commander, but this duel deck has a card I love using in modern: Browbeat.

Browbeat

Meet Browbeat. Browbeat’s new art is amazing, because the spell is really like making a deal with the devil. In modern your opponent will almost always pick to pay 5 life rather than let you recharge your hand with amazing cards. It is no different in Tibalt’s deck. Never let your opponent draw three cards, believe me!

Browbeat Blightning

This is what Browbeat used to look like. Not impressive at all right. Kratos, is that you? The new Blightning shows Tibalt happily torturing someone. He also reminds me of Handsome Jack in this card. Hmm.

On Sorin’s side of the table, these cards come with new artwork.

Spectral Procession Mortify Death Grasp

Lingering Souls Mortify

Lingering Souls is not marked as a new artwork on the box, because the artwork was used for the FNM foil version. Still, it is nice to have as a collector, even if you have the FNM variant. Here is the older Mortify. You decide which card you would rather use or look at.

So which deck is better? These decks are really evenly matched, often coming down to who had a better hand or had unlucky draws. Sorin’s token making machines make spot removal ineffectual, while the deck’s complement of life gaining abilities allows you to pay the price in life for Tibalt’s meanest spells. Lingering Souls and Spectral Procession will help you build up a flying force, with a Phantom General giving your tokens even more bite. Field of Souls and Twilight Drover will make your opponent think twice about killing your creatures. With all this protection, Sorin can be left to slowly build up power before unleashing his mighty -6 ability, potentially placing Tibalt and his best creatures under your dominion.

Twilight Drover Field of Souls Phantom General

Tibalt’s spells pack a mean punch and while you won’t always get what you want with Browbeat, Blazing Salvo and Breaking Point, people make mistakes when the pressure is on. And this deck is great at doing that. Recursive cards like Recoup and creatures with unearth make Tibalt’s random discard less of a nuisance, resulting in some rash plays to get rid of him before he unleashes his -6 ability.

Blazing Salvo Breaking Point Recoup
Whether you are an avid collector with a shelf of unsealed products on display, or just really want the Planeswalkers and an extra Hellrider, the Sorin vs Tibalt is selling for R280 and is available in stores now.

Here are the full decklists:

Sorin’s Hunt and Feed

2  Evolving Wilds
9  Plains
12  Swamp
2  Tainted Field


25 lands
1  Bloodrage Vampire
1  Butcher of Malakir
1  Child of Night
2  Doomed Traveler
2  Duskhunter Bat
1  Fiend Hunter
1  Gatekeeper of Malakir
1  Mausoleum Guard
1  Mesmeric Fiend
1  Phantom General
1  Revenant Patriarch
1  Sengir Vampire
1  Twilight Drover
1  Vampire Lacerator
1  Vampire Nighthawk
1  Vampire Outcasts
1  Wall of Omens


19 creatures

1  Absorb Vis
1  Ancient Craving
1  Death Grasp
1  Decompose
1  Field of Souls
1  Lingering Souls
1  Mark of the Vampire
1  Mortify
1  Sorin’s Thirst
2  Spectral Procession
1  Unmake
1  Urge to Feed
1  Vampire’s Bite
1  Zealous Persecution


15 other spells
1  Sorin, Lord of Innistrad


1 planeswalker

Tibalt’s Torment and Agonise

2  Akoum Refuge
14  Mountain
2  Rakdos Carnarium
6  Swamp


24 lands
2  Ashmouth Hound
1  Coal Stoker
1  Corpse Connoisseur
1  Gang of Devils
1  Goblin Arsonist
1  Hellrider
2  Hellspark Elemental
1  Lavaborn Muse
1  Mad Prophet
1  Reassembling Skeleton
1  Scorched Rusalka
1  Scourge Devil
1  Shambling Remains
1  Skirsdag Cultist
2  Vithian Stinger


18 creatures

1  Blazing Salvo
1  Blightning
1  Breaking Point
2  Browbeat
1  Bump in the Night
1  Devil’s Play
1  Faithless Looting
1  Flame Javelin
1  Flame Slash
1  Geistflame
1  Pyroclasm
1  Recoup
1  Strangling Soot
1  Sulfuric Vortex
1  Terminate
1  Torrent of Souls


17 other spells
1  Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded


1 planeswalker

But there is more! We are giving away duel decks to one lucky reader! To enter, all you have to do is comment on this article. Winner will be randomly selected. Competition is only open to residents of South Africa, and closes at 4pm on Tuesday 26 March. Winners will be announced on Wednesday 27 March.  

Last Updated: March 18, 2013

49 Comments

  1. ascian

    March 18, 2013 at 15:58

    DAMNIT GARTH!

    Reply

  2. ElNicko

    March 18, 2013 at 16:00

    ah Hellrider – one of my Favourite Cards in standard. this would be an awesome prize……Pick me pick me

    Reply

  3. Draco Lusus

    March 18, 2013 at 16:06

    This is such a great selection of cards for R280. Best of luck to everyone!

    Reply

  4. NeuralBlade

    March 18, 2013 at 16:18

    Can one ever have enought magic cards

    Reply

  5. Sandelk

    March 18, 2013 at 16:20

    Interesting… I love the rich story behind these 2 characters and it sounds like an interesting dual deck to get…

    Reply

  6. Malice

    March 18, 2013 at 16:31

    I can’t believe Sorin went for $60 just when it came out.

    Reply

  7. Johan du Preez

    March 18, 2013 at 16:41

    Pwease I want, I wat it bad 🙂

    Reply

  8. Kingkappie

    March 18, 2013 at 17:04

    comment

    Reply

  9. Raymond Buis

    March 18, 2013 at 17:08

    Yeah new duel deck , can’t wait to get it.

    Reply

  10. Havox33

    March 18, 2013 at 18:02

    I like them….nice and evil.

    Reply

  11. warmoon

    March 18, 2013 at 19:52

    I love the idea of two bad guys going into a battle royal. New to mtg but I highly enjoy the stories behind all this artwork.

    Reply

  12. HvR

    March 18, 2013 at 20:11

    When you go white you know you are right, nothing sweeter than having a guy with red deck blow his load early and have him die an slow agonizing death.

    Reply

  13. Julie T

    March 18, 2013 at 20:46

    My boyfriend would love to win this – please pick me?

    Reply

  14. SkankyMuppet

    March 18, 2013 at 22:03

    I would like to be randomly selected, the same way that people of Pakistani descent are randomly selected for body cavity searches at airports… Just not with the same result!

    Reply

  15. Gavin Mannion

    March 18, 2013 at 23:34

    wow love the theme wallpaper you went with… who’s the lady in purple?

    Reply

    • Draco Lusus

      March 19, 2013 at 11:15

      I believe that would be Lilliana

      Reply

  16. Flameboy

    March 18, 2013 at 23:44

    Sorin is a bad ass!

    Reply

  17. Mark

    March 19, 2013 at 01:01

    awesome!

    Reply

  18. Darrel (D-Rail) Everly

    March 19, 2013 at 06:51

    Have the set. played both against each other. each deck has pro’s and con’s. me i enjoy vampire decks . death touch makes me happy, love lifelink, any cards that give me dual actions is always a plus! Im in the USA and hope u enjoy my post and maybe it will help others build a great deck!!

    Reply

  19. Kingkappie

    March 19, 2013 at 07:32

    I will comment every day until i get the prize

    Reply

  20. Juan Gerritsen

    March 19, 2013 at 08:06

    me likey, me want

    Reply

  21. William Verrall

    March 19, 2013 at 08:39

    I really need to win/get this duel deck! my girlfriend loves white-black vamp decks

    Reply

  22. John Tan

    March 19, 2013 at 09:48

    Gimme

    Reply

  23. Umy

    March 19, 2013 at 10:15

    Token army vs choice Burn…nice!

    Reply

  24. Catalin

    March 19, 2013 at 10:52

    That looks awesome!

    Reply

  25. Unisa Student

    March 19, 2013 at 10:57

    Will I actually win something 8). I’m so keen to get back into Magic!

    Reply

  26. Duane Welgemoed

    March 19, 2013 at 11:12

    I need to start playing this game again. Looks great!

    Reply

  27. Shaun Fink

    March 19, 2013 at 11:23

    I’ve been thinking about getting back into Magic. This just might make it worthwhile.

    Reply

  28. Sufia George

    March 19, 2013 at 11:28

    Gees!!! This would make an awesome Anniversary Gift for my boyfriend!! He is CRAZY about MTG… I think he would burst into rays of happiness if i give him this as a gift

    Reply

  29. kornfewshin

    March 19, 2013 at 11:53

    Really cool prize

    Reply

  30. Sir Captain Rincethis

    March 19, 2013 at 13:42

    Give me!

    Reply

  31. Matt W Warren

    March 19, 2013 at 15:08

    pre-built decks are great, I find they are a fun way to introduce new players to MTG!

    Reply

  32. Tbone187

    March 19, 2013 at 15:33

    Magic….. I’m in…

    Reply

  33. William O'Neil

    March 19, 2013 at 18:33

    Wish I played more formats than standard… Not to much love here besides sorin/ hellrider

    Reply

  34. Kingkappie

    March 20, 2013 at 09:14

    comment

    Reply

  35. Gerlu De Bruin

    March 20, 2013 at 10:51

    Man!! Can’t decide which one is better! Can I have both please 😛

    Reply

  36. Devin Dilworth

    March 20, 2013 at 11:20

    This is a really awesome duel deck. I hope there are still some left after pay-day. I really want one.

    Reply

  37. Alan Sutherland

    March 20, 2013 at 12:58

    The amount of awesomeness you get from the Sorin deck is amazing. Well worth the buy in my opinion

    Reply

  38. Pieter La Grange

    March 20, 2013 at 13:03

    The new art is fantastic!

    Reply

  39. Alex Alarcao

    March 20, 2013 at 13:05

    Nice, review! Finally someone who understands the decks are made to be played against each other instead of stripped for parts.

    Reply

  40. Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

    March 21, 2013 at 06:33

    Woah. Blazing Salvo is kind of awesome!

    Reply

  41. Grant Nicol

    March 22, 2013 at 06:59

    I <3 Sorin

    Reply

  42. Randall Scott Newnham

    March 24, 2013 at 23:41

    Not fond of Tibalt as a planeswalker, but a fun deck.

    Reply

  43. Marco

    March 25, 2013 at 00:04

    Can’t wait to get my hands on these decks!

    Reply

  44. MarcoBro

    March 25, 2013 at 16:10

    looks interesting enough, really excited for these new artworks. Mortify’s really my favorite though!

    Reply

  45. Draco Lusus

    March 27, 2013 at 11:30

    When is the announcement? 😀

    Reply

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