Official Newsletter
Introduction | Fiction | Strategy and Decks | Contact Info
July 1, 1998
Introduction
What was I thinking? Haven't I already got enough to do? Well, yes. But I wanted
to make a newsletter that would be a catch-all for all of the wacky decks out
there -- especially my own. In particular I love playing weenie decks. I love
wacking an Inner Circle member to ashes with Smudge or taking Arika down while I
sacrifice my lowly Guiliano. I like rooting for the underdog. So, here's for all
you neonates, outcasts, and anarchs.
Fiction - The Third Tradition (part one)
I can still see the agony on my sire's face as she struggled to escape the burning
building. Sarah managed to reach the window just in time for us to catch a glimpse
when the curtain of fire finally overcame her. The Ventrue Prince's figure was
briefly visible in the halo created by the nearby flames. He calmly faced the
burning building as most people would face a dazzling sunset. That night was my
introduction to the Camarilla.
I was removed from the building by Emerson's goons before they started the fire.
Strangely, I never saw them until after they had a hold on my limbs. I smelled
smoke just as I was thrown to Emerson's feet outside. Emerson spoke to three
hulking men who responded with shouts of disapproval of the one who would defy his
authority. I assume they were referring to Sarah. What had she done? I guess I
didn't care. I hated these men and wanted to make them regret what they'd done.
I sprung to my feet and attempted to run away but I didn't get far before a hand
around my neck lifted me a couple of feet off the ground. Its grip tightened and
demanded, "Show a little respect for your Prince." My body complied with some
unseen force that commanded it to kneel down before Emerson. Slowly he lowered
his head to my ear and whispered, "You shall be like my own childe. Tonight you
have become mine."
Strategy and Decks
Well its not a Caitiff deck but it is a deck consisting of the newly embraced.
This is my Weenie Dominate Bleed deck. Arguably the most dominant tournament deck
to ever be played in Los Angeles. It is a deck that is often called "cheesy" as
well as any number of four-letter words. I assume that is because they think the
deck is easy to make or play. In fact, a veteran player will appreciate the
intricacies of the deck and will understand the fragile balancing of resources that
is required to win with such a deck. Also, if it were such an obvious deck design
I wouldn't have received so many negative critiques that said I should have this
card or that card.
The deck's beauty is in its purity. Its balance gives you the right cards at the
right time. The real key to success though, is in playing the deck. A keen sense
of timing is needed as well as a good ability to read and understand the positions
of your opponents. How low do you go on pool to pay for another Misdirection?
When should I play a bleed modifier before block attempts are made? When should I
bleed without a Misdirection? When is it worth it to self-contest one of my
vampires in torpor? When should I bleed my predator? When to hunt? This same deck
in the hands of a new player will not be nearly as powerful. Enjoy the deck -- just
don't play it against me at any tournaments.
Card List
Crypt
Royce x 2 Cap 2 dom
Mustafa Rahman x 2 Cap 2 dom
Ohanna x 2 Cap 2 dom
Samson x 2 Cap 2 dom
Christine Boscacci x 2 Cap 2 dom, vic
Brooke Cap 3 dom, tha
Jing Wei Cap 3 dom, tha
Cameron Cap 3 dom, pot
Masters
Misdirection x 12
Dominate x 6
Archon Investigation x 2
Deal with the Devil
Information Highway
The Barrens
Elder Library
Minion
Govern the Unaligned x 12
Computer Hacking x 4
Scouting Mission x 2
Conditioning x 14
Threats x 7
Sleeping Mind x 2
Bonding x 3
Foreshadowing Destruction x 3
Deflection x 9
Redirection x 2
Dragon's Breath Rounds
Wake with Eve.'s Freshness x 7
Yes, I know its a lot of Masters. Anytime I use over 18 masters in a deck (that
doesn't have Anson or The Parthenon) I make sure to add The Barrens and Elder
Library. Having the extra hand size from Elder Library allows me to not worry if
I have more than 1 Master Card in my hand. The Barrens allows me to cycle any
Master hand jams I come across as well as gives me the ability to make sure I have
the right number and kind of actions and modifiers. I cycle through the bleed cards
pretty quickly so I am usually able to get all three locations into play.
This is just the current incarnation. For a while I had tons of Zip Guns and
Dragon's Breath Rounds in the deck. The last time I ran this in a tournament I
used a single Dragon's Breath Round. It payed off a couple of times as other
players paused for a turn or two until they had the means to deal with a Zip Gun
and Dragon's Breath combo. Those pauses are invaluable since you are oftentimes
only a card or two away from taking out a prey. Lastly, I'll explain that the
Deflections are important because you tend to get ganged up on with (D) bleeds from
all over the place. The angrier the other players get, the more assistance they end
up offering as you send their bleeds to your prey. If your hand starts to jam-up
with Wakes and deflections, make sure to gloat and goad the other players into
bleeding you.
Contact Info
Feel free to email me if you would like to submit fiction, or wacky weenie deck
designs or strategy.
-Robert (rrgoudie@earthlink.net)