One day after clandestine sources leaked the entire list, Duel Decks: Elspeth vs Tezzeret's contents were released by WotC on the official site.  From the moment of its announcement, the has been the most highly anticipated DD (the FtV: Exiled of Duel Decks) and the card lists don't disappoint.  A solid mix of of utility cards, and a few old favorites with brand new art thrown in for kicks.  So, how does the most talked about Precon decks maybe ever produced rate?  Let's find out (in four categories), and take a closer look at the two 'spoiled' Scars of Mirrodin cards included.

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The Title Characters - Not much to judge here, Elspeth, Knight Errant was/is one of the most popular and valuable Planeswalkers in the multiverse.  She appears in most variations of top builds like Mythic Conscription, Naya, UW Control, and Fauna Shaman.  And her star is on the rise, as Elspeth 2.0 has already been confirmed in SoM.  Tezzeret the Seeker has never been on that level, but has a loyal following, especially in more casual formats.  Formats perfect for products like Duel Decks.

Originality - If there is one slip in the giddy-up of DD: EvT, it's this - these decks are pretty boring creatively speaking. Tezzeret's deck looks an awful lot like the Doomsday pre-con from the Archenemy product, an awful lot.  Most players have enough copies of Juggernaut and Everflowing Chalice.  But the real shame here is on the White side of things, another boring soldier deck including the likes of Glory Seeker and Kor Hookmaster.  In this very space, not two weeks ago, we begged for a more original theme (Knights anyone?  Seriously.... anyone!?).

Old school flavor - With each DD pack WotC allows a certain number of old-guard type spells to be reprinted, spells with a certain cache. Past DD examples include Fact or Fiction, Fireblast, and Phyrexian Arena.  With Elspeth v Tezzeret, the hits keep on coming - Swords to Plowshares, Crusade, and Mishras Factory.  All with sparkling new artwork.  After the Planeswalkers, this is the next best reason to pick up a pre-con, and WotC succeeded in making it more enticing.

Playability - As always, these decks are a little stunted, with so many one-ofs and underwhelming spells (this means you Mighty Leap).  However, because the the simple, read: mono-colored, nature of both of these deck they are fairly easy to play, and evenly matched.  WotC always recommends altering these pre-cons if you are not initially satisfied (and few of us will be with these), but DD: EvT takes only minor alterations to become competent.

One of the hidden treasures, and another reason to pick this product up, or pre-order it, are the Scars of Mirrodin preview cards.  One for each deck, with only names to go by at this point.  That didn't stop Gathering Magic from dabbling in our new favorite hobby, dreaming up possible SoM cards with almost no information.  The point?  To get the juices flowing for another spoiler season, and to use our imaginations!  For example:

Honestly, contagion doesn't sound much like a blue card, and the fact it's a clasp of some sort makes us think artifact for sure, and likely equipment.  So why not a Prized Unicorn effect?  Or, more accurately, the equipment version of Gift of the Deity.  What do you think?

Not terribly original, except for the art of course, this 2/4 flyer would make a fine addition to Elspeth's flock of soldiers.  Here are the probable 'facts': First, this is a leonin, the feline humanoids from Mirrodin.  Second, because of its inclusion in this deck, she is a soldier.  Third, she will have flying as one ability (wouldn't be very good at guarding the sky without that).  Do with this information what you will.... we did.