I'll post a mini-review, I just got mine and opened a 2nd edition pack right next to opening a 1st edition pack.
Right away yes the difference is really noticable, lol just sitting on my hand the 1st edition one clumped, and I tried to do this with the 2nd but it was WAY smooth.
also the border is even (hallelujah!) on the 2nd edition. it's all off-center on the first one, kind of a pet peeve of mine.
the only difference I didn't like was that the stock/cut of the 1st edition was much easier to faro than the 2nd. but I didnt have time to break them in and I expect that the faro's will improve with working-in of the edges.
all in all I give the new guardians 5/5