I don't know why but i am always annoyed how wotc seems to make every plot she (Elspleth) is involved in tragic
Also according to her wiki, Ashiok is of unknown Species, gender and Origin.
Let's assume that on printing kiora and Elspleth will reach around $10 each, that leaves about practically nothing in the cap for the rest of the deck that is of anything of value if the total mrsp is $20, i would actually be fine if they raised it to $25-$30 mrsp so that the rest of the deck gets a bit better.
Not really sure what your talking about :/ For these products the planeswalkers themselves add up to around $15-20 and then wizards adds around another $10-$15 worth of reprints. Kiora will drop blow $5 Elspeth might hover around $10
Just look at Kiora's deck in DotP 2012 if you want to get a feel for what her Duel Deck will be like. Probably not going to be a lot of Simic crap in it, just ramp and sea monsters.
For those Vorthos who are asking about why these 2 are fighting, I give the short answer.
From Maro's Blogatog
orlouge82 said: How were Elspeth and Kiora decided as the two planeswalkers to include in the next Duel Decks? Storyline reasons, or because they were the two most popular from the Theros block?
We originally looked at Elspeth vs. Xenagos as it made the most story sense but the color match-ups were identical to what we had done with Speed vs. Cunning and we make sure to vary our Duel Decks so that they each play differently, especially with ones that are back-to-back.
I wondering about how the story will go. Elspeth's back from the dead on a mission from the gods to stop Kiora from taking all of Thassa'a sea monsters?
Most likely it's back when Elspeth was still alive, before even going to Nyx fight Xenagos, when she and Ajani encountered Kiora who helped them cross the sea.
Or wizards is simply going screw it, cant make thematically planes walker fights for ever block. I like the Elspeth art, the Kiora art on the other hand is just a bit to bland and tasteless for my liking. The styling for Kiora kinda has a African Nubian Queen style going.
I also think this is one of the best set symbols for these duel decks. While Koth vs Venser had something and Jace vs Vraska had something. This set really is going back to the whole mix and matching of weapons like the old Divine vs Demonic sets.
It was spoiled last weekend during Pax Australia but Monday morning the official announcement along with pictures of the packaging have come.
Announcing Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora
The knight Planeswalker Elspeth Tirel sees herself as the protector of the Multiverse. She has pledged her sword and shield to all who suffer, and she summons forth impressive armies to assist her. The merfolk Planeswalker Kiora calls upon the creatures of the deepest oceans to fight at her side. She is the master of the world beneath the waves, her true power only now beginning to surface. How will these Planeswalkers measure up when they meet in battle?
Deck Design and Deck Development: Chris Millar and Sam Stoddard
I think that Elspeth v Xenagos is the most probable, but if we wanted to throw a random and unlikely battle out there, I think that Elspeth v. Kiora would be interesting. I can't imagine the reasoning behind it, but it could be a tasty treat.
The first and one of the few people to correctly call the match up in this years speculation threads.
(Also could someone please upload the alt artwork spoiled at Pax ? Seems wizard didn't want to give to much away in the announcement :/ )
Man, I was really hoping for an Ashiok DD very much a bummer. And as others have obviously noted, why are Kiora and Elspeth having a duel, other than the fact they were both in the block and may have crossed paths (fleetingly?)
Oh well, should still be a cool product, and this is far from the biggest news at PAX Aus.
Probably the same reason, me and my friend have a duel , same reason me and my girlfriend duel. Same reason Sorin vs. Tibalt, Venser vs. Koth and Elspeth vs. Tezzeret are dueling. Cause its become less about the story and more a clash of 2 ideologies and deck styles. Thankfully not vorthos :3
Probably good speculation, but I have some problems with them:
1. High Tide would definitely be a desired reprint, but would Wizards really put it in a Duel Deck? I don't know, maybe it's the stigma of being a key card in storm decks, but it just seems too..spiky to me. Also Kiora's deck is /at least/ going to be UG, so being a two color deck makes a card like High Tide much less effective. The art on this card is really strange to me, overall. In the foreground, it looks like several large rock islands are being toppled over, while in the background there seems to be (at first glance) a literal mountain rising up out of the sea. However, this "mountain" seems to have forest growing on the side of it...growing out horizontally, implying that it's yet another massive landmass that was titled on it's side. I really don't know what to make of this picture.
I probably should explain my logic then. The first 2 cards are very much Kiora's Cards
1st : My first thought was something like spreading seas given the artwork however due to the products nature being able to land hose your opponent wouldn't really be fun, granted most big sea creature use the whole island to attack notion. Why I think its High Tide is cause the card is thematically very suitable to the deck and acts as a sort of mana ramp without it being to oppressive.
2nd : Is a really tough choice for me, it seems like it is a spell rather than a creature and given Flight's somewhat iconic card this seemed like a shoein. It could be gaea skyfolk which someone else has pointed out but the image seems very much kiora herself. That being said it could always be Temporal Spring (spring being a verb not a noun in this case) and even something like Tidal Wave could suit the artwork.
3rd : The artwork itself, doesn't feel like a blessing or a divine intervention sort of deal, its also not a creature judging by the artwork , unless there is new card called host of angels or something. Having decree of justice be in this years commander deck doesn't mean much, the target markets are quite different. Not all like EDH and not all like duel decks. The fact that decree of justice makes soldiers is probably a good indication to its suitability. Also give the artwork its most certainly a card that makes more than one 4/4 angel. I suppose Angelic Accord is maybe like 10%
4th : The reason I chose 25% Auramancer 75% Banisher Priest is firstly the card has to be white, since as stated before Kiora already has the first 2. Auramancer really needs new artwork if wizards choses to keep using the card over and over again also the glowing hand seems to be a recurring theme. Banisher Priest kinda works with the artwork the character is most certainly a priest or cleric of some sorts . Mother of runes seems far to powerful for a duel deck. Protection tends to hose most duel decks. 5% Evangel of Heliod 5% one of the soul sisters
I think people are kinda getting worked up about this whole "OMGZ PLANESWALKERS ARENT FIGHTING WHY THEY FIGHTING YOLO" for nothing. Since Venser vs Koth wizards has been moving away from doing planeswalker vs planeswalker fighting simply cause it limits world building. The story doesn't always need 2 planeswalker fighting.
I can imagine vorthos are a bit miffed about it but I kinda don't care, we get the 2 best planeswalkers from the set.
I, as a vorthos, dislike this kind of things, but not because I find it hard to imagine that there are conflicts that aren't resolved by a magical duel (such as the clash between Koth and Venser), but simply because other combinations would have fit better:
Elspeth vs Xenagos: The main conflict of Theros block.
Ajani vs Kiora: Kiora is doing her thing an this pissed off Ajani.
Ajani vs Ashiok: Ashiok is doing hir thing an this pissed off Ajani.
Kiora vs Ashiok: Ashiok is trying to harvest some good Eldrazi based nightmares to summon.
Ashiok vs Xenagos: A fight that happened before his ascension.
Kiora vs Xenagos: Same thing as the one before.
The trouble is apart from Elsepth vs Xenagos and the one you missed Drak vs Ashiok , is that their conflict isn't any better. There is no weight or substance behind most of those imaginary conflicts. Rather bite the bullet and have 2 planeswalker people really want.
I think people are kinda getting worked up about this whole "OMGZ PLANESWALKERS ARENT FIGHTING WHY THEY FIGHTING YOLO" for nothing. Since Venser vs Koth wizards has been moving away from doing planeswalker vs planeswalker fighting simply cause it limits world building. The story doesn't always need 2 planeswalker fighting.
I can imagine vorthos are a bit miffed about it but I kinda don't care, we get the 2 best planeswalkers from the set.
Next Duel deck is ELSPETH vs. KIORA, released February 27, 2015.
First thing that comes to mind, I am quite happy with that combo, Elsepth is a pretty good character and will be nice to see how wizards doesn't repeat her pervious duel deck. Kiora is just the bomb, the planeswalker I most wanted in the theros block and finally having Simic Colors will be awesome.
Just going to hope the decks go more towards the clash packs rather than the pervious few duel decks we had.
If people want click on my signature to see my custom made kiora themed duel deck.
One thing that does bother me is the early release date , normally this stuff comes out in april or may but feb is really early. I suppose this maybe has to do with the 2 block system coming into place end of next year but will have to wait and see.
Hello all I posted a while back a speculation you can see for yourself here at Pervious Thread
Ill repeat what I said though
So this might be the first duel deck since Ajani vs Bolas where there has actually been some sort of conflict. So the safe bet would be Elspeth vs Xenagos. Personally I am hoping on Kiora (Merfolk Waifu :3 ) vs Ashiok, mostly cause I really want to see the gap for a G/U deck filled.
You also have to look at pricing of the planeswalkers, typically the 2 planeswalker add up to $20 roughly and the rest of the deck is another $20 or so of stuff.
What worries me is the delay in the announcement, typically its been happening around august, the latest they announced the product was December though. Would be kinda silly if the discontinue the product due to the latest few ones not selling that well, even though wizards is solely to blame for the products lack luster performance.
Not really sure what your talking about :/ For these products the planeswalkers themselves add up to around $15-20 and then wizards adds around another $10-$15 worth of reprints. Kiora will drop blow $5 Elspeth might hover around $10
For context Kiora Atua – Ancient Depths Source
Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012
14x Forest
11x Island
Creatures
4x Coiling Oracle
1x Elvish Piper
2x Giant Octopus
1x Isleback Spawn
1x Kozilek, Butcher of Truth
2x Kraken Hatchling
1x Lorthos, the Tidemaker
2x Ondu Giant
2x Simic Sky Swallower
1x Tidal Kraken
3x Aether Mutation
1x Compulsive Research
3x Cultivate
4x Explore
2x Explosive Vegetation
1x Polymorph
2x Tidings
1x Treasure Hunt
1x Yavimaya's Embrace
1v1 Unlocks
1 Primeval Titan
2 Skyshroud Claim
3 Living Destiny
2 Assault Zeppelid
1 Levitation
1 Mind Control
1 Inkwell Leviathan
1 Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre
Archenemy Unlocks
2 New Frontiers
1 Edric, Spymaster of Trest
1 Rite of Replication
That's some pretty crappy feels right there :/
This is my Kiora deck list from my blog, I expect some of the cards. Maybe not every reprint on the list but hopefully 1 or 2.
GUKiora, the Crashing WaveUG
Sink and Swim
11x island
1x Remote Isle
1x Mosswort Bridge
2x Simic Guildgate
9x Forest
Creatures
1x Tidal Warrior
1x Fyndhorn Elves
1x Nimbus Swimmer
2x Dream Thrush
1x Spiketail Hatchling
1x Gaea's Skyfolk
2x Kiora's Follower
1x Drakewing Krasis
1x Vodalian Serpent
1x Jungle Barrier
2x Pouncing Wurm
1x Ondu Giant
1x Sages of the Anima
1x Sealock Monster
1x Merfolk of the Depths
1x Shipbreaker Kraken
1x Simic Sky Swallower
1x Font of Fertility
1x High Tide
1x Ior Ruin Expedition
1x Spell Rupture
1x Simic Charm
1x Temporal Spring
1x Cultivate ’
1x Dissolve
2x Tidal Wave
1x Churning Eddy
1x Explosive Vegetation
1x Kiora, the Crashing Wave
1x Rite of Replication
1x Leafdrake Roost
1x Quicksilver Geyser
Come on, we both been on this site long enough to there wont be mana fixing rare lands in this product
From Maro's Blogatog
orlouge82 said: How were Elspeth and Kiora decided as the two planeswalkers to include in the next Duel Decks? Storyline reasons, or because they were the two most popular from the Theros block?
We originally looked at Elspeth vs. Xenagos as it made the most story sense but the color match-ups were identical to what we had done with Speed vs. Cunning and we make sure to vary our Duel Decks so that they each play differently, especially with ones that are back-to-back.
Source
Or wizards is simply going screw it, cant make thematically planes walker fights for ever block. I like the Elspeth art, the Kiora art on the other hand is just a bit to bland and tasteless for my liking. The styling for Kiora kinda has a African Nubian Queen style going.
I also think this is one of the best set symbols for these duel decks. While Koth vs Venser had something and Jace vs Vraska had something. This set really is going back to the whole mix and matching of weapons like the old Divine vs Demonic sets.
Decklists revealed!
-ktkenshinx-
Source: http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/magic-fundamentals/the-rumor-mill/577815-evk-duel-decks-elspeth-vs-kiora-announced?comment=362
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
From the Mothership
It was spoiled last weekend during Pax Australia but Monday morning the official announcement along with pictures of the packaging have come.
Announcing Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora
The knight Planeswalker Elspeth Tirel sees herself as the protector of the Multiverse. She has pledged her sword and shield to all who suffer, and she summons forth impressive armies to assist her. The merfolk Planeswalker Kiora calls upon the creatures of the deepest oceans to fight at her side. She is the master of the world beneath the waves, her true power only now beginning to surface. How will these Planeswalkers measure up when they meet in battle?
Deck Design and Deck Development: Chris Millar and Sam Stoddard
Twitter Hashtag: #MTGEVK
Languages: English, Japanese
Release Date: February 27, 2015
MSRP: $19.99
Also a big well done to
The first and one of the few people to correctly call the match up in this years speculation threads.
(Also could someone please upload the alt artwork spoiled at Pax ? Seems wizard didn't want to give to much away in the announcement :/ )
Probably the same reason, me and my friend have a duel , same reason me and my girlfriend duel. Same reason Sorin vs. Tibalt, Venser vs. Koth and Elspeth vs. Tezzeret are dueling. Cause its become less about the story and more a clash of 2 ideologies and deck styles. Thankfully not vorthos :3
I probably should explain my logic then. The first 2 cards are very much Kiora's Cards
1st : My first thought was something like spreading seas given the artwork however due to the products nature being able to land hose your opponent wouldn't really be fun, granted most big sea creature use the whole island to attack notion. Why I think its High Tide is cause the card is thematically very suitable to the deck and acts as a sort of mana ramp without it being to oppressive.
2nd : Is a really tough choice for me, it seems like it is a spell rather than a creature and given Flight's somewhat iconic card this seemed like a shoein. It could be gaea skyfolk which someone else has pointed out but the image seems very much kiora herself. That being said it could always be Temporal Spring (spring being a verb not a noun in this case) and even something like Tidal Wave could suit the artwork.
3rd : The artwork itself, doesn't feel like a blessing or a divine intervention sort of deal, its also not a creature judging by the artwork , unless there is new card called host of angels or something. Having decree of justice be in this years commander deck doesn't mean much, the target markets are quite different. Not all like EDH and not all like duel decks. The fact that decree of justice makes soldiers is probably a good indication to its suitability. Also give the artwork its most certainly a card that makes more than one 4/4 angel. I suppose Angelic Accord is maybe like 10%
4th : The reason I chose 25% Auramancer 75% Banisher Priest is firstly the card has to be white, since as stated before Kiora already has the first 2. Auramancer really needs new artwork if wizards choses to keep using the card over and over again also the glowing hand seems to be a recurring theme. Banisher Priest kinda works with the artwork the character is most certainly a priest or cleric of some sorts . Mother of runes seems far to powerful for a duel deck. Protection tends to hose most duel decks. 5% Evangel of Heliod 5% one of the soul sisters
My guesses based on the artwork.
100% High Tide
75% Tidal Surge , 25% Leap
100% Decree of Justice
25% Auramancer 75% Banisher Priest
The trouble is apart from Elsepth vs Xenagos and the one you missed Drak vs Ashiok , is that their conflict isn't any better. There is no weight or substance behind most of those imaginary conflicts. Rather bite the bullet and have 2 planeswalker people really want.
I think people are kinda getting worked up about this whole "OMGZ PLANESWALKERS ARENT FIGHTING WHY THEY FIGHTING YOLO" for nothing. Since Venser vs Koth wizards has been moving away from doing planeswalker vs planeswalker fighting simply cause it limits world building. The story doesn't always need 2 planeswalker fighting.
I can imagine vorthos are a bit miffed about it but I kinda don't care, we get the 2 best planeswalkers from the set.
First thing that comes to mind, I am quite happy with that combo, Elsepth is a pretty good character and will be nice to see how wizards doesn't repeat her pervious duel deck. Kiora is just the bomb, the planeswalker I most wanted in the theros block and finally having Simic Colors will be awesome.
Just going to hope the decks go more towards the clash packs rather than the pervious few duel decks we had.
If people want click on my signature to see my custom made kiora themed duel deck.
One thing that does bother me is the early release date , normally this stuff comes out in april or may but feb is really early. I suppose this maybe has to do with the 2 block system coming into place end of next year but will have to wait and see.
Ill repeat what I said though
So this might be the first duel deck since Ajani vs Bolas where there has actually been some sort of conflict. So the safe bet would be Elspeth vs Xenagos. Personally I am hoping on Kiora (Merfolk Waifu :3 ) vs Ashiok, mostly cause I really want to see the gap for a G/U deck filled.
You also have to look at pricing of the planeswalkers, typically the 2 planeswalker add up to $20 roughly and the rest of the deck is another $20 or so of stuff.
What worries me is the delay in the announcement, typically its been happening around august, the latest they announced the product was December though. Would be kinda silly if the discontinue the product due to the latest few ones not selling that well, even though wizards is solely to blame for the products lack luster performance.