Introduction:
Early september and we're still trying to grasp what kind of
decks are possible with the new vampires - and with the new
library-cards as well.
I've had some great fun in Great britain playing at their
latest major event. Found out the hard way that the worst
problem with Assault Rifle is not the pool-cost but rather
that the table seems to become somewhat concerned about your
presence. It would seem that that weapon needs a strong
backup in your ability to actually pick a fight. I guess that
means more Ambush, Bums Rush, Harass and Nose of the Hound
in my future attempts at that idea.
In this newsletter I'll concentrate on gunfighting happily
pretending that the new rules and cards are already in effect.
First a toreador-combination though:
Annabelle Triabell Toreador 9 AUS, CEL, PRE, dom, for
Can give all Toreador +1 bleed for
the remainder of a turn as an action
that costs one blood. If succesful
she untaps. Primogen
Madame Guil Toreador 10 AUS, CEL, PRE, for, pot, cel
+1 bleed. Justicar
These ladies would very much like to be combined with Freak
Drive and Toreador Grand Ball. They'll call votes, play
Enchant Kindred at superior, diablerize, equip and generally
behave as a major pain unblockably. To top it all out Anabelles
special will be as unblockable when you've got enough small
support-vampires out and don't know what to do with them.
Skin of Steel and your optional gun will give them a fighting
chance. Pulse of the Canaille at superior is also an option
as you stand a good chance of getting all that blood back
with Voter Captivation or Taste of Vitae depending on if you
prefer to be political or gunfighting.
On gunslinging:
Let's assume that a gun is identical to a .44 Magnum.
Vampirelists below compiled from monger.vekn.org
Below are the vampires from group 2 and group 3 who combines
superior celerity with at least inferior fortitude.
1. Jimmy Dunn Pander 4
2. Brachah Brujah 5
3. Pug Jackson Brujah 6
4. Richter, The Templar of Du Mont Brujah-Antitribu 7
5. Zachary Gangrel-Antitribu 7
6. Fatima al-Faqadi Assamite 8
7. Hrothulf Ventrue 8
8. Annabelle Triabell Toreador 9
9. Maxwell Brujah 9
10. Tegyrius, Vizier Assamite 9
11. Tyler Brujah 9
12. Jaroslav Pascek Brujah 10
13. Madame Guil Toreador 10
14. Gwendolyn Brujah 11
15. Stanislava Gangrel 11
It looks like Skin of Steel wanting to be combined with additional
strikes. Concealed Weapon is of course the key here. With this
setup I'd prefer using Pursuit rather than Blur as I want to make
sure that I maneouver where I want to go.
The following display superior at both disciplines.
1. Hrothulf Ventrue 8
2. Maxwell Brujah 9
3. Tegyrius, Vizier Assamite 9
4. Gwendolyn Brujah 11
5. Stanislava Gangrel 11
This is a slightly riskier game, but gaining maneouvers with
Unflinching Persistence allows you to rely fully on Blur for
your additional strikes. If you feel really daring you could
add in some Flack Jackets or Leather Jackets and scrap the
ability to prevent all damage. Use these vampires with Ambush,
Bums Rush and Harass together with Freak Drive. This way you
can gun down a fellow Inner Circle in one turn without resorting
to the use of a wider diversity of combat-cards.
Don't forget that you're allowed to diablerize multiple targets
in one turn, something that might come in handy if you're having
votelock with one, or even both, of the gunslinging Inner Circles
on the table.
Both types of gun-decks should use Taste of Vitae as a strong
support-card. It will basically substitute Fifth Tradition in
older decks.
The combination of fortitude and celerity will surprisingly
often make your opposition think twice before playing Drawing
out the Beast as you'll strike for two points of damage each
strike anyway. A Depravity played on one of your gunners will
raise that to three.
It's likely that you'll want to include a gun or two more in your
decks than earlier as you're unlikely to be the only one noticing
the change done to Concealed Weapon. Assume that decks featuring
animalism will include at least one copy of Canine Horde each.
A gunslinger without celerity:
Deckname: Potent Gunslingers
Creator: Sten During
Crypt:
Ilse 2 BB 6 POT, SAN, pro, for
Jack 2 BB 6 san, for, pot, cel
Karl 3 BB 6 FOR, POT, san, pre
Mark 2 BB 6 SAN, pot, for, obf
Truman 3 BB 6 SAN, FOR, pot, dom
Library: 90
Masters 14
Blood Doll 6
Fortitude 3
Guardian Angel 2
KRCG News Radio
London Evening Star, Tabloid Newspaper
Tension in the Ranks
Actions 20
Sanguine Instruction 2
Unwholesome Bond 5
Ambush 4
Bums Rush 4
Harass 4
Rampage
Action modifiers 11
Freak Drive 7
Walk of Caine 4
Equipment 8
.44 Magnum 6
Sport Bike
IR Goggles
Retainers 1
Jackie Therman
Combat 36
Concealed Weapon 6
Octopod 8
Unflinching Persistence 10
Hidden Strength 4
Skin of Steel 3
Taste of Vitae 5
You will be bled, but initially it should be unlikely that
you're getting rushed - at least that's what people expect
you to do, and you're not going to disappoint anyone.
Combat with the vampires that have superior fortitude and
support them with the ones who have superior sanguinus.
Unless desperately pressed to get superior fortitude on
one vampire try playing your Sanguine Instructions to get
superior sanguinus.
If you prefer the edge gained from surprise, just substitute
one Hidden Strength and the Rampage for two copies of Disarm.
It's probably enough to discard one copy of it to ensure that
noone will want to try close combat with you.
Sten During