I am taking a break from my series of booster pack reviews to take a look at a pre-constructed deck from a couple years ago. Tag along!
The Izzet League is the Ravnica guild blending red and blue card mechanics. This is an odd combination, because red is generally quite aggressive, while blue tends to be more reactive and defensive. The combination creates a sort of contradiction that can make good decks difficult to build, but very rewarding to play when they work.
This set includes a deck plus some other goodies.
There is a deck box that includes room for card sleeves, a sticker, a tri-fold Izzet flyer with a deck list detailing the cards included, a sticker, a pin, and a spindown die with the Izzet League symbol on the 20.
Spindown dice resemble a d20 from Dungeons and Dragons, but the numbers are sequential so it can more easily be used to track a player's life points. Many such dice include set symbols, but the guild icons seem to be restricted to these kits. Perfect for those who feel a need to show off their guild allegiance
Speaking of guild symbols, this one specifically represents Niv-Mizzet, the dragon wizard who runs the Izzet League in the story behind the game. He is represented on the foil card at the front of the box. This card costs 2UURR (CMC 6) for a 4/4 with flying plus an ability that deals 1 damage to any target whenever you draw a card, and the ability to tap him to draw a card.
The deck includes quite a few rares and uncommons, and there is a good synergy with the variety of cards, but it needs some refinement for serious play in my opinion. The basic land cards all feature special art around the mana symbol, and the effect is neat.
I think I'll dabble with this deck and see what I can do to make it fit my aims a bit more. I may eventually use some in my attempted Izzet commander deck featuring another Niv-Mizzet card at the head, but that effort may get abandoned, too. We'll see.
What do you think of this card color combo? Comment below!