OFFICIAL CAITIFF NEWSLETTER: OCTOBER 2001 _________________________________________ CONTENTS: 1. Caitiff Dreamin' 2. Talk of the Town: Bloodlines 3. Fiction 4. Create a Caitiff(tm) 5. Deck of the month: Crack Dealers of Cataan! 6. Creator's Notes 7. Finale 1. CAITIFF DREAMIN' It may be the middle of October, but I did manage to get out this month's Caitiff newsletter. The Editor (me) has had his plate full and been unable to squeeze any games of V:TES in for nearly a month *sigh*. Which leaves me with a slight quandary; The deck that I've put together for this month is untested (DOH!). While I don't guarantee that any of the Caitiff decks I create for the newsletter are tournament winners, I'd like to think that they are at least competitive/fun. One new section to be found is "Create a Caitiff"(tm). The new Camarilla base set is scheduled to be released for next summer, so maybe some of the wacky Caitiff featured may find it's way (in some form) into the set. Readers, if you feel like entering a nifty idea for "Create a Caitiff"(tm) please send me no more than (1) one submittal each month. There's only so much time in my day to read through this stuff. That being said, let's get on with the show! 2. TALK OF THE TOWN: BLOODLINES At the time of this writing White Wolf has started to release information on the upcoming Bloodlines expansion coming December 3rd. Catch the web preview at: http://www.white-wolf.com/VTES/Checklist_Bloodlines.html Currently we have information on the Nagaraja and Daughters of Cacophony, as well as new rules that cover "Scarce" vampires and "Split Discipline" cards. You can bet I'll be writing more about these developments next issue and how the new rules/terms will impact us. 3. FICTION Sorry, no fiction this month. I will write a story bit for the November newsletter. For those that have read a number of the Vampire novels, could you recommend any of the books which mention or highlight some Caitiff? Would rather not write anything which ends up contrary to exisiting work. 4. CREATE A CAITIFF(tm): As described in my opening, this will be a new monthly column highlighting the best & most balanced ideas submitted to me each month by the V:TES public. Remember, just because the Caitiff in print are all less than 4 capacity doesn't mean your submissions need be Caitiff weenies. Your submittal should be 1. Balanced for the existing metagame 2. Offer something exciting for the Caitiff deckbuilder 3. Support your viewpoint as to why it should see the light of day Without further adieu, let's shine the spotlight on: -------------------------- Fernando de la Hoz Caitiff (2) Capacity Fernando cannot play "strike" cards in combat. When Fernando first comes into play from the Uncontrolled Region, a Master:Skill Card from your library may be attached to Fernando. Shuffle your library afterwards. -------------------------- Commentary: What's he good for you ask? Even with the limitation of not being able to play Strike cards, Fernando is still pretty decent. When Fernando hit's the table you get an automatic "3" cap. weenie with a discipline you want for the total cost of 2 Pool. On Turn 2, drop another Skill Card in hand to have that skill at superior. Granted he won't be suited for all decks, and no Vampire in print should be ready-made for every deck type. Banishing Fernando to exploit his ability doesn't work as it only kicks in the 1st time he comes into play. Too good you think? The drawback of not being able to play strike cards can be pretty harsh. Not being able to dodge, Strike: Combat End, etc.. should help offset Fernando's opening utility some. - Conversely - You say he sucks in combat then? I don't think so.. If he were to learn POTENCE (for instance) this could happen; Torn Signpost, Immortal Grapple Hits for 2 hand at close Disarm, Pulled Fangs, Taste of Vitae to fill up.. All without a strike card All of which is feasible Want more? Take a look at using Fernando in a Thaumaturgy deck.. Bottom Line is that Fernando would be a versatile and somewhat useful fellow to have around. 5. DECK OF THE MONTH Deck: Crack Dealers of Cataan CRYPT: 1x Julius (1) qui ser 1x Uriah (1) pot for 1x Igo (1) pre pro 1x Antoinette (1) pre cel 1x Navar (1) ani 1x Franciscus (1) aus 1x Nik (1) cel 1x Smudge (1) --- 1x Hasina (1) pot 1x Magdelina (2) THA 2x Dan Murdock (3) aus obf LIBRARY: 90 Cards (16 Master; 12 Equipment; 62 Basic) MASTER: 16 4x Vast Wealth 8x Vampiric Disease 1x Powerbase: Montreal 2x Creepshow Casino 1x Anarch Troublemaker EQUIPMENT: 12 12x Vial of Garou Blood BASIC: 62 4x Ambush 10x Fake Out 8x Change of Target 8x Computer Hacking 16x Lucky Blow 8x Pulled Fangs 8x Taste of Vitae 6. CREATOR'S NOTES The Crack Dealers theme comes about as the Caitiff need to rely on Drugs and Disease in order to deliver the smackdown on the elders. Coupled with light Computer Hacking (no standing on street corners for these wayward bloodsuckers), does anyone really want to mess with their illicit drug trade? In Theory (Best Result in Combat): Burn Vial of Garou Blood (for +1 Strength and Additional Strike) Lucky Blow (3 hand) + Lucky Blow (3 hand) Pull Fangs (1 dam) as punishment for narc'ing Taste of Vitae (To keep some blood on your 1-Caps) Change of Target is intercept bait, buying you some time and keeping the boys n gals alive. Vampiric Disease slows down the table speed some (in theory). If the Caitiff gain "disease counters", they'll shake it off much quicker than the big boys. Hey, when you're this close to bottom there's not much to lose :-) Downside is that you are VERY forward focused. If your predator isn't receiving any pressure elsewhere, your forward momentum may collapse. To beef up the Crack Dealers a bit, I'd probably add Idalia (untaps after equipping) and a few other Auspex types to shore up the defense with My Enemies Enemy / Telepathic Counters. My apologies for not getting a chance to play the deck at least once prior to posting as I'm positive it needs some serious tweaking. Point of interest: This is the first 100% Caitiff crypt posted in the newsletters existence. 7. FINALE Remember that any submissions for Create a Caitiff(tm) need to be sent to my AOL account (BernieTime@aol.com). Next Month's featured player deck is "Winter of My Betrayal" created by Noal McDonald, which sets out to prove that when Uriah Winter comes calling it's best not to answer the door :-) That's it for this month, see ya in November! Ciao, Bernie Bresnahan (bernaise1@yahoo.com) Editor of most things Caitiff Prince of Lansing, MI