MTG Salvation

My young son, a fan of The Hobbit, is showing an interest in MTG, and I've thought to design and build two 40-card duel decks that draw flavor from the book and help him learn the game mechanics. I've held to the 4-of rule, for now, but do worry there's a fair bit of complexity here that could be reduced by relaxing that rule and increasing the number of vanillas and french vanillas. Removal is a little light, too, especially when both decks have a little unblockability. What do you think?

And, are there any significant flavor oversights or flavor fails? I don't like Vandalize's flavor for the heroes, but need some destroy artifact and/or land card for balance.

Quote from palanthas »

And, are there any significant flavor oversights or flavor fails? I don't like Vandalize's flavor for the heroes, but need some destroy artifact and/or land card for balance.

Hey cool deck idea. I think you captured the flavor of The Hobbit quite well.

You can replace Vandalize with Demolish to keep with the dwarf theme.

I think Prophetic Prism might appear closer in appearance to the Arkenstone than Fire Diamond.

Magus of the Scroll could maybe represent Gandalf here. Magus of the Scroll is a Wizard, is depicted holding a scroll (presumably the Expedition Map), and is R so it stays on-color with the rest of the deck.

Quote from CrispyLinks »

Quote from palanthas »

And, are there any significant flavor oversights or flavor fails? I don't like Vandalize's flavor for the heroes, but need some destroy artifact and/or land card for balance.

Hey cool deck idea. I think you captured the flavor of The Hobbit quite well.

You can replace Vandalize with Demolish to keep with the dwarf theme.

I think Prophetic Prism might appear closer in appearance to the Arkenstone than Fire Diamond.

Magus of the Scroll could maybe represent Gandalf here. Magus of the Scroll is a Wizard, is depicted holding a scroll (presumably the Expedition Map), and is R so it stays on-color with the rest of the deck.

These are awesome suggestions across the board. So here's where I am:

Xyx -- You make a good point about Gollum. I got the Lithatog idea from an old thread on MTGS -- one that was focused on The Lord of the Rings. I don't disagree with your observation (although the revelation that Gollum was once a hobbit doesn't come in The Hobbit itself). The issue I have is finding something in the same colors as the rest of the deck, especially since this is a teaching deck.

Hey make sure you get a Demolish from 10th Edition or before (9th Edition, 8th Edition, Odyssey). The art on Demolish after 10th Edition (Theros, M14, AVR, M11, Zendikar) no longer feature a dwarf.

I wonder if something like Kitesail Apprentice fits on flavour with Bilbo better. He's pretty much a useless dork most of the time, but wearing the ring he becomes a formidable warrior capable of dodging/sneaking past ground attackers and is the only one who can get to the dragon's lair and battle Smaug (which is kind of akin to flying).

Also, Bilbo as an 8/8 flying Avatar just seems wrong.

Otherwise, great concept! Love the flavour and decks!