Also last night Wizards announced that 'Action' is 'New Phyrexia.' Along with a new card, Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite. So hit our New Phyrexia spoiler page and keep watching it as we post the latest spoilers and rumors as they come!

The concept is clear, inclusive and alluring:  Two pre-constructed theme decks battling it out in the ultimate test of good vs evil, fire vs water or even divine vs demonic.  But beyond the simplistic notions of righteous and unrighteous, a more ambiguous battle has been raging within the fantasy world since Tolkien was but a glint in his great-grandfather's eye.  The contest you are about to partake in is that of Knights vs. Dragons, neither able to be classified as particularly good nor particularly evil.  Not every knight is uncorrupted and not every dragon reigns terror over the cities of man.  Will you wield the swords of men or command the fires of the mythical, flying creatures of yore?  Whichever you choose, this latest special release by Wizards of the Coast is sure to get your high-fantasy juices flowing with each deck hosting a number of fan favorites from the MTG vault.    Before you take the plunge, however, there are a few things you'll want to know.  We were lucky enough to get our hands on the set a few days before it hit the streets.  Our full report follows.

1. The Balance -   Duel decks are meant to be played against one another right out of the box so it is imperative that they give both players and equal chance at victory.  In years past this Magic blogger has found that many of the decks skew heavily one way or the other.  I am happy to report that this is not the case with Knights vs Dragons.  While the decks are a classic clash of speed vs overwhelming power, both decks are given answers to the other's strengths.  The Dragon deck has two Mudbutton Torchrunners and a Cinder Wall that should help you get onto your feet before the knights begin to swarm.  It also has a very nice 4 damage sweep in a kicked Breath of Darigaaz if things get too crazy. The knight deck has a couple of valuable removal spells to get rid of a game ending 8/8 dragon with flying but most of it's punch is going to be in the early game.   A lot depends on the draw as there aren't playsets of each card in the decks as you might find in a brew of your own.  We played several games and it went back and fourth each time so I can happily report that these decks are well balanced against one another right out of the box!

2. New Art - It's always a pleasure to see some of your favorite Magic cards from year's past with new art, and in some cases, even a new card frame!  Seething Song in particular seems to stand out as an awesome little upgrade this time around.  Seeing Loxodon Warhammer without the mandatory raging elephant can be troubling at first- but you eventually get used to it.  The new Knight of the Reliquary and Dragon themed Daily MTG write up to see all of the rest!

3. Dual Lands - We've said this each time we've reviewed a pre-constructed deck but I feel the need to keep saying it until it isn't true anymore.  I realize that this white/green deck isn't difficult to get the correct mana out for but for the love of Serra can we please never see [card]Grasslands" href="/p/Magic%3A+The+Gathering/Punishing+Fire%5Bcard%5D+are+sights+for+sore+eyes+as+well.%26amp%3Bamp%3Bnbsp%3B+Head+over+to+the+%26amp%3Bamp%3Blt%3Ba+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wizards.com%2FMagic%2FMagazine%2FArticle.aspx%3Fx%3Dmtg%2Fdaily%2Ffeature%2F136%22%26amp%3Bamp%3Bgt%3BDaily+MTG+write+up%26amp%3Bamp%3Blt%3B%2Fa%26amp%3Bamp%3Bgt%3B+to+see+all+of+the+rest%21%0A%0A3.+%26amp%3Bamp%3Blt%3Bstrong%26amp%3Bamp%3Bgt%3BDual+Lands%26amp%3Bamp%3Blt%3B%2Fstrong%26amp%3Bamp%3Bgt%3B+-+We%27ve+said+this+each+time+we%27ve+reviewed+a+pre-constructed+deck+but+I+feel+the+need+to+keep+saying+it+until+it+isn%27t+true+anymore.%26amp%3Bamp%3Bnbsp%3B+I+realize+that+this+white%2Fgreen+deck+isn%27t+difficult+to+get+the+correct+mana+out+for+but+for+the+love+of+Serra+can+we+please+never+see+%5Bcard%5DGrasslands">Punishing Fire[card] are sights for sore eyes as well.  Head over to the Daily MTG write up to see all of the rest!

3. Dual Lands - We've said this each time we've reviewed a pre-constructed deck but I feel the need to keep saying it until it isn't true anymore.  I realize that this white/green deck isn't difficult to get the correct mana out for but for the love of Serra can we please never see [card]Grasslands ever again!?  There are so many better choices that certainly wouldn't break any secondary markets I'm used to seeing.  Maybe I'm asking for too much but I'd rather just pack a couple of Terramorphic Expanses.  Someday it'll happen... right?!

4. Mo' Mana, Mo' Dragons - As I said earlier, the outcome of the game is almost entirely dependent on the draw / first few turns but if the Dragon deck loses, it's almost always due to mana screwage.  The Seething Song helps but I would have loved to see another one in the deck.  Do yourself a favor and bump this up to a playset if you're planning on tweaking out this deck.  If you've got two or God forbid three 7 CMC dragons in your hand early game you might as well pack up your dragon eggs and go home because you've got no chance.  I know, I know.. its supposed to be slower than the knight deck but cmon Wizards, getting mana screwed isn't fun for anyone!

5. The 'Knight Stuff' - While I appreciate the Kinsbaile Cavalier and the Knight Exemplar I think this deck could have gone for a doubling of said lords.  When I play a tribal deck I want to take advantage of the fact that I'm playing with a bunch of creatures with the same creature type.  There aren't a ton of Knight lords but even a doubling of Knight Exemplar could have made this deck a little more themey.  Not a huge gripe and it's certainly something you can take care of on your own.  There are a lot of knights in the deck to be sure- I just wanted a bit more synergy as there was in the dragon deck.

6. Dual Decks are 'Closed Systems' - You're not going to be able to bust this deck out at the next Friday Night Magic and take home any trophies, ladies or accolades.  As with any pre-constructed deck from Wizards of the Coast you're going to have to reconstruct these decks if you're going to play against something other than it's sister deck that it came with.  If you want to keep the same flavor and strategy you can just order a couple of copies of this set and combine them.  If you want to take it in another direction entirely you can add some of your own spells.  It's up to you but throwing this baby down in a multiplayer game isn't going to be very effective with your 4 rare limit in place.

7. Flavor Packed - This set is packed to the brim with flavor.  The title of the box set casts no illusions- the knight deck is about deploying, managing and attacking with knights while the dragon deck is about conjuring dragons and dismantling your opponent's armies with fire.  The new art looks fantastic and has even been tailored to fit the decks they are in.  If you're a fan of flavor, you'll get what you're looking for here even more so than with some of the other Dual decks.

8. Knight of the Reliquary is a Mythic? - Since when?!  It's an odd card to give the bump.  It was essentially a tournament staple that became popular over time.  It's also very much a utility card that doesn't in any way feel mythic.  Now, does it really matter?  Of course it doesn't.  You're not going to have to get this out of a booster pack so you won't have to deal with the 1/8 mythic frequency so it it's pretty much a non-issue.  I just wish there were a legendary knight from yesteryear that would be more appropriate as the leading card in the deck.  Hint hint, wizards!  We need more legendary badasses up in here!

9. Playable Cards - Let's be honest.  Most of us buy these sets, play with the decks a few times and eventually pull out the 'good cards' for our "real" decks.  Sometimes there are a ton of pieces worth holding on to and other times... not so much.  Luckily the dragon deck has a very playable (and gorgeous) foil Borgadan Hellkite, a very handy Breath of Darigaaz and an alternate art Seething Song which is a card I know you're already sporting in your main decks.  The knight deck has even more value with tournament staples such as Knight of the Reliquary, Knight of the White Orchid and Loxodon Warhammer!  You're going to be resleeving a few cards after you're done playing knights and dragons.

10.  Conclusion - Who should buy? - If you're the kind of Magic fan that buys everything, no matter what, then I guess you don't need my advice.  But if you're like a lot of us who, in tough times like these, has to decide where to put that $30 'entertainment budget' every month then listen up.  Knights vs Dragons has a ton of value for your everyday decks.  If you don't already have a Borgadan Hellkite or a Knight of the Reliquary this would be a perfect opportunity to grab a truly entertaining package of Magic cards whilst guaranteeing some of these cool cards you might have missed.  If, on the other hand, you're then man who has everything (I'm looking at you and your man-cave @mtgcolorpie) you'll have to decide for yourself whether or not the alternate art versions of these cards are worth it.  CoolStuffInc has the set at 17.99 last time I checked and I see that as a very good deal on these cards.

[deck title=Knights]

[creatures]1 Caravan Escort

2 Lionheart Maverick

2 Knight of Cliffhaven

1 Knight of Meadowgrain

1 Knight of the White Orchid

1 Leonin Skyhunter

1 Silver Knight

1 White Knight

1 Knotvine Paladin

1 Steward of Valeron

1 Benalish Lancer

1 Zhalfirin Commander

1 Knight Exemplar

1 Knight of the Reliquary

1 Wilt-Leaf Cavaliers

1 Kabira Vindicator

1 Kinsbaile Cavalier

1 Alaborn Cavalier

1 Skyhunter Patrol

1 Plover Knights

1 Juniper Order Ranger

1 Paladin of Prahv[/creatures]

[other spells]1 Harm's Way

1 Reciprocate

1 Edge of Autumn

1 Mighty Leap

1 Reprisal

1 Test of Faith

1 Heroes' Reunion

1 Sigil Blessing

1 Loxodon Warhammer

1 Spidersilk Armor

1 Griffin Guide

1 Oblivion Ring[/other spells]

[land]2 Grasslands

1 Sejiri Steppe

2 Selesnya Sanctuary

1 Treetop Village

12 Plains

6 Forest[/land]

[/deck]

[deck title=Dragons]

[creatures]1 Cinder Wall

1 Skirk Prospector

1 Bloodmark Mentor

1 Fire-Belly Changeling

2 Mudbutton Torchrunner

1 Dragonspeaker Shaman

2 Dragon Whelp

1 Henge Guardian

1 Voracious Dragon

1 Bogardan Rager

1 Mordant Dragon

1 Kilnmouth Dragon

1 Shivan Hellkite

1 Thunder Dragon

1 Bogardan Hellkite[/creatures]

[other spells]2 Armillary Sphere

1 Dragon's Claw

1 Breath of Darigaaz

2 Dragon Fodder

1 Punishing Fire

1 Spitting Earth

1 Captive Flame

1 Ghostfire

1 Seething Song

1 Seismic Strike

1 Claws of Valakut

1 Temporary Insanity

1 Shiv's Embrace

1 Cone of Flame

2 Fiery Fall

1 Jaws of Stone[/other spells]

[land]24 Mountain[/land]

[/deck]

I hope the information we've provided has been helpful!  Be sure to Pre-Order Knights Vs Dragons if you're interested!