Another four players, and another two games. This is almost a habit!

Game 1
Geoff Gangrel Rush> Sam AUS DOM THA bleed> Steve Nos Rush> Paul Baali Big Boys

This table was a scary place to be, sat between two rush decks! Fortunately I managed to get a couple of Dreams of the Sphinx and Heart of Nizchetus on the go. This got me the first oust as I found all my Mirror Walks. Paul had also suffered heavily from the rush, with most of his minions dropping into torpor, so I could push through him. However Geoff had the advantage as it came down to two players, as my minions could not cope with Carrion Crows and were also pushed into torpor.

Draw
Geoff 2vps, Sam 2vps, Paul 0vps, Steve 0vps.

Game 2
Geoff DEM Bleed> Sam !Tor Toolbox> Paul Baali Big Boys> Steve Nos Rush

A little table change can make a big game change, as this time Paul handed out the heavy bleed beatings to Steve before he could get rushed. This meant Steve was always on the back foot. I pushed forward, getting close to ousting but Paul took Steve the turn after and so gained a pool buffer. Geoff got set up with Madness Network bleeding in Pauls turn to gain the Edge and thus even more pool gain with the Kindred Spirits. I finally took Paul, but it was not enough to stop Geoff who got the win.

Win
Geoff 2vps GW, Paul 1vp, Sam 1vp, Steve 0vps.

Current Standings

Geoff 3 GWs 2 Draws 14.0 vps 8 Total Games 0.38
Sam 2 GWs 1 Draws 9.0 vps 10 Total Games 0.20
Stevan 1 GWs 1 Draws 7.5 vps 5 Total Games 0.20
Graham 1 GWs 0 Draws 4.0 vps 6 Total Games 0.17
Steve 1 GWs 0 Draws 2.5 vps 4 Total Games 0.25
Paul 0 GWs 0 Draws 2.5 vps 8 Total Games 0.00

Total: 10 Games (8 GW, 2 Draws 80%)

Geoff tightens his grip on the top of the table, while the rest of us remain where we were. Will have to see if that can change next week.

Sam

Whats this? Five players, two games, its almost like the old days…

Game 1
Geoff Malk Bleed> Sam Jack Dawson Rush> Paul Tyler Baltimore Purge> Stevan 4/5 Ravnos Bleed> Steve !Toreador Toolbox Bleed

A slow start from Geoff which let me off the hook, however when I set up Jack I seemed to be lacking untaps. Paul built up with some bloating DOM, while Stevan pressed forward. Steve also pressed forward helped by weenies and Palla Grande. Geoff started to work back with Kindred Spirits, while I also helped batter Steve. Paul still built up, getting all the components ready. Stevan nibbled forward causing trouble with Crows and Bats. Paul finally got set up and unleashed the first Baltimore Purge, Tyler ate three vamps and Graverobbed Jack leaving me powerless. Geoff was also weakened, and he was soon ousted. I followed soon after, yet somehow Stevan and Steve held on despite losing minions to further Purges until the timeout.

Win
Steve 2.5vps GW, Paul 0.5vps, Stevan 0.5vps, Geoff 0vps, Sam 0vps.

Game 2
Geoff !Tre Bleed> Sam !Nos Black Hand> Steve 4/5 Brujah> Paul Anarch Revolt Rush

A violent and brutal game, in which Steve was out POTed by Paul. Paul heavily backrushed leaving all of Steves minions in torpor where they would get occasional rescues from Geoff. Geoff meanwhile kept Paul under control, even rushing Beast with Uta and coming out on top. I started to build up the attritional cards but couldn’t really apply lots of pressure. The Anarch Revolts built up, but they hurt Paul as well as his Anarchs went down. Geoff surged forward and ousted me, with Steve and Paul following a couple of turns afterwards.

Win
Geoff 4vps GW, Paul 0vps, Sam 0vps, Steve 0vps.

Current standings
Geoff 2 GWs 1 Draws 10.0 vps 6 Total Games 0.33
Sam 2 GWs 0 Draws 6.0 vps 8 Total Games 0.25
Stevan 1 GWs 1 Draws 7.5 vps 5 Total Games 0.20
Graham 1 GWs 0 Draws 4.0 vps 6 Total Games 0.17
Steve 1 GWs 0 Draws 2.5 vps 2 Total Games 0.00
Paul 0 GWs 0 Draws 1.5 vps 6 Total Games 0.00
Total: 8 Games (7 GW, 1 Draws 88%)

Geoff takes the top spot with a solid number of victory points! Steve also moves up, leaving Paul in last place – surely something that will change soon.

Sam

Four players again, but all keen to get a game in.

Sam !Nos Black Hand > Paul Tzimisce Bleed/Beat > Graham DOM/THA bleed > Geoff Tor/!Tor Guns Bleed

A slow start from me not least because of the large number of reaction cards I drew, meant that the rest of the table got on with their game. Paul bought out the usual Tzimisce suspects, while Graham drew out the usual Tremere suspects – indeed both Geoff and myself commented that there would have been problems if we were playing our Tremere decks. Geoff started off with some bleeds against me, although he struggled to find or equip any guns. I had a few minor combats with my predator and prey, while Graham slammed into Geoff with some big DOM bleeds. This left Geoff reeling, Paul was unable to capitalise on Graham being open so Graham pressed forward and got the oust.
I started to work forward, while Graham rebuilt and Paul tried to oust Graham. Fortunately for me Paul over stretched and I got the oust, which was quickly followed by Graham. Who needs bounce?

Win
Sam 3vps GW, Graham 1vp, Geoff 0vps, Paul 0vps.

Current Standings

Sam 2 GWs 0 Draws 6.0 vps 6 Total Games 0.33

Stevan 1 GWs 1 Draws 7.0 vps 4 Total Games 0.25

Geoff 1 GWs 1 Draws 6.0 vps 4 Total Games 0.25

Graham 1 GWs 0 Draws 4.0 vps 6 Total Games 0.17
Paul 0 GWs 0 Draws 1.0 vps 4 Total Games 0.00

I manage to claim the top of the table, which is surprising especially as I am top of the SDL as well. I will have to suspend all Vtes for the rest of the year to keep that record!

Sam

Battle Lines : Bath
As reported by the players, as I wasn’t there.

Date of Event – 26th May 2010
Location of Event – Grahams House, Trowbridge.
# of players – 6
Winning Player – Paul Reid-Bowen
Winning Clan – Baali
Winning Faction – Bahari
Key Minion – Cybelle

GAME 1

Kieran Mexican Blood Sisters (Bahari) >> Graham Samedi Reanimated Brides (Loyalists) >> Paul Cybelle Great Beast (Bahari) >> Geoff Salubri Marionette (Loyalist) >> Laura Blue Kyasid (Loyalist) >> Stevan Baali Big Boys

This was a fairly slow start in some sections of the table with Saulot, Cybelle and Nergal appearing. By the midgame, though, there was quite a bit of damage being thrown around. Kieran went quite low on pool, Graham nearly did, but bloated back very effectively, Paul bloated even more effectively, Stevan took damage from blue-skinned bleeds but bloated back with Kaymalki Fragment, Tend the Flock and Villein (getting Huitzipochtli and Maureen ‘the invincible’ into play as well as Nergal). Geoff resisted some big bleeds. No one died. Geoff came close in the closing minute of the game, but had two Misdirections in hand to save him from Cybelle and the Beast.

0.5vp each

Summary: Lilith’s Blessing is superstrong with Baali decks and Villein, Guide and Mentor is much weaker and needs some careful thought about which archetypes to include.

Key play: Saulot stole the G.Beast, bled with Daring the Dawn and then diablerised him.

GAME 2

Kieran >> Geoff >> Paul >> Graham >> Stevan >> Laura

Stevan abused Geoff with five sisters before he had a minion out, and the then with six or so before he could take an action. Saulot and Mr Noir hit the table and were quickly ousted. 1vp to Kieran.

Contagion and Antediluivian Awakening hit the table and hastened everyone’s demise.

Graham nearly ousted Stevan.

Paul abused the table ousting Graham, Stevan, Laura and Kieran. 5 vp. Suffice it to say I had 30+ pool for most of the game and finished with nearly 50. Nasty.

I enjoyed the event, which I don’t think was a product of simply winning, and it could be a format worth playing again when Sam and Steve can join in. The removal of grouping and other limitations on Bloodlines makes for some interesting and powerful combinations. It was also good fun to put decks together for Geoff and Stevan on Wednesday afternoon, although Geoff perhaps had the less effective one (with more time I would have built the Gargoyle one he wanted, which I suspect could have dominated the table with its combat).

Great to see Kieran and Laura, throwing some diversity and life into the Bath metagame. You will have to hold a tournament soon Kieran ; )

Final Standings.
Paul Reid Bowen 1 GW 5.5vps
Kieran Carder 1.5vps
Geoff Chapman 0.5vps
Graham Smith 0.5vps
Stevan Collins 0.5vps
Laura X 0.5vps

Paul

Description: Turbo-Beast Variant, updated with Villeins, Veneficiti and Unleash Hell’s Fury.

Crypt [12 vampires] Capacity min: 10 max: 10 average: 10
————————————————————
12x Cybele 10 ANI DAI OBF PRE SER THA Baali:4

Library [90 cards]
————————————————————
Action [14]
7x Call the Great Beast
6x Magic of the Smith
1x Unleash Hell’s Fury
Action Modifier [38]
3x Cloak the Gathering
4x Elder Impersonation
3x Faceless Night
5x Freak Drive
7x Lost in Crowds
5x Spying Mission
11x Truth of a Thousand Lies
Action Modifier/Combat [3]
3x Swallowed by the Night
Ally [1]
1x Veneficti (Mage)
Equipment [3]
3x Soul Gem of Etrius
Event [1]
1x Anthelios, The Red Star
Master [26]
1x Antediluvian Awakening
2x Dreams of the Sphinx
7x Fortitude
1x Giant’s Blood
4x Golconda: Inner Peace
3x Pentex(TM) Subversion
8x Villein
Reaction [4]
4x Delaying Tactics

So the Bahari Baali take another tournament.

Sam

We managed four players this week, all primed to test Pauls potential tournament for the weekend.

Game 1

Paul Turbo Cybele > Sam Ahrimanes > Graham 4/5 Brujah > Stevan Assamite Loss

A quick and brutal game, mostly because of the huge bleeds flung around the table. Graham got some six point bleeds out, Paul some five, and Stevan some fours. I managed two… Cybele struggled to kick off mostly due to a lack of Great Beasts or Soul Gems, however the bloat mechanism worked well enough. I had to pull Howler from the crypt which slowed me, as I had to rely on Bear Paw for quite some time. Graham got the usual Brujah suspects and a New Carthage to really pile on the pressure – big bleeds and big vote lock. Stevan surged forward with Loss and Khabar: Glory however it was not enough to stop Graham. I fell soon after and then Graham finished off Paul, all done in 45 minutes!

Win

Graham 3vps GW, Paul 1vp, Sam 0vps, Stevan 0vps

Game 2

Stevan Assamite Loss > Graham Tzi Bleed > Paul Baltimore Purge > Sam 4/5 Ventrue Vote

A slower game as everyone took time to set up. Stevan applied steady pressure to Graham, who pushed on against Paul with Changeling bleeds. Paul bought up Marcus Vitel and Ignacio ready to Purge, while I got a selection of cheap Princes. However the cheap Princes were too small to really abuse the cards that came up – Reins of Power and Ancient Influence so I stalled. Stevan pushed forward, while Graham bought out Ossian who battered Ignacio. Paul Purged and rapidly rebuilt, while I tried to cycle cards. A big push from Graham was not enough and he fell to Stevan the turn after, Paul had also suffered and was also ousted. I tried to turn the game around, but tapped out just as Stevan found his big bleeds.

Win

Stevan 4vps GW, Graham 0vps, Paul 0vps, Sam 0vps.

Current Standings

Stevan 1 GWs 1 Draws 7.0 vps 4 Total Games 0.25

Geoff 1 GWs 1 Draws 6.0 vps 3 Total Games 0.33
Graham 1 GWs 0 Draws 3.0 vps 5 Total Games 0.20

Sam 1 GWs 0 Draws 3.0 vps 5 Total Games 0.20

Paul 0 GWs 0 Draws 1.0 vps 3 Total Games 0.00

Total: 5 Games (4 GW, 1 Draws 80%)

So Stevan surges to the top of the table, while Graham and myself tie for third place. Paul brings up the rear, although am sure that will change.
Hopefully Paul got some idea of what deck to play on Saturday, and hopefully he will get a good result up there.

Next week, I am not sure I am available. Paula has a work team curry night, so I will be on Wes watch. Will let you all know.

Sam

Well we didn’t see Stevan after all – lost on the way home? But we did get four players for another game of SDL. A quick draft of boosters, and we were off.

Steve Kiasyd/Lasombra > Paul Gargoyle/Tremere > Geoff Gangel > Sam Brujah

Steve rapidly powered forward with his DOM, however this time he had a foil in Paul. He had intercept, and also bounce which meant that a lot of the damage ended up on Geoff. Geoff struggled with the Gangrel, managing to torpor a couple of vampires but not really able to capitalise on that. I gave Geoff some pool with a couple of Finding the Path, as I controlled the only votes on the table.
Steve built up to a worrying level, having four minions out, but a couple of blocks from Paul and a rush or two from me put half in torpor and the rest struggling for blood. This gave Paul a little breathing space and he could attack Geoff who was left reeling from a Fame dunk. I pushed forward finding some of the bleed actions, getting the first oust. Paul then ousted Geoff, but over the course of the game the lack of pressure on me and the oust had left me on 20 pool to his 8, and I also had minion advantage so he conceded to me.

Win
Sam 3vps GW, Paul 1vp, Geoff 0vp, Steve 0vp

Current Standings

Sam 2 GWs 0 Draws 7.0 vps 5 Total Games 0.40

Graham 1 GWs 1 Draws 6.0 vps 5 Total Games 0.20

Paul 1 GWs 0 Draws 5.0 vps 5 Total Games 0.20

Steve 1 GWs 1 Draws 4.0 vps 4 Total Games 0.25

Geoff 0 GWs 1 Draws 1.5 vps 4 Total Games 0.00

Stevan 0 GWs 1 Draws 0.5 vps 4 Total Games 0.00

Total: 6 Games (5 GW, 1 Draws 83%)

I take the top spot with a second win – due mostly to fortuitous seating. Will have to see how that changes over the coming weeks. Steve is now away until July, so there will be one less DOM deck to worry about, although Graham should be back soon enough.

Next week we will be back to normal Vtes so Paul can get at least one practice game in before the ECQ in Burton. As I said we will be down a Steve, and possibly a Geoff as well – so hopefully four players.

The week after we will have to see what to play.

Sam

This week we managed five players, so after boosters were dished out, drafts done and cards shuffled we sat down to play.

Stevan !Tremere > Graham !Ventrue > Sam Brujah > Steve Kiasyd > Geoff Gangrel

The first thing to note on this table was the amount of DOM, apparently it works. Stevan started off carefully but had his minions battered into torpor with some Bone Spurs and Bang Nahk. This gave Graham some free rein, which I tried to counter with some back rushing – Jacques Molay trying his hand. However the FOR of Grahams minions caused much trouble, and left me struggling. This meant little pressure on Steve who dragged up four mid sized minions who slowly took Geoff down with stealth and bleed. Geoff had struggled with his deck and minions, but just couldn’t find what he needed when he needed it. By this time Stevan had rebuilt himself and was putting pressure on Graham. Graham moved forward and got the oust on me, with a combination of Fame, votes and bleed. Three DOM decks left, although Stevans deck features three skills rather than the focussed two of the others. Stevans lunges at Graham had left him open, and he also fell to Steves minions, setting Steve back up on twenty pool. Graham was left defending until the time out, with Steve getting the win.

Win
Steve 2.5vps, GW, Graham 1.5vps, Geoff 0vps, Sam 0vps, Stevan 0vps.

Current Standings

Current Standings

Graham 1 GWs 1 Draws 6.0 vps 5 Total Games 0.20

Steve 1 GWs 1 Draws 4.0 vps 3 Total Games 0.33

Paul 1 GWs 0 Draws 4.0 vps 4 Total Games 0.25

Sam 1 GWs 0 Draws 4.0 vps 4 Total Games 0.25

Geoff 0 GWs 1 Draws 1.5 vps 3 Total Games 0.00

Stevan 0 GWs 1 Draws 0.5 vps 4 Total Games 0.00

Total: 5 Games (4 GW, 1 Draws 80%)

So Steve powers up the table to second place, with Graham remaining on top having played the most games. Then Paul and myself in joint third, and Geoff and Stevan bringing up the rear.

Sam

Another four player game, with a 3rd Ed booster for Geoff and then a selection of boosters used for drafting – KMW, 3rd Ed, SoC & LotN.

Game 1
Paul Gargoyle/Tremere > Sam Brujah > Geoff Gangrel > Graham !Salubri/!Ventrue

This time the Brujah encountered a problem – aggravated damage, with both Geoff and Paul sticking it in. This put all of my minions in torpor at various stages, and lead to Jann Berger being eaten leaving me with little to act with. Paul also suffered, as Graham fell to the dark side having removed all the !Salubri stuff and filled his deck with as much DOM and FOR as he could. This meant he battered Paul, and set him up with Fame dunks – Merrill Molitor was eaten by me to remove the first Fame. Meanwhile Geoff suffered from stopping and starting, caused by loss of blood, hand jams and generally uncooperative decks. So Graham had little pressure – at least nothing he couldn’t hand with the DOM/FOR, and this allowed him to push through Paul, then myself. Geoff put up a little resistance towards the end, with Armys of Rats and Tier of Souls/Force of Will making an impact, but it was not enough and Graham got the sweep.

Win
Graham 4vps GW, Geoff 0vps, Paul 0vps, Sam 0vps.

Current Standings

Graham 1 GWs 1 Draws 4.5 vps 4 Total Games 0.00

Sam 1 GWs 0 Draws 4.0 vps 3 Total Games 0.50

Paul 1 GWs 0 Draws 4.0 vps 4 Total Games 0.33

Geoff 0 GWs 1 Draws 1.5 vps 2 Total Games 0.00

Steve 0 GWs 1 Draws 1.5 vps 2 Total Games 0.00

Stevan 0 GWs 1 Draws 0.5 vps 3 Total Games 0.00

Total: 4 Games (3 GW, 1 Draws 75%)

Graham takes the top spot, with 0.5vp margin so it is all still close.

Probably no game next week, as Geoff is unavailable and I am unlikely to be available either.

Steve could be back the week after – he said end of April, so should be back soonish.

Sam

Only four of us for this, so after a quick draft of 3rd Edition boosters we cracked on.

Stevan !Tremere > Paul Gargoyle/Tremere > Graham !Salubri/!Ventrue > Sam Brujah.

A brutal game to be sure, with minions regularly going to torpor. Graham bled into me, and had two bashed down. I went forward into Stevan and repeatedly beat Janine into torpor, however she Recured herself at least twice. Stevan also had a hunting ground which kept him healthy. Meanwhile Paul built up and tried a few little bleeds, mostly swapping to Cedric when blocked. However Graham kept him at arms length with his manoeuvres! Paul then played Smiling Jack, which had won him the previous game – this time Graham quickly removed it.
I then sent Crusher into the fray, armed with a Bundi and he cut a bloody swathe through Stevans minions with all of them ending in torpor. Crusher continued his assault into Paul, whos hand had been revealed by the !Salubri and their blocking attempts. This meant there was no Fortitude to worry about, and the beats could continue. I then bled Stevan out with Public Trusts and set about Paul with new recruit Tomaine. Paul struggled but the damage was done and he was ousted with Graham following soon after – his one remaining active minion not enough to save him.

Win
Sam 4vps GW, Graham 0vps, Paul 0vps, Stevan 0vps.

Current results

Sam 1 GWs 0 Draws 4.0 vps 2 Total Games 0.50

Paul 1 GWs 0 Draws 4.0 vps 3 Total Games 0.33

Geoff 0 GWs 1 Draws 1.5 vps 1 Total Games 0.00

Steve 0 GWs 1 Draws 1.5 vps 2 Total Games 0.00

Graham 0 GWs 1 Draws 0.5 vps 3 Total Games 0.00

Stevan 0 GWs 1 Draws 0.5 vps 3 Total Games 0.00

Total: 3 Games 2 GW, 1 Draws 66%

I take the top spot with the best win ratio, although am sure that will change soon enough. Hopefully we can get five players next week for more of the same – boosters to add!

Sam

We finally managed it everyone together, with starter decks, ready to play! Indeed, the way things worked out we had six players ready to go with Steve back from Iraq.

Game 1
Paul Tremere/Gargoyle > Stevan !Tremere > Graham !Salubri/!Ventrue > Geoff Gangrel > Sam Brujah

As expected it was a slow start, although Geoff got some early bleeds in with his weenie vamp. There was also a burst of big DOM bleeds that put Paul on the defensive and Graham reeling from a double bounce. I started hammering vamps, battering two of Steves and one of Geoffs into torpor. However Geoff had sharp claws, and one of mine was down as well. There were numerous trips to torpor for nearly everyone, which Stevan capitalised on with a quick Graverobbing from Steve. This set Stevan up for a big push on Graham, but as he got closer to the oust he lost more and more vampires. I struggled to defend against Geoff while making progress on Steve, and Geoffs extra numbers counted with him getting the first oust. Steve made a good recovery, getting past the Gargoyles and also getting an oust. The game then timed out, not unexpectedly given the decks and number of players.

Draw
Geoff 1.5vps, Steve 1.5vps, Graham 0.5vps, Stevan 0.5vps, Paul 0vps, Sam 0vps.

Game 2
Dropped down to four players for this, with reinforcements drafted from Jyhad boosters. From the quick report from Graham, Paul managed a sweep – the Gargoyles obviously kicking arse! Here is the full report from Paul.
Victory was mine thanks in large part to an early Antediliuvian Awakening (Steve wanted a quicker game), a good crypt draw, 8 and 4 cap Gargoyles and 5 and 4 cap Tremere followed by some good pool gain (Villeins) and a Smiling Jack from the Jyhad starters. I was rather battered by the time I wrapped around to Steven (with three minions in torpor on the last turn, due largely to Uta Kovacs rush), but the weight of the Jack finished him.

Win
Paul 4vps GW, Graham 0vps, Stevan 0vps, Steve 0vps

Current Standings.

Paul 1 GWs 0 Draws 4.0 vps 2 Total Games 0.50

Geoff 0 GWs 1 Draws 1.5 vps 1 Total Games 0.00

Steve 0 GWs 1 Draws 1.5 vps 2 Total Games 0.00

Graham 0 GWs 1 Draws 0.5 vps 2 Total Games 0.00

Stevan 0 GWs 1 Draws 0.5 vps 2 Total Games 0.00

Sam 0 GWs 0 Draws 0.0 vps 1 Total Games 0.00

Total: 2 Games (1 GW, 1 Draws 50%)

So Paul secures the top spot, while I am already stuck in last place… Perhaps I will have to keep a tally of victims beaten to torpor – might win that one!

Sam