Duel Decks

Duel Decks was a series of theme decks that started in 2007 with Elves vs. Goblins. Each pack contained two 60-card decks designed and developed specifically to be played against each other.

Cards appearing in these sets are all non-Un set cards throughout Magic's history but are in the post 8th Edition card frame, with a black border. Each set has its own expansion symbol. The first in the series, Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins, contained eight rares, including two foil rares with alternate artwork. Later sets in the series changed this this to two foil mythic rares with alternate artwork, and between six and ten rares, as well as four non-foil cards with alternate artwork (except for Divine vs. Demonic, which had five). Many of the mythic rares were originally printed as rares, and have been changed to mythic status for the duel deck. Some of the cards also have new flavor text.

Each set depicts a notable rivalry. Until Venser vs. Koth, the sets alternated between showing two rival factions, and two rival planeswalkers, and often tie into current or future storylines.