The Duel Deck series returns! This time, it's two tribes I've been wanting to see a showdown between for some time! Can the almighty Vampires defeat the military might of Soldiers? It's a battle so big you might need two tables to play it on!
http://www.mtgvault.com/ciaranmadgrin/decks/duel-deck-soldier-vs-vampire-2/
PLOT:
Another night in paradise, the lord of the Midnight Estate thought to himself as he feasts on the tribute his underlings graciously offered that night before. He smiled as the poor girl trembled next to him, delighted at the sight of his kin feasting on poor "bandits." The Estate's Lord had told a few local villages that he and his vampires would protect them from threats, and would hunt down lost travelers. He would then dress the traveler as a "bandit" and show off his prize to the villages, receiving love and adoration. Yes, it was a genius idea, one he reveled in nightly. As he glanced around the room, a few newcomers watched a veteran of the night, embracing his lessons on how to live as a vampire. Tonight's lesson was fencing, and the mentor was making quick work of a raised ghoul. Suddenly, the smell of smoke fills the air. Arrows shot in from the windows, striking a few vampires. With haste, he darted toward the window, only to be met with an army. Goblins, halflings, and even a giant and a minotaur stood upon the Estate, roaring in anticipation. It seemed that this army was here to put an end to the reign of the Vampires over the villages. The Lord of the Estate turned to his right-hand woman, and hissed, "Get the Nocturnus here, NOW!" As she rushed off, the Lord called out to his comrades, gathering his kin quickly. "So, the peons have dared to rise against their masters? How quaint, don't you agree? Let us remind them why WE are the lords of the night, and why they are nothing less than maggots under our boots!" With these words, the battle began.
Vampires are immortal beings that have outlasted many races over time. So this pathetic militia of idealistic fools shall come to understand the full pow of the Vampires on this night. Your deck is simple: Control the game long enough to bring out your large vampires that can easily beat down the Soldier forces. This shouldn't be too hard for you. Between removal spells like Expunge and Victim of Night killing off potential leaders among the Soldiers to life gain cards like Kalastria Healer and Vampire Envoy, you can easily keep the Soldiers at bay. To make matters better, your life total can grant you card draw in cards like Read the Bones. If you're feeling like watching the Soldier deck squirm, play Pain's Reward. By bidding life you gained, you can put the Soldiers in a tough spot: Do they really want to lose life for four cards at the risk of you outbidding them? With flying Vampires they might not be able to manage, you may gain 4 cards for as little as 1 life! When you're tired of playing with the Soldiers, just slam down the almighty Vampire Nocturnus, which turns your board into potentially the game winning swing. Who said might was right?