Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. The Coalition

Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. The Coalition is the fifth set in the Duel Decks series. It was released on March 19, 2010, with an MSRP of US$19.99.

Phyrexia vs. The Coalition contains two preconstructed theme decks, one centered around the forces of Phyrexia and the other around the combined forces of the Coalition. Phyrexia vs. The Coalition is a flavor-based theme deck.

Description
Phyrexia vs. The Coalition features two cards with alternate art and holographic foil treatment; Phyrexian Negator and Urza's Rage. Furthermore, the set includes another four cards with alternate art; Armadillo Cloak, Phyrexian Processor, Voltaic Key, and Yavimaya Elder.

In addition to this, the Duel Deck contains a Magic "learn to play" guide, a strategy insert, and three creature tokens. The creature tokens are:
 * X/X Minion, produced by Phyrexian Processor
 * 1/1 Saproling, produced by Rith, the Awakener and Rith's Charm</c>
 * 1/1 Insect artifact creature with flying and haste called Hornet, produced by Hornet Cannon</c>

Background
Released in anticipation of Phyrexia's invasion of Mirrodin in the Scars of Mirrodin block, Phyrexia vs. The Coalition is based on the story of the Phyrexian invasion of Dominaria, depicted in the Invasion block and its accompanying novels.

Numerous cards in Phyrexia vs. The Coalition are reprinted from sets prior to Invasion; however, this is consistent with Magic canon, as both Urza and Yawgmoth had set millennia-long plans in motion, which would culminate in the Invasion and the Coalition's resistance to, and eventual defeat of, the Phyrexians.

Reserved list issue
The set featured a card that had been placed on the Reserved List: Phyrexian Negator</c>. This was possible at the time, because of the loophole that permitted the cards to be printed as premium foils. However, concern from the community about future reprints prompted Wizards of the Coast to alter that policy.

Phyrexia
<deck title=Phyrexia> Lands 25 Swamp

Creatures 1 Bone Shredder 1 Carrion Feeder 1 Order of Yawgmoth 1 Phyrexian Battleflies 1 Phyrexian Broodlings 1 Phyrexian Colossus 1 Phyrexian Debaser 1 Phyrexian Defiler 1 Phyrexian Denouncer 1 Phyrexian Gargantua 1 Phyrexian Ghoul 1 Phyrexian Hulk 1 Phyrexian Negator 1 Phyrexian Plaguelord 2 Priest of Gix 1 Sanguine Guard

Instants 2 Dark Ritual 1 Hideous End 1 Slay 2 Tendrils of Corruption

Sorceries 1 Living Death

Enchantments 1 Phyrexian Arena

Artifacts 1 Hornet Cannon 1 Lightning Greaves 1 Phyrexian Processor 1 Phyrexian Totem 1 Phyrexian Vault 2 Puppet Strings 1 Voltaic Key 1 Whispersilk Cloak 1 Worn Powerstone

The Coalition
<deck title="The Coalition"> Lands 10 Forest 1 Island 4 Mountain 4 Plains 1 Swamp 1 Elfhame Palace 1 Shivan Oasis 3 Terramorphic Expanse

Creatures 1 Charging Troll 1 Darigaaz, the Igniter 1 Gerrard Capashen 2 Nomadic Elf 1 Quirion Elves 1 Rith, the Awakener 1 Sunscape Battlemage 2 Thornscape Apprentice 2 Thornscape Battlemage 1 Thunderscape Battlemage 1 Treva, the Renewer 1 Verduran Emissary 2 Yavimaya Elder

Instants 1 Darigaaz's Charm 1 Evasive Action 1 Gerrard's Command 2 Harrow 1 Narrow Escape 1 Rith's Charm 1 Treva's Charm 1 Urza's Rage

Sorceries 1 Allied Strategies 1 Tribal Flames

Enchantments 2 Armadillo Cloak 1 Exotic Curse 2 Fertile Ground

Artifacts 1 Coalition Relic 1 Power Armor