We suffered from the Greater Curse of Eleven Players and I had a bad feeling about that from the start. Fortunately I wasn't playing in the first round so I both had the time to do some scouting and play two games of Battle Line with Alex. I knew from scouting that it would be a hard time for me reaching the finals with my specialized deck.
Round 2
Me -> Ida Olsson (Laibon Ravnos Breed/Boon) -> Roger Carhult (Nakthoreb Trafficing) -> Alex Ek (Ventrue Breed/Boon) -> Peter ??? (Followers Bleed/Entice)
My predator had a hard time with Alex getting a great start. I wasn't bled for more than I could handle which was furtunate since my crypt draw wasn't the best. I started with three Anarch Converts and one Delilah Monroe. The top two vampires in my crypt turned out to be the remaining two Anarch Converts so it took a while before I could get my first Baron. I also didn't draw any vote master until late mid-game so I spent most of the game with no permanent votes. The breeding worked fine since the whole table was completely intercept-free and Alex helped me pass some Con Boons for survival and even some Kines.
Me -> Ida Olsson (Laibon Ravnos Breed/Boon) -> Roger Carhult (Nakthoreb Trafficing) -> Alex Ek (Ventrue Breed/Boon) -> Peter ??? (Followers Bleed/Entice)
My predator had a hard time with Alex getting a great start. I wasn't bled for more than I could handle which was furtunate since my crypt draw wasn't the best. I started with three Anarch Converts and one Delilah Monroe. The top two vampires in my crypt turned out to be the remaining two Anarch Converts so it took a while before I could get my first Baron. I also didn't draw any vote master until late mid-game so I spent most of the game with no permanent votes. The breeding worked fine since the whole table was completely intercept-free and Alex helped me pass some Con Boons for survival and even some Kines.
Roger fought hard and managed to corrupt some Embraces, Third Traditions and Tumnimoses from his prey and predator but it was just a matter of time before Alex got his first VP. Ida's vote engine started to work and in one round she succeeded with two Con Boons for a total of 16 pool. I had Revolutionary Council in hand and 8 Anarchs, one of them being Baron so I knew I could make Ida burn 14 pool with one action but not being able to handle the last two pool. I was also running low on pool and I made a deal with Alex that he would let me get my Victory Point before trying to oust me. I did my thing and Ida was on two pool. Alex turned out to have the perfect hand so after some bleeds and two 3-1 Kines he ousted me and Ida at the same time. Sad times and a beautifully sneaky way of honouring his deal.
I should have played it cool. I had the Museum in play and I could demand to bloat for some rounds before damaging Ida. Alex would probably have had to work with me anyhow since Ida would have been too strong without me being able to deal her massive damage. Bad mistake but a good game.
Alex GW 2.5VP Me 1VP Roger 0.5VP
I should have played it cool. I had the Museum in play and I could demand to bloat for some rounds before damaging Ida. Alex would probably have had to work with me anyhow since Ida would have been too strong without me being able to deal her massive damage. Bad mistake but a good game.
Alex GW 2.5VP Me 1VP Roger 0.5VP
Round 3
Me -> Martin Svenneryd (Beast&Co Combat) -> Mattias Thörnkvist (True Brujah/Brujah something) -> Peter Kärrberg (Akunanse Toolbox)
I knew I would never get trough my first prey without help. The situation wasn't better since he had seen me execute the Revolutionary Council for 14 in the previous round. Fortunately Peter had been slammed by his combat in round 2 so he wasn't willing to oust me before I ousted Martin.
Both me and Mattias got a good share of Potence and Animalism-combat in our faces while Peter was free to do his set-up. Soon Martin had both Information Network and Rumour Mill in play plus intercept-reactions on hand so my Barons couldn't act at all since I only had Creepshow Casino in play. I made him take some vote damage and the whole table was turned against him. Peter and I made a deal he shouldn't oust me before I ousted Martin. This time I thought I would prepare for a double-oust and getting 12 fresh pool for the duel since Mattias was totally crippled but I influenced one vampire too many to my controlled region. Peter was able to do the same thing Alex did to me the round before with an Anarchist Uprising ousting me and Martin at the same time. Who was the fool of the day?
Peter GW 3VP Me 1VP
Me -> Martin Svenneryd (Beast&Co Combat) -> Mattias Thörnkvist (True Brujah/Brujah something) -> Peter Kärrberg (Akunanse Toolbox)
I knew I would never get trough my first prey without help. The situation wasn't better since he had seen me execute the Revolutionary Council for 14 in the previous round. Fortunately Peter had been slammed by his combat in round 2 so he wasn't willing to oust me before I ousted Martin.
Both me and Mattias got a good share of Potence and Animalism-combat in our faces while Peter was free to do his set-up. Soon Martin had both Information Network and Rumour Mill in play plus intercept-reactions on hand so my Barons couldn't act at all since I only had Creepshow Casino in play. I made him take some vote damage and the whole table was turned against him. Peter and I made a deal he shouldn't oust me before I ousted Martin. This time I thought I would prepare for a double-oust and getting 12 fresh pool for the duel since Mattias was totally crippled but I influenced one vampire too many to my controlled region. Peter was able to do the same thing Alex did to me the round before with an Anarchist Uprising ousting me and Martin at the same time. Who was the fool of the day?
Peter GW 3VP Me 1VP
I made one mistake in each game against smart predators and that cost me the chances of entering the finals. The greatest lesson learned from this is that it is hard to play a specialized deck that focuses on only one strategy. I don't think I am a good enough player yet to succeed when I need to. I have to start playing safer decks for a while and analyzing the different aspects of the game before I try these crazy attempts again.
There is nothing wrong with the deck I played. I will keep it for a while but the three Dodges will probably be traded for one more Con Boon, one more damaging vote and a third copy of Conductor. There are also some new cards to play with from Heirs to the Blood and most of the Con Boons should be traded for Benefit Performances. About half of the Kines should be Lily Preludes as well but other than that none of the new cards adds anything good to this deck.
There is nothing wrong with the deck I played. I will keep it for a while but the three Dodges will probably be traded for one more Con Boon, one more damaging vote and a third copy of Conductor. There are also some new cards to play with from Heirs to the Blood and most of the Con Boons should be traded for Benefit Performances. About half of the Kines should be Lily Preludes as well but other than that none of the new cards adds anything good to this deck.
ah the second table there was harsh , that crosstable vote was probably the only thing that could take me down that round and the round after i would have ousted my prey :/.
ReplyDeletebut i learned a lot and the deck will be trimmed and ready for the next tournament when i feel a lot of cheese coming down :P
// martin
Yes, it was a really strange game. I think you showed a little too much strength early on. The two intercept-locations was nothing I really could handle and all four of us knew it.
ReplyDeleteHope to see you again at a Gothenburg tournament and hope I'll be able to go to Oslo to play soon too.