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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 25 lands 19 creatures |
1 Absorb Vis 15 other spells 1 planeswalker |
Tibalt’s Torment and Agonise
2 Akoum Refuge 24 lands 18 creatures |
1 Blazing Salvo 17 other spells 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
ascian
March 18, 2013 at 15:58
DAMNIT GARTH!
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
Draco Lusus
March 18, 2013 at 16:06
This is such a great selection of cards for R280. Best of luck to everyone!
NeuralBlade
March 18, 2013 at 16:18
Can one ever have enought magic cards
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…
Malice
March 18, 2013 at 16:31
I can’t believe Sorin went for $60 just when it came out.
Johan du Preez
March 18, 2013 at 16:41
Pwease I want, I wat it bad 🙂
Kingkappie
March 18, 2013 at 17:04
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Raymond Buis
March 18, 2013 at 17:08
Yeah new duel deck , can’t wait to get it.
Havox33
March 18, 2013 at 18:02
I like them….nice and evil.
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.
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.
Julie T
March 18, 2013 at 20:46
My boyfriend would love to win this – please pick me?
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!
Gavin Mannion
March 18, 2013 at 23:34
wow love the theme wallpaper you went with… who’s the lady in purple?
Draco Lusus
March 19, 2013 at 11:15
I believe that would be Lilliana
Flameboy
March 18, 2013 at 23:44
Sorin is a bad ass!
Mark
March 19, 2013 at 01:01
awesome!
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!!
Kingkappie
March 19, 2013 at 07:32
I will comment every day until i get the prize
Juan Gerritsen
March 19, 2013 at 08:06
me likey, me want
William Verrall
March 19, 2013 at 08:39
I really need to win/get this duel deck! my girlfriend loves white-black vamp decks
John Tan
March 19, 2013 at 09:48
Gimme
Umy
March 19, 2013 at 10:15
Token army vs choice Burn…nice!
Catalin
March 19, 2013 at 10:52
That looks awesome!
Unisa Student
March 19, 2013 at 10:57
Will I actually win something 8). I’m so keen to get back into Magic!
Duane Welgemoed
March 19, 2013 at 11:12
I need to start playing this game again. Looks great!
Shaun Fink
March 19, 2013 at 11:23
I’ve been thinking about getting back into Magic. This just might make it worthwhile.
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
kornfewshin
March 19, 2013 at 11:53
Really cool prize
Sir Captain Rincethis
March 19, 2013 at 13:42
Give me!
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!
Tbone187
March 19, 2013 at 15:33
Magic….. I’m in…
William O'Neil
March 19, 2013 at 18:33
Wish I played more formats than standard… Not to much love here besides sorin/ hellrider
Kingkappie
March 20, 2013 at 09:14
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Gerlu De Bruin
March 20, 2013 at 10:51
Man!! Can’t decide which one is better! Can I have both please 😛
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.
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
Pieter La Grange
March 20, 2013 at 13:03
The new art is fantastic!
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.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
March 21, 2013 at 06:33
Woah. Blazing Salvo is kind of awesome!
Grant Nicol
March 22, 2013 at 06:59
I <3 Sorin
Randall Scott Newnham
March 24, 2013 at 23:41
Not fond of Tibalt as a planeswalker, but a fun deck.
Marco
March 25, 2013 at 00:04
Can’t wait to get my hands on these decks!
MarcoBro
March 25, 2013 at 16:10
looks interesting enough, really excited for these new artworks. Mortify’s really my favorite though!
Draco Lusus
March 27, 2013 at 11:30
When is the announcement? 😀
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
March 27, 2013 at 11:52
Later! Relax! 😛
Draco Lusus
March 27, 2013 at 12:57
its 1.5 days til the long weekend! I can’t relax!!!