Killer Combo: Shalmath + Recurring Contemplation

Hi folks!

During the play test weekend Zoli astonished us with this smart combo. With superior Temporis, you can tap a younger vampire or an ally right away. Shalmath's ability works out great when using actions cards such as mind numb! Look at this:

Shalmath can tap out all of your preys minions without any difficulties! Image what a great tap and bleed deck can be built with him. Throw in a Perfectionist for better blood management, or fetch an Ankara Citadely with Summon History. If more presence weenies will be introduced to group 6, this deck will be awesome!

by: Mephistopheles

Papkeszi Play Test Weekend (1) Report

Hi folks!

So here's the report. Starting on Saturday in the morning we played 12 rounds of v:tes!!! Awesome! On Sunday we played only 2 rounds because we stopped for a BBQ and watched the soccer game.

Here are some pictures taken:

Here are the decks I played, with comments:

Brujah Alastor

-> Fail! After all those successful tournaments and games in the past this weekend finally told me, that I should stop playing this deck for a while. On my first table I didn't find a single Dmitra (I play 5 by now) and on the second table I was ousted really fast. There were too many votes around and I couldn't get my Parity Shifts pass. Games played: 2, Game Wins: 0

Hardestadt Multi Rush

Made a mistake when playing this deck. Should have backousted a player. Even with this mistake I got really close to a good finish, but really close = fail. The deck proved to be good, it was a tactical mistake that I made. Will surely play this deck again. Games played: 1, Game Wins: 0

Anson and weenie Presence

I always loved to play presence bleed decks. This deck focused on using Anson's ability, so I could play a little more master cards, like an additional Pentex and so on. This is NOT a master deck though, so I am totally fine if Anson doesn't show up. Victoria Ash is an awesome vampire in here. The deck worked well on the first table and got me the Game Win. A second time I played this deck it produced the most terrible card draw ever. I drew all of the seven deflections, 3 wake cards and two master cards in a row, without having pressure on me, so I couldn't do anything. And yes, I did shuffle the deck. Well, bad luck. Games played: 2, Game Wins: 1

AAA Grand Ball deck

Since I was looking for a new tournament deck, that I could play on a Day2 of a major event, I gave the good ol' AAA a try. Though it can be good, I have some problems with it. Potentially it is a very strong deck, but I will need to make some tweaks. When I played with it (also earlier to this weekend) I always had a bad crypt draw, so I need to reconsider the crypt. Games played: 1, Game Wins: 0

Tremere Wall Deck

I never liked auspex wall decks, but since it was a play testing weekend I wanted to "see the deck from the inside". Never gonna play it again. It's boring, dull and unimaginative. Enough Said. Game's played: 1, Game Wins: 0

Ariadne Toolbox

Surprise, surprise! This deck worked out wonderfully. I played two games with it and won both of them without really having any difficulties. And I didn't win against random fun decks. In one game Frankie did Shatter the Gate and I had no problem to gain 4 pool/turn and win in the end. The deck seems pretty well balanced by now, although 1-2 camera phones could do it some good. Game's played: 2, Game Wins: 2

I couldn't play all 12 games, since I had to do the cooking, and had to leave the place for a short while. Altogether I made 3 Game Wins out of 9 rounds, which seems OK. The fact that the Gangrel toolbox achieved better results than the other decks, really surprises me. There will be 2 tournaments here soon, so I will give it a try at a tournament.

From the other guys decks, there was one wonderful idea which I will show you in a separate post soon. We all agreed on meeting here again in a month for another gaming marathon, however this time we will not play v:tes, but try out some board games, like BSG, Agricola, Puerto Rico and so on...

That's it from my side, Csaba, Eshu, Frankie and Zoli: feel free to add your comments!!!

by: Mephistopheles

Basic Mistakes: do the math!

Hi folks!

I thought it might be helpful to analyse some mistakes that actually did happen, so people won't make these mistakes again (hopefully). So whenever I see something done really bad I will make a note and share it with you guys.

This one is a classic mistake I often see:

It happened at the ECQ in Burton-on-Trent. Player A had a 5 cap vampire with superior Potence and some inferior disciplines including a basic Presence. He had discarded a combat card. Player B had two vampires in play, a 2 cap Animalism weenie (maybe Mouse) with a blood doll and a Bobby Lemon (4cap sup ANI).

Player A announces a bleed for 1. Player B blocks with Bobby Lemon. I don't remember all of the combat cards played, but Player B played a Carrion Crows + Aid from Bats and Player A surely played Slam + Immortal Grapple + Taste of Vitae and had to play something else, since Bobby Lemon ended up in torpor with 0 blood. Player B rescued Bobby Lemon with Mouse and went to hunt with Bobby. Next turn he had to use the Doll, to avoid hunting with Mouse.

So, let's see the mistake or with other words: let's do the math! Since Player A announced a bleed for 1 without any action card and his first vampire in play had only inferior Presence it was easy to predict that he played a weenie/midcap Potence rush deck, which rarely includes any Presence bleed modifier. An unexpected Aire of Elation would have been only +1 bleed anyway. So with a Blood Doll in play and no intercept around (prey was a stealth-bleed deck) a hunt action wouldn't have been blocked. So why not take the bleed for 1? Use the Doll, hunt with Mouse and you still have your Bobby with 4 blood. This way you loose only one action/turn. Small loss when compared to what actually happened.

In modern v:tes 1 maneuver against a POT deck is surely not enough, since Slam found it's way in almost all POT decks. It was easy to "read" that Player A had a Slam or at least any other long range card (Thrown Sewer Lid, Earthshock) in his hand, otherwise he surely wouldn't had risked a combat with an ANI weenie. The other negative effect the original solution had, was that Player A could cycle his hand. In the case I suggested Player A would have had to discard cards to find an action or master card, while all he could have done with his vampires is a bleed for 1, which the blood doll + hunt duo easily defends.

So that's it. I hope you find this new topic interesting and/or helpful. As always, comments are appreciated!

by: Mephistopheles

Papkeszi Play Test Weekend (1)

Hi folks!

Once a month I invite 4 friends to my place for some v:tes games (around 12-15). This will be the 3rd weekend and since this seems fairly regular, I have decided to post it on my blog. This time Frankie, Csaba, Eshu and Zoli will join the event. I have built 2 new tournament decks, which really need to be tested, so here is the chance. I've tested my Hardestadt eats the World deck on one of these weekends, so it seems to be a useful thing. Let's hope for good weather so we can take a BBQ break between the rounds. I will post some pictures and a summary of the more interesting games.

by: Mephistopheles

Thoughts on: Deal breaking

Hi folks!

When I first started playing v:tes I've really enjoyed the game without ever getting close to getting a vp. I loved the way it reflected the role playing game. I loved the fact that it is so social, much more than any other card game I've ever played. After a year or so, when I mastered most of the rules and got to know the game better I started to feel an urge to be more successful. At this time I developed an attitude that simply resulted in the idea that everything is allowed to achieve the game win. I started to play much more aggressive decks and yes, I made many deal breaks. It didn't took the local v:tes community a long time to realize this and well, the respond wasn't really positive. Less people were smiling at me. Though being much more successful I wasn't really happy. I couldn't enjoy the game anymore. When I lost, I was angry and depressed. When I won a game including a deal break of mine, I felt bad. This went on for like 2 years until I reached a point, when I started to hate the game, while being sort of addicted to it.

It was at this time that I stopped deal breaking. I started to play different type of decks, and didn't want to win every game. I tried to have fun again. Oddly enough, it was after this turning point that I started to become really successful. I managed to win three finals without any deal breaking and I started to have fun again.

Let's just think about what v:tes means to us! For me it is a game, a hobby, a free time activity where I want to have fun. After 6 years of playing almost all of my friends are from the v:tes community. I met many-many nice people around the world, who share this love of v:tes. Do I want to break a deal against them. For God's sake: NO!

Is an NAC or EC title worth deal breaking? Not for me. Come on guys, if you want to be successful at something so much, than try to be successful in real life.

Another point, from the "technical " point of view: just don't make any deals any player may feel tempted to break. If you have a good deck, and a good understanding of the game, you won't need big deals to win a game.

And from the other point of view: if you make a deal with your predator that he won't bleed, don't be so stupid to tap out and discard a deflection...

Don't get me wrong, I am not at all mad at those players who break deals. If I see anybody break a deal I will remember him or her and just simply refuse to make a deal with him or her.

Guys, remember that this game should make fun and no game win or tournament win will make you something more...

by: Mephistopheles

Poll Result: Would you break a deal?

Hi folks!

There is not too much happening these days on my blog, mainly because it's summer and I am not a geek. ^^

Altogether 77 votes were cast leading to the following result:

Would you break a deal?
Only to win a final.	13 (16%)
Only for the game win.	27 (35%)
If I get a vp? Sure.	9 (11%)
Whenever I get an advantage…	2 (2%)
I'd rather die!	26 (33%)

Actually the results pretty much match my expectations. I won't comment it now, but I will write an article on this pretty soon, maybe today.

by: Mephistopheles

Upcomming Events in June and July

Hi folks!

These events are already announced for the next 2 month:

25.06.2010: Constructed, 2R + Final. Location: Sárkánytűz Budapest

17.07.2010: HNC Katalinpuszta, 3R + Final. Location: Katalinpuszta

18.07.2010: Syrius Days Constructed, 3R + Final. Location: Márton Áron Szakkollégium

If you are from abroad and want to join one of the events feel free to contact me!

by: Mephistopheles

Tournament Report: Legal Crypt Miskolc

Hi folks!

So here's the report from this weekends tournament in Miskolc, Hungary. 25 players showed up which is just the perfect amount of players for a tournament (imo). I've decided to play my Brujah Alastor deck, because I actually wanted to win this tournament. Well, it was a bad choice this time.

1st round:

Gangrel bleed (force of will, daring the dawn, rapid healing) -> Toreador antitribu bleed -> Shatter zhe Gate -> Ventrue lawfirm -> Me

Dmitra didn't show up, but I had some Second Traditions and a Parity Shift, so I thought no problem, I will bring Carlak and play it slow. Well my prey's first master card was Antediluvian Awakening, which was followed by an Anarch Revolt. Cybele's first action was a Contagion. Actually I burned 10+ pool brought out Carlak and Karen and got ousted by a bleed 6 with Daring the Dawn. 0 VP

2nd round:

Me -> Setite + Alonso Temptation -> Some Pot-Thau-Dom madness -> New Inner Circle deck -> Ventrue antitribu Grinder

Perfect hand + Perfect Crypt = something has to go wrong. I influence out Dmitra, my predators turn comes: he plays a Framing an ancient Grudge on Dmitra. I bring out Karen, she gets another one: 'nough said... 0 VP

3rd round:

Lutz -> Me -> Ventrue anti Grinder (another one) -> Malkavian stealth-bleed -> Setite ally deck

Since I had early pressure on me I couldn't go forward. This resulted in a lot of Govern the Unaligned at superior by my prey. He had like 6 vampire in no time. Final the Ossian and co. by my grand predator weakened Lutz a little and I could pass an Alastor. I rushed backwards too, which let me stay in the game. Before Lutz was ousted he played an Anarchist Uprising. I had the vote lock at this time and he had no modifier, but I decided not to cast any votes, so the referendum could pass. This actually crushed the table. My prey was left with 4 pool and a Fame on his weenie vampire. I tried to rush it, but he could block with Neighbour John. In his turn my prey made 2 vp's. Next turn he made another one. Meanwhile I played a Dragonbound. My prey already had the game win, +18 pool and still 6 vampires. I had 1 Dmitra who was Alastor and a useless Carlak with 2 blood on it. In my turn I torporized 1 vampire and replaced some cards. My prey tried his best, but he couldn't know that I was holding 4 copies of Second Trads in my hand + 3 combat cards. After 2 rounds my prey gave up, because he had only 1 ready vampire left. 2 VP's.

The Final was play by 4 Ventrue/Ventrue antitribu decks and 1 Inner Circle deck, who was the first to get ousted. I think I will have to return to my good ol' Blanche Hill deck, to take them for a ride in the sun...

The organization was good, the scene was nice, but I was disappointed with my result. I think I need to build a new tournament deck, although I'm sure that Dmitra will get another chance.

by: Mephistopheles

HNC Ranking updated

Hi folks!

I have updated the HNC Ranking after the HNC round in Miskolc last Saturday. I will write a tournament report soon. There were 25 players and some really nice decks.

Take care!

by: Mephistopheles

Deck revealed: Nergal's Snake Form

Hi folks!

My friend Csaba Greguss had a wonderful deck built around Nergal and The Eternal Mask. We played many games together and it was always fun to see this deck work. I wanted to post it here earlier, but we agreed on posting it only when he will stop playing with it. Finally Csaba decided to stop playing the deck, so here it is:

DECK: Nergal's Snake Farm
CREATOR: Csaba Greguss

2 Nergal 10 FOR, THA
1 Neferu 9 THA
1 Pentweret 9 for
1 Shemti 9
1 Porphyrion 9 for
1 Ankh-sen Sutekh 6 bleed2
1 Arnulf Jormungandrsson 8
1 Seren sukardi 7 THA
1 Sundervere 8 THA
1 Halim Bey 6 tha
1 Amenophobis 7 cycling

4 Recruitment
2 Heidelberg Castle
1 Antediluwian Awakening
7 Villein
1 Giant's Blood
1 House of Sorrow
1 Monastery of Shadows
1 Opium Den

12 Eternal's Mask
2 Soul Gem of Etrius
1 Martinelli's Ring
1 Heart of Nizchetus
4 Magic of the Smith
9 Force of Will

3 Lost in Crowds
3 Faceless Nights
3 Spying Mission
1 Forgotten Labyrinth
3 Aire of Elation

The basic idea is to burn Nergal and bring him back with The Eternal Mask. Even though it is a very creative approach it is basically still a stealth-bleed deck. It can generate a surprisingly large amount of pool and once the combo gets going it has very good ousting power. My favourite part of it is still the use of Martinelli's Ring, which can burn the Eternal Mask's not needed to give you another vampire to act. Give this deck a try if you want, it is really funny to play!

by: Mephistopheles

Tears of Mephistopheles: No path for the Samedi

Hi folks!

As some of you might know, I am a big fan of the bloodlines. Since HttB I constantly think of building new types of Samedi decks like my Pressing Shambo deck. I don't want to build any well known deck around them like the Reanimated Corpse, or turbo Baron deck. While trying to figure out new ways of using Samedi I realized that there is one card missing like hell: a Path!

Samedi's greatest problem lies in blood management. You have Houngan, which is great, but surely not enough. While Samedi have awesome cards, like Under My Skin, Rigor Mortis or Compress, most of their goodies cost blood. Since they cannot bounce bleeds and can't generate enough intercept, you need to rely on Vessels, Blood Dolls or Villeins to get some pool. This will leave your vampires with only 3-4 blood left or even less. From this blood amount you need to be able to pay for their cards. I am pretty sure you will run out of blood very fast.

This is the point the Path could come handy. You could play those combat cards "for free" to get blood back from taste of vitae, or you could use that Under My Skin to stealth over any blocking minion when going for a restoration. Let's take a look at two other Path cards that were released in HttB!

The Ahriman got the Path of Harmony. No doubt, it is a great card, but did they need one? I'd say no. Ahriman was already very strong without the Path. With cards like Engling Fury and Vulture's Buffet, they were very good at blood management without the Path. Cards like Ears of the Hare, Falcon's Eye, Swiftness of the Stag, Speak with Spirit's don't even cost blood!

The other Path I want to write about is the Path of Servitude. Was there really a need for it? Again, my answer is no! Raking Talons, Roll, Dive Bomb, Patrol, Voice of the Castle and the list continues. Notice something? They don't cost blood. With Potence as a clan discipline and all their prevent cards, the Gargoyles are perfectly fine with Taste of Vitae as the only source of blood management, but they also can defend the Rack.

I am only one player, so my word really doesn't count, but if there is somebody out their who feels a little sympathy for the Samedi please support me. A Path of Voodoo or whatever the card will be named wouldn't really hurt the game, but it would help the Samedi a lot!

by: Mephistopheles