The Vampire: the Eternal Struggle Storyline Series will return this summer.

An outlaw gang of anarchs, led by notorious Count Germaine, has been travelling from city to city. At each stop along the way, they have flaunted the local authorities, violated the masquerade, and drawn more recruits to their cause.

Following the gang are rumors – rumors that Germaine and his followers are chasing something, preparing for the Final Nights. The Camarilla are determined to stop the gang and silence the rumors. Rich rewards have been offered to those who can bring the gang down. Starting in August, Anarchs and Alastors clash in this limited format Storyline League.

The story continues in October at a special Storyline Event at the 2008 North American Championships.

The Noddist scholars of Montreal are the keepers of many relics and many secrets. None are guarded more closely than the Kaymakli Fragment.
Some say its ancient text foretells the end of the Kindred.
Some say it holds the key to their survival.
Some seek to control it.
Some seek to keep it hidden.
Some seek to destroy it.
The fate of the Fragment, and the city itself, will be determined when Kindred travel to Montreal and find themselves in the city of Black Miracles and Lies.

Then, next winter…

Faced with increasing threats from an anarch revolt, the deadly Sabbat, and their own internal strife, the Camarilla’s Inner Circle have agreed to appoint a military commander. The new commander will have the mandate to enforce the traditions and maintain discipline, and will be granted broad powers to fulfill this mission. Who among the clans will have the power to seize this exalted position? Who will have the strength to keep it?

In the corridors of power, maneuvering begins. Who will have the honor, the responsibility, and the power to lead the armies of the Camarilla?
Prepare for the Rise of the Imperator.

Back to Vtes after some unfortunate breaks, and back to Queens Club as well. This week we managed to get five players, so a full table.

Game 1

Nick Ian Anarch Forestal > Paul 911 Emergency > Graham Hughs Tremere > Sam Imbued > Stevan Assamite.

It was the first outings for a couple of decks here, with Pauls theme deck making an appearance and my trial of the Imbued also new. The game started slowly, especially for me as I got used to the new cards and had to contend with an early Carna and a selection of Walking Stick wielding Assamites. Stevan also struggled a little as he got all his weenies meaning he lacked superior QUI - which was fortunate for me when he Scorpion Touched my Imbued, as the card can only be removed by vampires… Nick managed to build up some big bleeds with Monkey Wrench, while Paul struggled, especially hindered by the Society of Leopald watching Nostoket as he was forced to hunt will Millicent Smith was prowling - Nostoket burned. Graham moved forward with some big bleeds, but I managed to get some pool gain going on, and stabilised a little, helped by putting Carna in torpor with Strike with Conviction and Target Vitals.
Various players made surges forward, but not could make an impact before the game timed out.

Draw
0.5vps all players.

Game 2

Nick Nos POT > Paul Anarch Assamites > Stevan FoS Bleed > Graham Imbued > Sam !Bru POT

This time the Imbued got a free reign, as there was little intercept to prevent them powering up. I ended up stuck between POT in front, and intercept behind, meaning I could do little with any success. Nick also struggled as he first feared my POT, and then worried about the Imbued. Paul put plenty of pressure forward, which hurt Stevan, especially as he couldn’t go forward very well given the Imbued having up to +3 intercept. I went out, have managed little, with Stevan following soon after. The game then stabilised for a bit while people built back up. Graham was put under pressure from the Assamite votes, and Beast rushing, also he had decked himself, but with careful use of Conviction he kept himself going. Nick unfortunately struggled under the relentless bleed of 2 at 1 stealth, and this combined with Flash Grenades soon put him out. Paul then tried to finish Graham, but with the permanent intercept to deal with he couldn’t make much progress and Graham got the oust with 13 seconds remaining on the clock.

Win
Graham 4vps GW, Paul 1vp, Nick 0vps, Sam 0vps, Stevan 0vps.

Hopefully Nick got back ok, as he missed the last train back and instead got a taxi back to Bath. Out of curiosity how much did that cost - I used get taxis back from Bath to Trowbridge quite often, and expect the price has risen since then.

Current Standings
Paul 11 GWs 4 Draws 41.5 vps 30 Total Games 0.36
Sam 6 GWs 3 Draws 29.0 vps 30 Total Games 0.20
Graham 5 GWs 3 Draws 27.5 vps 25 Total Games 0.20
Steve 2 GWs 2 Draws 11.0 vps 7 Total Games 0.29
Kieran 2 GWs 4 Draws 9.0 vps 9 Total Games 0.22
Stevan 1 GWs 3 Draws 8.5 vps 21 Total Games 0.05
Nick 1 GWs 1 Draws 7.5 vps 15 Total Games 0.07
Geoff 1 GWs 2 Draws 6.5 vps 18 Total Games 0.06
Andy 1 GWs 0 Draws 4.0 vps 5 Total Games 0.20
Richard 0 GWs 1 Draws 0.5 vps 1 Total Games 0.00

Total: 34 Games (29 GW, 5 Draws 15%)

Graham makes some progress, but little actual change to the table. The next meeting will be Wednesday 23rd, at Queens Club, Andy should be back from holiday so we should get five or six players. I guess we will continue with practice games for the build up to BloodBATH 2008 on August 9th.
Did anyone get a chance to look at JOL? We need two more players before I can set up a Bath only game, so first come first served!

Sam

Back to The Huntsman this week, and the return of some players. We managed to gather seven players, with a couple of last minute cancellations including the new guy - the trials of children. Anyway with seven players we didn’t play league games, but played as just friendly large games.

Game 1
Paul Assamite Anarch Vote > Sam CEL FOR Anarchs > Steve !Toreador Vote > Andy weenie POT > Kieran weenie Princes > Stevan FoS Bleed > Nick Ian ‘the Anarch’ Forestal.

The Anarchs have arrived with three out of seven decks using them, however it was the tried and tested !Toreador that took the lead rapidly gaining vote lock, and thus lots of pool gain. I tried to go forward, but didn’t generate the number of minions required to do much damage. Andy tried to go backwards, which was his only defence, but only managed one Bums Rush before being ousted. This meant that Kieran who had no natural titles struggled to negotiate with Steve, and he was reduced to bleeding Stevan. Stevan meanwhile had little pressure, and could move forward against Nick who tried to defend against the big bleeds but was overwhelmed. Paul started firing the Death Star Cannon, or Revolutionary Council as its also known, which quickly took me out, and started to knock pool from Steve, and more importantly destroy some equipment like Sniper Rifles. Kieran fell as Steves votes took their toll, with Stevan following soon after. Paul then tried to make a comeback, but with Steve having a huge pool buffer he just couldn’t make an impact and fell just as time was running out.

Win
Steve 5vps GW, Paul 1vp, Stevan 1vp, Andy 0vp, Kieran 0vp, Nick 0vp, Sam 0vp.

Game 2
Nick Ian ‘the Anarch’ Forestal > Andy Reckless Aabbt > Paul SER/THA meddler > Sam Ahrimanes > Steve weenie POT > Kieran Torrance Bruise/Bleed > Stevan FoS Bleed.

A quick change of seating and decks and we were off, with a stricter time limit due to Andys train. This time the table was a little more stable, although Steve was a little squashed by the combat decks on each side of him - with Animalism and Fortitude causing problems. Paul started spreading Vampiric Diseases around, but Howler spread it right back. Again Nick suffered from Stevans big bleeds, this time with occasional Enticement, which meant that Andy had little pressure. This gave him the room to get five Aabbts out, but they lacked the skill cards to make them five capacity and thus able to call Reckless Agitation. This meant that Paul kept losing pool, but not enough to oust him. Meanwhile I had built back up ready to finish Steve off, especially as I kept looting his ashheap with Erciyes Fragment. The Followers moved forward and got the oust, while the rest rest of us stayed in until time.

Draw
Stevan 1.5 vps, Andy 0.5vps, Kieran 0.5vps, Paul 0.5vps, Sam 0.5vps, Steve 0.5vps, Nick 0vps.

Next week we will be back at 18 QC Gardens, and probably back down to six or seven players. Steve will be heading back to Iraq, not to return until late August and Kieran is now waiting for either the next Huntsman meeting or BloodBATH 2008 which is only a month away.
Speaking of BloodBATH 2008, is everyone still available for this? Saturday 9th of August, from 11am - 7pm or so. Three rounds and a final of constructed tournament fun. I know that Richard, Nick and Steve are unavailable, with Paul possibly being busy moving/packing/unpacking depending on how well his move progresses. This means we are down to only 12 or so players at the moment, so start druming up support if you can.
Finally I talked about playing JOL as a Bath group, which is probably easier for those that can’t get regular games in. I would need to become an Admin, or at least friendly with someone there, then I could set up Bath only games. For those that haven’t tried it, JOL is a text based interface that saves the game state and can be played over any length of time - it can be played ‘live’ or it can be played over months. This means that you only need to log on once a day (weekdays) and only for five/ten minutes depending if you are involved in the current turn. If you think you can manage that, then let me know and I will see what I can do, at the moment I am thinking of Richard, Kieran, Steve and myself, but others are of course welcome.

Sam

Five of us last night, so standard games.

Game 1
Graham New Anarchs > Sam New Ventrue > Stevan Assamite Attack > Paul Tzimisce Combat > Andy Matata Beats

A whole lot of combat, with two dedicated combat decks and two bruise combat decks, and my Ventrue. However Lucinde quickly moved into a Secure Haven which kept her out of trouble for quite some time. Andy smashed forward into Graham, who could do little bar prevent with Diversion. It was not enough and he was soon ousted. Stevan also suffered, but under heavy bleeds and Parity Shift from the Ventrue. This then left the Ventrue between two combat decks, fortunately the Majesties and Fortitude prevent kept me going for long enough to put Paul down low enough for his own Dragonbound to oust him. However at this stage I was down to a Famous Victor Pelletier vs Matata, and it didn’t last long.

Win
Andy 3vps GW, Sam 2vps, Graham 0vps, Paul 0vps, Stevan 0vp

Game 2

Sam THA DOM bleed > Andy Weenie Corruption > Stevan FoS Bleed > Graham New Anarchs > Paul SER THA bleed/steal

A change of decks, and a change of style as everyone went in for some bleed action. I went forward with Govern the Unaligned, Andy went forward with Venenation and Revelation of Desire, Stevan went forward with Legal Manipulations, Graham with Monkey Wrench and Paul with Conditioning. Unfortunately for Andy he was at the end of a bounce chain, and one bleed from Stevan got bounced right round to him. That in combination with my bleeds soon put him out, Graham fell soon after which gave Stevan enough of a boost to prevent me taking him before Paul took me out. It was down to two players, but Stevan was down to one minion vs three and rapidly lost.

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

Current Standings

Paul 11 GWs 3 Draws 40.0 vps 28 Total Games 0.39
Sam 6 GWs 2 Draws 28.5 vps 28 Total Games 0.21
Graham 4 GWs 2 Draws 23.0 vps 23 Total Games 0.17
Steve 2 GWs 2 Draws 11.0 vps 7 Total Games 0.29
Kieran 2 GWs 4 Draws 9.0 vps 9 Total Games 0.22
Stevan 1 GWs 2 Draws 8.0 vps 19 Total Games 0.05
Nick 1 GWs 0 Draws 7.0 vps 13 Total Games 0.08
Geoff 1 GWs 2 Draws 6.5 vps 18 Total Games 0.06
Andy 1 GWs 0 Draws 4.0 vps 5 Total Games 0.20
Richard 0 GWs 1 Draws 0.5 vps 1 Total Games 0.00

Total: 32 Games (28 GW, 4 Draws 13%)

Paul keeps his lead at the top of the table, while Andy starts the long climb from the bottom of the table.

Next week I am busy celebrating Paulas birthday, and Graham is away in France on holiday. This means the usual Vtes locations are unavailable, perhaps someone can offer up their house as a location, or perhaps you can all organise to meet at The Huntsman? Either way I will see you all in two weeks on Wednesday 25th of June, when Steve should be back from Iraq.

Sam

Back to The Huntsman this week, and a full house of available players with eight sitting down for four games of four! Everyone was keen, with new decks and new cards all round.

Game 1
Paul Anarch Rush > Nick Nos POT > Sam Anneke Block > Graham New Anarchs.

A brutal game with much combat. Nick suffered the most as he drew the smaller Nosferatu, and thus they were more easily beaten down. Graham moved forward with Steely Tenacity and some QUI tricks, while I built up Anneke and friends with Concealed .44 Magnums. Pauls Anarch Revolts and Fame, which had been briefly contested with Graham put lots of pressure on Nick and he was ousted. However Graham took advantage and pushed through Paul whos minions had been quite battered by Nick. I then sat back with intercept and guns, mowing down Grahams minions and getting the last oust.

Win
Sam 2vps GW, Graham 1vp, Paul 1vp, Nick 0vps.

Game 2

Stevan FoS Bleed > Kieran Weenie Princes > Andy Aabbt Agitation > Geoff DOM THA Bleed

In contrast there was barely any combat on this table, nor much intercept. Indeed I think Geoff was perhaps the only player with much of either. This meant it was the perfect set up for Kieran who rapidly bought out weenie Camarilla who became Princes soon after. This also shut down Andys deck, which gains votes from pushing but couldn’t compete with Kieran, so he was left defending with two Aabbts. Geoff built up, and moved forward when he could but Stevan had some S:CEs to foil him. Stevan went forward, but Kieran had a trick up his sleeve with Diversity - gaining up to six pool with one vote card. This, combined with the sheer number of minions meant there was little the rest of the table could do and Kieran got the sweep

Win
Kieran 4vps GW, Andy 0vps, Geoff 0vps, Stevan 0vps.

Game 3
Kieran Torrance Circle Beatdown > Geoff DOM OBF PRE > Graham New Anarchs > Nick Nos POT

More big combat, this time Kieran and Nick providing the beatdown on each other. Graham struggled with his new deck, while Geoff, also with a new deck got the luck of the draw and bled Graham out very quickly. However this then meant he got the attention of the rest of the table, and his S:CEs were limited. Kieran built up the circle, which included Angelo, with Brothers Blood and Preternatural Strength. This gave them plenty of bruising power, while Nick had to rely on ANI and POT combat cards. Everyone lost minions to torpor, with Kieran taking advantage with Dragonbound. Geoff managed a final push on Nick, who had done his best to batter Kieran, but he was ousted. It wasn’t enough to keep Geoff in though, as he had one minion vs four angry Blood Brothers and he followed soon after.

Draw
Geoff 2vps, Kieran 2vps, Nick 0vps, Stevan 0vps.

Game 4
Andy Las Guns > Paul !Tre/FoS > Sam Ahrimanes > Stevan Assamite

Another game with quite a lot of combat, with everyone having some kind of offensive strikes. I moved forward with Howler, but she went down to a Taste of Death and was eaten by Pauls minions. Andy stalled a little as he tried to build up a selection of Berretas and combined it with Black Metamorphosis. Paul bought out a Succubus, which I quickly stole with Entrancement - not quite repaying the lost of Howler. The Succubus did allow me to move forward, with Siamese and Juanita providing support, and Stevan was ousted - he had run out of untap just as everything else had fallen into place. I was quite battered by now, and Siamese also went down and Succubus was burnt, so I was soon ousted as well. Andy tried to go forward, but Temptation lead him astray and Paul took his guns and his blood. With little to work with Andy was also ousted.

Win
Paul 3vps GW, Sam 1vp, Andy 0vps, Stevan 0vps.

Current Standings
Paul 10 GWs 3 Draws 37.0 vps 26 Total Games 0.38
Sam 6 GWs 2 Draws 24.5 vps 26 Total Games 0.23
Graham 4 GWs 2 Draws 23.0 vps 21 Total Games 0.19
Steve 2 GWs 2 Draws 11.0 vps 7 Total Games 0.29
Kieran 2 GWs 4 Draws 9.0 vps 9 Total Games 0.22
Stevan 1 GWs 2 Draws 7.0 vps 17 Total Games 0.06
Nick 1 GWs 0 Draws 7.0 vps 13 Total Games 0.08
Geoff 1 GWs 2 Draws 6.5 vps 18 Total Games 0.06
Andy 0 GWs 0 Draws 1.0 vps 3 Total Games 0.00
Richard 0 GWs 1 Draws 0.5 vps 1 Total Games 0.00

Total: 30 Games (26 GW, 4 Draws)

A surge from Kieran, while Paul gets one and I get one keeping the gap the same. Next week will be back in Trowbridge, and we will be down to six or seven players - depending on work. The next Huntsman meeting is planned for 2nd of July when Steve should be around and there is a chance of Richard being available. Sadly we didn’t get any new players show up last night, although we did have the barmaid asking Geoff questions on the game. Perhaps I should try to get Phil along on the 2nd, as if Steve is there then they can talk TA together.

Sam

Ah ha! I have got you with the title, yes we did play a league game, but we also played the planned Jyhad Shared deck as well. We managed four players, as we had a few last minute cancellations.

Game 1
Sam > Geoff > Stevan > Andy.

This was the Jyhad Shared deck, so there were no individual decks to describe. Anyway the game played out well, with everyone getting some votes and some smaller vampires into play. There were various pushes from players, Geoff managing to get his DOM OBF minion bleeding Stevan for 4. A few votes came out, but Stevan had managed to get two Justicars into play, and pretty much controlled the vote. Given the deck played there were still some unpleasant combos coming up - Geoff controlled many locations, with Elder Library, The Barrens, The Elysium and KRCG Radio on his side of the table, while Stevan got some combat cards rolling out giving both Geoff and Andy something to worry about. The game went to time, with everyone still in.

Draw

Game 2
Sam Black Hand Assamites > Geoff DOM THA bleed > Stevan OBF PRE SER bleed > Andy Aabbt Agitation

The second game was a league game, and everyone cracked out new and improved decks. Andy surged forward with Mesu Bedshet and multiple Aabbts calling Reckless Agitation - they gained a PRE skill card, and then could Bewitch and Voter Cap. I took 13 points of pool damage in one turn, and then another 8 in the next turn and was quickly ousted. The rest of the table had realised the threat, and so Geoff used Uta to rush and Stevan pushed forward - Andys only defence being to go forward with votes. However Andys deck stalled out, as the vote cards ran dry. This meant that Stevan could keep rolling forward, while keeping Geoff at bay with S:CE. However it didn’t go all his way, as Nakhthorheb was burnt with Archon Investigation. Stevan bought out a weenie Setite and it was enough to push through Andy, and then on through Geoff.

Win
Stevan 3vps GW, Andy 1vp, Geoff 0vps, Sam 0vps.

Current Standings
Paul 9 GWs 3 Draws 33.0 vps 24 Total Games 0.38
Sam 5 GWs 2 Draws 21.5 vps 24 Total Games 0.21
Graham 4 GWs 2 Draws 22.0 vps 19 Total Games 0.21
Steve 2 GWs 2 Draws 11.0 vps 7 Total Games 0.29
Stevan 1 GWs 2 Draws 7.0 vps 15 Total Games 0.07
Nick 1 GWs 0 Draws 7.0 vps 11 Total Games 0.09
Geoff 1 GWs 1 Draws 6.5 vps 16 Total Games 0.07
Kieran 1 GWs 3 Draws 5.0 vps 7 Total Games 0.14
Andy 0 GWs 0 Draws 1.0 vps 1 Total Games 0.00
Richard 0 GWs 1 Draws 0.5 vps 1 Total Games 0.00

Total: 27 Games (24 GW, 3 Draw)

So Andy finally gets off the bottom of the table, and will return with an improved version of the Aabbt Agitation deck! Also Stevan gets his first win, and rockets up the table three places.

Sam

We managed five players last night, so two full sized games.

Game 1
Geoff !Tremere BB > Graham Followers Dream > Nick Lasombra Bleed > Sam CEL FOR Anarchs > Paul SER THA stealer

A quick game, with big bleeds from Geoff, large hordes from Graham, bleeds and votes from Nick, Revolts from me, and confusion from Paul - Form of Corruption, Temptation, Restricted Vitae and Khobar Towers.
Geoff managed to get a stable base to work from with the Rack and a number of bounce cards, which put some pressure on Graham, however he could build up his minions and surge forward. Nick tried to defend, and to vote forward, but he nearly choked on a Poison Pill. I struggled, as the Galarics didn’t show up, which slowed the deck, it also didn’t cycle very quickly so I didn’t find the Undue Influences either, however I still managed to put some pressure on Paul. Paul bought out a selection of Followers and !Tremere, but managed to avoid contesting with either Geoff or Graham. The game then slowed a little, as players struggled with their decks, however Graham kept up the pressure and surged through Nick. The pressure kept coming, and Graham kept going forward with the hordes.

Win
Graham 5vps GW, Goeff 0vps, Nick 0vps, Paul 0vps, Sam 0vps

Game 2
Graham Tremere & Gargoyles > Sam Anneke Block > Nick Nosferatu Beats > Geoff Malk Bleed > Paul Toreador Grand Ball

A much slower game, and this time we got some contesting of titles - Geoff had Gilbert Duane Prince of Miami, while Paul bought out Fluerdumal Prince of Miami… Geoff didn’t need the title so gave it up, although perhaps if he knew how much Paul needed it he wouldn’t have. Paul also had to miss out on the Toreador Justicar Title as I already had Anneke in play, so he skipped on to Alexandra. Meanwhile Graham built up with weenies and Ublo Satha, which caused me problems as when I blocked Ublo swooped in, and I hadn’t found any .44 Magnums yet. Nick was free to push forward, while Geoff tried to defend with Saturday Night Specials, Target Vitals and occassional Dragons Breath Rounds. It was not enough and Nick got the Oust, meanwhile Paul had built up and started to Parity Shift blood from Graham - using that Prince title. I tried to counter it, but Michael Luther took time out from his Grand Ball to cancel Annekes votes - he was untapped via Alexandra and then tapped. Graham couldn’t make much of an impression on me, and he finally ran out of Delaying Tactics which gave Paul the oust. I pushed forward against Nick which put a number of his vampires in torpor, but Anneke went down and she was diablerized by Fluerdumal who took the Bowl of Convergence and the .44. This stopped Nick, and with him defending I couldn’t oust him, Paul pushed through me, and then Nick soon after.

Win
Paul 4vps Gw, Nick 1vp, Geoff 0vps, Graham 0vps, Sam 0vps

Current Standings
Paul 9 GWs 3 Draws 33.0 vps 24 Total Games 0.38

Sam 5 GWs 2 Draws 21.5 vps 23 Total Games 0.22

Graham 4 GWs 2 Draws 22.0 vps 19 Total Games 0.21

Steve 2 GWs 2 Draws 11.0 vps 7 Total Games 0.29

Nick 1 GWs 0 Draws 7.0 vps 11 Total Games 0.09

Geoff 1 GWs 1 Draws 6.5 vps 15 Total Games 0.07

Kieran 1 GWs 3 Draws 5.0 vps 7 Total Games 0.14

Stevan 0 GWs 2 Draws 4.0 vps 14 Total Games 0.00

Richard 0 GWs 1 Draws 0.5 vps 1 Total Games 0.00

Andy 0 GWs 0 Draws 0.0 vps 0 Total Games 0.00

Total: 26 Games (23 GW, 3 Draw)

So Paul extends his lead, while Graham is nipping at my heels. Meanwhile Nick has changed positions with Geoff due to that extra vp he got. Talking of Nick he missed the last train back last night, so had a comfortable(?) night on the sofa at my house, he also suffered an early morning wake up (early for him at least) so I expect he will double check the train times next time.

This Saturday is ECQ in Burton, to which Paul Graham Nick and Kieran are definitely going. Andy was talking about going, but will have to see if he makes an appearance. Graham also has Kierans Blood Shadowed Court boxes (which have arrived) and a ARDB disc, he should also find an Unmasking for Kieran, while Paul has the other cards he needs.

Next week, 21st of May will be a wind down week after all the build up to the ECQ. So it will be a good opportunity to play something different. Can either try Phased Motion format Vtes, using the Jyhad only deck that we have played before, or perhaps another game altogether - Mall of Horror, Lord of the Rings, Condottiere or any of the other games I have at home. I would suggest Battletech, but as BoardGameClub still haven’t worked out my order yet I can’t. However Gammarauders is similar, with players having a BioBorg each - 60 foot mutated creatures such as rats, kangaroos and turtles! I would need to read the rules before if people are keen. I think that there will be five of us again, as I don’t think Stevan will be available.

Sam

Yes its that time of year again, BloodBATH time! This one is the Sixth Tradition: Destruction, so expect lots of combat and pain.
I have lots of prizes again - even more than last time!
There are signed Amaranth, Archon Investigation, Burning Wrath, Ebony Fox Hunt & Trap - which will be handed out upon meeting certain conditions as last time. There are enough Sixth Traditions for everyone who turns up, while there are five Body Bags for the lowest ranked players! There is also the Wooden Stake card, which again will be handed out on certain conditions. Plus there will be the usual promos, and boosters.
The tournament will be held at my house on Saturday 9th of August, from 11am to 7pm. It will be a 3R and Final format, standard constructed rules. It is not a Mini Qualifier this year, as I want to play at my own event.
If you need any further details then please contact me via PM.

Hope to see you all there.

Sam

Back to The Huntsman this week, although with only four available players.

Game 1
Graham Followers Dream > Geoff !Tremere Bruise/Bleed > Nick Ravnos Illusions > Sam CEL/FOR Anarchs

This was a very quick game, which seems to be quite common at the moment. Anyway Graham surged forward with large numbers of Waters of Duat, while I built up numerous Anarchs. Geoff struggled with the speed, meaning he didn’t really get a chance to find either intercept or bloat before he was overrun. Nick had little pressure, but his Ravnos needed time to build up. He did fire an Edged Illusion back on Graham which certainly slowed him, and if he had followed up with a few more on me or Graham then he would have been in a stronger position. However I could push forward and oust Graham, with Nick following soon after, although he did put a number of my minions in torpor.

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

Game 2
Sam Cycling Trujah > Nick !Nos Beats > Graham Assamite Bleed > Geoff !Tremere B/B

A slower game, although one that turned very violent. I was back rushed by Nick which sent Nehemiah down. Nehemiah was then eaten by Olugbenga who gained the AK-47 that was lying next to him. This slowed Nick down, although he picked on other minions with Fame, and still rushed Olug, causing him trouble. Geoff sent forward some large bleeds, and with Fame in play there was little I could do to resist. I did lose another minion, this time to aggravated damage, and I was quickly ousted. There was then a frenzy of combat, which ended up with every vampire (there were no allies in play) in torpor. The race was then on to be first to recover, but everyone was looking frail. Geoff pushed through Nick who never got the chance to take that AK-47. Geoff however had gained it earlier, with Uta, but she was still in torpor. It was a two player race, especially as everyone ended up in torpor againg. However Geoff finally got the Blood Dolls, and bought back Malgorzata his key vamp of the game and got the final oust.

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

Current Standings.

Paul 8 GWs 3 Draws 29.0 vps 22 Total Games 0.36

Sam 5 GWs 2 Draws 21.5 vps 21 Total Games 0.24

Graham 3 GWs 2 Draws 17.0 vps 17 Total Games 0.18

Steve 2 GWs 2 Draws 11.0 vps 7 Total Games 0.29

Geoff 1 GWs 1 Draws 6.5 vps 13 Total Games 0.08

Nick 1 GWs 0 Draws 6.0 vps 9 Total Games 0.11

Kieran 1 GWs 3 Draws 5.0 vps 7 Total Games 0.14

Stevan 0 GWs 2 Draws 4.0 vps 14 Total Games 0.00

Richard 0 GWs 1 Draws 0.5 vps 1 Total Games 0.00

Andy 0 GWs 0 Draws 0.0 vps 0 Total Games 0.00

Total: 24 Games (21 GW, 3 Draw)

Next week will be at 18 QC Gardens, with only four players available - Sam, Graham, Paul and Nick. So if there are any cancellations then we will have to cancel the night.

The following Saturday is the ECQ in Burton for those that are going. If anyone needs cards or wants some opinions on their decks then post them up and we will see what we can do.

We will have to think about further meets at The Huntsman, as the main reason for starting them was for Andy to be able to come along and play, and of the five meets we have now had there he has managed to get to one of them. The main problem is the higher cost of meeting there - I spent £13.90 on parking, food and drink, which adds up especially compared with meeting at someones house. What do the rest of you think? Is it worth keeping the first Wednesday of the month plan, or not?

However we might want to plan some later in the year, as Richard may want to meet us there as he won’t be coming to work with Graham this summer. Its a big shame, but hopefully we will see Richard at some point during the summer months - perhaps BloodBATH 2008?

Sam

This week I had a week off the Vtes, but the league continued without me.

Game 1
Reported by Paul

Paul / Great Beast > Geoff / !Tremere > Kieran / Blood Brothers > Nick / Beast & Buddies

A brutal game with much big fist, POT and Beast-on-Beast action (nasty) from the outset.

Cybele set up quite quickly and began to bleed Geoff steadily for three or five. Beast tussled with some Blood Brothers as he tried to slip into some leathers, and the Blood Brothers came off worse. The Great Beast arrived. Geoff got more heavily bled and both Kieran and Nick began to look aggressively at the Big Beast who was trying to look innocently back at them.

Things then got complicated with so much Harassing, Ambushing and Rushing that I find it is hard to keep track, Followers of Set and Baali go to torpor, get burnt, are reborn, bleed etc. Kieran and Nick beat on each other a bit. Beast loses an arm. Geoff gets bled out by the Great Beast and Cybele (version II or III). Kieran is low on pool but strong on combat. He gets gets bled out, just (his own Tension contributes to his ruin). Nick bleeds and rushes forwards.

Paul is weak, drops down to two pool with another Cybele (III) coming into play, but manages to acquire the Soul Gem, Call another Beast, who bleeds, burn herself, and bleeds with the new version of herself (VI) at stealth, ousting Nick.

Very close with all the POT combat, but a sweep nonetheless. Highlights were the Beast, Leather Face, rushing the Great Beast, failing to get to long range (the G. Beast maneuvered back) and then ending combat.

Good game.

Game 2
Reported by Geoff.

This was a titanic struggle, played against the background of a sleepy West Country pub with every move being carefully analysed by the curious locals.

Paul –> War ghoul deck, Kieran –> Harbingers, Geoff –> Tremere antitribu, Nick –> Venture antitribu,

The game began at a brisk pace, Paul and Kieran racing each other to control the largest number of undead rushers in a quest for table domination. Shambling Hordes vs. War Ghouls, never pretty. Nick tried to curtail Paul’s ever expanding horde with heavy bleeds where possible, and Kieran took every opportunity to block any War Ghouls, or War Ghoul fodder retainers being brought into play. I contented myself with light bleeds on Nick and failed rushes back on Kieran (damn strike to end).

With pressure from two sides it was the War Ghouls that cracked first, hampered by Carlton Van Wyk, Paul was eventually ousted by his own Dragonbound how ironic

With Nick, Kieran and Paul fighting a mostly private battle I had been left free to build up forces and for the first time (ever) the Tremere deck was looking almost effective. Uta Kovacs combined with Rutor’s Hand providing useful bleed & rush double action.

Nick had been left weakened by the back rushing War Ghouls and I looked to press forward, but Kieran provided constant pressure of his own. The turning point came with a heavy 7 point bleed from Nick being deflected on to me, back to Kieran, and then back to me again. Curse my lack of intercept, it got through and I was hamstrung.

Nick held out for a couple more turns before I managed to remove his single remaining pool, but I was in bad shape - low pool, crippled vamps and a hand jammed with rushes and masters.

Kieran pressed on, savage rushes from the Shamblers providing the covering fire to keep my minions heads down whilst his vampires went to work on what little was left of my pool. I had no answers and Kieran stripped my remaining pool to clench a deserved victory.

Win
2 VPs GW Kieran, 1 VP Nick, 1 VP Geoff, 0 VP Paul

Current Standings

Paul 8 GWs 3 Draws 29.0 vps 22 Total Games 0.36
Sam 4 GWs 2 Draws 18.5 vps 19 Total Games 0.21
Graham 3 GWs 2 Draws 16.0 vps 15 Total Games 0.20
Steve 2 GWs 2 Draws 11.0 vps 7 Total Games 0.29
Nick 1 GWs 0 Draws 6.0 vps 7 Total Games 0.14
Kieran 1 GWs 3 Draws 5.0 vps 7 Total Games 0.14
Stevan 0 GWs 2 Draws 4.0 vps 14 Total Games 0.00
Geoff 0 GWs 1 Draws 2.5 vps 11 Total Games 0.00
Richard 0 GWs 1 Draws 0.5 vps 1 Total Games 0.00
Andy 0 GWs 0 Draws 0.0 vps 0 Total Games 0.00

Total: 22 Games (19 GW, 3 Draw)

Next week the plan is to play at The Huntsman, although we will need all available players again, so Paul, Geoff, Nick, Andy and myself. I know that Kieran is unavailable, and I am not sure on Nick or Andy. So it could be another missed week for me.
On the 14th the plan is to play at 18 QC Gardens, which will get Graham back into the fold, and will be practice for the ECQ on 17th. So expect filth!

Sam