This is the deck I played, gaining a game win and 4.5 VPs, if I remember correctly.
Deck Name : The Champion Vigilantes
Author : The Lasombra
Description :
Loosely based on all of the tournament winning Imbued decks.
Designed to be played at the Last Chance Qualifier for the North American
Championship. Originally designed with 6 copies of Memories of Mortality,
but I was unable borrow or buy them from any of the players locally that I
asked. I got a game win and 4.5 vps with the deck anyway, .5 at the first
table, 3 at the second table, and 1 at the third.
My predator in the first round was Merged Sebastien Goulet and his allies.
Sebastien did manage to steal Francois Loehr with J.S. Simmons, a Laptop,
and a Champion. I was heartily unthrilled. My prey that game was an Enkidu
7-Raptor / Earth Meld / Psyche! rush deck. The Memories of Mortalies that
failed to make it into my deck (or the Pentex Subversion that should have been
in as backup) would have guaranteed me two or more victory points at that
first table. As it was, I survived until time because although Stanislava
successfully called the Protect Thine Own on Enkidu, her Methuselah was
convinced to vote it down. A truly sad day for the Camarilla, as the table
timed out.
The second round I was preying on a Toreador Antitribu Firebrand deck, that
was preying on a Nocturn sprinkled weenie dominate deck, that was preying on
a Nosferatu Antitribu deck. I thought this was going to go very poorly for me,
as my first undirected action was blocked and Travis was put down and
pillowfaced by Carrion Crows and an Undead Strength. The weenie dominate deck
and Millicent Smith bought me some breathing room, and I eventually overran all
of the decks except the Nos Anti who had been taken out by the dominate deck.
The third round I was preying on Eze and friends, who was preying on Osebo
baby-makers, who was preying on Lucian/Gilbert Duane Judgement Camarilla
Segregation stealth bleed. Eze and crew took every opportunity to knock
the Imbued into the incapacitated region, and the Malkavians followed up
on every opportunity to pillowface. I did manage to squeak past Eze and
oust him, but the Osebo played sufficiently backwards to give Lucian and
pals the game win and 3 vps.
Crypt [12 vampires] Capacity min: 3 max: 5 average: 4.34
------------------------------------------------------------
3x Travis "Traveler72" Miller 5 mar def Imbued:4
2x Jennie "Cassie247" Orne 5 inn jud vis Imbued:4
2x Jack "Hannibal137" Harmon 4 def jud Imbued:4
2x Paul "Sixofswords29" Moreton 4 def vis Imbued:4
1x Lupe "Cabbie22" Droin 4 def ven Imbued:4
1x Xian "DziDzat155" Quan 4 def inn Imbued:4
1x François "Warden" Loehr 3 def jud Imbued:4
Library [90 cards]
------------------------------------------------------------
Action [1]
1x Aranthebes, The Immortal
Action Modifier [4]
4x Change of Target
Ally [3]
1x Carlton Van Wyk (Hunter)
1x Gregory Winter
1x Vagabond Mystic
Conviction [23]
7x React with Conviction
8x Second Sight
8x Strike with Conviction
Equipment [10]
1x Crusader Sword, The
1x Heart of Nizchetus
1x Ivory Bow
2x Laptop Computer
3x Leather Jacket
1x Orb of Ulain
1x Sport Bike
Event [7]
2x Edge Explosion
1x NRA PAC
1x Restricted Vitae
1x Thirst
2x Unmasking, The
Master [14]
5x Angel of Berlin
2x Church of Vindicated Faith, The
1x Fortschritt Library
1x Millicent Smith, Puritan Vampire Hunter
1x Society of Leopold
1x Vigil: The Thin Line
3x Wash
Power [13]
4x Champion
2x Discern
2x Rejuvenate
5x Vigilance
Reaction [12]
4x Determine
4x On the Qui Vive
4x Poison Pill
Retainer [3]
1x J. S. Simmons, Esq.
1x Mr. Winthrop
1x Tasha Morgan
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robyn's First Hunter Deck:
As it turns out, my best event of the weekend was while playing this deck.
I played the "powerless" deck because after practicing for several hours
with Darby the night before, I was much too overwhelmed with the hundred
moving parts to go in with my original "Donate" deck. Besides, I was on
a mission to show everyone how not offensive and vulnerable hunters really
are.
I still feel like good players can make them unstoppable, but good players
can make any deck they play "seem" that way.
"Hey, it's just me; your old friend Robyn... and some Hunters.....relax...."
When I influenced the first one in the first game I was expecting some big
table hate but I was fortunate enough to have breeder decks as predator and
prey, so attention was deflected off of my hunter deck somewhat. Ben Peal,
my prey in the first round, seemed terribly depressed for the first half hour
of the game, but he gave me no flak at all. Turns out his deck didn't have
much to offer anyone, it was going to be a race to see if he could get his
prey before I got him.
I told everyone who would listen that I was paying homage to our dear friend
and Hunter master, John Newquist, who could not be in LA with us and to show
folks that the Hunters were not the big-bads they're thought to be. I also
got lots of complements on the shirt that was sporting a cute pic of my cat.
The person who I was most afraid of was Paul Johnson, he and I have teamed up
to oust hunters before so I was expecting some campaigning along these lines.
Sure enough he sat as my first Predator. He commented later that without the
events hammering his game he really enjoyed watching their mechanics and said
I made them look like fun.
My grand predator Nat, killed Paul, I came within two pool of killing Ben,
Ben got his prey and just as he was ramping up for another lunge time was
called. Everyone was shocked. We were all having a good time and it didn't
seem possible that two hours had passed.
As for the deck, I never saw ANY of the events in the first two games. I never
had to worry about Jennie Orne as at every practice round before and during all
three games I never got the opportunity to influence her. I got the Church of
Vindicated faith 5 turns before the end of the first game and forgot it 3 times.
LOL.
THe next round had me sitting as Darby's prey. Oh, Great.
I took it as an opportunity to take the mentor down and headed on down that road.
We each had guns, which made the going slow. Darby put out all the events I still
wasn't seeing. By the end of the game he was leaving me with a glimmer of hope he
might royally screw something up and let me oust him. I contested the Vagabond
Mystic, Ivory Bow and Carlton Van Wyck and was really looking forward to one more
turn. I don't remember if he was able to oust his prey or not, but the round
timed out shortly after that turn.
The third round had me preying on my husband with yet another Hunter deck. I had
Specialization in my opening hand which was just fantastic. The deck was performing
like an orchestra. Mike Nilsen sat as as David's prey and wasted no time back
bleeding David right out of the game. Although controversial, it was the best
he could do because if he went forward, Robert, playing the Celerity gun deck,
would just have rushed backwards on him. Robert attempted to play a Haven
Uncovered on his first master phase only to discover that Hunters don't have
Havens, so he put it on himself.
Mike got Robert but not before Robert used 6 Infernal Pursuits to exhaust his
deck. David was kind enough to ask me if I was going to play my Edge Explosion
before he died. He could've played it, but said he didn't want to reward Mike
by making my game impossible.
I was able to equip the Champion which served to stop two big bleeds and send
the bleed-y offenders to torpor with the Crusader Sword so I ended up with the
game win.
I was surprised how smoothly I was able to play, how fast my turns went, with tips
from Darby and John, and just how much fun I had with the deck.
.............and hey, I sat in rounds that timed out and it was NOT my fault, for once!
POWERLESS: After David Tatu After Witness1
2 Travis Miller
2 Jack Harmon
1 Maman Boumba
1 Marion Perks
1 Jennifer Vidisania
1 John O'Malley
2 Jennie Orne
1 Leaf Pankowski
1 Erick Franco
1 Bums Rush
1 Aranthebes
3 Direct Intervention
4 Angel of Berlin
1 Specialization
1 Archon Investigation
1 Church of Vindicated Faith
1 Filchwares Pawn Shop
1 The Rose Foundation
8 Wooden Stake
11 Flash Grenade
20 Concealed Weapon
1 Crusader Sword
1 .44 Magnum
1 Ivory Bow
1 Champion
1 Vigilance
1 Discern
1 Torpid Blood
1 The Unmasking
1 Thirst
2 Edge Explosion
1 Carlton Van Wyck
1 Gregory Winter
1 Mylan Horseed
1 Vagabond Mystic
9 Strike With Conviction
7 Second Sight
6 React with Conviction
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laurie Goulding spoke thusly:
I was there, I was that soldier... flying the meatbag flag, etc.
I too played Imbued, but I think my cockiness led to rather more table-hate
than my deck actually deserved. Deals which allowed my non-qualified first
round prey to get some VPs to qualify were perhaps a little inappropriate,
in hindsight.
==========
"What's an Equip Action?"
by Laurie Goulding
CRYPT -
Francois "Warden" Loehr x 1
Jack "Hannibal137" Harmon x 4
Jennifer "Flame61" Vidisania x 1
John "Cop90" O'Malley x 1
Travis "Traveller71" Miller x 3
Xian "DziDzat155" Quan x 2
LIBRARY -
Angel of Berlin x 7
Dreams of the Sphinx x 2
Memories of Mortality x 5
The Church of Vindicated Faith x 2
Vigil: The Thin Line
Blood Cult Awareness Network
Edge Explosion
The Unmasking x 2
Second Sight x 7
Strike With Conviction x 7
Tasha Morgan
Gregory Winter
Moise Kasavubu
Vagabond Mystic
Flash Grenade x 7
Laptop Computer x 2
The Crusader Sword
The Ivory Bow
Champion x 2
Rejuvenate x 2
Vigilance x 5
Suppressing Fire x 8
Backstep x 4
Concealed Weapon x 3
Pulled Fangs x 5
Weighted Walking Stick x 3
Zip Gun x 8
==========
Regular opponents will notice similarities to my Ghoul Retainer deck,
but after playing that earlier in the week, I realised it sucked in real games.
_________________
One fine day in the middle of the night,
Two dead men got up to fight...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was two Saturdays before the NAC and we were having our standard V:TES Atlanta
play session. We were all sad that John (Witness1) would not be able to attend the
NAC with us. We all feel that he is one of the strongest and most innovative Imbued
players in the world. It is our feeling that the new set will put a dent in the
number of Hunters seeing play in the tournament scene so we felt that this was
a “last chance” to play with them in a major event. John came up with the great
suggestion: people other then him can also play the imbued! After thinking about
this for a while, Robyn, Jeff and I all decided this was a great idea. So we all
planned to meet next Saturday to try out our imbued decks prior to flying out to LA.
I had already won a tournament with my version of John’s Powerless deck (Lafayette
Qualifier) so I had a deck ready but I wanted to try something else. I remembered a
while back that John had an idea for a Talbot’s Chainsaw mutli-rush deck. I did a
little Googling and then developed this deck:
Talbot’s Hunters
David Tatu after Witness1
Crypt (12):
4x Jennie Orne Visionary INN JUD VSN Leave incap for 2 conviction
1x John O'Malley Avenger JUD VEN built-in rush
2x Francois Loehr Judge DEF JUD (D) actions cost extra
1x Erick Franco Judge INN JUD gains conviction on rush
2x Jack Harmon Defender DEF JUD optional maneuver
1x Marion Perks Redeemer JUD RED optional press
1x Travis Miller Martyr DEF MAR Travis action
Library (90)
Master (14)
6x Angel of Berlin
1x Memories of Mortality
1x Fame
1x Church of Vindicated Faith
1x Specialization
1x Unity
2x Direct Intervention
1x Tension in the Ranks
1x The Barrens
Event (7)
1x The Unmasking
1x Torpid Blood
2x Edge Explosion
2x NRA PAC
1x Dragonbound
Equipment (14)
2x Flak Jacket
3x Talbot’s Chainsaw
1x Ivory Bow
2x Heart of Nizchetus
1x Orb of Ulain
2x Laptop Computer
1x Crusader Sword
1x Sport Bike
1x Leather Jacket
Powers (12)
6x Vigilance
1x Hide
2x Champion
2x Rejuvenate
1x Inspire
Ally (2)
2x Vagabond Mystic
Combat (9)
3x Boxed In
3x Fake Out
3x Glancing Blow
Reaction (5)
3x Determine
2x Poison Pill
Action Modifier (2)
2x Change of Target
Conviction (25)
9x Second Sight
7x React With Conviction
9x Strike With Conviction
I never got a chance to play the deck prior to the LCQ. I don’t know if that really
hurt me. It was the seating and “Imbued Rage” that caused me the most problems.
There were 4 official members of Hunter Net at the event (Jeff, Robyn, Darby and I)
and one rogue player (Laurie Goulding) out of a total of 41 players at the LCQ.
In round 1 I was seated at a 4 top. That works well for a rush deck but seated behind
me was Darby. His Hunter deck was of course a Darby dance of the bleeding sort. He got
all the pool gain cards (Travis, Church) and neither of us got Jennie. I felt that my
deck would still work without Jenny but it would be a slow downward spiral if I had to
burn 3 convictions to get out of the Hospital each turn. So I held off until turn 7
before asking an Angel to bring me my saw. I figured I could go 5 turns before I ran
out of convictions and ended up with everyone in the hospital. I was about right. I
got my Lasombra prey (only lost one guy to an entombment) by putting all his vamps in
torpor and bleed him out along with the help of a Fame. The round timed out at turn
12 with me getting the only VP. So on to the 2nd round, hopefully without any other
mortals at the table.
Round 2 had Mike Courtois (Big Tzimisce), Preston Poulter (Eze), Me, Ben Peal (Lasombra
Breed and Boon) and Josh Duffin (something with votes). I got out Francois first. On
turn two Preston played Smiling Jack. I bleed for 2 and got out another minion. When
everyone had a minion out, I asked if anyone intended to take out Jack or where they
all happy to see me go. The general consensus was to get me off the table and then play
a “normal” game. Josh Duffin even KRC’ed me for three to speed things along. So I raced
for a VP. I got Ben to 2 or 3 pool and Jack was at 6 when Josh called an Ancient
influence to kill me off on Turn 9. Mike went on to get 2 VP so I guess his play was
justified. Josh got zero VP’s. ‘nuff said ;)
So onto round 3. Once more a 4 top and once more a hunter behind me. This time it was
Robyn playing the Powerless deck. In front I had Mike Nilson (classic !Malk SB) and
the 4th was my arch-nemesis, Robert Goudie (Weenie gun swarm/haven with Black Cat).
Robyn and I did a crypt check and all was well with that. We both got someone out.
Mike got out Midget. Mike announced that if he went forward, Robert would back rush
him and Mike does not like an Imbued predator so he felt his best chance was to back
oust me. I pointed out that if he did that he would still have an Imbued behind him
and would still have to oust Robert at some point. He was not swayed by my crazy table
talk. Robert played a Haven on his own vamp because he could not play it on Robyn and
he was pretty happy with Mike going backward around the table. Mike bleed me almost
out but then realized that Robert has taken himself down to 11 pool. Mike needed to
top deck one card to oust Robert so he went for it. He ousted Robert and then finished
me off next turn. He lost to Robyn in the end game but he did improve his position by
going backward so I cannot fault his play.
So in the end I did not do so well representing the Hunters. I only got the chainsaw
out in one game. I have tweaked up the deck and will give it another run someday.
It should be a lot of fun and pretty effective.
David “000Club” Tatu
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Darby Keeney played the same Waltzing Matilda Deck already posted from winning in LA,
but with a Crusader's Sword added in.
Round 1. Tough 4 player game where I have the pleasure of sitting next to David Tatu
and his Talbot's Chainsaw Imbued Deck. Behind me are Fletcher's Nos Voters running a
fair amount of 2nd Tradition, so I know I'll be incapacitated or pillowfaced more than
I like. I get started decently, Inez then Travis. Inez gets caught and killed, but
Travis continues to make headway. When Jack gets almost get power I can put on him
and the Ivory Bow, I feel a bit more comfortable about my defense. I get David to
1 pool, having contested the Ivory Bow, a minion and the Church with him. But he puts
up a crazy defense (Vigilence, Angel and Que Vive), losing minions but staying alive
to kill his prey. Unfortunate, but the beginning of a trend...........
Round 2. Now it's Robyn Tatu behind me with Imbued. I draw the Church in my opening
hand, but so does she - and she gets an imbued out first so I don't get it - though I
hold it for a long time to contest later. My prey, Chris Shorb, is Walk of Caine bleeding
and gets one VP before I can get him under control. I block/Determine a couple of things
and I'm knocking down Hermanas when I can, but I can't be too aggressive or Robyn will
kill me. I set up the Dance, and start bleeding Chris for 8-10 a turn when Robyn contests
a vampire (thankfully, one without all the equipment) and lunges. I fend her off,
countercontest 2 more things and kill Chris, who has put the hurt on Brian Moritz.
I feel like I'll get Brian, as Robyn has to give up all her contests and I'm rolling
well, but time runs out before I can really get after Brian. The trend continues.......
Round 3. I see Robyn sitting next to David at another table......ouch. Frankly, I
don't remember much about this round - other than it was unmemorable.....
I saw several instances of Imbued preying on Imbued over the week. In every case I saw,
the left-sitting Imbued "got away" and took at least 1 VP. It seems Imbued are as immune
to other Imbued as much as vampires....and in these no-advantage situations, the prey
usually comes out on top.
Deck Name: Waltzing Matilda
Created by: Darby Keeney
Description: "Imbued Get Vigilance" deck with card cycling bolt-on.
The deck should load up powers and convictions quickly, running 4-5
minions when it peaks.
Payload: Every minion equips the Leather Jacket/Ivory Bow/Laptop
Computer package, untaps with Vigilance and bleeds for 3 with Strike
with Conviction/Second Sight (1 stealth). The Leather Jacket movement
untaps each minion at the end of the turn and Edge Explosion keeps the
Imbued happy with convictions for the following turn when you repeat
the bleeding.
Crypt [12 vampires, average capacity: 4.34]
3x Travis "Traveler72" Miller mar def 5 Imbued:4
2x Inez "Nurse216" Villagrande inn 3 Imbued:4
2x Jennie "Cassie247" Orne inn jud vis 5 Imbued:4
2x Jack "Hannibal137" Harmon def jud 4 Imbued:4
1x Xian "DziDzat155" Quan def inn 4 Imbued:4
1x François "Warden" Loehr def jud 3 Imbued:4
1x Earl "Shaka74" Deams jud mar vis 6 Imbued:4
Library [67 cards]
The library has been minimized to get at single-copy cards faster.
With a power-based deck, you want cards in play and convictions in the
ash heap - unutilized library resources are not helpful.
Master [15] (Master-heavy, but the library cycles well
enough to avoid jamming in most situations)
4x Angel of Berlin (Equip Ivory Bow, Laptop and maybe Sport Bike)
1x Barrens, The (discard convictions drawn during Minion Phase)
1x Church of Vindicated Faith, The
1x Direct Intervention
2x Dreams of the Sphinx (cycle convictions, increase hand size for
powering turns)
1x Fortschritt Library
3x Memories of Mortality
1x Parthenon, The
1x Sudden Reversal
Action [3]
3x Scrounging (Mystic or Vigilanced Imbued plays to discard
convictions drawn during Minion Phase)
Ally [2]
1x Carlton Van Wyk (Hunter)
1x Vagabond Mystic
Conviction [19]
5x React with Conviction
7x Second Sight
7x Strike with Conviction
Equipment [7]
2x .44 Magnum (not generally useful, but the minute I remove
them I'll wish I had them)
1x Crusader's Sword
1x Ivory Bow (Angel it onto Jack if possible)
1x Laptop Computer (to be used by every Imbued while bleeding)
2x Leather Jacket (to be used by every minion to set up bleeding)
1x Sport Bike
Event [5]
2x Edge Explosion (key card to keep the bleed cycle running)
1x Restricted Vitae
1x Thirst
1x Unmasking, The (this could be 2, but I really don't care which
gateway I get that much)
Power [13]
2x Champion
2x Discern (decreased from 3-4, as I really only block with 1-2 Imbued anyway)
1x Inspire (retrieved by Inez. don't forget the 2nd function, moving convictions can be key)
2x Rejuvenate (not that useful, but I know I'll miss them the minute I removed them)
1x Surge (placed on Xian if available, Jack as second choice)
5x Vigilance (every minion should get one - this is the Edge Explosion
power. Could be increased to 6)
Reaction [2]
2x Determine
|
